Sir Patrick Houston of Houston and of that Ilk
Medieval Tournaments These were the heroic days of chivalry when standards of knighthood were very high. Legend says Sir Patrick was knighted for some outstanding feat on the field of battle. The greatest sport of the times was the Tournament, a warlike amusement that trained knights. Such tournaments were sponsored by the King or other high noblemen. Knights who wished to show their skill and prove their courage came from far and near to compete in this hazardous game. The knights jousting took place in a fenced arena called a list. The knights jousted in full armor, every part of the body from head to foot being protected by metal. For weapons, the knight carried a long lance in one hand and a shield in the other. At his side he carried a heavy sword or sometimes a battle-axe. A long plume floated from his helmet and the shield was blazoned with his official arms. Mounted on horseback, the champion and challenger took positions at opposite ends of the list. At the sound of a trumpet, they galloped at each other, full speed, and as they met, each struck at the other with the point of the lance with terrific force. The object was to knock the other from his horse, and if both survived the first clash, new passes were made in the same manner. Even though weapons were usually blunted, it was a dangerous sport, resulting in injuries and sometimes death. We have no record of the score of Sir Patrick or any of the other Houstoun knights in such contests, but seemingly none of them was slain in such encounters. They died in battle or from natural causes. Such were the ideals of knighthood and chivalry in the days of the early Houstoun knights. Scottish archers flank Joan of Arc as they march back from Orleans. The Scots just didn't take to bow-and-arrow, preferring to fight with lances and battleaxes in close physical contact. Nevertheless, there is a legend that Sir Patrick and a few other Houstons were in the company of Scottish archers that led the way for Joan of Arc in her victorious march at the head of the French army from Orleans to Reims in 1429. The Scots were traditionally allied with the French against the English and would have rejoiced in the victories of the maid of Orleans. Sir Patrick and his family were principal patrons and regular worshipers at the parish church, which at that time was Roman Catholic. He was honoured with burial in the Houstoun church. This was in 1450 and his wife died six years later and was buried at his side. Some 344 years later, in 1794, one historian reports that two faded oil color pictures still hang on the walls of the church. One showed Sir Patrick in full armor, "like that of a Knight Templar". The other was of his wife, Lady Mary Colquhoun Houstoun. Sir John Houstoun of Houstoun, KnightJohn was born in 1397 in Houston, Renfrewshire, Scotland. He married Agnew Campbell. They had two sons and two daughters; John Houston, 13th of that Ilk and Sir Peter Houston, 14th of that Ilk, Margaret Houstoun, Marion Houston. Like his father, he probably served King James II of Scotland. He died 1456, at the age of 59. Ruins of the old church in Houston Parish
was dressed in the rich robes of a lady of rank. Both figures were laid with their faces toward heaven, while their hands were raised in a attitude of prayer." "While some remodeling was being done on the church some years ago, the monument was dismantled. It lay neglected and exposed to the element, in various locations, for long periods of time. Eventually the statues were restored to the church, where they have since remained." Sir Peter Houstoun of Houstoun, KnightHe was born to Sir John and Lady Agnew Houston in 1438 at Houston Castle. He married Helen Schaw of Sauchy, daughter of a Scottish Chief. They had at least two children Patrick Houston of that Ilk and Elizabeth. He was laird of the family estate for many years and fought in many battles. At the age of 75 (which makes me wonder why his son was not traveling with him) he gathered his troops and left for what would be his final battle. In two short months his life would end on the battle field for his king and country. Author Unknown: "The Broken Shield day broke on a noisy commotion in the inner court of Houstoun castle one morning in August, 1513. The clang of weapons on steel armor mingled with shouted orders, neighing of horses and the bellow of oxen as the knighted Baron of Houstoun equipped himself and his retainers for a march to war. Details of the day are not recorded but can be fairly well pictured form the customs of the times of King James IV and the situation of the Houstoun family in that period. As the first rays of the sun broke over the plains of the Scottish Lowlands, one may assume that the contingent was ready to move. There would have been a sullen silence as a monk said a prayer and bestowed the blessing of the cross on warriors high and low. Then the marching orders came, down went the drawbridge, up rolled the portcullis, and notes of a trumpet sounded the forward march." Scottish Soldiers: Gentleman, Shire Levy, Borderer, Highland Chieftain, Highland Clansman "Out through the great arched entrance, over the bridge across the moat, rode Sir Peter Houstoun clad in full armor, heavy sword at his side, his shield bearing the family coat-of-arms in colors of sable, silver and gold. Likely from the top of his visored helmet floated a tall black plume, glistening in the early morning sun. Following the Baron rode a group of horsemen in coats-of-mail, armed with long lances. Next marched the foot soldiers wearing helmets and armed with long handled pikes. Bringing up the rear were ox-carts laden with provisions, supplies and equipment. As the fully equipped and well-disciplined column move out, Lady Houstoun with her daughter, Elizabeth, and her son, Patrick, probably watched from the castle tower. Lady Houstoun was the former Helen Schaw, daughter of a Scottish Chief and an ancient Scottish family of Sauchy. She had seen her husband ride out to battle often before, but doubtless could never become resigned to war and bloodshed. Dry-eyed, she had received her knight's parting embrace and kissed him farewell. If there were tears to be shed, they were for the privacy of her bedchamber. Heroic Sir Peter had guided the destiny of his Barony for 57 years, serving with three of the Stewart Kings. He was no longer young but still a man of great courage. Still in sight of the castle, Sir Peter was joined by his neighbor, Sir Patrick Fleming of Barochan, with his contingent which also included his six stalwart sons. The castles of Houstoun and Barochan were scarcely a mile apart and the families were connected by marriage. Sir Patrick's wife was the former Marion Houstoun, the sister of Sir Peter, making the two Barons brothers in law and the six Fleming sons with half Houstoun blood in their veins. The forces of Houstoun and Barochan linked up with other Renfrewshire neighbors and eventually joined with contingents of the nobility and gentry of Scotland. King James IV was assembling a great army for an invasion of England. James was a popular King and his subjects rallied readily to his cause." Sir Peter Houston and King James IV were killed during the Anglo-Scottish Wars, where they fought with the Earl of Lennox on the right wing at Battle of Flodden on September 9, 1513.
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