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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> Dunbar

Dunbar Clan Tattoos - The town and port of Dunbar has figured prominently at various points in Scottish history and the family whose name it bears is of ancient Celtic origin.

Gospatrick, Earl of Northumberland, received the lands of Dunbar and other parts of Lothian from Malcolm III. His son witnessed the foundation of the great Abbey of Holyrood Hose in 1128, and was accorded the rank of earl.

He made donations to the Abbey of Kelso and is recorded in various charters. Patrick of Dunbar marries Ada, natural daughter of William the Lion, around 1184 and was created justiciar of Lothian. Earl Patrick's daughter received as part of her dowry the lands of Home, establishing the line that was later to be created Earls of Home in the 17th century. Her brother Patrick went to the crusades, and died in 1248 at the siege of Damietta in Egypt. Patrick 'Black Beard', Earl of Dunbar was one of the competitors for the Crown of Scotland at Berwick in 1291 through his royal great-grandmother, Ada. His wife was a Comyn and held Dunbar Castle for Balliol, but was forced to surrender it in April 1296.

He was appointed governor of Berwick, where he was besieged by Edward III. He surrendered to the English and the town was refortified and garrisoned by English troops. Dunbar renounced his allegiance to the English king, as result of which his castle was besieged by the Earl of Salisbury. Command of the castle fell to Dunbar's wife, commonly called 'Black Agnes', who performed her task with vigour.

Clan Dunbar Motto: In Promptu ~ From Latin: In readiness

See also: Claddagh, Thistle Tattoos, Scottish Lion Tattoo Designs, Welsh Dragon Tattoos, Scottish Tattoo Designs, Celtic Tattoo Designs, Family Crests, Horse