William Hunter (10th Laird)

William Hunter (born 1354) was the 10th chief of Clan Hunter. Born in Ayrshire at Hunterston Castle.

He was married twice. First to Elizabeth Crawford in 1380 with who he had one child, and to Jonet Craig in 1389 where he also had one child..

Childs Name	Birth	Death	Spouse
William Hunter	1390	1447	?
John Hunter Regent Laird of Hunterston	1390	1447	?

William was granted the lands of Ardnell by Royal Charter from King Robert II of Scotland on 2nd May 1374, "for his faithfull service rendered and to be rendered". This Document is still in the possession of the family and is on display at Hunterston castle

He was the hereditry keeper for the Royal Forrest on Little Cumbrae Island.

In 1979 a visit to Hunterston Castle by the Queen Mother, she was presented with a silver penny for rent of the lands as laid out in the Royal Charter.

Royal Charter

William Huntar of, the 10th laird was granted a Royal Charter by King Robert II of Scotland (1371-1390) signed in Stirling on the 2nd May 1374 for faithful services rendered. This Charter with the Royal Seal is preserved at Hunterston and on display in the castle. It remains the oldest document in the possession of the Hunter Family

"(1374.) Acquisition of Arnell. Charter by King Robert the Second to WILLIAM HUNTER, for faithful services rendered to him, of the lands of ARNELL, to be held by the said William Hunter and the heirs-male of his body of the Crown for payment of one penny of silver at Arnell at Whitsunday. The Charter is dated at Stirling the second day of May in the fourth year of the King's reign (1374). "

Original Latin as written on 1374 Charter

Robertus dei gracia Rex Scottorum omnibus probis hominibus tocius terre sue clericis et laicis Salutem : Sciatis nos dedisse concessisse et hac presenti carta nostra confirmasse dilecto et fideli nostro WILLIELMO HUNTER pro fideli servicio suo nobis impenso et impendendo totam illam terrain de ARNELL cum pertinenciis que fuit Andre Catnbell militis et quam idem Andreas non vi aut metu ductus nee errore lapsus set mera et spontanea voluntate sua nobis per f us turn et baculum sursum reddidit pureque et simpliciter resignavit ac totum ius et clameum quod in dicta terra cum pertinenciis habuit seu habere potuit pro se et heredibus suis omnino quietum clamavit in perpetuum. Tenendam et habendam dicto Willielmo et heredibus suis masculis de corpore suo legitime procreatis seu procreandis de nobis et heredibus nostris in feodo et hereditate per omnes rectas metas et divisas suas cum omnibus et singulis libertatibus commoditatibus aysiamentis et iustis pertinenciis quibuscunque ad dictam terram spectantibus seu quoquomodo iuste spectare valentibus in futurum libere quiete plenarie integre bene et in pace. Reddendo inde annua- tim nobis et heredibus nostris dictus Willielmus et heredes sui predicti unum denarium argenti apud dictam terram de Arnell ad festum Pentecostes nomine albe firme tantum pro wardis releviis maritagiis oneribus et aliis serviciis quibus- cunque. In cuius rei testimonium presenti carte nostre nostrum precepimus apponi sigillum. Testibus venerabili in Christo patre Willielmo Episcopo Sancti Andre- Johanne primogenito nostro Comite de Carryk Senescallo Scocie- Roberto Comite de ftyff et de Meneteth filio nostro dilecto. Willielmo Comite de Douglas. Johanne de Carryk Cancellario nostro. Jacobo de Lyndesay nepote nostro -et Roberto de Erskyne- militibus. Apud Strivelyne secundo die Maij anno regni nostri quarto.

English translation of the original Latin:

"Robert, by the grace of God, King of Scots, to all good men of his whole land, clerics and laymen, Greeting : Know ye that we have given, granted and by this our present charter have confirmed to our loved and faithful WILLIAM HUNTER, for his faithful service rendered and to be rendered to us, that whole land of ARNELL with pertinents which belonged to Andrew Cambell, Knight, and which the said Andrew, not led by force or fear nor falling into error but of his own free and pure will, gave up and purely and simply resigned to us by staff and baton and wholly renounced in all time coming for himself and his heirs, with all right and title that he had or might have in the said land with the pertinents : To hold and have to the said William and his heirs male lawfully procreate or to be procreated of his body of us and our heirs in fee and heritage by all their right marches and bounds, with all and singular liberties, commodities, easements and just pertinents whatsoever belonging or in what manner soever shall be justly known to belong in future to the said land, freely, quietly, wholly well and in peace. The said William and his heirs foresaid rendering therefor yearly to us and our heirs one penny of silver only at the said land of Arnell at the feast of Pentecost in name of " blench ferme " for wards, reliefs, marriages, burdens and other services whatsoever. In testimony of which thing we have commanded our seal to be appended to our present charter. WMtnesses, the venerable father in Christ, William Bishop of St. Andrews ; John our firstborn Earl of Carryk, Steward of Scotland ; Robert Earl of ffyff and of Meneteth, our beloved son ; William Earl of Douglas ; John of Carryk our Chancellor ; James of Lyndesay our nephew ; and Robert of Erskyne ; Knights. At Strivelyne (Stirling) the second day of May the fourth year of our reign {i.e. 1374)."