Oliphant fought at the
Battle of Dunbar in 1296, where the Scots, under their king
John Balliol, were defeated by the invading English. Following the battle he was captured and taken to
Rochester Castle in England where he was imprisoned. He was released after agreeing to serve King
Edward I of England overseas. During the
siege of 1304, when the castle was attacked by the forces of Edward I of England, the garrison eventually surrendered to the English. He was captured once again, this time being imprisoned at
Wallingford Castle In this same year all of Scotland with the exception of
William Wallace had sworn fealty to Edward I. For 110 shillings, as "William Olyfaunt, Knight", he was bonded by
Hugh le Despenser, the elder and remained in England until 1313. He was one of the signatories to the
Declaration of Arbroath on 6 April 1320 and his seal is still visible. Sir William's tomb is in
Aberdalgie Churchyard, in
Perthshire, within the site of the original church. The effigy is made from "Tournai marble" from northern France or
Flanders. The grave lies at the furthest corner of the churchyard close to a small stream. He left his estates to his son Walter. These included Dupplin, Hedderwick and
Cranshaws which he inherited from his Oliphant predecessors;
Aberdalgie, Turin, Glensaugh, Pitkerie and Gallery which apparently came into the family from a Wishart heiress; Gasknes,
Newtyle, Kinpurnie, Auchtertyre, Balcrais, Muirhouse and Hazelhead acquired as gifts from the King. ==Family==