Girnigoe castle of the Sinclair Clan

Sinclair and St Clair Clans

Two important families bearing the name of Sinclair (or St Clair) co-existed in the 12th century, distinguished as of Rosslyn, in Midlothian, and of Herdmanstoun, in East Lothian. Though no relationship can be traced between them, the earlier bearers of the title of Lord Sinclair belonged to the Sinclair branch of the family.

The town of St Clare lay in Pont d’Eveque in Normandy, and was the birthplace of this great northern clan. Walderne de Santo Claro accompanied William the Conqueror on his invasion of England in 1066. His son by Margaret, daughter of Richard of Normandy, was one of the many Anglo–Norman barons who came north to settle in Scotland during the reign of David I. William de Santo Claro was granted the barony of Roslin just south of Edinburgh, and this was confirmed to his son, Sir William St Clair of Roslin, in 1180. .... more

Did Henry Sinclare discover America in 1398?

• A1. Walderne de Sancto Claro, lvd:1047/1066, m. Margaret de Normandie;  ==>  The Normans
  • B1. William de St Clair of Rosslyn;
    • C1. Henri de St Clair of Rosslyn, lvd:1093/1096, m. Agnes de Dunbar;
      • D1. Sir Henry St Clair of Rosslyn;
        • E1. Sir Henry, Baron of Rosslyn, lvd:1243/1270;
          • F1. N. St Clair, m. Cailein Mór Campbell;  ==>  Clan Campbell
          • F2. Sir Henry, Baron of Rosslyn, lvd:1243/1270;
            • G1. Sir William St Clair of Rosslyn, m. Amicia;
              <========
  • H1. Sir Henry St Clair of Pentland, m. Alice de Fenton;
    • I1. Margaret Sinclair, m1. Thomas Stewart,;  ==>  Clan Stewart
                                             m2. Sir William St. Clair
      • J1. [m2]: Sir John St Clair of Herdmanston, lvd:1396;
        • K1. Sir William St Clair of Herdmanston, lvd:1413;
          • L1. Caterine St Clair, m. Sir John de Seton;  <==  Clan Seton
    • I2. Sir William Sinclair of Roslin, lvd:1330/1358, m. Isabella Strathearn;  ==>  Earls of Strathearn
      • J1. Richard Sinclair, m. Joanna de Fynlatyr;
        • K1. John Sinclair;
          • L1. John Sinclair of Deskford and Findlater, d:1411;
            • M1. Margaret Sinclair, m. Sir Walter Ogilvy;  <==  Clan Ogilvy
      • J2. Prince Henry Sinclair of Orkney, lvd:1345/1400, m. Jean Halyburton;
        • K1. Catherine Sinclair, m. Sir John Drummond;  ==>  Clan Drummond
        • K2. Sir Henry, 2 nd Earl of Orkney, lvd:1375/1421, m. Egidia Douglas;  ==>  Clan Douglas
          • L1. Sir William, 3rd Earl of Sinclair, lvd:1403/1480, m1. Elisabeth Douglas, m2. Marjory Sutherland;
            • M1. [m1] Catherine Sinclair, m. Alexander Stewart;  <==  House of Stewart
            • M2. [m1] William Sinclair, 2nd Lord, lvd:1435/1487, m. Christina Leslie;  ==>  Clan Leslie
              • N1. Henry Sinclair, lvd:1460/1513, m. Margaret Hepburn;
                • O1. Helen Sinclair, m. James Ogilvy;  <==  Clan Ogilvy
            • M3. [m2] Eleanor Sinclair, m. John Stewart;  <==  Clan Stewart

Rosslyn Chapel was built by the 3rd Earl of Sinclair. Construction of the chapel began on 20th September 1446, when it received its founding charter from Rome. Although the original building was to be a cruciform cathedral, it was never completed; the foundations of the original layout were discovered in a 1990 survey. The carving and decoration work was carried on over a forty-year period. The roof was said to have been completed by William St Clair's son after his father's death circa 1491. The Chapel is a major feature in Dan Brown's 2003 novel The Da Vinci Code, though it contains many incorrect assertions about the structure. For example, Brown's book states that the Chapel was built by the Knights Templar, and contains a six-pointed Star of David worn into the stone floor although no such star has ever been seen in the floor.