Clan Carruthers Int Society

      Pvt. Sgt. Lieut. Capt. Maj.  Philip William Carruthers   Philip was born 26/05/1914, at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He was the son of William ‘Clyde’ and Loretta Mary ‘Laura’ (Smith) Carruthers.   Phil is pictured with his wife, Catherine Elizabeth “Betty” Bevan Carruthers and their first child, William “Bill.”   Philip is the brother of Vincent ‘Clyde’ (Cdn. Army), ‘Helen’ Laureen(Fowler),…

                                                             DAL RIATA                                           KINGDOM OF THE SCOTS   When the Romans left Scotland, in the 4th century, they left behind (unconquered) the iron-age tribes of northern Scotland who had been given names such as Picti, Caledonii and Epidii. By the 6th century, the tribes had united as the kingdom of the Picts,…

THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF CARATACUS   The ancient sources containing information about the Roman campaigns inBritannia in the 1st century, the time of Caratacus, are limited. By closely reading Roman histories, a few other textual sources, and archeology, such as coins, historians have been able to create a plausible historical timeline. Though the work of ancient historians always involves some…

WILLIAM WALLACE – THE BATTLE OF STIRLING BRIDGE At the beginning of September William Wallace, (Carruthers Ancestor) who was besieging the castle of Dundee, heard that de Warenne had a last crossed the Tweed and was marching on Stirling. He at once hastened south and took up a position on a hill overlooking Cambuskenneth Abbey not far from a narrow wooden bridge that spanned the Forth. Over…

WILLIAM WALLACE ( CARRUTHERS ANCESTOR) – KING EDWARDS SECOND INVASION   Edward landed in the spring of 1298 and at once hurried north to join the army which he had ordered to assemble on the Scottish border.   At the head of a force composed largely of Welsh and Irish foot, he crossed the Tweed about midsummer and advanced slowly toward the Forth, burning and destroying everything that came in…

  POST CULLODEN   AFTER THE FORTY-FIVE AFTER THE REBELLION   In the days when he was a hunted man, expecting every moment to be taken, Charles confessed that all his thoughts were for his unfortunate followers.   The very moment the victory was won saw a beginning of those atrocities which have earned lasting infamy for Cumberland.     The soldiers were encouraged to refuse quarter; a hut into…

KING WILLIAM I – THE LION – CARRUTHERS ANCESTOR   At he end of the year 1165 Malcolm the Maiden, was succeeded by his brother William. William was passionately fond of knightly feats and all the pomp of chivalry; he followed after light loves, to the perplexity of his counsellors, and steadfastly refused to marry till late in life; he made his own clergy do as he pleased, lived through interdicts…

KING WILLIAM I ( CARRUTHERS ANCESTOR) CAPTURED   William had, indeed, seen the men-at-arms approach, but he paid no heed to them, because he thought they were only some of his own followers returning from a foray.     But as the horsemen drew nearer he marked the unfamiliar banners of the knights, and knew when it was too late that the enemy “had already dared what he could not have suspected…

KING MACBETH ( CARRUTHERS ANCESTOR)   Fifteen years afterward King Cnut advanced into Scotland and received the submission of the Scottish King.     “But that he held for only a little time,” remarks the English chronicler. In the following year 1034, King Malcolm died at Glamis, and was succeeded by his grandson Duncan.   Duncan’s reign passed without event, save for an unsuccessful invasion of…

KING WILLIAM I ( CARRUTHERS ANCESTOR) CAPTURED William had, indeed, seen the men-at-arms approach, but he paid no heed to them, because he thought they were only some of his own followers returning from a foray. But as the horsemen drew nearer he marked the unfamiliar banners of the knights, and knew when it was too late that the enemy “had already dared what he could not have suspected they…

WILLIAM WALLACE AND THE BATTLE OF FALKIRK     Despite his injuries the King was in the saddle before dawn.   As morning was breaking the troops filed through the silent streets of Linlithgow and out into the open country beyond. From a hill not far away came the gleam of spears, but when the English vanguard came up they found that the spearmen had retreated.   Tents were pitched on the…

    Gutland / Gotland       The Gotland Museum collections contain some of the oldest picture stones in Sweden with many dating from the prehistoric era of circa 9000 years ago and including the pre-Viking Age era of circa 700 AD. The earliest picture stones feature animal and geometric motifs before the more familiar Celtic styles of decoration are incorporated into the picture stones. Some of…

WILLIAM WALLACE: THE MAN WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN KING!   Sir William Wallace, or The Wallace, is one of the most powerful, most evocative, and most well recognized figures from Scottish history. It is a fair bet that today his name is better known worldwide than most if not all of Scotland’s monarchs. Yet he was never a king; his notable deeds took place over a very short period of time, part of…

CLERICS IN CARRUTHERSLAND Throughout the ages, Carruthers have played a role not only as warriors, knights and Reivers but as men of peace. They preached from the pulpit to try to enhance and uplift the lives there congregations. If they weren’t of the church, they helped in its administration. In the middle ages, it was not unusual for the second son to go into the Church as all the family…

KING ARTHUR AND HIS SON   The story of King Arthur is well known by many. He is considered as a legendary leader of Britain whose exploits were placed in the 5th or 6th century although popular culture, as seen in recent films and adaptations, often portray him as a later medieval knight. King Arthur is a king, or chieftain, who still invokes great interest and speculation in numerous books of…

  BORDER REIVERS: DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHO YOU ARE?           I know what I am. I’ve always known what I am. When my maternal great great grandfather Arthur Scott changed his place of birth from Canonbie a couple of miles across the border to Bewcastle when he applied for a good game-keeping job down in Lancaster in the early 1900s, he knew what he was too. A borderer. It didn’t take him long to…

THE SWORD OF RHYDDERCH HAEL   ‘Dyrnwyn (‘White-Hilt), the sword of Rhydderch the Generous: if a well-born man drew it himself, it burst into flame from its hilt to its tip. And everyone who used to ask for it would receive it; but because of this peculiarity everyone used to reject it. And therefore he was called Rhydderch the Generous.’   The Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain I draw…