Often the Chief would have some clansmen committed to one side and some
committed to the other.
The Chief could then disown the loser. Highland honour was subject to
curious interpretations at times. Sinclair's still smarting form the rising
in 1715, when in 1746 the Italian born Charles Edward Stuart led the last
feudal army to take the field, in to battles against his cousin did not
participate. Gathering a few worthies (who never made it to the battle), a
year after the Young Pretender landed, been advised to go home only to
reply that "He had come home" does show the first bit of common sense on the
part of our Chiefs vis a vie the Stuart. It show no commitment to the
Rebellion.
The farmer John Sinclair, who lived on the edge of Drummossie Moor, was
briefly detained when the information reached Cumberland that he was a
Rebel. He was released when the information was proven to be untrue.
A clan followed it's Chief, no law, no Government decree no King stood above
the call of a Highland Chief to the Gentleman and Clansman. We, who bear
one of the proudest names, have not promoted that name we have failed to
tell of our collective deeds glorious and times victorious we have the
opportunity to do that now.
"could these few short summers be mine
then all the world would cry Sinclair
and echo with our name"
Sinclair
----- Original Message -----
From: John S. Quarterman <jsq@mids.org>
To: <sinclair@mids.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 7:55 PM
Subject: Re: Culloden
> >Hi all,
> >
> >the other day by coincident I stumbled upon a program on the TV about
> >the Highlanders and their history and last battle. They named a lot of
> >clans, showed castles, villages, islands and highland games of today but
> >not in so much as one word did they mention Sinclair. How come? Anyone
> >that knows!!
>
> Presumably the last battle they mentioned was Culloden.
> Sinclairs weren't there in force; they were ready up north
> to join Charlie's attempt, but the defeat at Culloden left
> nothing to join.
>
> I'm sure others on this list can give a much better explanation.
>
> >Best regards
> >Lena
>
> John S. Quarterman <jsq@mids.org>
> [ This is the Sinclair family discussion list, sinclair@mids.org
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