Simon Fraser of Oliver and Neidpath

A man totally gifted for war.

Simon Fraser of Oliver and Neidpath was a Scottish Nobleman who played a notable role in the First War of Scottish Independence. During this period, he fought for both the English and the Scottish.

Simon Fraser was born around 1246-1250 into a Norman-descended family. The family held lands in the Scottish Borders, including Oliver Castle and Neidpath Castle, near Peebles. His parents were Simon Fraser, Sheriff of Peebles, and his wife, Maria.

His family held hereditary positions as Keepers of the Forest in the Scottish Borders. After his father's death in 1291, Simon the Younger inherited his father's lands, but he did not inherit his father's office because he was late in submitting to Edward I of England, like other Scottish nobles. As a result, Edward entrusted the Forest of Selkirk to William Comyn of Kirkintilloch.

By 1297, Simon married Maria Bisset, and they had two children, Margaret and Joan.

During the First War of Scottish Independence, Simon Fraser joined the Scottish party. He was captured at the Battle of Dunbar on April 27th, 1296, and sent to prison in England. His lands were forfeited. He was released from prison to serve King Edward I of England's expedition in Flanders in 1297. Simon was made a household knight, essentially a member of the royal bodyguard. He was gifted a horse by Edward I before the Battle of Falkirk, where he was among the English cavalry that defeated William Wallace's army. His lands and titles were restored on March 27th, 1299, in recognition of his service. He was the Keeper of Selkirk Forest and was at the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300 on the side of the English.

Fraser changed sides again in 1301, this time supporting Scotland. He demonstrated his renewed allegiance by leading, alongside John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, the Scottish victory at the Battle of Roslin in February 1303. There, Fraser killed Ralph Manton, an English treasury clerk whom he accused of embezzling funds for Edward I and neglecting to pay Fraser's wages during his service with the English. Chroniclers praised Fraser as “a man totally gifted for war.”

Following the Scottish victory at Roslin, King Edward I marched through Stirling to Perth. As he approached Dunfermline, the Bishops of St Andrews and Glasgow, along with John Comyn and his army, submitted to Edward. In contrast, Simon Fraser refused to swear fealty to Edward and was absent from the submission, underscoring his continued resistance.

In February of 1304, Simon Fraser fought alongside William Wallace, but after they were ambushed at Happrew and both escaped, Fraser switched sides by June, deserting Wallace and accepting King Edward's terms for peace. By January 1305, Fraser was actively employed with other Scottish knights to hunt down his former ally, William Wallace.

In March of 1306, Fraser broke with King Edward, ending his previous allegiance to the English crown and once more supporting Scotland and Robert the Bruce. Soon after, he fought at the Battle of Methven alongside Bruce, saving his life on multiple occasions. Although Fraser escaped the English rout, he was captured that summer at Kirkencliff, near Stirling, by Thomas de Multon and John de Jussy. As a result, his lands in Scotland were harried and burnt.

Simon Fraser was sent to London in irons and imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was tried for high treason and hanged, drawn, and quartered on September 8th, 1306, at Smithfield. His head was impaled on a spike and displayed on London Bridge, next to that of William Wallace. He was likely denied a Christian burial. His remains were left to rot or disposed of without formal interment. History does not record whether his body was recovered or buried in Scotland. A 19th century memorial stone to Simon Fraser stands in Almondell and Calderwood Country Park, West Lothian, Scotland. His lands were forfeited to the English Crown.