A Note on the Information below: I am neither Scottish nor a historian. I have tried to gather information in a logical and reasonable manner, but there are bound to be a number of errors on this page. I will try to correct the information as I learn more. If you find a glaring inaccuracy and wish to see it corrected, I request that you write to me so I may do so. Frankly, trying to sort out Scottish history makes my head hurt, and the more I find the less certain I am. Take the information below with as much salt as you can throw at it.
Families And Places Named In Tam Lin
Families whose location is unknown
A note on the name Tam Lin: I do not think the name Tam Lin is meant to apply to any family or people. "Tam" is a generic name, the Scottish equivalent of Tom, and he is indeed called Tom or Thomas in many versions. The last name of Lin or Lyn is also fairly problematic for identification (more information here). While there were various families called Lyne or Lin in Scotland, and some have associated holdings in the Roxburgh area, I think this is a red herring. There are several other ballads with a main character named Tam Lin or Tamlane, and it is doubtful that they were all meant to refer to the same character. Tam O' The Linn is an old story about a bumbling man, and on this site I have Burd Ellen and Tamlane which is also unrelated. Since Tam Lin is generally considered by the local populace to be a Faerie at the beginning of the tale, he would be unlikely to be going by his human name. I may be wrong. This page exlpores the lineage he gives to Janet later in the story.
Map locations:
1 - Roxburgh Castle
citing verse:
"Roxbrugh he was my grandfather,
Took me with him to bide
And ance it fell upon a day
That wae did me betide.
- Tam Lin speaks of his lineage, version 39A, similar verses in 39B and Oxford book of ballads
Family:
I do not know of a family name of Roxburgh. See, however,
Gray/Foulis below.
Locations
There is a parish of Roxburgh near Kelso, in Roxburghshire, and a
castle Roxburgh stands at this site.
Signifigance
In 1306 Roxburgh Castle was held by the English during the war
with Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland. His sister, Mary, was
placed in a cage and suspended from the walls of this castle as
punishment. She remained in this cage for three years,until her
death. In 1314 the castle was recaptured by the Scottish under the
leadership of Sir James Douglas.
Website References
Douglas Library
Map locations:
2 - Dingwall
citing verse:
I have been at good church-door,
And aff her yetts within;
I was the Laird of Foulis's son,
The heir of all this land.
- Tam Lin speaks of his lineage, version 39D
Family: (theory one)
The Laird of Foulis is the title given to the members of the Munro
family holding lands near Dingwall, Scotland
Locations
The family is originally from Dingwall Scotland. Foulis Castle is
located 1 1/2 miles from Evanton, Easter Ross.
Signifigance
The family is described as a Ross-Shire clan, originally vassals
of the Earl of Ross.
Website References
Foulis
Castle
citing verse:
I have been at good church-door,
And aff her yetts within;
I was the Laird of Foulis's son,
The heir of all this land.
- Tam Lin speaks of his lineage, version 39D
Family:(theory two)
The lands of Fowlis passed in to the hands of the family Gray.
This family lived near Broxmouth in Roxburghshire.
Location: Broxmouth is near Dunbar on a river
called Brox burn.
Signifigance:
The first Lord Grey was laird of Foulis and Laird of Broxmouth. He
was an ally of King James. His descendants married in with the
Forbes and Murray families. During the battle of Dunbar, Cromwell
is said to have taken refuge in Broxmouth house, owned by the Earl
of Roxborough.
Map locations:
7 - Ruins of Elcho Castle
citing verse:
'If Charteris ha be thy father's,
I was ance as gude mysell;
But as I came in by Lady Kirk,
And in by Lady Well,
- Tam Lin speaks, regarding Janet's Lineage, version 39E
Family:
The Charteris family was founded after lands were granted to
Thomas de Longueville by King Robert Bruce. The family later
acquired the Earldom of March after marriage with the Douglas
family (see Douglas, below)
Locations
Elcho castle, an early holding of the family, is near the river
Tay, although this land passed out of the family hands some time
ago.
Signifigance
Unknown
Website References
none
Map locations:
4 - Castle Tolquhoun
citing verse:
O I hae been at gade church-door,
An I've got Christendom;
I'm the Earl o' Forbes' eldest son,
An heir ower a' his land.
- Tam Lin speaks, regarding his lineage, version 39G, similar verse in Greig-Duncan folksong index
Family:
The Forbes family is an ancient one, the origianly lands having
been won (according to legend) as a prize in Abersdeenshire.
Locations
Castle Tolquhoun was built by an old branch of the family. There
is supposedly also a Castle Forbes on the River Dee, but I have not
further discovered its location.
Signifigance
The Forbes were fierce opponents of King Edward of England, and
the first Lord Forbes married a granddaughter of Robert II.
Website References
Castle
Tolquhoun
Map locations:
none
Randolph, Earl Murray, was my sire,
Dunbar, Earl March, is thine;
We loved when we were children small
Which yet you well may mind,
- Tam Lin speaks, regarding his lineage, version 39I
Family:
The Murray or Moray family was created by King Robert of Scotland
as a reward for the bravery of Thomas Randolp, 1st Earl of
Murray.
Locations
unknown
Signifigance
Thomas Randolph, Earl Murray (?-1332) was an early follower of
Robert's revolt against Edward of England, but was captured in
battle. When he was later freed by James Douglas (see douglas) he
rejoined Robert and was made an Earl. He later served as Regent of
Scotland at the time of David II.
Website References
Douglas Library
Map locations:
8 - Castle Dunbar
citing verse:
Randolph, Earl Murray, was my sire,
Dunbar, Earl March, is thine;
We loved when we were children small
Which yet you well may mind,
- Tam Lin speaks, regarding Janet's lineage, version 39I
Family:
The Dunbar family was founded by nobleman fleeing the invasion of
William the Conqueror
Locations
The Castle Dunbar is in East Lothian
Signifigance
Patrick Dunbar, Earl of March(1285-1369), gave refuge to Edward II
of England but later fought with King Robert Bruce against Edward
III. He was married to "Black Agnes", daughter of Thomas Randolph,
Earl Murray.
Website References
?
Map locations:
5 - Castle Douglas
citing verse:
7.'I'll tell to you, fair lady,' he said,
What before I neer did tell;
I'm Earl Douglas's second son,
With the queen of the fairies I dwell.
- Tam Lin speaks, regarding his lineage, version 39J
Family:
The Douglas family was founded in the 12th century, after land
grants made to Sir James Douglas, a lieutenant of King Robert.
Locations
The Douglas family castle, Castle Threave, is located near
Kirkculdbright
Signifigance
Sir James Douglas was a leader in the rebellion of King Robert of
Scotland against King Edward of England. he lead many assaults, and
figures prominantly in the history of Scotland. At the time of
Robert's death, James was comanded to take out Robert's heart and
escort it to the holy land. he got only as far as Spain.
Website References
Castle Douglas
Map locations:
none
citing verse:
"My name is young Lord Robinson, did you ever hear tell of
me?
I was stolen by the Queen of Fairies when I was a young
babié.
Tomorrow will be the first of May, we'll all go out to ride,
If you come down to Crickmagh, there we all will pass by.
- Tam Lin speaks, regarding his lineage, version Bronson's tunes
Family:
unknown
Locations
unknown
Signifigance
unknown
Website References
none
Map locations:
6 - Abercorn, Scotland
citing verse:
Fair Janet, in her green cleiding,
Returned upon the morn,
And she met her father's as brother,
The laird of Abercorn - Janet's lineage, version mix
Family:
unknown
Locations
Abercorn is a small town near Queensferry
Signifigance
unknown
Website References
none
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