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In the early 12th century Alexander I granted
the lands of Anstruther in Fife to William de Candela.
Various origins have been attributed to him
but he is probably descended from the Normans in Italy. William the
Conqueror sought help from them and it is known that William, Count of
Apulia, sent a son. William de Candelašs son also William was a benefactor
of Balmerino Abbey giving to the monks the site presently occupied by the
Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther. Henry, in the next generation
discontinued using the name Candela and is described as Henricus de
Aynstrother dominus ejusdem in a charter confirming grants to Balmerino.
His son another Henry accompanied Loius IX to
the crusades an swore fealty to Edward I in 1292 and again in 1296. In 1483
Andrew Anstruther of Anstruther obtained confirmation of the barony and
fought at Flodden in 1513.
His youngest son fought at the battle of
Pavia in 1520 in the king of Frances Scots regiment. Andrews eldest son John
married a Douglas of Loch Leven and their great-grandson was chosen as a
companion of the young king James VI, who in 1585 appointed him Hereditary
Grand Carver this office is still held by the head of the family.
In 1595 he became Master of the Household.
His elder son William was made a knight of the Bath. Sir Phillip fought on
the royalist side in the civil war and received Charles II at Dreel Castle
after his coronation at Scone in 1651. |
