| Description
| This is the basket hilt broadsword used by William Cleland at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge. William Cleland had fought with the Covenanters at both Drumclog and Bothwell Bridge. When the Earl of Angus’ Regiment was raised at Douglas on May 14th 1689, Cleland was appointed its first Commanding Officer. The blade of the sword is inscribed with the name ‘Andrea Farara’. This name appears, with various spellings, on many swords from this period, particularly on swords found in Scotland. It is uncertain if Andreas Ferrara was the actual maker of all the swords that bear his name, or if his name was used by other sword smiths in order to trade on the high reputation of his swords.
Despite the uncertainty of who actually made this sword, the fact that it belonged to William Cleland has been well recorded in history. After the failure of the Covenanters at Bothwell Bridge, Cleland fled to Holland to avoid capture. He entrusted his sword and the flag known as the Bluidy Banner into the care of his friend and fellow Covenanter, Henry Hall. The sword and banner were passed onto Hall’s son, Samuel, and through him to his daughter. In 1946 both William Cleland’s sword and the Bluidy Banner were presented to The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) along with information regarding its history.
William Cleland was killed while commanding the Earl of Angus’ Regiment on August 21st 1689 at the Battle of Dunkeld. He is buried in the nave of Dunkeld Cathedral. It is an interesting twist of fate that Leslie Dow, the last Commanding Officer of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), was baptised at Dunkeld Cathedral, the resting place of the first Commanding Officer of the Regiment. |
