Biography of William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness 1410-1484

Paternal Family Tree: Sinclair

Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Graham Countess Ross

William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness and Janet Yeman Countess Orkney and Caithness were married. She by marriage Countess Orkney, Countess Caithness. He the son of Henry Sinclair 2nd Earl Orkney and Egidia "Fair Maid of Nithsdale" Douglas Countess Orkney.

In 1407 [his father] Henry Sinclair 2nd Earl Orkney (age 32) and [his mother] Egidia "Fair Maid of Nithsdale" Douglas Countess Orkney (age 27) were married. She by marriage Countess Orkney.

In 1410 William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness was born to [his father] Henry Sinclair 2nd Earl Orkney (age 35) and [his mother] Egidia "Fair Maid of Nithsdale" Douglas Countess Orkney (age 30).

Around 1420 [his father] Henry Sinclair 2nd Earl Orkney (age 45) died. His son William (age 10) succeeded 3rd Earl Orkney.

In or after 1425 [his brother-in-law] James "Gross" Douglas 7th Earl Douglas 1st Earl Avondale (age 54) and [his sister] Beatrix Sinclair Countess Douglas and Avondale (age 27) were married. She by marriage Countess Douglas, Countess Avondale. The difference in their ages was 27 years. She the daughter of [his father] Henry Sinclair 2nd Earl Orkney and [his mother] Egidia "Fair Maid of Nithsdale" Douglas Countess Orkney (age 45). He the son of Archibald "Grim" Douglas 3rd Earl Douglas and Joanna Strathearn Countess Douglas. They were great uncle and niece.

In 1436 [his son] William Sinclair 2nd Lord Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 26) and Elizabeth Douglas Countess Buchan and Orkney. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.40%. He married after 29th April 1458 Christian Leslie Lady Sinclair and had issue.

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

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Around 1438 [his mother] Egidia "Fair Maid of Nithsdale" Douglas Countess Orkney (age 58) died.

In 1440 [his daughter] Catherine Sinclair Duchess Albany was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 30) and Elizabeth Douglas Countess Buchan and Orkney. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.40%. She married before 1477 her second cousin Alexander Stewart 1st Duke Albany, son of King James II of Scotland and Mary of Guelders Queen Consort Scotland, and had issue.

Around 1440 [his daughter] Katherine Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 30) and [his future wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness.

Before 1448 William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 37) and Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness were married. She by marriage Countess Orkney, Countess Caithness. He the son of Henry Sinclair 2nd Earl Orkney and Egidia "Fair Maid of Nithsdale" Douglas Countess Orkney.

In 1448 [his son] Robert Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 38) and [his wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness.

Around 1450 [his daughter] Margaret Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 40) and [his wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness.

Around 1451 [his daughter] Susan Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 41) and [his wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness.

Around 1452 [his son] Arthur Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 42) and [his wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness.

The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.

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In 1452 [his son] Oliver Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 42) and [his wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness.

Around 1453 [his son] George Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 43) and [his wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness.

Around 1454 [his son] Alexander Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 44) and [his wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness.

In 1455 William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 45) was created 1st Earl Caithness.

Around 1455 [his daughter] Elizabeth Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 45) and [his wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness.

Around 1455 [his daughter] Mariota Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 45) and [his wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness.

Around 1455 [his daughter] Marjory Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 45) and [his wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness.

In 1457 [his daughter] Eleanor Sinclair Countess Atholl was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 47) and [his wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness. She married before April 1475 her half fifth cousin once removed John Stewart 1st Earl Atholl, son of James "Black Knight of Lorn" Stewart and Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland, and had issue.

Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses

Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.

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After 29th April 1458 William Sinclair 2nd Lord Sinclair (age 22) and Christian Leslie Lady Sinclair were married. He the son of William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 48) and Elizabeth Douglas Countess Buchan and Orkney.

In 1459 [his son] William Sinclair 2nd Earl Caithness was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 49) and [his wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness at Ravenscraig Castle. He married Margaret Keith Countess Caithness and had issue.

Before 8th February 1462 [his sister] Beatrix Sinclair Countess Douglas and Avondale (age 64) died.

Around 1470 [his daughter] Euphemia Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 60) and [his wife] Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness.

Before April 1475 [his son-in-law] John Stewart 1st Earl Atholl (age 35) and Eleanor Sinclair Countess Atholl (age 18) were married. She by marriage Countess Atholl. She the daughter of William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 65) and Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness. He the son of James "Black Knight of Lorn" Stewart and Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland. They were half fifth cousin once removed. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England.

Before 1477 [his son-in-law] Alexander Stewart 1st Duke Albany (age 22) and Catherine Sinclair Duchess Albany (age 36) were married. She by marriage Duchess Albany. The marriage was subsequently regarded as illegitimate. She the daughter of William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 66) and Elizabeth Douglas Countess Buchan and Orkney. He the son of King James II of Scotland and Mary of Guelders Queen Consort Scotland. They were second cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England.

In 1479 [his daughter] Catherine Sinclair Duchess Albany (age 39) died.

In 1479 [his daughter] Katherine Sinclair (age 39) died.

Around 1480 [his daughter] Marjory Sinclair (age 25) died.

In 1484 William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness (age 74) died. His son William (age 25) succeeded 2nd Earl Caithness. William Sinclair 2nd Lord Sinclair (age 48) was appointed 2nd Lord Sinclair.

Alexander Stewart and [his mother] Egidia "Fair Maid of Nithsdale" Douglas Countess Orkney were married. He the son of Murdoch Stewart 2nd Duke Albany and Isabel Countess Lennox Duchess Albany. They were half first cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King John of England.

[his daughter] Unamed Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness and Elizabeth Douglas Countess Buchan and Orkney. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.40%.

[his son] David Sinclair was born to William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness.

William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness 1410-1484 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Royal Ancestors of William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness 1410-1484

Kings Wessex: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 7 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 13 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 8 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Son of King John of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 19 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Kings France: Great x 12 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 16 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness 1410-1484
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [1]

Queen Consort Camilla Shand [1]

Diana Spencer Princess Wales [28]

Ancestors of William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness 1410-1484

William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William "Longleg" Douglas

Great x 3 Grandfather: William "Hardy" Douglas 2nd Lord Douglas

Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance Battail Battail

Great x 2 Grandfather: James "Black" Douglas

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Stewart 4th High Steward

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stewart Baroness Douglas

Great x 1 Grandfather: Archibald "Grim" Douglas 3rd Earl Douglas

GrandFather: William "Nithsdale" Douglas

Mother: Egidia "Fair Maid of Nithsdale" Douglas Countess Orkney 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Stewart 4th High Steward

Great x 3 Grandfather: James Stewart 5th High Steward

Great x 2 Grandfather: Walter Stewart 6th High Steward

Great x 1 Grandfather: King Robert II of Scotland 3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Bruce Earl Carrick 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Marjorie Carrick 3rd Countess Carrick

Great x 2 Grandmother: Marjorie Bruce 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Donald Mar 7th Earl of Mar

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Mar Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elen ferch Llewellyn Aberffraw Countess Huntingdon and Mar Grand Daughter of King John of England

GrandMother: Princess Egidia Stewart 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Earl of Ross

Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh 4th Earl Ross

Great x 1 Grandmother: Euphemia Ross Queen Consort Scotland

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Graham of Abercorn

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Graham Countess Ross