The Roll of Scottish Barons
Arms of the Baron of DrumThe Baron of DrumAlexander Irvine of Drum, 27th Baron of Drum

The Barony of Drum, Illustrated Comic · Chapter I of V · 1323 to 1324

The Bruce’s Armour-Bearer

A king’s armour-bearer, a holly thicket, and a forest given as far as the eye could see.

Comic panel: William de Irwyn, armour-bearer, follows King Robert the Bruce through the royal camp carrying the king’s helm and shield
Wherever King Robert the Bruce rode, young William de Irwyn rode at his back, carrying the King’s helm and shield. The family tells that when the English hunted the King through the woods, William was one of seven men who hid with him in a holly thicket, and that is why the arms of Drum bear holly to this day.
Comic panel: King Robert the Bruce shows William de Irwyn the royal Forest of Drum on Deeside from a snowy ridge, February 1323
February 1323. The war was won, and the King had not forgotten. From a ridge above the Dee he showed his armour-bearer the royal Forest of Drum, as far as the eye could see. “It is yours, William.”
Comic panel: William de Irwyn kneels to receive the sealed charter of the barony of Drum before King Robert the Bruce, October 1324
Then came the King’s great seal. A second charter made the lands of Drum a free barony, with the power of pit and gallows, and the tower by the forest became its home. The charter is still kept at Drum.

On the Roll: William de Irwyn, 1st Baron of Drum, 1323 to about 1335.

ContentsThe Baron of Drum

A comic, told from the history of the barony and its legends. The record is the Baron of Drum’s entry on the Roll.