Malcolm Fleming of Fulwood (ca 1290- after 1357)

His epithet indicates that he owned Fulwood during his father’s lifetime (otherwise he would have been “of Cumbernauld”). The Fulwood estate may provide a clue to the origin of his father because the only place of that name in Scotland is in Renfrewshire, which was not associated with the family in later centuries. Fulwood wood is 40 kilometres from Cumbernauld but just 1 kilometre from the site of Barochan House, seat of the Fleming family of Barochan for several hundred years. This implies that Malcolm’s father Robert was a member of the Barochan family.

Malcolm was present at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314 but his father was not, indicating that he must have died beforehand. Malcolm therefore inherited Robert’s estates at Cumbernauld and Lenzie to add to his estate at Fulwood. In consideration of his eminent service in battle, King Robert I conferred upon him the charters of several lands including the Barony of Kirkintilloch in Dunbartonshire (close to Cumbernauld) and Auchendennan in Lanarkshire. 

In 1316 Malcolm witnessed a charter of Walter, the 6th High Steward of Scotland, whose son was to become King Robert II of Scotland. At around this time, Malcolm was Sheriff of Dunbarton and Governor of Dunbarton Castle – a role that was to earn him his place in Scottish history.

In 1327, Edward II of England was deposed and killed. King Robert I of Scotland took this opportunity to invade England and forced Edward III to sign a treaty in 1328 that acknowledged the independence of Scotland.

Four years later, Robert I died, but his son (King David II) was too young to rule. Edward III took advantage of the situation to invade Scotland with the support of Scottish nobles who had been disinherited by Robert I. The English, with the disinherited Scottish nobles, won the Battle of Dupplin Moor and Edward Balliol, son of Scotland’s King John I (who had abdicated in 1296) was crowned King of Scotland. He then secured a truce with Sir Archibald Douglas (who was Guardian of Scotland for the young King David II). But Douglas was just biding his time and struck back later that year, forcing Balliol to flee in the nude.

A few months later, Balliol and Edward III regrouped and won decisive victories at Berwick and Halidon Hill. Malcolm Fleming was in the second division of the Scottish army at Halidon Hill on 19 July 1333 and was one of the few who escaped. He subsequently gave refuge to the young King and his even younger Queen in Dunbarton Castle, along with other members of Scotland’s ruling elite. Sir Malcolm resolutely defended the castle and was granted safe conduct to England later that year to conduct business on behalf of the King. He was also able to assist the French King to safely convey Scotland’s King and Queen from Dunbarton to France in the following year.

The Guardian of Scotland, Sir Archibald Douglas, had been killed at Halidon Hill and the defence of Scotland suffered without him. While Balliol and the English forces were unable to take Dunbarton Castle, they nevertheless continued to assert their power in Scotland.

With Balliol openly cooperating with England, the Bruce faction gained the support of a number of patriotic Scottish nobles and eventually stopped Balliol at the Battle of Culblean in 1341.

Unfortunately, many experienced Scottish nobles were now dead and the country was in tatters.

The young King David II was now secure as monarch but his was an impoverished kingdom in need of peace and good government. He had, however, given assurances to the French King who was currently at war with England and so, soon after his return to Scotland in 1341, he invaded England in support of his French allies!

King David II nevertheless found time to reward those who had stayed loyal to him, including Malcolm Fleming who had given him much-needed refuge eight years earlier. He granted Malcolm lands at Rinnys and Farynes and created a Burgh at Wigtown; and he created Malcolm the Earl of Wigtown. This was the highest ranking that a Fleming family member had ever attained.

Malcolm was granted more land at Kerdenes in Galloway in 1342 and was still Governor of Dunbarton Castle. In 1344 he placed his official wax seal on a document: a chevron within a double tressure.

English forces attacked Durham in 1346 and defeated the Scots at the Battle of Neville’s Cross. King David II was captured and kept as a prisoner in England for eleven years. His nephew, Robert Stewart (7th High Steward) ruled as regent in his absence.

Malcolm Fleming was also taken prisoner at Neville’s Cross and was committed into the custody of Robert Bertram, Sheriff of Northumberland. He managed to escaped seven months later.

Malcolm married Marjory who was nurse to the King’s son. They had daughters named Marjory and Mary (who married John de Danielstoun) and a son. 

The last records of Malcolm Fleming, first Earl of Wigtown, are from 1357 when he sat in the Scottish Parliament and attached his seal to the treaty document with England. On 18 April of that year, he granted his lands at Achmoir, Seymoir and others to his nephew, Malcolm Fleming of Biggar. This may indicate that his son had died and that he was therefore re-allocating the land within the extended family. It may also have been recognition that the life of his grandson and heir, Thomas, was at risk because he was to volunteer as a hostage for King David in 1358.

Malcolm Fleming, sometimes known as Malcolm the Good, had led a long life full of incident and is remembered as one of the most successful leaders of clan Fleming. He fought for Scotland in battle at Bannockburn (1314), Halidon Hill (1333) and Neville’s Cross (1346) and was taken prisoner at the latter. He gave refuge from the English to the King, Queen and other nobles in 1333 and safely conveyed the royal family to France in 1334. For his services to Scotland, he was created Earl of Wigtown in 1341.

Since his son predeceased him, most of his considerable wealth passed to his grandson Thomas Fleming, second Earl of Wigtown.