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The Scottish Nation
Kneland


KNELAND, (now Cleland,) a surname derived from the lands of Kneland in Lanarkshire. The first of the family on record, Alexander Kneland of that ilk, living in the time of Alexander III., married Margaret, daughter of Adam Wallace of Riccartoun, father of Sir William Wallace, the hero of Scotland. His son, James Cleland, joined his cousin in 1296, in his attempt to restore the liberties of his country. In enumerating those who then hastened to the standard of Wallace, Blind Harry (Dr. Jamieson’s edition of The Wallace and Bruce, p. 30), says,

                        “Kneland was thar, ner cusyng to Wallace,
                        Syne baid with him in mony peralouss place.”

He was present at most of the exploits of Wallace, particularly at Loundoun hill, July 1296, at the battle of Stirling, 13th September 1297, and at the disastrous battle of Falkirk, 22d July 1298. He sailed with his illustrious cousin to France, and in the directions in Blind Harry given by Wallace to his men, in the sea-battle with Thomas of Longueville, called the Red Reaver, is this one;

                        “Kneland, cusyng, cum take the ster on hand,
                        Her on the waill ner by the I sall stand.”

He supported the cause of Robert Brus, and with his eldest son, John Cleland, fought gallantly at the battle of Bannockburn, where he was wounded. For his loyalty and good services he obtained from that monarch several lands in the barony of Calder, Linlithgowshire, as already related (see CLELAND). The son, who succeeded him, was taken prisoner with David II. at the battle of Durham, 17th October 1346.

      The representative of the family, James Blackwood Rose Cleland, Esq. of Ruth-‘Gael, Ireland, was born in 1835.


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