John de Graham

Memorial to Sir John de Graeme

Sir John De Graeme tomb, Falkirk Old Parish Church

Sir John de Graeme of Dundaff was a 13th-century Scottish noble. He was killed during the Battle of Falkirk on 22 July 1298.

He was the son of David de Graeme and Agnes Noble and was born in the lands of Dundaff, Ayrshire, Scotland. During the Wars of Scottish Independence he fought alongside Sir William Wallace. He was one of several notable Scottish casualties at the Battle of Falkirk, along with Sir John Stewart, Lord of Bonkyll on 22 July 1298, when the Scottish forces were routed by Edward I of England's stronger force of cavalry.^[1]

He is buried at the Falkirk Old Parish Church, Stirlingshire, Falkirk, Scotland, with other fallen comrades. Sir John's gravestone and effigy can be found in Falkirk Old Parish Church.^[2] The inscription reads:

Here lyes Sir John the Grame, baith wight and wise,
Ane of the chiefs who rescewit Scotland thrise,
Ane better knight not to the world was lent,
Nor was gude Graham of truth and hardiment ^[3]

The 15th-century poet Blind Harry wrote of "Schir Jhone the Grayme" in The Wallace. Wallace's lament at his death has been anthologised.

He gives his name to the Grahamston district in Falkirk, which gives its name to Falkirk Grahamston station.

Family and issue

John married Marjory Halliday, and had the following known issue:

• John, Earl of Mentieth (d. 1347), married Mary II, suo jure Countess of Menteith, the daughter of Alan II, Earl of Menteith; had issue.

Citations

References

• Debrett, John, "Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionage, Volume 2"; Kelly's Directories, 1822.