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Robert Davidson, Provost of Aberdeen

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Robert Davidson was the Provost of Aberdeen, Scotland and the leader of Aberdeen City Council. He was killed leading a force from the city at the Battle of Harlaw on 24 July 1411 against Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles.

Background

Robert Davidson had been tried for piracy, including against Richard Whittington who was the Lord Mayor of London. He was also known to have been an innkeeper, wine importer and customs inspector. He became the Provost of Aberdeen and the leader of Aberdeen City Council. However, Davidson also had legal privateer status which gave him authorisation from the government to carryout attacks. A court case raised against him by the Dutch Government was cancelled after he managed to get the French Government to intervene for him.

Battle of Harlaw

In 1411, Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles was at feud with Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany over the right to the earldom of Ross. This resulted in the Battle of Harlaw on 24 July 1411 which was fought just north of Inverurie. Davidson led a force of the Burgesses of Guild of Aberdeen in support of Albany's commander, Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar. Davidson was the legal advisor to the Earl of Mar. Davidson was killed in the battle along with the burgesses. His body was interred in the Kirk of St Nicholas where a memorial service was held for him.

Relics

In the entrance hall of the Council's Aberdeen Town House, there is on display a suit of armour that was allegedly worn by Robert Davidson at the Battle of Harlaw. His tomb can still be seen in the Kirk of St Nicholas. The National Library of Scotland holds a drawing of the effigy of Robert Davidson.

See also

References

  1. "The Battle of Harlaw" (PDF). aberdeencity.gov.uk. p. 8. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  2. ^ "Battle of Harlaw Commemoration, Jul 2011". clandavidson.org.uk. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  3. ^ Campsie, Alison (November 23, 2015). "The legal Scots pirates who robbed the high seas". The Scotsman. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  4. ^ "Battle of Harlaw". Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  5. ^ Paterson, Raymond Campbell (2001). The Lord of the Isles: A History of Clan Donald. Edinburgh: Birlinn. pp. 36–37. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  6. The Encyclopaedia of Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 1910. p. 47. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  7. "Sir Robert Davidson". findagrave.com. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  8. "Effigy of Sir Robert Davidson, Provost of Aberdeen who was slain in the Battle of Harlaw, 1411". digital.nls.uk. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
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