Castle Rye, Bayeux, Normandy – 1046 Hubert de Rye helped Duke William. Among his sons were the Saint-Clairs.

Hastings, 1066 – During the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Hugh de Mortemer was aided by the lord of Auvilliers, and the lords of Les Onebac, and Saint-Cler. “They overthrew many Englishmen” and received rewards of land in England. (Wace, p. 188)

Savigny-le-Vieux, France – William de Saint Clair gifted his holding at Thaon to the Abbaye de Savigny-le-Vieux.

Saint-Clair-sur-Elle, France – Homeplace of the Saint-Clairs in France.

Villiers-Fossard, Manche department, Normandy, 1139 – William St Clair may have founded the priory at Villiers-Fossard. It’s located less than a mile from the township of Saint-Clair-sur-Elle. (Sinclair website)

St. Clears, Carmarthenshire, Wales – Built in the mid 12th century, St Clears was a Cluniac priory supposedly founded by one of the Norman St Clare family around 1100. It became a cell of the Cluniac monastery of St. Martin-des-Champs in Paris. Lordship of the area at the time of the foundation was the Mortimer family. It was a dependent of Montacute Priory, Somerset.

Montacute Priory, Somerset, 1078 – It was founded by William, Count of Mortain as a dependency of Cluny Abbey. Bretel St Clare was a witness to the foundation charter of Montacute by William, Earl of Mortain, son of Earl Robert. In the early 13th century, Robert Vaux granted a windmill and 6 a. of land in Seavington to the priory. (Bennett, p. 157)(Somerset, p. 150)

Walkern, East Hertfordshire, c. 1120 – owned by Eudo dapifer and, after Eudo’s death, became the caput of Hamo St Clair’s barony. (Sinclair, p. 27)

Eaton Socon, Bedfordshire, c. 1120 – Owned by Eudo dapifer until his death at which time it was granted to Hamo St Clair. Source – (Sinclair website)

St. John’s Abbey, Colchester, 1097 – Founded by Eudo dapifer. All that’s left of this very large abbey is the gatehouse. Brothers Hamo and William St Clair were benefactors. (Essex, p. 118)

Oxford, 1136 – King Stephen’s Second or Oxford Charter of Liberties to the Church was issued at Oxford and Hamo was a witness. He was listed second to last, indicating that he was of lesser importance than the many other witnesses. (Stubbs, p. 121)

County Kent, c. 1075 – The Domesday tenant of Hugh de Montfort in Kent is probably to be identified with the Main de Sancto Claro who attested a charter of Beatrice Malet, wife of William of Arques, Domesday lord of Folkstone in Kent. (K-R, p. 292). Robert de Sancto Claro of Stapleton held Shepton-Malet (Pearce, p. 222) .

Castle Acre, Norfolk, England, 1085 – Ricardo de Sancto Claro was a witness to charter of the powerful William de Warenne (a near-kinsman of the Conqueror) to the priory of Castle Acre. (Booth, p. 97)

Abbey of St. Peter, Preaux, Diocese of Lisieux, c. 1075 – Richard Croc and his wife Benceline left to Préaux [Abbey] land at St-Clair. The identity of the place is obscure but could be either Saint-Clair-d’Arcey, near Bernay, Eure, or Saint-Clair-sur-les-Monts, near Yvetot, Seine-Maritime. His successor may have been the Normand de Assactesford (Ashford) who was an early benefactor of Monk Horton priory (K-R, p. 292) Robert de Malet was a benefactor to Preaux Abbey and Main de St Clair witnessed this.

Stoke Trister, Dorset and Wiltshire, 1086 – The Medieval Manor House of Stoke Trister still stands. Willelm de Sancto Claro was likely the son of Bretel de St Clair, who held Stoke Trister of Robert de Mortain in 1086. This Willelm was likely the father of Philip de Sancto Claro and Walter de Esselega (Ashleigh) who held Stoke Trister in 1166 (K-R, p. 686-7). Note, brothers with different second names. Almost all of Britel de St. Clair’s Domesday estates descended to the De Esselegh (Ashley) family, but that Stoke Trister was an exception, passing instead to the Del Estra family. This Del Estra family were listed in the Somerset and Dorset Domesday as Feoffe of the Comte of Moretain. (Eyton, p. 117)

Lewes Priory, East Sussex, 1086 – Hubert De Sancto Claro was a Domesday tenant of Robert de Mortain in Somerset, identified in Exon; probably from Saint-Clair-sur-l’Elle, Manche. He attested William de Mortain’s notification for grants to Lewes Priory of his father’s tenants… (K-R, V-1, p. 257 and Golding, p.65-77)

Huntington, England, 1113 – David (future David 1 of Scotland) returns to England along with 4 men named Moreville, one of whom was likely Hugh de Moreville.

Bozeat, Northamptonshire and Whissendine, Rutland, England, 1114 – Hugh de Moreville appeared in the entourage of David, earl of Huntingdon, the future David I of Scotland. (Me, p. 158)

Colchester, Essex, England, 1129 – Haimo de St Clair was appointed constable of Colchester and of Eudo dapifer’s estates at death of Eudo.

Walkern, Hertfordshire, 1120 – After Eudo de Rie (the sewar or steward) died and his lands escheated, Henry I granted Hamo a number of manors previously held by Eudo. The most important were Eaton Socon in Bedfordshire and Walkern in Hertfordshire, but others included Lexden in Essex, Abbotsbury and the manor of the Rectory of Barkway in Hertfordshire, Chalk in Kent, Wakerley in Northamptonshire, Sandy in Bedfordshire and Ashe in Hampshire, as well as Kingstone in Somerset, his inheritance from Hubert.

Cumbria, England, c. 1113 – David Prince of the Cumbrians (the future Kind David I of Scotland) became a large landowner thanks to Henry I of England (Oram, p.63). He also took control of the Lothians. Hugh de Moreville was likely already in his entourage.

Scotland, April 1124 – David I becomes King of Scotland. (Oram, p. 58)

Brampton, Huntingdonshire, 1130 – William de Saint Clair was pardoned 20s by the king’s write for the hays of Brampton. (Peter Sinclair book, p. 50)

Dryburgh Abbey, Scotland, 1150 – Founded by either King David I or by Hugh de Moreville, Henry St. Clair witnessed the gift of Fidra (ell bottle) Island to the abbey by the de Vaux family.

Holmcultram Abbey, Dumfries, 1150 – Hugh de Moravilla was a witness to charter of Earl Henry, son of King David, to the Abbey of Holm Cultram. William de Sancto Claro, constable of Dumfries, was also connected to this abbey.

Herdmanston, Lothian, Scotland, 1162 – Hugh de Morville died and his son Richard – the new constable of Scotland – granted the lands of Herdmanston to the St Clairs. This is currently the earliest record we have of the St Clairs owning land in Scotland. (Me, p. 159)

Aberdeen, Scotland, 1175-86 – The English occupied lower Scotland and took over Edinburgh Castle, so William I moved his court to Aberdeen. This hitherto un-researched fact has huge significance for family history. Close associations at this time with the Comyn family. (Me, p. 183)

Fidra Island, East Lothian, c. 1180 – The de Vaux’s first castle in Scotland, named Tarbet Castle, was on Fidra Island, previously called Elbottle, about 1 mile off shore of Dirleton Castle. The island was given by William de Vaux to Dryburgh Abbey in 1220. Dryburgh is a Border Region abbey founded by Hugh de Morville. Witnesses: Alexander Seaton, Henry Sinclair of Herdmanston, John of Fenton, Nocholas of May, Patrick of Herdmanstoun, Robert of Keith (PoMS-Fidra)

Edinburgh, c. 1190 – Sir Robert Sinclair of Herdmanston made his first appearance in the royal court, in this case that of King William I. (Me, p. 177)

Rosslyn, Scotland, 1261 – Sir William I Sinclair shows up in the court of King Alexander III. (Me, p.193)

Edinburgh, 1271 – William Sinclair of Rosslyn is made Sheriff of Edinburgh, Linlighgow, and Haddington by King Alexander III. (Me, p. 195)

Wells Cathedral, Bristol, England, 1303 – Robert St Clair witnessed an agreement between Montacute Priory and Wells Cathedral. Other families mentioned include Erlegh / Ashley and Urtaico, Hale and de Bere. (Bennett, p. 97, 100, etc.)

Bannockburn, Scotland, 1314 – In The Battle of Bannockburn, William Sinclair of Herdmanston displayed battle skills which were so much appreciated by King Robert the Bruce that he received a sword engraved with the message, “The king gives me, St Clair carries me.” (Me, p. 231)

Melrose Abbey, Scotland, 1330 – Sir William Sinclair of Herdmanston accompanied Sir James Douglas on a crusade to the Holy Land with the heart of King Robert the Bruce. They were killed at the Battle of Teba in Spain. The Bruce’s heart is buried at Melrose Abbey. (Me, p. 237)

Arbroath, Scotland, 1320 – Sir Henry Sinclair of Rosslyn was among those signing the Declaration of Arbroath. (Me, p. 260)

Orkney, Scotland, 1349 – The Black Death raged in Orkney. (Me, p. 337)

Orkney, Scotland, 1379 – The Treaty of Marstrand installed Henry II Sinclair of Rosslyn as the Earl of Orkney. (Me, p. 334)

Kalmar, Norway, 1397 – Queen Margaret of Danemark married Hagen King of Norway, united the thrones of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden in the Kalmar Union. (Encyclopedia)

Shetland Islands, 1418 – John Sinclair was rewarded by King Edward, monarch of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark with the title Foud of Shetland. (Me, p. 370)

Rosslyn, Scotland, 1446 – Sir William Sinclair 3rd Sinclair Earl of Orkney and 1st Sinclair Earl of Caithness began the building of Rosslyn Chapel. (Me p. 392)

Worcester , England, 1651 – One of the captains at the Battle of Worcester was a John Sinclair, of the Edinburgh area. His being captured and indentured is proof that he was a man of importance. (Stackpole, p. 76)

Belfast, N. Ireland, c. 1660 – The Plantation of Ulster, two sons of “the Caithness St. Claire family” [possibly] went to Ireland and settled near Belfast. (Daub)

Islay, Scotland, c. 1675 – Antonia Sinclairs’ research on the McNarkerde family shows a Gilchrist McNarkerde as early as 1541 in The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland (rentals) for a property called Braid in the west of Islay. ‘Sinclairs’ were living in the area near Oban as early as the late 17th century. (Sinclair, Antonia)