founder of the Dundas family

2nd of Dundas

Helias, was given the lands of Dundas anno 1145, by Waldeve (Waltheof), Earl of Dunbar, who was his uncle and brother to his father Uchtred.

Helias assumed the name of Dundas from his lands and to denote his descent from the ancient Earls of March, he took for his armorial bearings; argent, a lion rampant, gules, being the same with that noble family, only differing in tinctures, as a proper mark of cadency.

Helias assumed the "Lion of Dunbar" as his Arms, with the transmutation of tinctures only, namely, Argent, a lion rampant gules (a white lion on a red field). His Crest was a lion's head, full faced, looking through a bush of oak. The supporters were two lion gules; below the shield, for a device, a salamander in flame

From Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland, Vol 111: "Edward 111 1335, Warrant to the Chancellor to issue separate letters under the Great Seal, pardoning of all offences since the beginning of the world to date; Sir William de Moubray, Sir Roger de Moubray, Sir Alexander de Cragy, "le pere" Alexander de Cragy, "le fuiz", John de Dumbarre, Philip de Glen, William Dalmoy, James de Dundasse, etc etc......Scottish gentlemen who have come to the King's peace under the conditions of Alexander de Moubray."

James was excommunicated by the Abbot of Dunfermline, because he persisted in molesting the Abbey boatmen at the landing-rock, North Queensferry.

ABSOLUTION FROM EXCOMMUNICATION Granted by the Abbot of Dunfermline to James de Dundas

"MEMORANDUM. - That in the year of God, 1342, on Wednesday before the Feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Alexander, by the grace of God, Abbot of Dunfermline, went down to the south side of the Queens's Ferry, at the request of James de Dundas, concerning an amicable termination of a dispute that had arisen between him and the Abbot, on account of his molesting the Abbot's men and boat landing at two rocks within the flowing of the tide, as they were wont to do. However, James de Dundas had alleged these rocks, to be his property, though the Abbot, his predecessors, and the Monastery, had quietly and peaceably enjoyed the right of landing on them beyond the memory of man, and on this had a Charter from King David, their founder and first patron, as also the Confirmations of the various Kings, his successors, and Popes, as the Abbot then exhibited, in presence of the following subscribing witnesses, viz., Magister Johannes de Gaytmilk, Alanus de Liberton, Michael Squier, Radulphus Clericus, Johannes de Herth, Alanus Dispenser, Richardus filius Willielmi Scrismour, Robertus Young, Johannes filius Henry, Johannes de Lochilde, Radulphus Gourley, as also before others, inhabitants of the ferry. James de Dundas had, on account of his molestation, incurred the general sentence of Excommunication contained in the Confirmation of the Popes, which he had during some time obdurately resisted, until, on the before-mentioned day, he humbly supplicated the Abbot, sitting along with some of his Council on these rocks, as being in possession of them, that he would absolve him from the sentence of Excommunication, as far as lay in his power, on his finding security to abstain from the like molestation; but, were it ever repeated, he should immediately again incur the same censure."

Obtained a new charter from King David 11 in 1364 for the lands of Fingask already held by the family. FIngask was in the parish of Rhynd, Perthshire

In 1380, James Dundas obtained a new charter from King Robert 11 of the lands and barony of Fingask. He also obtained in 1397 a new charter from Baron Winchburgh of the lands of Dundas.  Another charter dated 28/2/1416 grants to James Dundas the lands of Easter-Blairmucks. In the following March, James obtained from Robert Duke of Albany who was then Governor of Scotland during King James 1 absence in England, a licence to rebuild and fortify Dundas Castle. For his greater security in these troubled times, James Dundas resigned his lands of Dundas and took a new charter in favour of his son (also called James Dundas), reserving to himself the liferent of same and to Christian Stewart, his wife, granting and ordaining her, peaceably at her pleasure to abide in the tower of Dundas after the decease of her husband. This charter is dated at Seaton, 30th November 1423. Upon King James 1 return from England, his Majesty granted James Dundas a confirmation of the licence to build the tower of Dundas, dated the 25th May 1424.
Calendar of the Laing charters: 30/4/1417. Charter by William of Melgdrum, laird of Clesch granting to James Dundas of that ilk, the lands of Craigtoun in the tenement of Philpston, in the barony of Abercorn and constabulary of Linlithgow, to be held by the granter and his heirs of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, under reversion to be redeemed for the sum of £40 Scots, payable in the parish church of Dunmanin (Dalmeny).

A licence was granted by the Governor Albany to James Dundas of Dundas, " to build fortify and erect in height his tower at Dundas in form of a castle, and to fortify and surround it with walls and ditches as he pleased, and to have in it a constable, porter, and other keepers necessary, vested with the same power as any other constable, or others, have in any castle within Scotland." Dated 3 March 1416. Another similar licence by King James I. is dated in 1424, and empowers the said James Dundas to turn his tower or fortalice of Dundas into the form of a castle.

Charter dated the 24th May 1429 by King James 1 to James Dundas of that ilk of barony of Fyngask, following on resignation thereof to the crown, now to be held by him and heirs male of himself and Christian Stewart, his spouse, whom failing his nearest lawful heirs, under reddendo of 1d. silver yearly. 

James Dundas of Dundas, founded and endowed a house of the Carmelite order at South Queensferry, and there is a Confirmation by George Lord Seton, Baron of the Barony of Winchburgh, confirming a Charter by him dated 1 March 1444, giving to God and the blessed Virgin Mary and the brethren of the order of Mount Carmel and their successors, a piece of ground lying in the town of the ferry (now South Queensferry), with the yard and green adjacent to the Church of the Virgin Mary and whole houses erected there in form of a monastery.

The old keep was a massive 15th century structure of 4 storeys with a flat roof, with a later stair wing added to create an L-plan

James succeeded to the estates of his father on the 6th November 1437.
During the troubled times which followed the murder of James 1 in 1437, and the succession of the boy King James 11, the name of James Dundas occurs along with Sir Alexander Livingston in the holding of the young King and the Queen mother in Stirling Castle. The rough treatment experienced by the young King, was not forgotten when he assumed the reins of government in January, 1449. At his first parliament, Sir Alexander Livingston and James Dundas were forfeit of their estates and imprisoned in Dumbarton Castle. They were in fact fortunate because they paid great sums of money to be imprisoned in Dumbarton Castle, whereas their partners in crime were beheaded. The estate of Fingask, which was held by the Sovereign, remained in the Sovereign's hands, but the estate of Dundas was given to the Earl of Douglas. James' brother, Archibald Dundas, attempted to resist by holding the tower at Dundas, which he retained until April 1449. 

From The Historie of Scotland; "In the year 1447, there was a parliament holden at Edinburgh, in which Sir Alexander Livingstone of Kalendar, James Dundas and Robert Dundas knights, at the pursuit of the Earl of Douglas, were forfeited and condemned to perpetual prison in Dumbarton".

James Dundas was pardoned after his death and on the 26/8/1452 the attainder against him and Duncan his brother was removed. The part of his estates remaining in the King's hand, namely Fingask was returned and a new charter was granted to James Dundas and his heirs male for Fingask. The lands of Dundas being in the possession of the Earl of Douglas at the time of his decease fell to the earl of Douglas' brother James and remained with him till they came to the crown by his forfeiture in 1452.

In 1465 a charter shows Archibald Dundas James' younger brother (who was a favourite of King James 11 and 111) in possession of the lands of Dundas and he assumed the designation of Dundas of that Ilk ever afterwards. It is at this point in the family history that the two lands are never held by the same hand again.

Bought the barony of Over Barntoun, Edinburgh in 1460 from George Maxwell. In 1507 William Dundas, Archibald's grandson, sold the barony to Sir Robert Barton.

In 1450, Archibald Dundas held the tower of Dundas in defiance of James 11, declaring that he would die upon the walls, or extort from the King a free pardon for himself and his adherents.
In May 1454, a safe conduct was granted by the King of England to Archibald of Dundas to pass by way of Calais on pilgrimage to Rome.
Received from King James III a grant, 22 Nov.1471, during his minority, to Archibald Dundas of that ilk, that, although lands of Dundas pertaining to said Archibald are held of barony of Wynchburgh and his lands of Eichling are held of barony of Dunmanyng, which baronies are held of crown by ward and relief, nevertheless, when said baronies are in King's hands, said lands of Dundas and Eichling shall be free from ward and relief.
Archibald Dundas, obtained a grant of the forfeited estates of Dundas through the favour of the Earl of Douglas, and, consequently, in compliment to that family, his descendants, the subsequent Lairds of Dundas, have invariably borne the Douglas crest—a Salamander in flames proper, on a compartment below their shield of arms.