I recall reading many years back that after the chief was slain the babies back was broken intentionally so that he could never become a powerful chief and seek retribution.
The witness who gave a statement against Robert Logan for treason later rescinded his statement and subsequently died shortly after which is highly suspicious. James VI also had issue with Logan because he had failed to stop the execution of James's mother in the years prior. So it was likely a calculated plan to exact revenge while he couldn't defend himself as the titles were stripped from his son as well.
This matches what had been passed down from father to son for 400 years in my family that there was a conspiracy against us and our land and titles had been stolen. It was only once the internet emerged that i was able to look it up and find the event that matched what a farmer had told his son in 1960 in rural australia, that had been passed down for centuries.
During the Scottish civil war in 1573, Robert Logan supported Mary, Queen of Scots by joining William Kirkcaldy of Grange in defending Edinburgh Castle in the Queen's name. On 29 July 1586, he wrote from Restalrig to Archibald Douglas in London, offering his service to Francis Walsingham. Logan conveyed letters secretly from England for the Master of Gray.[8]
James VI had hoped that Archibald Douglas, a Scotsman resident in London, but not an accredited ambassador, might be able to intervene and save his mother from execution after the revelation of the Babington plot in 1586. The Master of Gray and Logan corresponded with Douglas on this unofficial diplomacy. The Master of Gray's letters show that he was reluctant to become involved in a project with such doubtful outcomes, but he sent Logan to Douglas in December 1586. After he returned to Fast Castle, Logan wrote back to Douglas on 25 February 1587. By now Mary had been executed and James VI was angry with Gray's actions, and Logan told Douglas not to write to Gray anymore:
"he wryt to me, desirenge me to wryt to your Lordship that ye shuld wryt no moir to hem, for your letters doithe hem very muche harme, and he was no thenge the wisar of your intelligens. It is indeid of treuthe that the Kinge is in greit anger at you and altogither be Williame Keithe and James Hetson's informatioune, and thinks ye have done hem wronge... His Majesty taks the daithe of his mother very hevely, and hes, for that cause, retirit hemself to Dalkethe for the space of 10 days in quyet."
Modernised: "he wrote to me, desiring me to write to your lordship that you should write no more to him, for your letters do him very much harm, and he was nothing the wiser from your intelligence. It is indeed of truth that the King is in great anger at you, and altogether by William Keith and James Hudson's information, and thinks you have done him wrong ... His Majesty takes the death of his mother very heavily, and has for that cause, retired himself to Dalkeith Palace for the space of 10 days in quiet."[9]
It was James VI that placed his faith in Archibald Douglas who was working with the Master of Gray and Logan to attempt to save Queen mary. When they failed I suspect James VI never forgave them and waited 30 odd years to enact his revenge when Logan could not defend himself or prove otherwise as he was dead.
There were also potentially other issues at play with regards to them being catholic and potentially templar descendants who were actively looking for lost relics on the grounds of fast castle. Though it does seem like a fairly easy way to sweep some land away from somebody as a form of spitting on their grave and to buy the loyalty of others in the process fo handing out the free land.
Anyway i thought it might be interesting and give some hope to others that our honour wasnt soiled and to me seems more likely stolen from us based on what was passed down from father to son for 400 years.
CHAT GPT analysis
Thank you for sharing these detailed insights about Robert Logan of Restalrig and his involvement in the events surrounding Mary, Queen of Scots. Your information adds significant depth to the historical narrative and helps clarify the connections that may have existed between Robert Logan, Mary, and James VI.
Robert Logan's Support for Mary, Queen of Scots:
Your mention of Robert Logan supporting Mary during the Scottish civil war in 1573 by joining William Kirkcaldy of Grange in defending Edinburgh Castle is a crucial detail. This involvement indicates that Logan was an active supporter of the Queen's cause against the regent forces loyal to her infant son, James VI. This allegiance could have placed him at odds with factions favoring James VI's rule.
Diplomatic Efforts to Save Mary:
The correspondence you cited between Robert Logan, Archibald Douglas, and the Master of Gray highlights Logan's role in the diplomatic attempts to prevent Mary's execution in 1587. Logan acted as a messenger, conveying letters and intelligence between Scotland and England. His letter dated 25 February 1587 shows his awareness of the delicate political situation and James VI's distress over his mother's death:
"He wrote to me, desiring me to write to your lordship that you should write no more to him, for your letters do him very much harm, and he was nothing the wiser from your intelligence. It is indeed true that the King is in great anger at you, and altogether by William Keith and James Hudson's information, and thinks you have done him wrong ... His Majesty takes the death of his mother very heavily, and has for that cause, retired himself to Dalkeith Palace for the space of 10 days in quiet."
This passage suggests that Logan was intimately involved in the sensitive communications surrounding Mary's fate and that he was aware of the King's emotional state and political frustrations.
Possible Grudge Held by James VI:
Your speculation that James VI may have harbored resentment towards Logan and others involved in the failed efforts to save his mother is plausible. If James believed that these intermediaries did not act effectively or perhaps even undermined his attempts, it could have sown seeds of distrust. The idea that James waited decades to exact revenge, culminating in the posthumous trial of Logan, aligns with the theory that political motivations underpinned the accusations against him.
Logan's Posthumous Conviction and Land Seizure:
The unusual nature of Logan's posthumous trial in 1609, several years after his death in 1606, raises questions about the true intent behind the proceedings. The trial led to the forfeiture of his estates, including valuable properties like Fast Castle and Restalrig. Historians have often noted that such trials were rare and typically served as a means for the crown to acquire assets.
Possible Involvement with the Knights Templar and Lost Relics:
The suggestion that Logan may have been involved with searching for lost relics as a descendant of the Knights Templar adds another layer of intrigue. While there are legends and theories about the Templars' presence in Scotland and connections to noble families, concrete historical evidence is limited. Fast Castle's remote and fortified location would have made it a suitable place for clandestine activities, which could have contributed to suspicions or envy from others.
I recall reading many years back that after the chief was slain the babies back was broken intentionally so that he could never become a powerful chief and seek retribution.
The witness who gave a statement against Robert Logan for treason later rescinded his statement and subsequently died shortly after which is highly suspicious. James VI also had issue with Logan because he had failed to stop the execution of James's mother in the years prior. So it was likely a calculated plan to exact revenge while he couldn't defend himself as the titles were stripped from his son as well.
This matches what had been passed down from father to son for 400 years in my family that there was a conspiracy against us and our land and titles had been stolen. It was only once the internet emerged that i was able to look it up and find the event that matched what a farmer had told his son in 1960 in rural australia, that had been passed down for centuries.
During the Scottish civil war in 1573, Robert Logan supported Mary, Queen of Scots by joining William Kirkcaldy of Grange in defending Edinburgh Castle in the Queen's name. On 29 July 1586, he wrote from Restalrig to Archibald Douglas in London, offering his service to Francis Walsingham. Logan conveyed letters secretly from England for the Master of Gray.[8]
James VI had hoped that Archibald Douglas, a Scotsman resident in London, but not an accredited ambassador, might be able to intervene and save his mother from execution after the revelation of the Babington plot in 1586. The Master of Gray and Logan corresponded with Douglas on this unofficial diplomacy. The Master of Gray's letters show that he was reluctant to become involved in a project with such doubtful outcomes, but he sent Logan to Douglas in December 1586. After he returned to Fast Castle, Logan wrote back to Douglas on 25 February 1587. By now Mary had been executed and James VI was angry with Gray's actions, and Logan told Douglas not to write to Gray anymore:
"he wryt to me, desirenge me to wryt to your Lordship that ye shuld wryt no moir to hem, for your letters doithe hem very muche harme, and he was no thenge the wisar of your intelligens. It is indeid of treuthe that the Kinge is in greit anger at you and altogither be Williame Keithe and James Hetson's informatioune, and thinks ye have done hem wronge... His Majesty taks the daithe of his mother very hevely, and hes, for that cause, retirit hemself to Dalkethe for the space of 10 days in quyet."
Modernised: "he wrote to me, desiring me to write to your lordship that you should write no more to him, for your letters do him very much harm, and he was nothing the wiser from your intelligence. It is indeed of truth that the King is in great anger at you, and altogether by William Keith and James Hudson's information, and thinks you have done him wrong ... His Majesty takes the death of his mother very heavily, and has for that cause, retired himself to Dalkeith Palace for the space of 10 days in quiet."[9]
It was James VI that placed his faith in Archibald Douglas who was working with the Master of Gray and Logan to attempt to save Queen mary. When they failed I suspect James VI never forgave them and waited 30 odd years to enact his revenge when Logan could not defend himself or prove otherwise as he was dead.
There were also potentially other issues at play with regards to them being catholic and potentially templar descendants who were actively looking for lost relics on the grounds of fast castle. Though it does seem like a fairly easy way to sweep some land away from somebody as a form of spitting on their grave and to buy the loyalty of others in the process fo handing out the free land.
Anyway i thought it might be interesting and give some hope to others that our honour wasnt soiled and to me seems more likely stolen from us based on what was passed down from father to son for 400 years.
CHAT GPT analysis
Thank you for sharing these detailed insights about Robert Logan of Restalrig and his involvement in the events surrounding Mary, Queen of Scots. Your information adds significant depth to the historical narrative and helps clarify the connections that may have existed between Robert Logan, Mary, and James VI.
Robert Logan's Support for Mary, Queen of Scots:
Your mention of Robert Logan supporting Mary during the Scottish civil war in 1573 by joining William Kirkcaldy of Grange in defending Edinburgh Castle is a crucial detail. This involvement indicates that Logan was an active supporter of the Queen's cause against the regent forces loyal to her infant son, James VI. This allegiance could have placed him at odds with factions favoring James VI's rule.
Diplomatic Efforts to Save Mary:
The correspondence you cited between Robert Logan, Archibald Douglas, and the Master of Gray highlights Logan's role in the diplomatic attempts to prevent Mary's execution in 1587. Logan acted as a messenger, conveying letters and intelligence between Scotland and England. His letter dated 25 February 1587 shows his awareness of the delicate political situation and James VI's distress over his mother's death:
"He wrote to me, desiring me to write to your lordship that you should write no more to him, for your letters do him very much harm, and he was nothing the wiser from your intelligence. It is indeed true that the King is in great anger at you, and altogether by William Keith and James Hudson's information, and thinks you have done him wrong ... His Majesty takes the death of his mother very heavily, and has for that cause, retired himself to Dalkeith Palace for the space of 10 days in quiet."
This passage suggests that Logan was intimately involved in the sensitive communications surrounding Mary's fate and that he was aware of the King's emotional state and political frustrations.
Possible Grudge Held by James VI:
Your speculation that James VI may have harbored resentment towards Logan and others involved in the failed efforts to save his mother is plausible. If James believed that these intermediaries did not act effectively or perhaps even undermined his attempts, it could have sown seeds of distrust. The idea that James waited decades to exact revenge, culminating in the posthumous trial of Logan, aligns with the theory that political motivations underpinned the accusations against him.
Logan's Posthumous Conviction and Land Seizure:
The unusual nature of Logan's posthumous trial in 1609, several years after his death in 1606, raises questions about the true intent behind the proceedings. The trial led to the forfeiture of his estates, including valuable properties like Fast Castle and Restalrig. Historians have often noted that such trials were rare and typically served as a means for the crown to acquire assets.
Possible Involvement with the Knights Templar and Lost Relics:
The suggestion that Logan may have been involved with searching for lost relics as a descendant of the Knights Templar adds another layer of intrigue. While there are legends and theories about the Templars' presence in Scotland and connections to noble families, concrete historical evidence is limited. Fast Castle's remote and fortified location would have made it a suitable place for clandestine activities, which could have contributed to suspicions or envy from others.
Thank you for featuring Clan Logan!