Link: Lindsay

The Flemings and the Lindsay family
Allies, 1327 - 1708

The Lindsays married into the Flemings in three different centuries. They ranged from the Lindsays of Covington, near Biggar, to the Earls of Balcarres and Crawford.

Early connections

In 1327 Malcolm Fleming of Fulwood witnessed a charter of William de Lindsay, a canon of Glasgow Cathedral. After 1461 Robert, 1st Lord Fleming, took Margaret Lindsay as his second wife.

The Lindsays of Covington

Covington lies close to Biggar and Thankerton, and the Lindsays of Covington married into the family twice. In 1598 Agnes Fleming, only daughter and heir of John Fleming of Bord, was contracted to John Lindsay younger of Covington. In 1602 John, 1st Earl of Wigtown, paid her tocher of eight thousand merks. Rachel Fleming, a daughter of the 1st Earl, later married George Lindsay of Covington. In 1642 the 2nd Earl and his son were appointed curators of the young John Lindsay of Covington.

The Earls of Balcarres and Crawford

In 1698 John, 6th Earl of Wigtown, married Margaret Lindsay, second daughter of Colin, 3rd Earl of Balcarres. The marriage ended in divorce in 1708. In 1690 William Lindsay, 18th Earl of Crawford, proposed in Parliament that the imprisoned Earl of Perth should be freed if he secured the return of the young Earl of Wigtown and his brother from France. Grizel Stewart, daughter of the Countess of Atholl, married David Lindsay, 11th Earl of Crawford.