Bayeux tapestry. The Falaise Roll. Caption 3. |
DRAFT
Duke William, conqueror of England in 1066, was accompanied at Hastings by Richard de Sancto Claro (de St. Clair), celebrated in the Battle Abbey Roll and church of Dives. By the time of the Domesday survey in 1086, Richard and Bretel, his brother, had received lands in several counties, although somewhat less than would have been expected. This might have been because their father, Walderne, had rebelled against duke William in Normandy and was killed at the battle of Val-es-Dunes in 1047.
However, by 1120, the St. Clairs were holding extensive lands across southern England as under-tenants. Although tradition has it that William, the third and youngest brother, had settled in Scotland in 1067, there is no documentary evidence that this was the case.
What is known is that Hubert de St. Clair was also holding land in 1086. Whether Hubert was a son of Richard or Bretel, or a fourth brother, or actually the third, replacing William in history, is so far unclear. But there is no doubt that he existed, and was the ancestor of the St. Clairs who continued to hold his land in the twelfth century.