Robert Davidson, Provost of Aberdeen

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. 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. 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.

He served as an agent collecting the pensions and annuities for several people of high rank, including: Sir Malcolm Drummond who was the first husband of Isabel Douglas, Countess of Mar, James Stewart the brother of Robert III of Scotland, and David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay. Davidson was clearly a friend of the Stewarts and in his position as Alderman, he appears on more than one occasion as a witness to the deeds of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar that were made at Kildrummy Castle. One of these occasions was in December, 1410, and the other guests included Gilbert de Greenlaw who was the Bishop of Aberdeen, Henry Leighton and Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum. This meeting may have been to discuss rumours of the future invasion by Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles. Davidson was the legal advisor to the Earl of Mar. 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. In 1911, the Harlaw Monument was erected in memory of Provost Robert Davidson and the Burgesses of Aberdeen who were killed at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411.