William Oliphant, Lord of Aberdalgie

Sir William Oliphant (died 1329), Lord of Aberdalgie and Dupplin, was a Scottish magnate, knight and leader during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

Life Oliphant fought at the Battle of Dunbar in 1296, where the Scots, under their king John Balliol, were defeated by the invading English. Following the battle he was captured and taken to Rochester Castle in England where he was imprisoned. He was released after agreeing to serve King Edward I of England overseas. During the siege of 1304, when the castle was attacked by the forces of Edward I of England, the garrison eventually surrendered to the English. He was captured once again, this time being imprisoned at Wallingford Castle In this same year all of Scotland with the exception of William Wallace had sworn fealty to Edward I.

For 110 shillings, as "William Olyfaunt, Knight", he was bonded by Hugh le Despenser, the elder and remained in England until 1313. He was one of the signatories to the Declaration of Arbroath on 6 April 1320 and his seal is still visible.

Sir William's tomb is in Aberdalgie Churchyard, in Perthshire, within the site of the original church. The effigy is made from "Tournai marble" from northern France or Flanders. The grave lies at the furthest corner of the churchyard close to a small stream.

He left his estates to his son Walter. These included Dupplin, Hedderwick and Cranshaws which he inherited from his Oliphant predecessors; Aberdalgie, Turin, Glensaugh, Pitkerie and Gallery which apparently came into the family from a Wishart heiress; Gasknes, Newtyle, Kinpurnie, Auchtertyre, Balcrais, Muirhouse and Hazelhead acquired as gifts from the King.

Family

The name of Sir William's wife is Isabel Douglas, they had a son: Sir Walter Oliphant (Olifaunt) of Aberdalgie and Dupplin, he married Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of King Robert I (Bruce) de Brus. Their descendant, Sir Laurence Oliphant of Aberdalgie, was created Lord Oliphant in 1456.