Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat
ARMS: Quarterly: 1st and 4th, Azure three fraises, 2nd and 3rd, Argent three antique crowns Gules.
SOURCE/NOTES & CREDITS: Blazon, BLG, 18th Edition, page 466, illustration for background and biographical information for background from Wikipedia Article, “ Lord Lovat”. The blazon was reworked by J.H. Gaylor and the text was adapted by D. Q. Wedvick.
Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat, the 18th MacShimidh, Chief of the Highland Frasers, known as “the Fox” was born circa. 1667. His life, marriage and loyalties were complicated and controversial. In 1740 he was given the title of Duke of Fraser and other titles in the Jacobite Peerage by the titular King, James VIII of Scotland (and James the III in England) and became a supporter of his son, Prince Charlie after the Battle of Prestonpans was won decisively by the Jacobites. He was chased & caught in western Scotland near Morar for his support of the rising in’45, given a trial in the House of Lords and sentenced to death. Lord Lovat was the last peer to be executed by beheading in England. This was done on Tower Hill, London, on 9 April 1747 when he was about 80 years of age with one clean swipe of the axe. His son was pardoned & allowed to join the British Army, raised a battalion, served with Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham and became a general. He bought back much of his father’s lands but was not restored the title and died in 1782.
A really fine relatively impartial biography of him, “ The Last Highlander”, came out in 2012 by Sarah Fraser who is married to a Lovat Fraser It is a recommend read by no less than Simon Fraser, the current and 18th Lord Lovat, 25th MacShimidh and Chief of the Highland Frasers. We also have just read this book and couldn’t put it down until finished ( available from Amazon.com ).
The artwork is a rendering by John Hamilton Gaylor.
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