mm L;£'. SSStt i ;'":'-— THE SCOTS PEERAGE Edinburgh : Printed by T. and A. CONSTABLE FOR DAVID DOUGLAS LONDON . . . SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KBNT AND CO., LIM1TKD CAMBRIDGE . . BOWES AND BOWES GLASGOW . . JAMBS MACLEHOSE AND SONS THE SCOTS PEERAGE FOUNDED ON WOOD'S EDITION OF SIR ROBERT DOUGLAS'S peerage of Scotland CONTAINING AN HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF THE NOBILITY OF THAT KINGDOM EDITED BY SIR JAMES BALFOUR PAUL, LL.D. LORD LYON KING OF ARMS WITH ARMORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS VOLUME VI EDINBURGH : DAVID DOUGLAS 1909 All rights reserved Cs ?35 I « • « CONTENTS AND LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS MARCHMONT, HUME, EARL OF, . MARISCHAL, KEITH, EARL, . MELFORT, DRUMMOND, EARL OF, MELVILLE, MELVILLE, EARL OF LEVEN AND, With full-page Illustration. MENTEITH, ANCIENT EARLS OF, . MENTEITH, GRAHAM, EARL OF, . METHVEN, STEWART, LORD, . MIDDLETON, MIDDLETON, EARL OF, MONTROSE, GRAHAM, DUKE OF, . . With full-page Illustration. MONYPENNY, MONYPENNY, LORD, . MORAY, ANCD3NT EARLS OF, .... MORAY, RANDOLPH, EARL OF MORAY, DUNBAR, EARL OF, . MORAY, DOUGLAS, EARL OF, MORAY, STEWART, EARL OF, MORAY, STEWART, EARL OF, With full-page Illustration. MORDINGTOUN, DOUGLAS, LORD, PAGE 1 25 66 75 124 142 166 170 191 275 280 308 311 313 331 vi CONTENTS PAOt MORTON, DOUGLAS, EARL OF, 337 With full-page Illustration, MORTON, MAXWELL, EARL OF, 388 NAIRN, NAIRN, LORD, 390 NAPIER OF MERCHISTON, NAPIER, LORD, ... 402 With full-page Illustration. NEWARK, LESLIE, LORD, 440 NEWBURGH, LIVINGSTON, EARL OF, .... 446 NEWHAVEN, CHEYNE, VISCOUNT OF, .... 461 NITHSDALE, MAXWELL, EARL OF 469 NORTHESK, CARNEGIE, EARL OF, 493 OCHILTREE, STEWART, LORD 809 OLIPHANT, OLIPHANT, LORD, 521 ORKNEY, SINCLAIR, EARL OF, 564 ORKNEY, STEWART, EARL OF, 572 ORKNEY, HAMILTON, EARL OF 578 With full-page Illustration. ORMOND, DOUGLAS, EARL OF, 585 OXFUIRD, MAKGILL, VISCOUNT OF, . 587 » LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS TO VOL. VI. J. A., . . . REV. JOHN ANDERSON, Curator Historical De- partment, H.M. General Register House.- W. C. B., . . WILLIAM C. BISHOP. A. S. C., . . ALLAN S. CARNEGIE. W. B. C., . . W. B. COOK. A. O. C., . . ALEXANDER O. CURLE. H. H. D., . . THE HON. HEW H. DALRYMPLE. M. R. R. M'G. G., . Miss M'GILCHRIST GILCHRIST. C. T. G., . . CHARLES T. GORDON. F. J. G., . . FRANCIS J. GRANT, Rothesay Herald, H. W. F. H., . . H. W. FORSYTE HARWOOD, Editor of the Genealogist. D. C. H., . . DAVID C. HERRIES. H. B. M., . . HARDY BERTRAM M'CALL. J. B. P., . . . SIR JAMES BALFOUR PAUL, LL.D., Editor. A. F. S., . . A. FRANCIS STEUART. J, M. T., . . J. MAITLAND THOMSON, LL.D. HUME, EAEL OF MARCHMONT IR DAVID HUME of Wed- derburn, was a brother of Alexander Hume of that Ilk, and obtained the lands of Wedderburn in 1413 from Archibald, Earl of Douglas and Duke of Touraine. He acquired other lands from the same Earl, and also the lands of Wolff ee, co. Roxburgh. He was alive on 28 Feb- ruary 1452-53,1 and died between that and 1469. He married a lady whose Christian name was Alice. He had issue : — 1. David, who died vita patris before 1450. He married Elizabeth Oarmichael, who survived to 1495.2 He had issue : — (1) George, who succeeded to Wedderburn, and married, in 1470, Mariota or Marion, elder daughter of John Sinclair of Herd- manston, and had issue. (2) PATRICK of Polwarth, of whom below. (3) Sibilla, married to Henry Haitly of Mellerstaines after 1 February 1478.3 2. Alexander, called to the succession in a Crown charter in favour of David Hume and Alice, his spouse, dated 16 May 1450/ 1 Hist. MSS. Com. Rep., Col. David Milne Home's MSS., pp. 18, 20; Reg. Mag. Sig., 28 February 1452-53. 2 Ibid., tit. ut sup. 26, No. 25. 5 Hist. MSS. Com. Rep., ut sup. 24, No. 18. 4 Reg. Mag. Sig., 16 May 1450. VOL. VI. A 2 HUME, EARL OP MAROHMONT PATRICK, known familiarly as ' Lang Patrick of Pollart,1 married, first, Margaret, younger daughter and co-heiress with her sister Marion of John Sinclair of Herdmanston, in the lands of Polwart and Kimmerghame. He had a charter from Archibald, Earl of Angus, to him and his wife in conjunct fee and the heirs-male to be procreated between them, etc., of half of the lands of Kimmerghame, 15 May 1470. It is traditionally related that the uncle of Marion and Margaret Sinclair, as heir-male of the family and their guardian, in order to prevent their marriage, and the con- sequent loss of those lands to the Sinclair family, removed them from Polwarth to his castle of Herdmanston across the Lammermuir Hills. The Humes, however, learned of their retreat, summoned their retainers, and riding to Herdmanston, forced the uncle, after an investment of his castle, to surrender his wards, whom they thereupon carried back to Polwarth and married.2 Upon 6 November 1475 Margaret was served heir in special to her father in the half of Polwarth, and was infeft therein the same month.3 Thereafter Patrick Hume was designed ' of Polwart,' as also in 1480 was David Hume, son and apparent heir of George of Wedderburn, his brother, by virtue of his mother's half of the inheritance.4 Owing largely no doubt to his own merits, but also to his kinship to Alexander Hume of that Ilk, the Great Chamberlain, Patrick obtained a position of considerable importance in the country, and, as well for his valour 'in resisting of our auld Jnimies of England' as for his sage counsel in affairs of state, was rewarded with numerous grants of property. He held also the following appointments, viz.: — Chamberlain of Stirling and Strathern, 1489; Comptroller, 1499; Chamberlain of Fife and Kil- marnock, 1501 ; Keeper of Stirling Castle, 1494 and 1501. He obtained a charter of the lands of Brigamschelis from Alexander, Duke of Albany, 2 May 1483, for adhering to whose cause a summons of treason had been issued against him in 1478, and also a confirmation of that charter on 1 Acta Dom. Cone., 46, 18 January 1479. 2 Hist. MSS. Com. Rep., ut sup. 4. s Original retour and seisin produced in causa Alexander H. Hume, Captain R.N., claiming the title of Earl of Marchmont, etc., 1822. * Fourteenth Hep. Hist. MSS, Com., App. pt. iii. ; Marchmout MSS. No. 9, HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT 3 28 June 1488.1 He had further charters of Hetschawe, in the bailiary of Lauderdaile, 18 July 1496,2 and of Rednach, alias Inchanach, Argathies, and Lundies, in the lordship of Menteith, on 19 June 1497,3 which he resigned for new in- feftment personally when with the army at Upsedlington the same year,4 and which the King on attaining the age of twenty-five excepted from his general revocation of gifts made while in minority.5 In 1499 he was granted extra pay for collecting fees during the time of plague,8 and the same year, for ' singular favour as well as for augmentation of his rental,' he had a charter of half of the lands of Strath- bran, of half of Auchinvaid, and of Glenshee, co. Perth. On 19 October 1500 he had a charter of Vigorushalch, with the fishings on Tweed and Teviot, Bradeyardis, Horse- merkat, and a husbandland in Cessfurd, in the county of Roxburgh,7 and the following year he obtained the lands of Oastellaw, Estraw, Miltoun, Wodehouseleye, and Murehouse, in the county of Edinburgh.8 He died in November 1503. He married, first, as above stated, Mar- garet Sinclair; and secondly, previous to 24 March 1490,9 Ellen, daughter of Sir James Shaw of Sauchie, 'lady of Dirletoun,' widow of Archibald Halyburton, Master of Haly burton. She survived him, and was married, thirdly, to Sir Patrick Houston of that Ilk, and fourthly, in 1516, to Sir Robert Hamilton of Fingalton,10 and was still alive in 1541.11 He had issue by his first wife, Margaret Sinclair, one son : 12 — 1. ALEXANDER, who succeeded him.13 1 Reg. Mag. Sig. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. * Ibid., 5 August 1497. 6 Ibid., 20 May 1498. 6 Exch. Rolls, xi. 259. 7 Reg. Mag. Sig. 8 Ibid., 20 August 1501. 9 Acta Dom. Cone., 193. 10 Ada Dom. And., xxviii., 24 Jan. 1516, xxix. f. 14, et passim. n Marchmont Report, No. 19. 12 Fourteenth Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. pt. iii. ; Marchmont MSS., No. 12. 13 On the sole evidence of a birth brief obtained in 1668 at the instance of Alexander Hume, younger brother of Patrick, first Earl of Marchmont, who was living abroad, it has been stated in several accounts of the family that Patrick, first of Polwart, was succeeded by a son Patrick, who married Mary, daughter of John Edmonston of that Ilk, who in his turn was father of Alexander. It is, however, definitely stated in a retour preserved among the Marchmont papers (Fourteenth Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. pt. iii. No. 12) that Margaret Sinclair was the mother of Alexander Hume, whose heir he was in the half lands of Kymbyr- geame, etc., then in the hands of the Earl of Angus, as superior, by the death of the said Margaret and of Sir Patrick Hume, Knighti from the 4 HUME, EARL OF MARCHMONT By his second wife he had : — 2. George of Argaty and Lundies, who married Mar- garet Erskine, and had issue :— (1) Alexander, who succeeded after July 1562, and died about 1574, leaving issue, whose descendants continued the family to George, the last male of this line, who, dying without issue in 1751, was succeeded by a sister Margaret, served heir to him on 11 September of that year.1 (2) Patrick, afterwards Sir Patrick of Correquhormbie, who died without issue in 1572.2 (3) David, convicted of treasonable intercommuning with the Earl of Mar and other traitors, and condemned to death on 8 December 1584.3 3. Mr. Patrick of Law, who married Margaret Wemyss, and had a son Patrick.4 • 4. Alison, married to Sir James Shaw of Sauchie.5 5. Janet, married, before 6 November 1501, to Sir Andrew Ker of Ferniehirst.8 6. Marion, married to Sir William Baillie of Lamington. 7. Margaret, daughter of Sir Patrick Hume of Polwarth, had a grant of the marriage of Sir John Stirling of Keir, to whom she had been contracted on 30 March 1501, and in January 1507-8 raised an action to have him decerned to marry her.7 ALEXANDER HUME, who succeeded, was on 18 May 1530 warded within the Castle of Dumbarton at the same time as similar restrictions were placed on the liberty of other Borderers,8 and on 6 May 1532 he was fined for not appearing on an assize.9 His death occurred shortly afterwards, for on 28 November 1532 the inven- tory of his estate was given up by his executors.10 This consisted of his stock on the lands of Redbraes, date of death of the latter six months previously (date of inquest 7 May 1504). l Case for Sir H. Hume Campbell, 42. 2 Additional Case for Francis Home, 26. 3 Records of Court of Justiciary quoted in Case for Sir H. Hume Campbell, 44. * Fourteenth Hep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. pt. iii. ; Marchmont MSS., Nos. 19-21. 5 Reg. Mag. Sig., 4 December 1506. 8 Cf. vol. v. 59. 7 Stirlings of Keir, 34, 272 ; Acta Dorn. Cone., xix. 98. 8 Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, pt. i. 147. 9 Ibid., 159. 10 Fourteenth Rep, Hist. MSS. Com., App. pt. iii. ; Marchmont MSS. No. 37. HUME, EARL OF MARCHMONT 5 Kimmerghame, Trottenshaw, North Berwick, Byrecleuch, and Ohannaybank. His goods, within the diocese of St. Andrews were valued at £878, 17s. Scots. He married, first, previous to 3 May 1503,1 Margaret, said to have been a daughter of Lord Orichtoun of Sanquhar, who was alive in 1518.2 Secondly, Margaret, * Lady of Wauchtone,' daughter of Sir Robert Lauder of the Bass. As she, however, was within the third degree of con- sanguinity, a dispensation was obtained for the marriage on 23 January 1520-21.3 She survived her husband, and was one of his executors.4 He also married, probably at an early date, Elizabeth Wardlaw, but the marriage was annulled by a decree of divorce extracted 8 October 1526, though it may have been pronounced many years previous. In the decree he is designed 'son and apparent heir' of Patrick Hume of Polwarth, and the marriage is declared *ab initio fuisse et esse nulla et invalida.' By his first wife he had issue : — 1. PATRICK, who succeeded him. 2. Alexander, who obtained from Isabella Hume, prioress of the nunnery of North Berwick, and Dame Mar- garet Hume, postulate or prioress-elect, and the convent thereof, for the great sums of money spent in repair of the nunnery, confirmation of a charter of the two milns of North Berwick on 21 January 1546- 47, and on 28 September 1549 a confirmation from Margaret Hume,5 then prioress, of a charter of the dominical lands of Heuch for the sum of £2000 spent in the repair of the abbey and for payment of the taxation due by her.6 He died on 22 August 1563, leaving a natural son Robert, to whom he gave Heuch, and on whose behalf the Privy Council inter- fered to protect him from the molestation of Patrick Hume, younger of Polwarth, who had occupied his lands.7 This Robert Hume's will, dated 26 May 1568, 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., 3 May 1503. 2 Fourteenth Sep. Hist. MSS. Com., ut supra, No. 13. 3 Ibid., No. 14. * Ibid., No. 37. She was 'kenned' to her terce on 15 August 1533 (Protocol Book of T. Kene). 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 21 January 1546-47. 6 Ibid., 28 September 1549. 7 P. C. Reg., i. 245; Acts and Decreets, xxviii. 63. 6 HUME, EARL OF MARCHMONT preserved among the Marchmont Mss.,1 contains mention of his wife Marion Hepburn and his son Robert, who succeeded him, and died before 27 June 1642.' 3. Gavin,* who had a natural son Andrew, who in his turn had a natural son Thomas. For the legiti- mation of both a precept was granted 22 April 1569.4 4. George,5 for whom a provision for board * pro mensa et cotagio ' is contained in his father's will.6 By his second wife he had : — 5. Isabella, married to Adam Hepburn of Craig.7 6. Katherine, married to Robert Hoppringle.8 7. Margaret, Prioress of North Berwick.9 PATRICK HUME had a charter of half of the lands of Kimmerghame 20 October 1532,10 and on September 1536 n a charter of confirmation to himself and his wife of the lands of Birgameschelis, Haitschaw, and Belschele, in the county of Berwick. He died between December 1577 and March 1579." By his wife, Elizabeth Hepburn, a daughter of Sir Patrick Hepburn of Waughton, he had issue : — 1. PATRICK, who succeeded him. 2. Alexander of North Berwick, who succeeded to the dominical lands of Heuch^13 and on 28 January 1568-69 had other charters14 of subjects in North Berwick feued by his aunt, the Prioress Margaret. On 20 March 1587-88 he had a charter of the lands of the monastery of that place.15 He was chosen Provost of Edinburgh in 1593, and sent as Ambassador to Eng- land by King James vi. He died without surviving issue previous to 1608.16 1 Fourteenth Rep. Hist. MSS. Cam., ut supra, No. 23. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig., 27 June 1642. 3 It is possible that he was a son of Margaret Lauder. * P. C. Reg., 22 April 1569. 6 Fourteenth Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., ut supra, No. 37. 6 Ibid. 7 Ibid. 8 Protocol Book of Robert Lawder, 8 March 1555 (Bannatyne Club). 9 Douglas calls Isabella abbess, and Mar- garet wife of Hepburn. 10 Reg. Mag. Sig., 20 October 1532. « Ibid., I September 1536. 1J Ibid., 4 April 1565. 13 Acts and Decreets, Ixxv. 190. 14 Confirmed 2 January 1569-70, Reg. Mag. Sig. 16 Ibid., 20 March 1587-88. 16 Ibid., 1 June 1609; Acts and Decreets, Ixxvi. f. 329. HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT 7 3. Adam, Parson of Polwart, is said to have died in 1596. He married Christian Dewar,1 and left issue : — (1) Alexander, who was served heir to Alexander Hume of North Berwick, his uncle, on 23 June 1608, and possessed heritable property in North Berwick. He died without issue in November 1637, 2 having married Elizabeth Cock- burn in 1623. (2) Patrick, who died without issue before 1643. He married Margaret, sister of William Wauchope of Gleghornie.3 (3) Margaret, married, first (contract 11 July 1586) to Patrick, eldest son of William Hepburn of Eastcraig ; 4 secondly, to Richard Addinstoun of that Ilk.5 (4) Helen. 4. Margaret, married to John Baillie of Johnskirk. 5. Anne, married to Robert French of Thorny dikes. PATRICK HUME obtained a Crown charter of confirmation of the lands of Polwart therein incorporated into the free barony of ' Reidbrayes ' on 18 March 1593-94." He was a great promoter of the Reformation, and one of those who entered into an association to protect the preachers of the gospel in 1560. He was on the King's side, and is said to have been dangerously wounded in a skirmish with the Queen's party at Oairny on 2 June 1571.7 He died 20 May 1599.8 He married Agnes, daughter of Alexander Hume of Manderston, by whom he had issue : — 1. PATRICK, who succeeded. 2. Mr. Alexander, minister of Logic from 1597 to 1609. He was a man of considerable literary ability, and author of various works in prose and verse, among others a volume entitled 'Hymes or Sacred Songs wherein the right use of Poesie may be espied,' Edinburgh 1599,9 and * The Day Estival.' 10 His library and his musical instruments are mentioned in his will, dated 8 August 1609, wherein he ordered with singular forethought that, of his books, * nane of them be lent furth upon quhatsumevir promeis,' as they to 1 Reg. of Deeds, xxxix. 188. 2 Additional Case for Francis Home, April 1842, p. 16. 3 Gen. Beg. of Inhib. , 10 July 1620. 4 Reg. of Deeds, xxxix, 188. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., viii. 933. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig. 7 In Crawfurd's Peerage, 313, it is stated that he was killed on this occasion. In the first edition of the same work, however, he is said to have died in 1592. 8 Edin. Tests. 9 Reprinted for the Bannatyne Club in 1832. 10 Reprinted in Leyden's Scottish Descriptive Poems. 8 whose custody he leaves them ' shall answer to God.' l He died in December 1609.2 By his wife Marion, daughter of Mr. John Duncanson, Dean of the Ohapel Royal of Stirling, he had issue a son, Caleb, and two daughters,3 Dina and IVoomf, all mentioned in their father's will. He had another daughter, older, described in his will as the ' Goodwife of Chesters.' 3. Gavin of Johnscleuch, who acquired the lands of Johns- cleuch from his uncle Alexander Hume of North Berwick in March 1596-97.4 He died before March 1610. He married Helen, daughter of Alexander Acheson of Gosford and Helen Reid his wife,5 and left issue : — (1) Alexander of Johnscleuch. (2) Archibald, served tutor to his elder brother on his becoming insane in March 1627.6 (3) John.7 (4) Anne, married, 28 December 1641, to Thomas Aikenhead, one of the Commissaries of Edinburgh. (5) Helen, married, 30 December 1641,to John Acheson,8 Writer, Edinburgh. 4. John, called as a substitute in a charter of the lands of North Berwick in favour of Alexander Hume his uncle, 20 March 1587-88,9 to whom he succeeded in 1597. As Sir John Hume, Knight, on 7 June 1609,10 he obtained a charter of confirmation of these lands which formerly belonged to the abbey, and were excepted from the aet of annexation. He and his sons sold North Berwick in 1633 to William Dick. He acquired lands in the county of Fermanagh in Ireland, called Tully Castle,11 and died in September 1639. He married Margaret , who died in Sep- tember 1612, and had issue : — (1) Alexander, alive in 1615, when he was witness to a discharge by his father.12 (2) Sir George, said to have been created a Baronet about 1638. He was served heir to his father in 1642, and principally 1 Fourteenth Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., ut supra, No. 86. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. * Instrument of sasine quoted in Case for Sir Hugh Hume Campbell, 15 note b. 6Proc. of Resig. ibid., note c. 6 Bond recorded in Reg. of Deeds, ibid., note c. 7 Ibid. 8 Marginal note copy of Minutes of Evidence, in Signet Library. 9 Reg. Mag. Sig. 10 Ibid. u Obligations recorded in Reg. of Deeds, 21 January 1620. 12 Case for H. Hume Campbell, 28 note b. HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT 9 resided at Tully Castle. He died about 1657, having had by his wife Mary, daughter of Sir William Maynard of Curri- glasse, two sons : — i. Sir John, who married Sidney, daughter and co-heir of James Hamilton, of Manor Hamilton, co. Leitrim, and had issue four sons and six daughters, of whom Elizabeth was married in 1697 to Patrick, Lord Polwarth, eldest son of the first Earl of Marchmont. Sir John died July 1695. The last of the sons, Sir Gustavus, died 25 Octo- ber 1731, predeceased by his own male issue, and by his three brothers, who died without issue.1 ii. George, Rector of Inis M 'Saint, Ireland, died in Feb- ruary 1698-99, leaving issue a son, Charles, who suc- ceeded to the Baronetcy.2 (3) Patrick of Hutton Bell, who married, first, about 1628, Elizabeth, daughter of William Hume of Hutton Bell, and secondly, previous to May 1644, Anne Cockburn. He had by his first marriage four sons and two daughters, and by his second four sons and a daughter.3 (4) Anna, styled eldest daughter, married (contract 19 September 1625) to Sir John Seton of Barns.* 5. James, mentioned in the charter of the lands of North Berwick of 1587, and presumed to have died before 1609. 6. David of Rollandstoun, mentioned in 1602 as being then affianced to Elizabeth, second daughter of David Hume, portioner of Blacadder.5 He died previous to August 1604, when George, his brother, was ap- pointed tutor to his son Alexander.6 (1) Alexander, who was married twice, and by his second wife Lilias, daughter of Sir James Dundas of Arniston,7 had issue. 7. George of Drumchose, who, in 1623, obtained a grant of lands in the county of Fermanagh in Ireland, which he 'planted with trew honest Scottish men.'8 He was alive on 5 August 1634, when he signed a bond as witness to the signature of Sir Patrick Home of Polwarth.9 8. Elisabeth or Isabel, married, first, to Thomas Cranston 1 Case for Sir H. Hume Campbell, 29. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid., 36 et seq. * Beg. of Deeds, cccxc. 249. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 14 February^ 1602. 6 Inquis. de Tutela, No. 60, iv. 156. 7 Gen. Reg. Sas., xlviii. 40. 8 Certificate from the Archbishop of Cashel, quoted in Case for Sir H. Hume Campbell, 18 note. 9 Reg. of Deeds, recorded 25 October 1637. For presumption as to his descendants, see Case for Sir H. Hume Campbell, 20. 10 HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT younger of Oorsbie (contract 3 March 1576-77 *); secondly, to Mr. James Home, brother of Sir George Home of Wedderburn, who inhibited her in 1599." He died April 1601.3 9. Jean or Janet, married to Patrick Home of Law. 10. Alison, married to David Edmonstone of Woolmet (contract 22 April 1586).4 11. Margaret, Prioress of Northberwick.5 She was ap- pointed Prioress by James vi., 7 August 1568.8 SIR PATRICK HUME was served heir to his father on 24 October 1599. Previous to his father's death he had become a man of note in the King's service, and had been rewarded with several grants of land. On 3 March 1585-86 he had a charter of Carculanrig, alias Kingisrig, in the bailiary of Lauder,7 and on 29 July of the following year he was granted four husband lands of the Eister Lawis of Whitsum in the county of Berwick at the King's gift by the forfeiture of James, formerly Earl of Bothwell.8 In 1587 he was one of the King's carvers.9 On 24 October 1591, as servitor to the King, he received a charter of the lands of Northfield of Coldinghame conjunctly with Patrick Murray, designed ' dapifer regis,' and in December of the same year as Gentleman of the Bedchamber he was re- warded with the lands of Fishwick in the sheriffdom of Berwick, and Reddane, in the regality of Kelso, part of the forfeited estate of Francis, Earl of Bothwell.10 Besides other emoluments, he enjoyed a yearly pension of 20 chalders from the superplus of the thirds of the Priory of St. Andrews ratified to him in 1592.11 In 1591 he was appointed Master of the Household, and also held the posts of Gentleman of the Bedchamber and Warden of the Marches.12 Previous to 15 February 1592 he had been appointed keeper of the castle of Tantalloun, his commission setting forth the servants he was to have and their allowances.13 This 1 Reg. of Deeds, xvi. 92. 2 Edin. Inhib., xi. 162. 3 Edin. Tests. * Reg. of Deeds, Ixvi. 358. 5 Acts and Decreets, xlvi. 226, where Dr. Adam Home and Alexander Home, formerly Chamberlain of Northberwick, are said to be her father's brothers. fl Reg. Mag. Sig. 7 Ibid., 3 March 1585-86. 8 Ibid., 29 July 1587. 9 Reg. Sec. Sig., Iv. 174. 10 Reg. Mag. Sig., 9 December 1591. » Ada Parl. Scot., iii. 1592. 12 Crawford's Peerage. 13 Fourteenth Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., ut supra, No. 104. HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT 11 post he held until 1595, when he was exonerated for his services on rendering up his charge.1 For his long, true, and faithful service, on 17 June 1608 he was admitted a member of the Privy Council. This honour he did not long enjoy, and died 10 June 1609. He married, previous to 18 December 1598,2 Julian, daughter of Sir Thomas Ker of Ferniehirst, who, surviving him, was married, secondly, between 18 and 26 September 1613, to Sir Thomas Hamilton, afterwards Earl of Haddington (see that title), and lived till March 1637.3 Sir Patrick left issue :— 1. SIR PATRICK. 2. Thomas of Coldstream, baptized in January 1605.* Died before 1628.6 3. John, fought in the Scottish army against the English in 1644 ; married.6 4. James, alive in 1671 .7 5. George, who owned Bedshiel in 1637, and acquired the lands of Kimmerghame.8 He died in 1659, leav- ing by his wife Isabel Hume three sons.9 Robert, the eldest son, died before 1684, leaving by his wife Katherine Hume two sons and a daughter. George, the eldest son, died 26 September 1705 ; married, 26 May 1691, Margaret, daughter and heiress of Sir James Primrose of Barnbougle, and had a son, Robert, to whom on his death without issue, in 1710, Patrick, first Earl of Marchmont, was served heir. 6. Robert of Hawkslaw, who died without issue before 12 April 1623, when his brother George obtained a precept of clare constat as his heir.10 7. Elisabeth, married first to Sir James Oarmichael of that Ilk; secondly, to John Maxwell of Knock and Garrarie.11 8. Jean, married to Christopher Oockburn of Choicelee. 9. Sophia, married to Joseph Johnston of Hilton. SIR PATRICK HUME was served heir to his father on 1 P. C. Reg., v. 243. 2 Fourteenth Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., ut supra, No. 69. 3 Haddington Book, i. 184. * Certificate quoted in Case for Sir H. Hume Campbell, 22. 6 Deeds, ccccii. 284. 6 Case for Sir H. Hume Campbell, 22. 7 Ibid. 8 Charter September 1637 quoted ibid. 25. 9 Retour quoted in the Additional Case, 15. 10 Additional Case, 14. » Edin. Sas., xxiv. 120; Gen. Reg. Sas., xlvi. 411. 12 HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT 1 February 1611. On 31 July 1623 he obtained confirmation under the Great Seal of a charter of half of the lands of Polwart, etc.,1 purchased from Sir David Hume of Wedder- burn for 40,000 merks, this being the half of Polwart which Marion Sinclair brought to the laird of Wedderburn on her marriage in 1475.2 On 20 August 1623 he was created a Justice of Peace for the county of Berwick,3 and was on the Committee of War 1643, 1646, 1647.4 He was created a Baronet by King Charles I. 28 December 1625, and died in April 1648. He married, between 4 June and 19 August 1636, Christian, youngest daughter of Sir Alexander Hamil- ton of Innerwick and Ballencrieff, Knight,5 granting a life- rent charter to her as his future wife, 4 June 1636.' She married, secondly, Robert, second Lord Jedburgh, and died at Ferniehirst in 1688,7 leaving issue by her first husband : — 1. SIR PATRICK. 2. Alexander, born in 1644, became a colonel in the Russian service, and died unmarried at Moscow in 1675.8 3. Julian, married (contract 13 August 1668) to Richard Newton of that Ilk.9 4. Anne, married to Alexander, son of John Home of Manderston. I. SIR PATRICK HUME, born at Redbraes on 13 January 1641, was brought up under the guardianship of his mother. In the year 1665 he entered on his political career, being returned to the Scottish Parliament as representative for the county of Berwick. Here he strenuously opposed the schemes of the Duke of Lauderdale over a long period, and in 1674 accompanied the Duke of Hamilton and others to London to complain in person to the King of the grievances under which the nation was suffering at the hands of his favourite minister. For remonstrating against the summary proceedings of the Privy Council in placing garrisons in the 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., 31 July 1623. 2 It was, perhaps, in connection with this purchase that Sir Patrick had himself served heir to the grand- father of the mother of his great-great-grandfather John Sinclair of Herdmanston in June 1630. 3 P. C. Reg., xiii. 342. 4 Acta Parl. Scot., vi. 1. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 17 March 1645. 6 Gen. Reg. Sas., xliv. 333. 7 Marchmont and the Humes ofPolwarth, 25 ; cf . ante, vol. v. 78. 8 Four- teenth Rep. Hist. AfSS. Com., ut supra, No. 127. 9 Edin. Sas., xiv. 127. HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT 13 houses of several gentlemen, particularly in his native county, and for refusing contributions for that end, he was summoned before the Council in 1675, and, with the approval of the King, declared to be 'a factious person, having done what may usher in confusion, and therefore incapable of all public trust.' He was imprisoned in the castle of Edinburgh l where he remained for some months, being thence removed in succession to Dumbarton and Stirling. On 29 February 1676, however, the Council, by command of the King, issued an order for his release. Realising how insecure was the peaceful enjoyment of his property owing to his active Presbyterian sympathies under a Government whose scarcely veiled religious motives were daily becoming more apparent, he entered into a scheme, along with sundry other Scottish noblemen and gentry whose position was becoming equally precarious, to emi- grate to North America. The original plan under con- sideration was the purchase of New York in conjunction with an English Presbyterian for £15,000 sterling. This, however, was abandoned in favour of a settlement in Carolina.2 The details of the scheme were well advanced, and the King's approval obtained, when in 1683 the dis- covery of the mysterious conspiracy known as the 'Rye- house Plot ' was sprung upon the country, and several of the promoters of the projected emigration, including Sir Patrick Hume, being declared participant, the scheme was at once stopped. Sir Patrick remained in concealment in the vault of Polwarth Church for a month, while his wife by the hands of his heroic daughter Grisell, then a girl of eighteen, supported him nightly with the necessaries of life from his mansion of Redbraes. From this gruesome retreat he ventured at length to move to more congenial quarters in his own house, having a hole prepared for his concealment under the floor, but the rise of water there forced him to take to the open country. After various ad- ventures he succeeded in reaching London and escaping to Holland. Here, under the protection of the Prince of Orange, he established himself and his family at Utrecht, where were many other Scottish refugees waiting the turn of the tide. In 1685 he associated himself with the ill- 1 Fourteenth Sep. Hist. MSS. Com., ut supra, No. 123. 2 Ibid., 129, 14 HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT conceived and badly manoeuvred rebellion under the leader- ship of the Earl of Argyll intended to assist the rising on behalf of the Duke of Monmouth in the south. On the final ruin of the expedition Sir Patrick was concealed in the house of his friend Mr. Montgomery of Lainshaw, whence he found means to escape to Bordeaux, and even- tually rejoin his wife and family at Utrecht. His narrative of this melancholy exploit is well known.1 A decree of forfeiture was passed against him, his estates confiscated, and, under burden of a small jointure to Lady Hume, granted on 22 May 1685 to Lord Seaforth. At the revolu- tion Sir Patrick, along with his eldest son, accompanied the Prince of Orange to England, when his confiscated estates were speedily restored to him, the forfeiture being rescinded by Act of Parliament 22 July 1690. The same year he was made a member of the Privy Council, a com- missioner for the then projected union, and by patent dated at Kensington 26 December 1690 was created a peer of Scotland with the title of LORD POLWARTH, to him and the heirs-male of his body, and to the heirs of those heirs, and received from the King a yearly pension of ;€400.2 As a particular mark of the royal favour to his house, the King granted as an addition to his arms an orange proper, ensigned with an imperial crown. In 1692 he was appointed Sheriff of Berwick, and the follow- ing year one of the Extraordinary Lords of Session; in 1694 bailiff of Lauderdale, and on 2 May 1696 Chancellor of Scotland. By patent dated 23 April 1697 he was raised to the rank of Earl, with the titles of EARL OP MAROH- MONT, VISCOUNT BLASONBERRIE, LORD POL- WARTH OF POLWARTH, REDBRAES, and GREIN- LAW to him and his heirs-male whatsoever, and in the same year was appointed one of the Commissioners of the Treasury and Admiralty.3 In 1698 he filled the important post of Commissioner to the Parliament of Scotland, and 1 Marchmont Papers, iii. 2 The letter, a very characteristic epistle, conveying the news of his elevation to his wife, and giving directions as to her bearing in her new position, is to be found in the Hist. MSS. Rep., Marchmont, 120, No. 147. 3 A letter from the Earl to Secretary Ogilvy shows that he would have preferred the title of March, but that he refrained from asking it, thinking it had been reserved by the King as a royal title (Marchmont Papers, iii.). HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT 15 for his services received very ample approbation under the Great Seal 19 April 1700. In 1702 he was appointed Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Under Queen Anne he was confirmed in the office of Chancellor, but from this post he was soon re- moved by the intrigues of the Jacobite party on his intro- ducing a bill to secure the succession to the throne in the Protestant line. He was likewise deprived of his sheriff- ship. Though removed from office he continued to press forward the treaty of union, the passing of which, he was firmly persuaded, would alone ensure the Protestant suc- cession, and on its ultimate adoption he was personally thanked by Queen Anne in a holograph letter for his labour in the matter.1 From the date of the Act of Union his political influence declined. Though he offered himself as a candidate at the election of Representative Peers in 1707 and 1708 he did not secure election. In 1710 he was deprived of the office of Sheriff of the county of Berwick, which was thereupon conferred on Lord Home, only, how- ever, to be restored to its former holder on the accession of George i. On 1 August 1724 he died of a fever in his house at Berwick, whence he had removed from Redbraes Castle some years previously, and was buried in the Canon- gate Churchyard in Edinburgh.2 He was thus described by a contemporary : ' He hath been a fine gentleman of clear parts, but always a lover of set long speeches, zealous for the Presbyterian Government and its divine right. Business and years have now almost wore him out. He hath been handsome and lovely, and was so since King William's accession to the throne ; towards seventy years old.'3 Lord Marchmont married, on 29 January 1660, Grisell, daughter of Sir Thomas Ker of Cavers and Grizell Halket his wife. Having shared with him the vicissitudes of fortune for forty-three years, she died at Edinburgh, whither she had been removed for treatment on 11 October 1703. In her Bible, which Lord Marchmont gave to his daughter Grisell, he thus described her : * . . . She had been happy of a religious and virtuous education by the care of virtuous and religious parents. She was of a middle stature, 1 Letter printed in Marchmont and the Humes of Polwarth, 58. * Anecdotes of the family of Marchmont, Ibid. 3 Macky's Memoirs. 16 HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT of a plump, full body, a clear ruddy complexion, a grave majestic countenance, a composed steady and mild spirit, of a most firm and equal mind, never elevated by prosperity nor debased nor daunted by adversity, etc.'1 The issue of the marriage was seventeen children, of whom many died young. The following alone grew up: — 1. Patrick, afterwards Lord Polwarth, born 11 Novem- ber 1664. He entered the Army, doing his first service in the Prince of Orange's Guard while his father's family was residing in Holland, and accom- panied that Prince as William in. on his coming to England. He subsequently attained the rank of colonel in the Queen's Dragoons on 28 April 1707, which command he disposed of shortly before his death. It is supposed that he was infected with consumption from his first wife, from the date of whose death he gradually declined in health, and died at Kelso on 25 November 1709. He married, first, 2 December 1697, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Hume of Castle Hume in Ireland, who died four years after her marriage, in December 1701, of consumption said to have been contracted from the effects of an immersion in the sea, when overtaken by the tide while sitting on a rock near Dunglas. He married, secondly, in April 1703, Jean, eldest daughter of Charles, sixth Earl of Home, commonly known as ' Bonnie Jean o' the Hirsel,' and apparently commemorated in a ballad, some verses of which were recovered by Lady John Scott.1 He left no issue by either marriage. 2. Robert, born 10 July 1669, died unmarried 24 June 1692. 3. ALEXANDER, subsequently Earl of Marchmont. 4. Andrew, born 19 July 1676, advocate 29 July 1696, appointed a Lord of Session as Lord Kimmerghame, 25 November 1714, and died 16 March 1730. He married, in 1700, Elizabeth, daughter of John Douglas of Newcastle. 1 Quoted in Marchmont and the Humes of Polwarth. 2 Ibid., 62. HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT 17 widow of Sir William Douglas of Cavers, and had issue : — (1) John, born in 1711. He was killed in an affray at Rosecrea in Ireland on 28 September 1738, l and left no issue, having married, in 1734, Margaret, daughter of William Drummond of Grange, who obtained a decree of separation and aliment against him on 9 November 1736. She was married, secondly, to Alexander Hepburn in 1741, and died at Bath on 17 August 1781. (2) Patrick died before 1732. (3) Elizabeth, married to G. St. Clair, and had issue. (4) Helen, married, 1734, to Andrew Wauchope of Niddrie, and had issue. 5. Grisell, born 24 December 1665, married in 1690 to George Baillie of Jerviswoode, who had also been an exile in Holland, and whose father had been brought to the scaffold for alleged complicity in the Ryehouse Plot. She was the authoress of several Scottish songs, of which only two appear to have been perpetuated in print, viz. ' Werena my heart licht I wad dee,1 and ' O, the ewe buchtin's bonnie.' Her Memoirs were written by her daughter, Lady Murray of Stan- hope. She died in 1746, leaving issue. 6. Christian, born 7 May 1668, died unmarried in Holland 1688. 7. Julian, born 16 August 1673, married, in 1698, to Charles Bellingham, a man of neither fortune nor position, with whom she eloped. 8. Anne, born 4 November 1677, married, in 1698, to Sir James Hall of Dunglass, Bart., and died in 1699. 9. Jean, born 22 March 1683, married, in 1703, to James, seventh Lord Torphichen, and died at Edinburgh 10 December 1751, 2 leaving issue. II. ALEXANDER, second Earl of Marchmont, was born on 1 January 1675. During his father's exile in Holland, he spent between two and three years at the University of Utrecht, studying law for the profession he was designed to follow, a study which he continued in Edinburgh after his family's return to Scotland. He was admitted as advo- cate 28 July 1696, and in the same year he was knighted by 1 Caledonian Mercury, 20 October 1738. 2 Scots Mag. VOL. VI. B 18 HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT the Duke of Queensberry, the King's Commissioner in Scot- land. On 7 November 1704 he was elevated to the Scottish Bench as Lord Cessnock, a title previously borne by Sir George Campbell. He actively interested himself in politics, and sat in the Scottish Parliament before the Union, first for Kirkwall, 1698-1702, afterwards for Berwickshire, 1706-7. With his father he zealously promoted the Union, and took an active part in the work of the sub-committee to which the Articles of Union were referred. His elevation to the bench was followed by the appointments of Privy Councillor and Lord of Exchequer. By the death of his elder brother in 1709 he succeeded to the courtesy title of Lord Polwarth. On the occasion of a visit to Spa in 1712 for the purpose of drinking the waters, he made his way to Hanover, and cultivated relations with the Electoral Court, with which he subsequently carried on a correspond- ence. For his zealous support of the Hanoverian interests he was, in 1715, rewarded with the post of Lord-Lieutenant of Berwickshire, in which capacity he raised two troops of horse and two battalions of foot to aid in the suppression of Lord Mar's rebellion. In 1714 he resigned his judgeship in the Court of Session, and was succeeded by his brother Sir Andrew. In 1715 he was appointed Minister Plenipo- tentiary and Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of Prussia, but at the last moment was sent as Ambassador to the Court of Denmark. Though serving in a different sphere, his connection with the legal circles which he had quitted was maintained by his appointment as Lord Clerk Register in December 1716. He remained at Copenhagen till the spring of 1721, and in 1722 was nominated to the important post of First Ambassador for England at the Congress to be held at Cambray. Here he remained till the Congress was dissolved in 1725, when he returned home. In 1724 he had succeeded to the title, in 1725 he was made a Knight of the Thistle, and in 1726 a Privy Councillor. Henceforth interesting himself in politics, he strenuously opposed Sir Robert Walpole, especially in his treatment of Scot- land, and in 1733 was deprived of all his offices.1 He justly repudiated the theory that the sixteen Representa- tive Peers of Scotland should be the nominees of the 1 Marchmont and the Humes of Polwarth. HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT 19 minister instead of being freely elected, and to expose the corruption and intimidation employed in the Peers' elec- tion of 1734, he joined the Dukes of Hamilton, Queensberry, and Montrose, and many others of the Scottish nobility, in a petition to the Crown. He likewise disapproved strongly of the way in which the minister fanned the quarrels between George n. and Frederick, Prince of Wales, and in 1737 drew up a memorandum in relation thereto.1 He died at Redbraes on 27 February 1740, having married, 29 July 1697, Margaret, second daughter of Sir George Campbell of Cessnock, Lord Justice-Clerk, through whom, on the death of her father in 1704, he succeeded to consider- able estates in Ayrshire, and whose name his children took in addition to their own. By his wife, who predeceased him in March 1722, he had the following issue : — 1. George, Lord Polwarth, born 17 January 1704, died unmarried at Montpelier on 13 October 1724. 2. Patrick, born 1706, died unmarried in 1724. 3. HUGH, third Earl, of whom hereafter. 4. Alexander Hume Campbell, born 15 February 1708. He was admitted an advocate 7 January 1729, and was M.P. for Berwickshire from 1734 till his death. He was appointed, 1741, Solicitor to the Prince of Wales, and, 27 January 1756, Lord Clerk Register for life. He married, 16 July 1737, Elizabeth Pettis, of London, and died, without issue, 19 July 1760. She died 6 September 1770.2 5. Anne, born in 1698, married to Sir William Purves of Purveshall, Bart., and died on 2 April 1784, leaving issue : — Sir Alexander, married, 23 August 1766, Catherine Le Blanc, who died 12 February 1772, and had issue, Sir William, who under the settlement of Hugh, third Earl of Marchmont, succeeded to that nobleman's estates. 6. Grisell, born 9 March 1701 ; died, unmarried, 1724. 7. Jean, born 1710 ; married to James Nimmo, Receiver- General of Excise in Scotland, and died, without issue, on 10 October 1770. 8. Margaret, born 29 May 1711 ; 3 died, unmarried, in 1724. 1 Marchmont Papers. s Musgrave's Obits. 3 Canongate Reg. 20 HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT III. HUGH, third Earl of Marchmont, was born on 15 Feb- ruary 1708, being twin brother to Alexander. He entered Parliament in 1734 as representative of Berwick-upon- Tweed, and forthwith, along with his brother, set himself to avenge on Walpole the indignity offered to his father, whom that minister had thrust out of public life. He early won a splendid reputation, and it was said of him that * he was distinguished for learning, for brilliancy of genius, and for parliamentary experience.' He was an intimate friend of Alexander Pope, who appointed him one of his executors, a post he likewise filled to Sarah, Duchess of Maryborough, who had been a warm and consistent friend of his father, and who left him a legacy of £2500. His removal from the House of Commons on his succession to the title was esteemed a great blow to the Tory party, into whose ranks he had been driven by his inherited animosity to Walpole, and caused Pope to write concerning him, ' If God had not given this nation to perdition he would not have removed from its services the men whose capacity and integrity alone could have saved it.'1 On the abolition of heritable jurisdictions he was allowed £300 for the regality of March- mont.2 In 1747 he was appointed First Lord of Police, and in 1750 elected one of the sixteen Representative Peers, and from that date till 1784 he sat continuously in the Upper House. In 1764 he was made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland. On the birth of his heir in 1750 he commenced the erec- tion of the present house of Marchmont, which took ten years to complete. He considerably increased the extent of his property by the purchase of Home Castle and its surrounding lands, and also of various farms lying nearer the Tweed. This he was enabled to do by the sale of his mother's estates of Cessnock.3 He died at Hemel Hempstead, where he spent the closing years of his life, in January 1794. To Mr. George Rose, afterwards a Secretary of State, he bequeathed, as his sole executor, all his personality, comprising his family papers and his magnificent library at Hemel Hempstead. A selec- tion from these papers was published in 1831 by Sir George 1 Marchmont Papers. 2 Treasury Money Book, Public Record Office. 3 Marchmont and the Humes of Polwarth. 21 Henry Rose, Mr. Rose's son, who in his Preface thus describes Lord Marchmont in his later years : * He was an accomplished and scientific horseman and a theoretical and practical husbandman and gardener. He pursued his rides and his visits to the farm and garden as long as his strength would suffice for the exertion, and some hours of the fore- noon, and frequently of the evening, were devoted to his books. . . . His vigorous intellects possessed their strength and acuteness undiminished by years ; and the high and honourable feelings, which were so warmly eulogised by his distinguished friends in his youth, retained all their keenness to the last.' By the final settlement of his estates, executed 5 November 1790, he called to the succession, failing heirs-male of his own body, first, the heirs, male or female, of the body of Lady Diana Scott, his daughter, except those procreated between her and her then husband, whom failing, any other daughters of his body, and the heirs-male of their bodies ; second, the heirs-male of the body of Sir Alexander Purves, Bart., the son of his sister Lady Anne; third, Charles, Lord Sinclair, and Matthew St. Clair his brother, grandsons of Elizabeth Hume, daughter of Lord Kimmerghame, and the heirs-male of their bodies; fourth, Andrew, William, and John Wauchope, children of Helen Hume, also daughter of Lord Kimmer- ghame, and the heirs-male of their bodies ; fifth, Thomas, seventh Earl of Haddington, and his brothers, grand- children of Lady Grisell Hume, daughter of Patrick, first Earl of Marchmont, and the heirs-male of their bodies; whom failing, a series of heirs descended from the other daughters of the first Earl. He married, first, in May 1731, Anne, daughter of Sir Thomas Western, who died at Redbraes in 1747. By her he had issue : — 1. Patrick, Lord Polwarth, died in childhood. 2. Anne, married, at Marchmont, 23 October 1755, to Sir John Paterson of Eccles, and died 27 July 1790, leaving issue. 3. Margaret, married, on 20 September 1763, to Major- General James Stuart, third son of Archibald Stuart of Torrence, and died s.p., at Edinburgh, 7 January 1765. 22 HUME, EARL OF MAROHMONT 4. Diana, born in 1733 ; married, 18 April 1754, to Walter Scott of Harden ; and died on 23 July 1827, leaving a son Hugh, born 10 September 1758. The political views of Mr. Scott were opposed to those of Lord Marchmont, and by allowing his son Hugh, who had just come of age, to be nominated as a candidate for the county of Berwick in 1780, in opposition to Sir John Paterson, Lord Marchmont's other son-in-law and special nominee, he gave serious offence, never forgotten or forgiven. Mr. Scott was successful, but bought his victory dearly, for though, on the death of Lord Polwarth in 1781 he would naturally have been the heir of his grandfather, Lord Marchmont refused ever to see him or have anything to do with Lady Diana, cutting them both completely out of his inheritance. Mr. Hugh Scott successfully estab- lished his claim to the title of Baron Polwarth in 1835, and died in 1841. (See title Polwarth.) Lord Marchmont married, secondly, 30 January 1748, within a year of his first wife's death, Elizabeth, daughter of Windmill Orompton, a linendraper in Oheapside, a woman of great beauty, to whom he proposed the day after seeing her for the first time in a box at the theatre.1 By her, who died in 1797, he had issue one son : — Alexander, Lord Polwarth, born 30 July 1750. In 1776 he was created a peer of Great Britain by the title of BARON HUME of Berwick. He died without issue at Wrest, in Bedfordshire, on 9 March 1781. 1 David Hume, writing to Mr. Oswald of Dunnikier, London, 29 January 1748, says : ' Lord Marchmont has had the most extraordinary adven- ture in the world. About three weeks ago he was at the play, where he espied in one of the boxes a fair virgin, whose looks, airs, and manners had such a powerful and undisguised effect on him, as was visible by every bystander. His raptures were so undisguised, his looks so expres- sive of passion, his inquiries so earnest, that every person took notice of it. He soon was told that her name was Crompton, a linendraper's daughter, that had been bankrupt last year, and had not been able to pay above five shillings in the pound. The fair nymph herself was about sixteen or seventeen, and being supported by some relations, appeared in every public place, and had fatigued every eye but that of his Lordship, which being entirely employed in the severer studies, had never till that fatal moment opened upon her charms. . . . He wrote next morning to her father, desiring to visit his daughter on honourable terms ; and in a few days she will be the Countess of Marchmont. All this is certainly true,' etc.— Oswald's Correspondence. HUME, EARL OP MAROHMONT 23 He married, 16 July 1772, Lady Annabella Yorke, born 22 February 1751, eldest daughter of Philip, second Earl of Hardwicke, by Jemima, Marchioness de Grey, and Baroness Lucas of Orudwell, granddaughter of Henry, Duke of Kent. His widow never married again, but, as Countess de Grey, which she was created in 1816, survived her husband forty-nine years. On the death of Hugh, third and last Earl of Marchmont, the male descendants of the first Earl became extinct, and a right to the earldom was thereupon asserted by Alex- ander Home, a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, as nearest collateral heir-male to the grantee descended from George Hume of Wedderburn, brother of Patrick, first of Polwarth, and thus claiming to be male representative of the eldest branch of the Humes of Wedderburn. After the death of the original claimant in 1823 the case was taken up by his eldest son Francis Douglas, a captain in the Army. Pro- ceedings continued intermittently until 1842, when the fifth and last case was presented for the claimant, where- upon Sir Hugh Hume Campbell, Bart., proprietor of the Marchmont estates by virtue of an entail made by the last Earl of Marchmont, also lodged a case by reason that the claimants had asserted their right to certain of the entailed estates as collateral heirs-male of the said Earl. No in- considerable amount of evidence was produced to show that the claimants had failed to account for numerous male issue of the family of Polwarth, whose descendants, if alive, would have prior right to the dignities, and also to demonstrate that descendants of an older branch of the House of Wedderburn were not proved to be extinguished. The case of the claimant was in consequence not sus- tained. CREATIONS.— 26 December 1690, Lord Polwarth ; 23 April 1697, Earl of Marchmont, Viscount Blasonberrie, Lord Polwarth of Polwarth, Redbraes and Greinlaw. ARMS (recorded in Lyon Register). — Quarterly : 1st and 4th grand quarters counterquartered, 1st and 4th, vert, a lion rampant argent, for Home • 2nd and 3rd, argent, three 24 HUME, EARL OP MARCHMONT papingoes vert, for Pepdie : 2nd grand quarter counter- quartered, 1st and 4th, argent, three piles engrailed gules issuing from the chief, for Polivarth ; 2nd and 3rd gyronny of eight or and sable, for Campbell of Cessnock : 3rd grand quarter counterquartered, 1st and 4th, argent, a cross en- grailed sable, for Sinclair; 2nd and 3rd, gyronny of eight ermine and gules, for Campbell of London. Over all in the centre an escutcheon argent, charged with an orange proper stalked and slipped vert, ensigned with an imperial crown as a coat of augmentation. OREST. — A hand issuing out of a heart holding a scimitar proper. SUPPORTERS. — Two lions reguardant argent, armed and langued gules. MOTTO. — Fides probata coronat. [A. o. c.] KEITH, EARL MARISCHAL S a surname Keith is evi- dently derived from the lands of that name in Bast Lothian, which were early acquired by the family who afterwards took the name ; with whom also the office of marischal, or farrier, to the Kings of Scotland became hereditary.1 The first clearly authenticated ancestor of the family is : — HERVEUS or HERVEY, called also Herbert, who is said to have obtained from David i. a grant of the north-west portion of the lands of Keith, in the parish of Humbie, in East Lothian.2 From its owner it was called first Keith-Hervey, and after- 1 As in the case of some other Scottish families, a mythical account of the ancestry of the Keiths has been given in more or less detail by several of the older Scottish historians, and is reproduced in the family histories. But as it is of altogether legendary character, and unsupported by historical evidence of any description, it need not be introduced here. It may be added that one of the earliest notices of the name of Keith in Scotland appears to be in connection with an artificial island in Loch Lomond, called Elan-na-Foin, said to have been constructed by Keth MacFadoill, Keith, son of Dollius, who lived in the fifth century. And upon a point of land near the island are the ruins of an ancient building called Castle- na-fean, or the Giant's Castle, reputed to have been built by the con- structor of the island (The Lennox, i. 70). But nothing further seems to be known of this Keith, and he cannot be connected, except by name, with the Keith family here treated of. 2 Hervey Keith, however, is not found as a witness to any charter of King David i. The ' Hervi, son of Warin," who witnesses the Annandale charter of 1124 (Nat. MSS. of Scot- land, i. No. xix.) is not certainly the same. 26 KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL wards Keitk-Marischal.1 About the same time as the acquisition by Hervey of this part of the lands of Keith, the south-east portion of the same manor came into the pos- session of Simon Fraser, was from him named Keith-Simon, and was afterwards known as Keith-Hundeby. About the year 1160 Simon Fraser granted the church of Keith to the monks of Kelso,2 and the grant was confirmed by Malcolm iv. between 1160 and 1165,3 and by William the Lion between 1165 and 1214/ As this church stood within the limits of Keith-Simon, Hervey seems to have erected a chapel on his manor of Keith-Hervey, and to have settled a yearly tribute from his lands on the mother church of Kelso. It was probably this Hervey who held the office of King's Marischal under Malcolm iv. and William the Lion, and who had a long controversy with the monks of Kelso about the amount of the tribute for his chapel of Keith- Hervey. The contest was settled by Joceline, Bishop of Glasgow, and Osbert, Prior of Paisley, acting as the Pope's delegates, who, in a decreet of about the year 1176, de- cided that the monks should receive twenty shillings annually from the chapel and manor of Keith-Hervey.5 In the writ recording this decision Hervey is described as Marischal of the King of Scotland. He witnessed several charters of William the Lion between 1178 and 1199,6 and is said to have died before 1196.T He is said to have married Margaret, daughter of William of Douglas,8 but this seems very doubtful.9 He had a son, MALCOLM, who, in 1178 witnessed a grant to the monks of Arbroath,10 where he is designed the ' son of Herveus,' and as * Malcolmus de Keth ' he witnessed in 1185 a charter to the monks of Kelso,11 several others about 1190,12 another between 1190 and 1203,13 and another about 1220.14 In none of them, however, is he designed 'Marischal.' He left two sons : — 1. PHILIP, who succeeded as heir to his grandfather Hervey, and 1 Chalmers's Caledonia, ii. 532. 2 Liber de Calchou, i. 62, 72. s Ibid., i. 68. « Ibid. 5 Ibid., 70, 71. 8 Cart, de Aberbrothoc, i. 1, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26. 7 Caledonia, i. 518. 8 Nisbet's Heraldry, App. 3. 9 Cf. vol. iii. of this work, p. 135. 10 Cart, de Aberbrothoc, i. 9. u Liber de Calchou, i. 114. 12 Ibid. , i. 122, 123, 125, 128, 146, 207, 213, 217. 13 Ibid., i. 206. " Ibid., ii. 292. KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL 27 2. David, who held the office of Marischal conjointly with his brother Philip and his nephew Hervey.1 He is likewise mentioned as joint Marischal with his nephew,2 the latter also appearing alone in that capacity as witness to a charter of Alexander n. in 1225.s They were associated together in the same office at York on 15 June 1220, at the marriage of Alex- ander ii. to Princess Joan of England,4 and about the year 1226 they together witnessed in this capacity a charter of Alexander n. to the monks of Melrose,5 and another some ten years later to the monastery of Paisley.6 As * Marischal ' David witnessed many grants by William the Lion,7 in one of which8 he is styled 'King's Marischal,' and by Alexander n.,9 and he, with a David ' marischal ' and a Gilbert 'marischal,' was present when the treaty of peace was signed at York in 1237.10 He left a son, David, whose name does not appear among the 'Magnates Scotise ' who engaged in 1284 to maintain the right of the Princess Margaret to the Crown,11 but as David ' le Marescal ' he was at Brigham in 1289, and with other magnates wrote to the King of England assenting to the marriage of the young Queen of Scotland with Prince Edward of England,12 and he was one of the barons in the Parliament held there in March 1290. 13 In 1296 David the Marischal presented a petition to Edward I. in Parliament, stating that as the King had given him all his heritage in Scotland, he also claims his right to this office from his ancestors by descent, and praying that no person might be preferred to him without the judgment of his peers.14 The petition was re- ferred by King Edward to his Lieutenant in Scotland to inquire whether the marischalship belonged to David in heritage.16 Chalmers states that the allusion of the petition was plainly to Robert de Keth, who had been recognised by John Baliol in 1294 as his Marischal, and considers it pro- bable that David's claim was allowed.16 The date of his death is not known. He had a son, Richard, who was taken prisoner fighting against the English in 1296, and carried captive into England.17 1 Ada Parl. Scot., i. 389; Dal. Coll., Pref. 77, and 393; Caledonia, i. 518 note; Cart. Glasgow, i. 79. * Acta Parl. Scot., i. 88; Cart, de Aber- brothoc, i. 74. 3 Cart. Glasgow, i. 116. 4 Rymer's Fosdera, i. i. 81. 5 Liber de Melros, i. 161, 228. 6 Reg. de Passelet (anno 1236), 428. 7 Liber de Melros. 8 Ibid., 16. 9 Ibid, and Reg. Epis. Glasguensis. 10 Fcedera, i. i. 131 ; and cf . Caledonia, i. 520 note. " Fcedera, i. ii. 228. 1Z Acta Parl. Scot., i. 441; Nat. MSS. of Scotland, iii. No. 1. 13 Fcedera, i. iii. 66. 14 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. No. 864. " Ibid. 16 Caledonia, i. 521, note infra. 17 Foedera, I. iii. 164. 28 KEITH, EARL MABISOHAL After his release he presented a petition to Edward I. as ' Richard le Marischal,' praying that the King would confirm a gift of forty pounds of land from his father David, the Marischal, which was granted.1 His wife Agnes made a similar petition in September 1296. 2 This family, having taken part against Bruce, was apparently involved in forfeiture and ruin during the War of Independence.3 PHILIP DE KETH succeeded as heir to his grandfather Hervey, and as ' Marischal ' witnessed a charter of William the Lion to the monks of Arbroath between 1189 and 1199,4 and a number of other charters by that King up to the last year of his reign.5 He is said to have married Eda, daughter and heiress of Hugh Lorens, who had inherited through her mother Eda, daughter and heiress of Symon Fraser, the south-east portion of the lands of Keith, called Keith-Symon or Keith Hundeby.8 The whole manor of Keith thus be- came united in her husband's family. He is said to have died before the year 1225,7 and was succeeded by his son, HERVEY DE KETH, with whom was associated in the office of Marischal his uncle David, as mentioned above.8 About the year 1230 he confirmed to the monks of Kelso the church of Keith with its pertinents, as granted by Symon Fraser,9 and this he renewed in similar terms about 1236,10 when the two deeds were ratified by Alexander n.11 He witnessed a donation to the monastery of Coldingham in 1222,12 and between 1214 and 1218 he witnessed another to the monastery of Arbroath.13 The name of his wife has not been ascertained. He died before the year 1250, and was succeeded by his son, SIR JOHN DE KEITH, who, about the date mentioned was 1 Cat. Doc. Scot., ii. No. 1890. 2 Stevenson's Hist. Doc., ii. 93. 8 Prynne, iii. 654 ; Robertson's Index, 13 and 59. Chalmers states that upwards of twenty persons of the name of Marischal swore fealty to Edward i. in 1296, and only one named Keth, viz. Alexander de Keth, parson of Hod- dom in Dumfriesshire (Caledonia, i. 521). 4 Cart, de Aberbrothoc, i. 58. 6 Reg. de Dunfermlyn, 31 ; Cart, of Cambuskenneth, 93. In the latter, dated circd 1200, he is designed by the King ' Marescallus meus.' 6 Liber de Calchou, i. 62, 63, 64, 66 ; Caledonia, i. 518 ; Frasers of Philorth, i. 12. 7 Family Papers penes Sir Patrick Keith-Murray, Bart., afterwards re- ferred to as ' Sir P. K.-M. Papers.' 8 Supra, p. 27. 9 Liber de Calchou, i. 67. 10 Ibid. " Ibid., i. 69. l2 Cart, of Coldingham, 29. 13 Cart, de Aberbrothoc, i. 74. KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL 29 in possession of both the lands and office.1 Between the years 1198 and 1234 his name appears as witness to a grant to the Hospital of Soltre.2 He confirmed to the monks of Kelso the grants of his predecessors, with the addition of some lands within the manor of Keith,3 and about the year 1250 he confirmed to the Hospital of Soltre some lands in the district of Johnston, near Keith.4 He died before the year 1270. He is said to have married Margaret Oumyn, who may have been daughter of William, Earl of Buchan, and had issue : — 1. WILLIAM, who succeeded. 2. Adam, mentioned, between 1296 and 1324, as rector of the church of Keith-Marischal.5 3. Another son (Robert ?), ancestor of the Keiths of Galston in Ayrshire. He had a son, Sir William Keith of Galston,6 who repulsed the English at Ber- wick in 1318. He accompanied Sir James Douglas in his expedition to Palestine in 1330 with the heart of King Robert the Bruce, which he (Sir William) brought back to Scotland from Spain, and which was buried at Melrose in 1331. 7 He commanded at Ber- wick in 1333. He was ambassador to England in 1335, and was killed at the siege of Stirling in 1336. He left an only daughter, Janet, who was married, first, to David Hamilton of Oadzow, who died before 1392, and secondly, to Sir Alexander Stewart of Darnley.8 It may have been another son of Sir John de Keth who married Joanna, eldest daughter of William of Galbrathe (son of Sir William Galbrathe by a daughter of Sir John Oumyn of Badenoch). She was heiress of Dalserf, and died in 1301. They had issue Bernard de Cathe or Keth (a Sir Bernard de Keth appears in 1307, attached to the English interest).9 SIR WILLIAM DE KEITH witnessed in 1270 a charter of con- firmation of a donation to the monastery of Paisley.10 He 1 Liber de Calchou, i. 66. 2 Cart, of Soltre, 11. 3 Liber de Catchou, i. 66. 4 Cart, of Soltre, 31 ; Caledonia, i. 519 note. 5 Cart, of Soltre, 41. 6 Antiq. of Aberdeen, iv. 713. 7 Dunbar's Scottish Kings, 147. 8 Cf. vol. iv. 345; Reg. Mag. Sig., folio vol. 237. 9 Cf. vol. iii. 138 and note ; Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. Pref. Ivi, and No. 1420; Douglas Book, i. 67. 10 Cart, of Levenax, 33. 30 KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL is here designed simply * dom. Willielmus Keth, miles,' and it seems doubtful whether he ever held the office of Marischal. The author of Caledonia states that William succeeded as heir to his father John, but that the former * appears not in history and little in the charters.' * He died before 1293. He is said to have married Barbara, a daughter of Adam de Seton, ancestor of the Earls of Winton,2 called also daughter of Adam, Lord of Seton.3 By her4 he left issue : — 1. SIR ROBERT, who succeeded. 2. Sir Richard, who died s.p* 3. Sir Edward, who succeeded his elder brother Robert as Marischal of Scotland.8 4. Philip, rector of Biggar, in Lanarkshire.7 5. a daughter, said to have been married to William Douglas, ' le Hardi,' but of this there seems to be no proof.8 SIR ROBERT DE KEITH, the eldest son, succeeded his father in the lands and office of Marischal of Scotland, and in the year 1294 he obtained from John Baliol a charter of con- firmation of the lands of Keith and others in East Lothian, in which he is designed ' our Marischal.' ' He, as * mares- callus Scotise,' confirmed the lands of Johnston and others to the monastery of Soltre by' a charter to which Sir Richard de Keth, Sir Philip de Keth, rector of the church of Biggar, his brother, Sir Adam de Keth, rector of Keith- Marischal, his uncle, and John de Keth, his son and heir, are witnesses, about the year 1290.10 Between that date and the year 1300 he granted to the monks of Kelso the right to build a mill on his lands of Keith-Hundeby.11 In August 1299 he was appointed Warden of the Forest of Selkirk, which post he held until the year 1300, when he was 1 Caledonia, i. 519. 2 Ibid. 3 Sir P. K.-M. Papers. * Prynne, Hi. 657. 6 Douglas's Peerage. 6 Ada Parl. Scot., i. 122. 7 Cart, of Soltre, 41. 8 Douglas Book, i. 102, 103. Between 1295 and 1325 an Alexander Keith appears as a beloved and faithful servant of Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick and King of Scotland, who granted to him the lands of Longforgund. There is no indication of his parentage. He had a daughter Agnes married to William Avenel(Fourteenth Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. iii. pp. 174, 177-179). 9 Dal. Coll., Pref. Ixxxvi ; Mylne's MS. Coll. 10 Cart, of Soltre, 41. » Liber de Calchou, i. 73. KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL 31 captured by the English and cast into prison at Carlisle,1 whence he was transferred to Nottingham and Bristol.2 On February 1303-4 he received notification of peace by royal messenger.3 He was liberated the same year, and dined with the Prince of Wales at Perth in February 1304/ In 1304 he held the office of Sheriff of Aberdeen.5 In 1305 he was chosen one of the ten Scotsmen to represent Scot- land in the English Parliament,6 and in that year he attended the Parliament held by Edward i. at Westminster.7 On 26 October 1305 he was appointed by King Edward one of the four Deputy Wardens of Scotland,8 and in the same year he obtained the office of Justiciar of the country between the Forth and the Mounth, at a salary of 40 merks yearly.9 In July 1307 he was still in the service of the King of England.10 In September of that year he was ordered to aid against Bruce,11 but at Christmas 1308 he joined the cause of King Robert,12 and remained faithful to him during the remainder of his life. He did not therefore join Bruce until after the success of the King's arms at the battle of Inverurie, in May 1308,13 but in the year 1309 he received from him a grant of the forest of Kintore in the Garioch and the lands of Alnedan (now Aden) and Auchtidonald in Buchan.14 In the same year he was appointed Justiciar from the Forth to the Orkneys.15 His forfeited barony of Keith had been given by the King of England to Robert Hastang in 1311.16 He had command of the Scottish cavalry at the battle of Bannockburn, and by attacking the English bowmen in flank he caused the panic in the English army which re- sulted in its total defeat.17 In recognition of this and other services King Robert, at the Parliament held at Perth in 1320, bestowed upon him a large portion of the forfeited lands of the Oomyns, Earls of Buchan, and thereafter the home of the Marischals, and the bulk of their estates, lay in the north and north-east of Scotland. 1 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 1147. 2 Ibid., 1147, 1148. 3 IM&., iv. 480. * Ibid., 1516. 6 Reg. Epis. Aber.t i. 40. 6 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 1691. 7 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 19. 8 Fosdera, i. iv. 42. 9 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 120; Cal. of Docs., ii. 1706. 10 Cal. of Docs., ii. 1955. » Ibid., iii. 15. 12 Ibid., 245. 1S Ibid., iii. Pref. xii note; Scottish Kings, 132; Frasers of Philorth, ii. 183-194. 14 Robertson's Index, 2. 15 See brieve of Robert the Bruce, 1312, in Lord Lindsay's Charter-chest. 16 Cal. of Docs., iii. 258. n Barbour, c, ciii, civ, 259 ; Dal. Ann., ii. 54. 32 KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL He was one of the ' magnates Scotiae ' l who signed the Letter of Independence of Scotland to the Pope on 6 April 1320.2 In 1323 he was appointed one of the commissioners to treat with England,3 and on the conclusion of a truce was chosen one of the guarantors. In the year 1324 King Robert granted him a charter confirming to him and his heirs-male, whom failing, to his brother Edward and his heirs-male, both of the body, and failing said heirs, then to Robert's nearest heirs-male, his possession of the lands of Keith-Marischal, together with the office of Marschal of the Kingdom 'appertaining to the same lands,' also the lands of Keith-Symon, Calbanestoun, Alnedan, with the new forest of Innerpeffin, four davachs of land in Strathbogie and the forest of Kintore.4 In 1326 he was appointed one of the royal procurators for concluding an alliance with King Charles of France.5 He is said by Boece to have been killed at the battle of Dupplin in 1332,6 but the contemporary historians, while they mention others of less note, are silent as to Sir Robert's death at Dupplin ; and in recounting the taking of Perth, which occurred later, his grandson is neither styled ' knight ' nor ' marischal.' 7 The balance of evidence rather supports the view that he survived the slaughter at Dupplin, and that it was he, and not his grandson of the same name, who aided the young King of Scotland to escape to France, and accompanied him there, in May 1334, and was in attendance at the Court held by the exiled King at the Chateau Gaillard in Normandy.8 Taking the evidence above adduced as sufficient to establish his subsequent identity, he returned to Scotland with the King in June 1341, and on 21 February 1341-42 he witnessed a royal charter to the town of Aber- deen.9 His name appears frequently as Sheriff of Aberdeen between the years 1335 and 1342,10 but in the Chamberlain Rolls (i. 287) it is stated that * the heirs of Robert de Keth ' usurped the office of Sheriff of Aberdeen for several years prior to 1345-46, this Robert being presumably Sir Robert's grandson above referred to. 1 Nat. MSS. of Scotland. 2 Ada Parl. Scot., i. 474. 3 Fccdera, Record ed., ii. (i) 522. * Acta Parl. Scot., i. 122. 6 Ibid., Supp., 5a ; Robertson's Index, 106. • Ed. 1858, iii. 296. 7 Wyntoun, ed. 1872, ii. 394; Diet. Nat. Biog., xxx. 326. 8 Exch. Rolls, i. 449, 450, 466. 9 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 514. 10 Reg. Epis. Aberdeen, i. 64, 69 ; Exch. Rolls, i. 542, 544. KEITH, EARL MARISCHAL 33 Sir Robert was killed at the battle of Durham 17 October 1346.1 He is said to have married Barbara Douglas,2 whose parentage has not been ascertained, and by her left issue : — 1. John,3 who predeceased him in 1324,4 having married the sister and co-heir of William de Soulis,5 by whom he had issue : — (1) Robert, mentioned by Wyntoun as having been present at the taking of Perth in 1332.6 He must have been then quite a youth, for he seems to have been under age in 1335-36, • when Ralph de Neville possessed his half of the Soulis lands in Liddesdale in ward.7 He seems to have been dead some years prior to 1345-46. 8 He is said to have married Margaret, daughter of Sir Gilbert Hay of Erroll, first Constable of Scotland,9 but to have died without issue.10 (2) Sir Edward, and (3) Edmund, who were both killed at the battle of Durham, 17 October 1346." (4) , a daughter, married to Sir Robert Maitland.12 2. Sir William, mentioned as one of those who opposed the peace between England and Scotland in August 1335.13 SIR EDWARD DE KEITH succeeded his brother Sir Robert upon the latter's death at the battle of Durham in October 1346.14 In the year 1328 he held the office of Sheriff of Sel- kirk.16 In an inquisition, held at Aberdeen, dated 1341, before Robert de Keth, Great Marischal of Scotland, his name appears as one of the jurors.18 He died before 1351." He married, first, before July 1305, Isabella Sinton, heiress of Sinton, with whom he acquired the lands of Sinton,18 and secondly, Christian, eldest daughter of Sir John Men- teith, Lord of Arran, and Ellen of Mar.19 By his first wife he had issue : — 1. WILLIAM, who succeeded. 2. John™ who married (dispensation dated 12 March 1 Dal., Ann., iii. 108 ; Fordun, ed. 1871, Gesta Ann., cap. clxv. 2 Nisbet's Heraldry, App. 4. 3 Cart, of Soltre, 41. * Hadd. Coll., ii. 846. 6 Cal. of Docs., iii. App. 320. « Ed. 1872, ii. 394. 7 Cal. of Docs., iii. App. 320. 8 Exch. Rolls, i. 287. 9 Wood's Douglas's Peerage, ii. 187. 10 Ibid. " Dal., Ann., iii. 108; Knyghton, bk. iv. sub an. 1346. 12 Robertson's Index, 58. 13 Chron. Lanercost, 283. 14 Robertson's Index, 61 ; Erasers of Philorth, i.79. 16 Exch. Rolls, i. 105. 16 Reg. Epis. Aberdeen, i. 69. ir Spalding Club Misc., v. 248. 18 Complete Peerage, v. 224 ; Cal. of Docs., ii. 1681. 19 Antiq. of Aberdeen, iv. 198. 20 Cart, of Arbroath, ii. 26. VOL. VI. C 34 KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL 1368-69) Mariota (or Mary) de Oheyne, daughter, and co-heiress with her sister Jean, wife of Nicholas de Sutherland of Duffus,1 of Reginald de Oheyne of Inverugie,2 by his wife Mary, eldest daughter and co-heiress of Freskin de Moravia of Duffus,3 and widow of John de Douglas of Strabrock in Linlith- gow,4 with whom he acquired the estates of Inver- ugie and Strabrock, and the third part of the barony of Duffus.5 They had issue, and their great-great- grandson and successor, Sir William Keith, was knighted by King James iv. On 31 March 1476 he had a Great Seal charter to him and his wife of the lands of Galvail and Hythe in Banffshire.6 On 6 October 1508 he got a Great Seal charter incorporating the lands of Stralochin Banffshirewith the barony of Inverugie.7 He died between 24 May 1521, when he assigned certain reversions to his then eldest lawful son Andrew Keith, and Martinmas of same year.8 He married in his father's life- time Janet, daughter of Sir James Dunbar of Westfield, hereditary Sheriff of Moray,9 by whom he had, with other issue :— i. Sir Alexander, who died between 1512 and 1518, without issue.10 ii. William, who in 1517-18 is described as son and heir of Sir William Keith.11 He also predeceased his father, having married Janet, fourth daughter of Andrew, second Lord Gray, widow respectively of John Charteris of Cuthilgurdy, and after 1508 of Sir David Wemyss of that Ilk, who fell at Flodden.12 William had issue two daughters, his co-heiresses, who are always mentioned as heirs of their grandfather Sir William :— (i) Margaret, married, before 30 June 1538,13 to William, fourth Earl Marischal.14 (ii) Elizabeth, married, on 19 December 1538, to William, seventh Lord Forbes. (See that title.) ' Janet Gray, Lady Wemys,' mother of Elizabeth, was present at her daughter's marriage 15 iii. John Keith of Ravenscraig, a younger brother of 1 R. Riddell's MS. Baronetage, Adv. Lib., iii. 195 ; Cal Papal Letters, iv. 78. 8 Reg. Epis. Aberdeen, i. 176; Cal. Papal Reg., iv. 78. 3 Ibid. 4 Antig. of Aberdeen, iv. 613. 5 R. Riddell's MS. Baronetage, iii. 195. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig. 7 Ibid. 8 Assignation, penes Messrs. Dalgleish & Bell, W.S. ; Exch. Rolls, xv. 598, 599. e Reg. Mag. Sig., ut supra. 10 A ntiq. of Aberdeen, ii. 403, 404 ; R. Riddell's MS. Baronetage, iii. 197. » Lord High Treasurer's Accounts, v. 144. 1Z See dates and authorities in Wemyss Book, i. 105. 13 Reg. Mag. Sig. 14 See infra. 16 Protocol Book of Robert Lawson, f. 64 ; R. Riddell's MS, Baronetage, Adv. Lib. KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL 35 Alexander, was ancestor of the family of Keith of Ludquharn.1 3. Catherine, married to Alexander Barclay, ancestor of Ury.2 By his second wife Sir Edward had an only child, 4. Joneta or Janet, married to Sir Thomas Erskine of Erskine, whose son claimed the earldom of Mar through her.3 (See title Mar.) Sir Edward died before 1351, 4 and was succeeded by his eldest son, SIR WILLIAM, who, in the year 1354 is designed ' Mares- callus Scotise,' 5 and in 1378-80 is described as lord of the barony of Alden (now Aden), diocese of Aberdeen.6 In a charter by Donald, Earl of Lennox, to Walter Buchanan of that Ilk, of date 1342-62, the lands of Drumfade and Kirkmichael in Dumbartonshire are described as having been resigned by 4 dominus Willelmus de Keth.'7 He was one of the com- missioners to treat for the redemption of King David n. in 1357,8 and was sent to England in 1358 on the King's affairs, when he had a safe-conduct for himself and sixty horsemen in his retinue.9 In 1358 he witnessed a charter of David ii.10 In September 1364, as ' William de Keth, the King's mar- shall,' he witnessed the confirmation by David u. of a grant of the lands of Galchull in Banff to the Bishop of Aberdeen.11 By a charter of date 1366-1407, he made an excambion of his lands of Kinmundy (now Nether Kinmundy), in the barony of Aden, for those of Pittendreich in Stirlingshire belonging to Thomas Fraser of Oornton, ancestor of the Lords Fraser.12 He was present at the coronation of Robert n. at Scone in 1371, 13 and in 1373 he was one of the signatories to the second Act of Settlement by that King.14 On 5 August 1378, he conveyed, in favour of Sir William Lindsay of the Byres and Lady Christian, his spouse, the lands of Touchfraser in Stirlingshire.15 In the reign of 1 R. Riddell's MS. Notes, ut tit., where, and in Douglas's Baronage, a fuller pedigree will be found. 2 Acta Dom. Cone., xviii. pt. ii. 196. 3 Antiq. of Aberdeen, iv. 198. * Spalding Club Misc., v. 248. 6 Cart, de Aberbrothoc, ii. 26. 6 Cal. Papal Reg., iv. 240; Reg. Epis. Aberdeen, i. 124. 7 The Lennox, ii. 26. 8 Rot. Scotice, i. 370, 376. 9 Antiq. of Aber- deen, iv. 713 ; Fcedera, Record ed., iii. (i.) 409. 10 Hadd. Coll., ii. " Cal. Papal Reg., iv. 90. 12 Antiq. of Aberdeen, i. 404. 13 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 546. 14 Ibid. 15 Precept of Sasine, Lindsay Charter-chest, 36 KEITH, EARL MABISOHAL Robert in., on 8 March 1392, he, and Margaret Fraser, his wife, made an excambion of the lands of Pittendreich above-mentioned and those of Uchterutherstruther (now Crawford Priory) and Wester Markinch in Fife for the barony and castle of Dunottar in Kincardineshire, then belonging to Sir William Lindsay of the Byres, the latter reserving an annual payment of £8 from Dunottar.1 The Marischal must have acquired the castle and lands of Dunottar, thenceforward the principal family seat, at or shortly before the date of his marriage. It formerly be- longed to William, fifth Earl of Sutherland, who, on 30 March 1346, had a charter from King David n. of the Orag of Dunottar.2 On 14 June 1395, a papal bull was issued by Pope Benedict xm. removing the excommunica- tion passed by the Bishop of St. Andrews against Sir William Keith, Great Marischal of Scotland, for encroach- ing on consecrated ground by building a tower upon the Rock of Dunottar, which had been previously occupied by the parish church.3 In 1401 he got from Robert in. a charter of tailzie of the office of Marischal, barony of Keith, barony of Aden, forest of Kintore, and other lands. Sir William was still alive on 2 May 1407, when he granted a charter of the lands of Aboyne.4 He died not long after, or before 1410, having married Mar- garet, only child and heiress of John Fraser (and grand- daughter of Sir Alexander Fraser, High Chamberlain of Scotland), and Mary, sister of King Robert I.5 With this lady he obtained large estates, including the forest of Cowie, which was in the Marischal's possession in 1359, Strachan and Fetteresso, and the lands of Aboyne6 and Strathekin.7 By her he left issue : — 1. John, who married Jean, youngest daughter of King Robert n., by Elizabeth Mure.8 On 17 January 1373-74, he had a charter from King Robert n., on the resigna- tion of William de Keth, Knight, Marischal of Scot- land, and Margaret, his wife, 'dilecto filio nostro,' 1 Robertson's Index, 144 ; Lord Lindsay's Charter-chest contains copy of this charter of excambion. 2 Sutherland Book ; cf . vol. v. 392. 3 Papal Keg. ; Bull preserved among the Family MSS. penes Sir P. K.-M. * Antiq. of Aberdeen, ii. 35. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., i. No. 213; Spalding Club Misc., v. 248; Erasers of Philorth, i. 81. « Frasers of Philorth, i. 81. 7 Antiq. of Aberdeen, ii. 72. 8 Dunbar, Scottish Kings, 168. KEITH, EARL MARISCHAL 37 of all lands and offices belonging to his father.1 He died, v.p., before 27 December 1375,2 leaving a son, Robert, who is said to have been at the battle of Otterburn, and to have there taken prisoner with his own hand Ralph Percy, brother of Henry Hotspur, Earl of Northumberland.3 It was probably he who in 1395 besieged his aunt, Lady Lindsay, in her castle of Fyvie, when she bravely held the castle until her husband's arrival. He was betrothed to Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Graham, but died before marriage, at a date previous to 1 August 1404, when she had a dispen- sation to marry Walter [Stewart], Earl of Caithness.* 2. SIR ROBERT, who succeeded. 3. Sir Alexander, who had a charter from King Robert m. of the lands of Grandown (now Grand- holm), Oraibstone and others.5 On 3 November 1402, he also had a charter from Isabel, Countess of Mar and Garioch, of the lands of Glendowachy and Doun,8 confirmed by King Robert in. by charter dated 8 February 1403.7, He is said to have been com- mander of the Scottish Horse at the battle of Harlaw (1411). On 2 June 1413, he witnessed a charter of his brother the Marischal, where he is designed 'miles.'8 He married, between 1391 and 1403, Mar- jorie Stewart, widow of John Dunbar, Earl of Moray (see that title). He had a daughter Christian, who was married to Patrick Ogilvy, son and heir of Alex- ander de Ogilvy, Sheriff of Angus (see title Airlie). 4. Muriella, married, in terms of a papal dispensation dated 4 May 1380,9 as his second wife, to Robert, Duke of Albany, Regent of Scotland, and by him had issue. 5. Janet, married to Philip de Arbuthnott.10 6. Margaret, married to Sir James de Lindsay of Craw- ford.11 She survived her husband, who died in 1397.12 7. Elizabeth, married, first, to Sir Adam Gordon of Huntly (see that title) ; secondly, to Sir Nicholas Erskine of Kinnoull, who died before December 1406 ; and thirdly, to Thomas Somerville of Carnwath (under dispensa- 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., i. No. 475. 2 Ibid., No. 500. 3 Dunottar Castle, J. Longmuir, 11. * Regesta Vaticana, vol. 326, f. 220. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., i. No. 818. 6 Robertson's Index, 141. 7 Antiq. of Aberdeen, etc., ii. 372 n. 8 Reg. Mag. Sig., i. No. 939. 9 Regesta Avenionensia, 224, f. 391. She had previously been dispensed to marry Reginald Cheyne, 4 January 1378-79 (ibid., 215, 50). 10 Cf. vol. i. 276. » Ibid., iii. 12. 1J Exch. Rolls, iii. 415. 38 KEITH, EARL MARISCHAL tion dated 2 November 1411,1 they being in the third and fourth degrees of consanguinity). She succeeded her mother in some of her large estates, including Aboyne and Cluny. She died about 1436, having had issue. 8. Christian, had dispensation to marry John, son of John Hay of Tullibody, 1 March 1363.2 Later, before 27 December 1375, she was married to Sir William Lindsay of the Byres.3 SIR ROBERT, the eldest surviving son, succeeded his father before the end of 1410.4 In two charters of the year 1407, Robert de Keth, son of William the Marischal, appears as a substitute after John Stewart, Lord of Buchan, and his two brothers Andrew and Robert.5 In 1375 he had a charter of confirmation from Robert n. of the forest of Oowie, the forest of the Mounth, and other lands.6 In March 1406-7, Robert, Duke of Albany, confirmed two charters by his father-in-law, Sir William de Keth, Marischal of Scotland, to his son and heir Sir Robert de Keth, Lord of Troup, one of the office of Sheriff of Kincardineshire, the other of the barony of Keith, office of Marischal of Scot- land, lands of Oolbanyston, barony of Aldene (now Aden), and forest of Kintore in Aberdeenshire, and other lands in Banff shire.7 He was one of the commissioners to treat for the liberation of King James i. in 1423-24,8 and was a hostage for his ransom 28 March 1424, his estate being at this time valued at 800 merks.9 On 16 June 1425, he was handed over to Sir John Langeton, Warden of the Oastle of York, but on the same day leave was given him to return to Scotland until the following Martinmas.10 He was dead before 20 July 1430, when his son William witnesses as ' marescallus Scotiae ' a charter by Sir William Hay of Erroll, Constable of Scotland.11 On 24 January 1446- 47 King James n. issued a brieve to the Sheriffs of Aberdeen and Banff ordaining them to pay the bishops the teind penny due from the profits of Aden, Kintore, and Skene, through 1 Regesta Avenionensia, 339, f. 549. 2 Reg. Vat., 251, f. 372. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig., i. No. 502 ; cf. vol. v. of this work, 392. 4 Frasers of Philorth, i. 81. 8 Robertson's Index, 163 ; Reg. Mag. Sig., i. No. 893. 6 Ibid., No. 499. f Ibid., Nos. 883, 884. 8 Cat. Doc. Scot., iv. 942. 9 Ibid., 952. 10 Ibid., 981, 983. » Spalding Club Misc., ii. 322. KEITH, EARL MABISOHAL 39 the decease of ' our cosynge umquhile the Lord of Kethe.' 1 He married the heiress of Troup, whose name has not been ascertained, with whom he got that barony.2 He is also, but on doubtful authority, said to have married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir David Lindsay, first Earl of Crawford.3 By the first marriage he had : — 1. SIR WILLIAM, who succeeded. 2. John, who, on 2 June 1413, got from his father a charter of the barony of Troup,4 which comprised the lands of Northfield. His descendants in the male line, known as the Keiths of Northfield, became extinct on the death s.p. of James Keith of Northfield in 1799.5 3. Alexander, mentioned in his brother's charter of Troup, 2 June 1413.6 4. Margaret, married to Hugh Arbuthnott of Arbuthnott. She died in 1419.7 5. Elizabeth, married to Alexander Irvine of Drum. She died in 1400.8 6. Christian, married to Thomas Monypenny.9 7. Marion, described as daughter of Sir Robert Keith, Knight, of St. Andrews diocese, in a commission for a dispensation of her marriage with Alexander de Fraser, of Moray diocese, dated 26 April 1414.10 This was probably Alexander Fraser of Kinnell and Lovat. (See title Lovat.) I. SIR WILLIAM KEITH, succeeded his father between 2 July 1430 and 20 May 1431.11 In a charter dated 20 May 1442, he conveyed to Robert de Keth, Knight, his eldest son, whom failing, to William, John, or Alexander, brothers of the said Robert, the lands of Keith, Garvock, Dunottar, Fetteresso, Strathechin, Oulpersow, Kintore, and Aden, together with the offices of Marischal of Scotland and Sheriff of Kincardine.12 Between 1446 and July 1451 he was made a Lord of Parliament as LORD KEITH. The date of creation can only be approximately ascertained. 1 Reg. Epis. Aberdeen, i. 240. 2 Douglas's Peerage. 3 Cf. vol. iii. 17. 4 Reg. Mag. Sig., i. No. 939. 6 See Scottish Notes and Queries, 1st ser., vii. 177, and Table of Descents, opp. 185. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 20 July 1413. 7 Cf. vol. i. 279. 8 Antiq. of Aberdeen, i. 207. 9 Robertson's Index, 141, 60. 10 Regesta Avenionensia, lib. 344, f. 742. n Transumpts, Ochtertyre Charter-chest. 12 Confirmed 28 October 1444, Reg. Mag. Sig. 40 In an official report of evidence regarding a dispute between the family of Skene of Skene and that of the Marischal, held before a Court in the Cathedral of Aberdeen on 22 September 1446, he is styled Sir William Keith, Marischal.1 In a series of charters granted by King James n. on 6 July 1451, he is styled Lord Keith, and appears as the latest on the list of Peers after William, Lord Hay, the Constable, who was created before 10 April 1450.2 His creation there- fore was then probably of recent date.3 He was one of the guarantors of a treaty of peace with the English in 1457, and on 6 August of that year he witnesses the con- firmation of a treaty by King James n. as Lord Keith.4 Later he was raised a step in the Peerage, as in a royal charter dated 7 October of the following year (1458), he is designed * dilectus consanguineus noster ' EARL OF MARISCHAL and LORD KEITH.5 He died probably before Whitsunday 1463,6 and certainly before 16 March 1463-64.7 He married a lady named Mary who is usually said to have been the daughter of Sir James Hamilton of Oadzow, but there is no evidence of this, and the dates make it doubtful. On 26 April 1414, Pope Benedict xm. issued a commission to grant dispensation for the marriage of 4 William de Ketht' of St. Andrews diocese and Marjorie Fraser, daughter of Alexander Fraser, of Moray diocese.8 This is probably the wife of Sir William Keith, and the daughter of Alexander Fraser of Kinnell and Lovat, who, as stated above, appears to have married about the same time Sir William's youngest sister, Marion. She was dead before August 1442.9 They had issue : — 1. Sir Robert, in whose favour his father resigned his estates and offices in 1442.10 He is said to have died v.p. in 1446," and to have married Janet, daughter of Sir John Seton of that Ilk, by whom 1 Antiq. of Aberdeen, etc., iii. 318. 2 Errol Charters. 3 Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 57-59. * Fcedera, v. ii. 77. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., and cf. Carmichael's Tracts, 5 and 6. 6 Exch. Rolls, vii. 227. 7 See renunciation of that date cited below. 8 Regesta Avenionensia, lib. 344, f. 741. 9 Reg. Mag. Sig., 30 October 1444. A 'MS. Genealogy of the Ogilvy Family' printed in the Sarras Book suggests that the Earl also married a sister of Marjorie Ogilvy, Countess of Crawford (see that title and Airlie), but no evidence of the lady, or corroboration of the statement has been found. lo Supra. 11 Wood's Douglas's Peerage, ii. 189. KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL 41 he had a daughter Janet, married to Andrew, second Lord Gray, with issue.1 There is a renunciation by Janet Keith, daughter of Sir Robert Keith, 'Mari- schal,1 in favour of William, Earl Marischal, her uncle, of Fetteresso, Garvock, and other lands, dated 16 March 1463-64.2 2. WILLIAM, who succeeded as second Earl Marischal. 3. John, mentioned in a charter by his father dated 20 May 1442.3 4. Alexander, mentioned in the same charter with his elder brother John.4 5. Janet, married, first, to John Leslie, Master of Rothes ; secondly, to Thomas, second Lord Innermeath.5 6. Egidia, married to James, second Lord Forbes. She survived him, and was still a widow 14 August 1473.9 II. WILLIAM, second Earl Marischal, the eldest surviving son, succeeded his father about 1463-64, sat in Parliament in 1467 and 1469, and in subsequent Parliaments of King James in. till 1479. He had a Great Seal charter of the lands of Garvals and others, 1476. He was still alive on 10 December 1482, when his son was forespeaker for him,7 but in 1483 he was succeeded by his son, the third Earl.8 This Earl married Mariota, or Muriella, third daughter of Thomas, second Lord Erskine, by whom he had : — 1. WILLIAM, who succeeded. 2. Anthony, mentioned, with his brothers Robert and John, in a deed of I486,9 as ' brothers-german to William, Earl of Marischal,' also on 29 March 1503,10 and on 4 February 1513-14." 3. Robert, who witnessed a charter by his brother William, Earl Marischal and Lord Keith, 3 March 1511.12 4. John of Craig.13 The last male representative of this branch died at Hammersmith 21 June 1795.14 5. Alexander of Auquhorsk,15 born 1460.16 1 Cf. vol. iv. 276. 2 Sir P. K.-M. Papers, No. 17. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig., confirmed 28 October 1444. * Beg. Mag. Sig. 5 Ibid. ; cf. vol. v. 4. 6 Cf. vol. iv. 51. 7 Acta Auditorum, 104. 8 Exch. Bolls, ix. 682. 9 Antiq. of Aberdeen, iv. 35. 10 Acta Dom. Cone. n See writ cited p. 45 infra. 12 Reg. Mag. Sig. 13 Antiq. of Aberdeen, i. 622; iii. 49; iv. 594, 595, 683. 14 Diet. Nat. Biog., xxx. 330. 15 Records Marischal College, i. 34. 16 Scottish Notes and Queries, x. 60, where the descent of this branch of 42 KEITH, EARL MARISCHAL III. WILLIAM, third Earl Marischal, sat in Parliament as Master of Keith 18 March 1481-82 ; as Earl Marischal 1483 onwards. Forespeaker for his father 10 December 1482 ; 1 succeeded and had sasine of the estates 1483.2 In 1488 he aided King James in. in raising an army to suppress the insurgent barons, who were keeping the heir-apparent to the throne, James, Duke of Rothesay, a prisoner, and after the indecisive skirmish at Blackness, he was one of the King's representatives to treat with the insurgents. On the death of the King in the same year, 11 June 1488, and the accession of King James iv., he remained faithful to the late King's party, and on 8 April 1489 he, with the Master of Huntly and Lord Forbes, concerted measures with the disaffected in the south of Scotland against the Govern- ment, and in October of that year was on the side of the vanquished at the battle of Talla Moss. He was, however, taken into the young King's favour, and pardoned, for in 1501 he was made Commander of the Scottish forces along with the Earls of Argyll, Huntly, Crawford, and Lord Lovat, and he took part in the campaigns in the High- lands which ended in the capture of the notorious Donald Dhu.3 He acquired the lands and barony of Uras from Patrick Crichton on 14 October 1495.4 On 15 October 1504 he enter- tained King James iv. at Dunottar.5 He attended the Parliament in Edinburgh called by King James iv. in 1510. He made a mortification of some lands to the Black Friars of Aberdeen, to pray for the souls of himself, his wife, his father and his mother. From his frequent use of the phrase, he was commonly given the nickname of ' Hearken and take heed.' He is said by Pitscottie 6 to have had a command at the battle of Flodden. This has, however, been denied. The banner carried by the Keiths at this battle is still in existence, having been saved by the standard-bearer, John Skirving of Plewlandhill, and it is now in the Advo- cates' Library, Edinburgh. During the years 1517-20, when John, Duke of Albany, was Governor of Scotland, and for the time absent in France, the Earl Marischal, along with the Keiths is given by Mr. P. J. Anderson. Riddell seems to think that Alexander was an illegitimate son of the Earl Marischal (Ms. Notes on Douglas); cf. vol. v. 4. l Acta Audit., 104. 2 Exch. Rolls, ix. 682. 3 Gregory's Highlands and Islands, 98, etc. * Reg. Mag. Sig. 6 Lord High Treasurer's Accounts, ii. 463. 6 i. 275, ed. 1814. KEITH, EARL MABISOHAL 43 Lords Borthwick and Ruthven, was given the custody of the young King in the Oastle of Edinburgh. In recompense for large sums advanced to the Treasury, the Regent granted him the ward of the heiress of Inverugie, which was confirmed to his grandson by the King, when of age, on 24 July 1527. l He was lying very ill on 24 November 1526, and was dead before 2 May 1527.2 He married (contract dated 11 January 1481-82) Elizabeth Gordon, third daughter of George, second Earl of Huntly,3 and by her he had : — 1. Robert, Lord Keith and Master of Marischal. He had a charter to himself and his wife 8 January 1505- 6, of the lands of Laidacht and Mulboy, in the parish of Skene, and of Auchincloich, Auchrynie, Auchorsk, and others, in the barony of Kintore.4 He is said to have been killed at the battle of Flodden 9 September 1513, but he sat in Parliament 26 November 1513, in the record called William by mistake, and he was wit- ness to a charter, cited below, to his brother David on 4 February 1513-14, and was still alive 5 April 1514.5 He married, in 1505,8 Elizabeth or Beatrice Douglas, eldest daughter of John, second Earl of Morton,7 and by her had : — (1) WILLIAM, who succeeded as fourth Earl Marischal. (2) Robert, who, in 1543, was appointed Abbot of Deer in com- mendam.8 He died in 1551, leaving an illegitimate son Andrew, who was created Lord Dingwall. (See that title.) (3) Elizabeth, married (contract 27 March 1530) to George, fourth Earl of Huntly.9 (4) Janet, married, in 1543,10 to John, seventh Lord Glamis.11 (5) Christian, married, after 1529, as his second wife, to Robert Arbuthnott of Arbuthnott.12 Her testament dated 12 July 1553.13 (6) Beatrice,1* married to Alexander Eraser,15 son and heir of Alex- ander Eraser, seventh of Philorth. He died v.p. in 1564. 16 1 Reg. Sec. Sig., i. No. 3851. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 315 ; Reg. Sec. Sig., i. No. 3753. 3 Cf. vol. iv. 530 ; Antiq. of Aberdeen, iv. 34. * Reg. Mag. Sig. 6 Protocol Book of James Young. 6 Ms. Harl., 6441. 7 Antiq. of Aber- deen, iii. 327; Reg. Mag. Sig., iii. 302. 8 Antiq. of Aberdeen, iv. 19. Cf. Papal Bulls, 24 June 1543 and 11 May 1544, and instrument taken by Bishop of Cesena, dated 9 July 1546, calling attention to these Bulls. Sir P. K.-M. Papers. 9 Cf. vol. iv. 436, where she is inadvertently styled daughter instead of sister of William, fourth Earl Marischal. 10 Protocol Book of Edward Dickson, Adv. Lib. n Reg. Mag. Sig., 6 February 1543-44. J2 Cf. vol. i. 289, 290. 13 Ibid., 290. 14 Edin. Tests., 26 March 1576. There designed Alice. u Papal dispensation, 15 June 1534. 16 Frasera of Philorth, i. 148, 149, 150 ; Reg. Mag. Sig. 44 KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL 2. William, to whom his father granted the barony of Troup on 3 October 1493.1 He witnessed a charter by his father dated at Dunottar 3 March 1511. 2 He was killed at Plodden 9 September 1513. 3. Gilbert, mentioned as substitute to his brother William in the charter of Troup above-mentioned.3 He obtained from his father the lands of Pittendrum, and was in possession of them in 151 1.4 He resigned this estate on succeeding to the barony of Troup, on his brother William's death in 1513.5 He married Elizabeth Forbes, daughter of John, sixth Lord Forbes, who is mentioned as his wife in the year 1525.8 He is said to have died without issue, but at his death in December 1537, he left a son George, who was still minor in 1553,' and a daughter Elizabeth, contracted in 1548 to George Garden of Durlathers, whom she did not marry, and in 1550 to George Baird of Glen- arthill.8 His widow, Elizabeth Forbes, was married, secondly, to Alexander Innes of that Ilk.9 4. Alexander, who got from his father the lands of Pit- tendrum, which his brother Gilbert had resigned.10 He married Marion Lundie, sister of Robert Lundie of Benholm.11 She survived him, and was married, secondly (contract 22 September 1515), to Robert Arbuthnott, second son of Robert Arbuthnott of that Ilk.12 She left a son :— John of Pittendrum, who is said to have died in 1575, having married a lady named Barclay, by whom he had a son, William of Pittendrum, who died 1590. He married (contract 3 March 1581) Barbara Keith, daughter of Alexander Keith of Troup,13 by whom he left two sons : — (i) Alexander, who succeeded, but whose male line became extinct after the death of the issue of his great-grandson Alexander Keith of Uras, and (ii) William, whose male line ended in Sir Alexander Keith of Ravelston and Dunottar, Knight Mari- 1 Confirmed 27 April 1494 ; Reg. Mag. Sig. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid., ut supra. * Ibid. 6 Antig. of Aberdeen, ii. 390. 6 Ibid., iv. 72 note. 7 Acts and Decreets, viii. 272. 8 Reg. Mag. Sig., 4 June 1548, 9 September 1550. 9 Vol. iv. 52. 10 Antiq. of Aberdeen, ii. 390. » Cf. vol. i. 284. 12 Ibid. 13 Cf. Proc. of Resignation by Robert Keith of Benholm, brother of George, fifth Earl Marischal, 29 March 1599. KEITH, EARL MARISCHAL 45 schal of Scotland. On 9 March 1801, having laid his titles for proving his claim before the Lyon King of Arms, Sir Alexander obtained a patent for bearing the arms of the chief of the family of Marischal. In 1818 he claimed the Marischal's office on the ground that it had not fallen by the attainder in 1716, inasmuch as it had not been included in the Act, either through mistake or by confusion with the title, or be- cause it had fallen into temporary desuetude since the Union. He was made Knight Maris- chal of Scotland on the occasion of George iv.'s visit to Edinburgh in 1822. He got Corstorphine Hill from his father, who had bought it, and he owned landed property in the counties of Rox- burgh and Peebles. He left issue an only child, Helen Margaret Oliphant, married, on 28 Nov- e'mber 1833, to Sir "William Murray, Bart., of Ochtertyre, who prefixed the surname of Keith to his own after his marriage. 5. Mr. David, who, on 4 February 1513-14, had a charter from his father William, Earl Marischal, of the lands of Torterston and Buthlaw in Aberdeenshire. He is described as 'Mr.' David Keith in a deed dated 12 February 1527-28,1 and is also named with his brother Mr. George in the writ cited below. 6. Mr. George, named on 20 July 1527 in a letter by King James v. promising to prefer him and his brother Mr. David to the first vacant benefice.2 It is possible he is the Mr. George Keith, rector of Keith, named in charters of 1531 and 1538.3 7. Janet, married to William, second Earl of Montrose/ 8. Elizabeth, married, first, to Colin, Master of Oliphant,5 by whom, who was killed at Flodden 9 September 1513, she had a son, who succeeded as third Lord Oliphant ; secondly, to William, second Lord Sinclair.6 9. Agnes, married to Sir Archibald Douglas of Glenbervie, and died before 1548, leaving issue.7 10. Christian, to whom a dispensation was granted by Edward, Bishop of Orkney, 12 February 1524, to marry Walter Ogilvy of Oraigboyne, related in the fourth degree.8 1 Sir P. K.-M. Papers, Nos. 30, 36. 2 Reg. Sec. Sig., i. No. 3846. * Reg. Mag. Sig., 16 August 1532; 6 January 1538-39. * Ibid., 3 August 1525. 6 Ibid., 1 March 1504-5. « Ibid., 17 April 1524. 7 The Douglas Book, ii. 117. 8 Fourteenth Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. pt. iii. 232. 46 KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL IV. WILLIAM, fourth Earl Marischal, succeeded his grandfather. His uncle, Gilbert Keith of Troup, was his tutor.1 On 22 April 1525, when under age, he had a royal charter of the lands and barony of Dunottar, lands and manor-house of Fetteresso, lands and barony of Garvock, with the offices of Sheriff of Kincardine and Constable of Kincardine, Oowie, and Durris; lands of Strathauchin and Oulpresso, with fishings in the Dee and Dye ; lands and barony of Uras ; baronies of Kintore and Aden, and lands of Easter Skene and Oarlogy in Aberdeen- shire, with the superiority of the lands and barony of Troup, Durne, and Auchinhamper in Banffshire, on the resignation of his grandfather the third Earl, these lands and offices being entailed upon himself and his heirs-male bearing the name and arms of Keith. Included in the same charter are the lands of Auquhorsk, Tertowie, Millbuy, and others in Aberdeenshire, which had belonged jointly to his father, Robert, Lord Keith, and Beatrice Douglas, his wife.2 He was still under curators on 6 September 1530, when he paid £500 to the Treasury, and bound himself to marry the eldest heiress of Inverugy.3 On 27 January 1531-32 he had a charter of Kincardine, making it the head burgh of the county,4 and on 16 August 1532 he had another charter of the lands of Fortheres in the county of Forfar.5 On 30 June 1538 he had another royal charter, to himself and his wife, Mar- garet Keith, of one-fourth of the lands of Ackergill and others in the counties of Caithness, Elgin, Banff, and Linlithgow.' He accompanied King James v. to France in 1536.7 He was appointed an Extraordinary Lord of Session 2 July 1541. 8 Sir Ralph Sadler describes him as being favourable in the year 1543 to the marriage of Queen Mary with Prince Edward, although opposed to her departure for England until of age, and as bearing ' a singular good affection ' to Henry vin.9 On 12 March 1543 the Scottish Parliament selected him as one of the keepers of the young Queen's person, and in June 1544 he signed the agreement to support the authority of the Queen-mother against the Earl of Arran.10 He 1 Reg. Sec. Sig., i. 3846. 2 Beg. Mag. Sig. 3 Ada Dom. Cone., xliii. f. 44. 4 Beg. Mag. Sig. 6 Ibid. 6 Ibid. 7 Pitscottie, ed. 1814, p. 362. 8 Hailes' Cat., 2. 9 Sadler, i. 99, 169. 10 Tytler, ed. 1834, v. 326, 369. KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL 47 embraced the reformed faith, and was one of George Wishart's influential supporters after the return of the latter to Scotland in 1543.1 From a minute to a letter from the Duke of Suffolk to Sir George Douglas in December 1543, it appears that the Earl Marischal was at that date among the number of King Henry vni.'s pensioners in Scot- land, and it is stated, on 17 April 1544, that the Earl had undertaken, with ' Calder and Lord Grey's friends,' to destroy the Cardinal's abbey and town of Arbroath and other bishops' and abbots' houses north of the Forth when the forces of these last had gone to resist the English, and a few days later Henry viii., to whom this offer was com- municated, signified his approval and authorised payment to the above-named persons of £1000 to enable them to effect their purpose.2 In 1545 he was one of the twenty Scottish Peers selected to form in rotation, four at a time, the secret council of Lord Maxwell, Warden of the West Marches, in the Castle of Lochmaben.3 His name appears frequently at the Privy Council meetings from 1546 to 1566 inclusive.4 In July 1547 he is reported as coming forward, in company with Lord Forbes, * with all the North,' towards Peebles.5 In 1547 he, with many of his friends and relations, took part in the battle of Pinkie.6 On 28 August 1548 Lord Gray reports to Somerset that the Earl Marischal will favour England if ' honestly entertained,' and recommends that money should be sent him.7 He attended the Parlia- ment held in August 1560, and was therein appointed a Lord of Articles, but he demurred to signing the contract with England.8 In September 1561 he was chosen a mem- ber of the Great Council, and the following year he was selected as one of a committee of Privy Council, four members of which in rotation were to reside for two months together in attendance on the Queen.9 On 12 November 1561 he was appointed, for the second time, an Extraordinary Lord of Session, and he continued in office until 18 January 1573.10 On 18 March 1565 he formed one of the escort for Queen Mary on her way from Dunbar to Edinburgh.11 In 1 Tytler, ed. 1834, v. 412, 414. 2 Hamilton Papers, ii. 234. 3 Tytler, vii. 5. 4 P. C. Reg. 6 Gal. State Papers, i. 9. 6 Sir P. K.-M. Papers. 7 Cal. State Papers, i. 163. 8 Ibid., 458, 460, 461, 462. 9 P. C. Reg,, i. 157, 217. 10 Hailes' Cat., 4, 5. " CaL State Papers, ii. 269. 48 KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL October of the same year he was appointed keeper of the havens and sea passages between Oowie and Bervie in Kincardineshire, and on the 10th of the same month his son, the Oommendator of Deer, is named as supplying the place of the Earl Marischal in the order of battle of the royal army.1 He was one of the Lords of the Articles on 14 April 1567,2 but in the Parliament held at Edinburgh on 15 December of that year Robert Keith of Oantray appears as his deputy.3 In June 1567 the Earl Marischal was in Edinburgh with the Earl of Morton. He accompanied the latter when his force advanced against Queen Mary and Bothwell, and he was one of the three recipients of a challenge from Bothwell to fight in single combat with him ' to prevent more bloodshed.' On 31 July 1576 the Earl, having been summoned to appear before the Privy Council to answer for failure to observe and keep the points of the 'General Band,' was certified to be unable to travel to Edinburgh from Dun- ottar/ In 1577, in a report to Queen Elizabeth, the Earl is described as ' very rich, but he and his uncle's children are subject to great infirmities and sickness,' as 'in alliance and friendship with the Earl of Huntly and the Oreichtons,' and as ' very religious and of great substance.' 8 During the later years of his life the Earl Marischal seems to have withdrawn from all participation in public affairs, and to have lived in great seclusion at Dunottar Oastle, so much so that he became known to the people in the district as 'William of the Tower.' His landed property lay in so many counties that it was said he could travel from Berwick to John o' Groats eating every meal and sleeping every night upon his own estates, and at his death they were valued at 270,000 merks (£15,000 sterling) per annum.6 On 18 June 1580 King James vi. visited him at Dunottar.7 He died on 7 October 1581, having made up a list of legacies on 2 September 1581.8 He married Margaret, eldest daughter of William Keith, younger, of Inverugie,9 and granddaughter and co-heiress 1 P. C. Reg., i. 379, 381. * Cal. State Papers, ii. 321. 3 Acta Parl. Scot., iii. 3. « P. C. Reg., ii. 547, 548. 6 Cal. Scot. Papers, v. 253, 256. 8 Sir P. K.-M. Papers. 7 Ibid. 8 Edin. Tests., 15 June 1582; P. C. Beg., iii. 323, 522. 9 Supra, p. 34. KEITH, EARL MARISCHAL 49 of Sir William Keith of Inverugie,1 with whom he obtained large estates,2 and by her had : — 1. William, Lord Keith, commonly called Master of Marischal. He was taken prisoner by the English on the occasion of one of the inroads across the Border by Scottish troops in the year 1558. There were evidently great difficulties as to the payment of his ransom, which was fixed at £2000,3 and he remained a prisoner till 1567 or 1568. On 16 February 1568-69 at Stirling he was appointed one of a com- mission for resisting the Earl of Huntly,4 and from June 1569 onwards until 20 February 1577-78 his name appears as attending the sittings of the Privy Council.5 He died at Dunottar 10 August 1580.' He married Elizabeth Hay (contract 14 January 1543 7), eldest daughter of George, sixth Earl of Errol,8 and by her had : — (1) GEORGE, who succeeded as fifth Earl Marischal. (2) William, who accompanied his elder brother on his travels on the Continent. He studied under Theodore Beza at Geneva, who, on his death, wrote a Latin poem upon him. He was killed in a scuffle there in 1577, when still a very young man.9 (3) Mr. Robert, who, on 15 July 1594, on the resignation of his uncle, Lord Altrie, obtained a Great Seal charter of the lands of Benholm.10 On 20 May 1605 he sold these lands to John Gordon of Cairnburrow.11 In October 1590 he seized the Abbey of Deer, then owned by his brother, the Earl Marischal, and remained there for six weeks. On being dis- lodged by the Earl and Lord Altrie he fled to the castle of Fedderat, where eventually a truce was made with him.12 He married, but left no legitimate issue. (4) John, who, on 31 October 1598, had a remission for acts of fire-raising committed at Cowie in 1593 and 1597. 13 Con- tracted, 11 November 1577, u to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Alexander Keith of Troup, styled fiar of Troup 1586. 15 (5) Margaret, married, first, to William Keith, younger of Lud- quharn ; secondly, to Sir John Carnegie of Kinnaird ; thirdly, to Sir William Graham of Braco.16 (6) Jean, married to James Gordon of Haddo.17 1 Cf. p. 34, ante. 2 Antiq. of Aberdeen, iv. 620, 622. 3 Sadler, ed. 1809, ii. 163 note. * P. C. Peg., i. 645. 6 Ibid., ii. passim. 6 Jonston's Poemata, 40; Spalding Club Misc., ii. 53, where date given is 9 August. 7 Sir P. K.-M. Papers, No. 438. 8 Antiq. of Aberdeen, iii. 328. 9 Jonston's Poemata, 39. 10 Eeg. Mag. Sig. » Ibid., 25 May 1605. 12 Antiq. of Aberdeen, ii. 423. 13 Reg. Mag. Sig. 14 Reg. of Deeds, xvi. 472. 15 Aberdeen Homings, iii. 103. w Acts and Decreets, clxxix. 162. 17 Vol. i. of this work, 86. VOL. VI. D 50 KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL (7) Mary, married (contract 29 June 1582) to Robert Arbuthnott of that Ilk.1 She died 11 March 1619.2 (8) Barbara. There was also a natural daughter Anne, mentioned in the fourth Earl's -will.3 2. Robert, who succeeded his uncle Robert in 1551 as Commendator of Deer, created Lord Altrie. (See that title.) 3. John, referred to as brother of William, Master of Marischal, in a writ of 24 May 1560, when he is said to have lands in Duffus.4 He was probably the Mr. John Keith afterwards rector of Duffus.5 4. Agnes (or Annas), married, first (contract 7 February 1561-62),9 before 9 June 1562, to James, Earl of Mar, afterwards of Moray, who became Regent.7 He was assassinated in 1570 ; and secondly, to Colin, sixth Earl of Argyll.8 She died at Edinburgh 16 July 1588.9 5. Alison, married to Alexander, Lord Saltoun, in 1550. He died in 1587.10 6. Mary, married (contract 5 June 1575) to John Campbell of Oalder,11 for which a dispensation was required on the ground of consanguinity.12 7. Beatrix, married in 1558 to John Allardyce of Allar- dyce.13 Died 19 May 1596.14 8. Joneta (or Johanna), married, before 15 April 1557, to Sir James Orichton of Frendraught.15 9. Margaret, married (contract 28 August 1569) to John Kennedy of Blairquhan.18 10. Elizabeth, contracted to marry Alexander Irvine of Drum, as appears from a discharge by said Alex- ander Irvine in favour of William, Earl Marischal, of certain obligations entered into between them in a contract of marriage between said Alexander and ' the said noble Lord's dochter umquhile Eliza- 1 Reg. Mag. Sig. 2 St. Andrews Tests. 3 Edin. Tests. 4 Protocol Book of Mr. Robert Lumsden, f. 33, MS. Reg. Ho. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 30 Jan. 1581-82, etc. 6 Sixth Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., 647. 7 Antiq. of Aber- deen, iv. 745. 8 Cf. vol. i. 345 ; Edin. Tests., 9 August 1591. 9 Ibid. 10 Reg. Mag. Sig., 4 September 1550; Frasers of Philorth, ii. 62; Edin. Tests., 26 March 1576, there called Alice. " Reg. Mag. Sig., 10 July 1575. n Sir P. K.-M. Papers, No. 429. 13 Reg. Mag. Sig., 4February 1558-59; Edin. Tests. " Edin. Tests. 15 Reg. Mag. Sig., ut cit. ; Edin. Tests. 16 Ibid. KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL 51 beth Keith. The discharge is dated 15 March 1580-81.1 11. Isabel, married to Alexander Strachan, eldest son of Sir John Strachan of Thornton,2 and died August 1595.3 12. Barbara, who was promised in marriage to Alex- ander Strachan above mentioned, failing her sister Isobel.4 Barbara was married to Alexander Forbes of Pitsligo.5 V. GEORGE, fifth Earl Marischal, Lord Keith and Altrie, eldest son of Lord Keith, was born in 1553.6 When eighteen years old he was sent abroad, going first to Paris, then to Geneva (with his younger brother William), and travelling afterwards in Germany and Italy.7 He succeeded his grandfather in 1581. 8 In the year 1562 he had a charter of the Kirktoun of Longley (now St. Fergus).9 On 10 May 1580 he is mentioned by Robert Bowes as having returned to Scotland from France,10 and in October of the same year he was appointed a Gentleman of the King's Chamber.11 On 8 June 1585 he had a remission under the Great Seal to himself, his brother John, and others named, for being concerned in the death of William Keith, son and heir of Keith of Ludquharn.12 On 10 December 1585 he was appointed a member of the Privy Council by Act of Parliament.13 On 14 May 1587 the Earl Marischal was present at the banquet given by the King to his nobles.14 On 17 May and 29 July 1587 he had charters of the lands of the Friars Preachers and White Friars of Aberdeen,15 and in August of the same year he had a charter of confirmation of all his lands and offices in the sheriffdoms of Haddington, Kincardine, Aberdeen, Banff, Morayshire, and Inverness.16 Before 1 January 1591-92 he is found using the title and dealing with the estates of Altrie,17 and on 26 September 1592 he had charters to him- self and his eldest son of the lands and lordship of Altrie, and of the baronies of Inverugie, Dunottar, and Keith.18 1 Sir P. K.-M. Papers, No. 446. 2 Ibid., No. 439. 3 Edin. Tests. * Sir P. K.-M. Papers, No. 439. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 1 March 1575-76. 6 Sir P. K.-M. Papers. 7 Ibid., and MS. Family Histories. 8 Jonston's Poemata, 40. 9 Antiq. of Aberdeen, iv. 598. 10 Gal. State Papers, v. 421. " Ibid., 531. 12 Reg. Mag. Sig. 13 P. C. Reg., iv. 36 note. " Ibid., 169 note. r° Reg. Mag. Sig. 16 Ibid., 5 August 1587. 17 Ibid. 18 Ibid. 52 KEITH, EARL MARTSOHAL On 17 May 1589 he went as Ambassador-extraordinary to the Court of Denmark to settle the marriage of James vi. with Anne of Denmark,1 and at Elsinore, on 20 August 1589 he acted as the King's proxy at the marriage ceremony.2 On 2 November 1589 a special Act was passed by the King and Council at Opsloe (Christiania), recording the King's grateful approbation for all the proceedings of the Earl Marischal, and acknowledging the heavy expenses to which he had been put by the manner in which he had carried out the embassy. The original grant of the fee of the temporal barony and lordship of Altrie, which was made 29 July 1587,3 was at the same time renewed and con- firmed to him.4 In 1587 Robert Keith, uncle of the Earl Marischal, was lay Abbot or Oommendator of Deer, and to recompense the Earl for the great expense to which he would be put by the embassy to Denmark, it was arranged that the Abbacy should be dissolved and erected into a temporal lordship called Altrie. Robert the Commendator was made first Lor4 Altrie during his lifetime, and on his death the lordship was to pass to the Earl Marischal and his heirs.5 The Earl appears, however, to have been designated Lord Altrie even before the death of the Com- mendator. It is evident that the great expenses of the embassy to Denmark had made considerable inroads even into the large fortune to which the Earl Marischal had succeeded. On 28 May 1591 Lord Altrie applied to the Privy Council for suspension of letters of horning obtained against him by the Earl Marischal failing payment of sums amounting to £201, 14s. lOd. for the temporal lands of the lordship of Altrie in relief of the Earl's proportion of the taxation authorised by Parliament for the expenses connected with the King's marriage.6 On 20 July 1592 the Earl Marischal was found guilty of corresponding with the exiled Earl of Bothwell, and was imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle for several weeks.7 On 2 April 1593 he founded Marischal College in Aber- deen University, endowing it with the former possessions 1 Reg. Mag. Sig. ; P. C. Reg., iv. 396 note ; Melville's Memoirs, 367. 2 Spalding Club Misc., ii. 63. 3 Reg. Mag. Si#. * P. C. Reg., iv. 438. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig. , ut supra. 6 P. C. Reg. , i v. 628, 629. 7 Sir P. K. -M. Papers. of the Black and White Friars of Aberdeen, and with the lands which had belonged to the chaplainries of Bervie and Oowie.1 The foundation was ratified by Act of Parliament 21 July 1593.2 In 1594, on the proposed forfeiture of the Catholic Lords, the Earl Marischal was one of the five Lords of the Articles who did not agree to the forfeiture.3 In 1606 there began a dispute, long continued, between the High Constable of Scotland and the Earl Marischal regard- ing the respective rights and privileges of their offices. In 1641 the Estates delivered judgment, defining these rights and privileges, but in spite of this and previous decisions, the relative duties of the Constable and Marischal continued vague in practice until the Union of the two Parliaments/ On 6 June 1609, King James vi. constituted the Earl Commissioner to represent His Majesty in the Parliament of Scotland, which was opened on the 15th of that month.5 On 18 December 1618 he had a charter to himself and his wife, of the lands and barony of Benholm, which he had bought from John Gordon.8 The Earl died at Dunottar Castle 2 April 1623,7 having married, first (contract dated 4 et seq. February 1580-81), Margaret, sister of Alexander, first Earl of Home;8 she died May 1598 ; 9 secondly, Margaret, daughter of James, fifth Lord Ogilvy of Airlie.10 She survived him, and was married, secondly, before 20 January 1624, to Sir Alexander Strachan of Thornton.11 By his first wife he had : — 1. WILLIAM, Lord Keith, who succeeded. 2. Anne, married (contract dated 5 March 1604 1Z) to William, seventh Earl of Morton.13 (See that title.) 3. Margaret, married (contract dated 23 December 1615), as his first wife, to Sir Robert Arbuthnott of Arbuth- nott. She died soon after without issue.14 By his second wife he had : — 4. James, of Benholm, who had a charter of the lands of Benholm 8 December 1619.15 He married, before 19 1 Records of Marischal College, ii. 39. 2 Ibid., 84. 3 Ibid. 4 Terry's The Scottish Parliament. 5 Reg. Mag. Sig. 8 Ibid. T P. C. Reg., xiii. Pref. Ixvi. B Reg. Mag. Sig., 1 May 1581 ; cf. vol. iv. 462. a Edin. Tests. 10 Sir P. K.-M. Papers, No. 114 ; Reg. Mag. Sig., 3 November 1612. 11 P. C. Reg., xiii. 400. 12 Sir P. K.-M. Papers. 13 Reg. Mag. Sig., 29 July 1624. " Cf. vol. i. 302. 15 Reg. Mag. Sig. 54 KEITH, EARL MARISCHAL March 1623, Margaret, daughter of Sir David Lindsay of Edzell, by whom he had : — (1) Margaret, married, before 1650, to Sir John Elphinstone of Elphinstone, and had issue.1 (2) Elizabeth,* married, as his first wife, to Sir Archibald Primrose of Dalmeny. (3) Anna, married to Patrick Smith of Braco (contract dated 1652 3). 5. Alexander, baptized 10 October 1611.4 6. John5 (described on 12 December 1611 as third lawful son of George, Earl Marischal, and Dame Margaret Ogilvy6), to whom his father granted the lands of Benholm, failing heirs-male of the body of his brother James.7 He left no lawful male issue,8 but he had a natural son Gilbert, legitimated 19 May 1587.9 The later Keiths of Benholm were of a different family. 7. Mary, died 14 October 1620, anno cetatis 5.10 VI. WILLIAM, sixth Earl Marischal, was born about 1585. He succeeded his father in 1623. On 21 October 1612 he had a charter of the baronies of Inverugie and Dunottar, with the forest of Cowie, with remainder to Sir Robert Keith of Benholm, whom failing, to Gilbert Keith of Troup.11 In 1601 he was sent abroad to finish his education, and visited Paris, Orleans, Tours, and Saumur. He seems to have interested himself in the project for the colonisation of Nova Scotia, and on 28 May 1625 he had a charter from King James i. of 48,000 acres there, to be denominated the barony of Keith-Marischal, with remainder to his heirs- male and assigns whatsoever. There was no grant of the dignity of Baronet. On 28 May 1625, by a letter dated at Whitehall, he was granted the office of Admiral, and the privilege of coining money within his territories in New Scotland. There is apparently no other notice extant regarding the Earl's connection with the Colony,12 and the 1 The Elphinstone Book, by Sir William Fraser, i. pp. xiv, xv ; Edin. Tests., 12 June 1662. 2 Ibid., 23 January 1637. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig., 4 July 1657. 4 Aberdeen Reg. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 3 December 1619. 6 Sir P. K.-M. Papers, No. 465. 7 Reg. Mag. Sig., 3 December 1619; Reg. Sec. Sig., xc. f. 101. 8 Ms. Hist., 1809, penes Sir P. K.-M. 9 Reg. Sec. Sig., Iv. 64. 10 Tombstone at Benholm, New Stat. Ace. n Reg. Mag. Sig. See his retour, dated 1630, as heir ' sui fratris atavi tritavi,' Robert Keith, who lived in the reign of Robert Bruce. Sir P. K.-M. Papers, No. 136. « R. Riddell's MS. Baronetage ; Reg. Mag. Sig. KEITH, EARL MABISCHAL 55 value of his lands and privileges there was probably not great.1 On 18 April 1623 he purchased from his brother James Keith of Benholm the lands of Kinellar and others, in the thanage of Kintore,2 having on 22 February 1623 had a charter of the lands and barony of Benholm, which James Keith had sold to Sir Alexander Strachan of Thornton.3 He was made a Privy Councillor by King Charles I. 25 July 1626,4 and on 12 July of this year he was appointed a member of the Council of War for Scotland.5 He was placed in command by the King, on 11 April 1627,' of the three Scottish warships which had been bought in July 1626, for £5200, for the protection of the coasts of Scotland, but it is stated that ' notwittistanding of diverse letters wrettin to him by his Majestic for setting to sea . . ., my Lord wold never boate, but gave trust to . . ., the 3 capitans of them shippes, quho dranke and made good cheire, bot wold not offend the enimey.'7 There was a dispute between the Earl Marischal and the Earl of Linlithgow, Lord High Admiral of Scotland, as to their respective rights in the disposal of these ships, and on 12 December 1627 the King directed the matter should be regulated according to agreements made by the King with them.8 In January 1628 the Earl and Countess presented a petition to the Privy Council asserting the Earl's right as Admiral within the bounds of his lands contiguous to the sea, from the Water of Dye to the Water of Banff, as also from the Water of Dye to the North Esk, within the whole sheriffdom of Kincardine, as granted to him by Ludovick, Duke of Lennox, Great Admiral of Scotland.9 On 9 July 1631 the Earl was constituted anew Commander of the King's navy in Scotland, consisting then of six vessels fitted out by the Earl, and of one belonging to the King.10 In November 1629 a commission was issued under the Signet to the Earl Marischal, Sir William Keith of Lud- quharn, Nathaniel Keith of Cocklaw, Alexander Keith of Pittendrum, Robert Keith of Whiterig, and others named, to apprehend James Keith of Craig, who had broken out of 1 Sir P. K.-M. Papers. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig., 15 February 1627. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig. * P. C. Reg., 2nd ser., i. 362. 6 Ibid., Pref., Ixiv. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig. 7 Balfour's Annals, ii. 139, 140, 141. 8 P. C. Reg., 2nd ser., ii. 149. 9 Ibid., 354, 355, 356. 10 Reg. Mag. Sig. 56 KEITH, EARL MABISOHAL Dunottar Castle, where he had been placed in ward by the Earl for debt of upwards of £20,000.' On 26 January 1630 a similar commission was issued for the apprehension of James Keith of Harvieston, for debt of like amount, for which money the Earl Marischal had, through the escape of the said James Keith out of ward at Dunottar, become responsible.2 In April 1631 the Earl Marischal obtained permission from the Council to exchange victual for Norwegian timber to repair the harbour of Peterhead.3 He was present in his official capacity at the coronation of King Charles I. 18 June 1633, and fastened on the King's spurs.4 He was ap- pointed a member of the Privy Council by King Charles, and attended a meeting of the Council in Edinburgh so late as 24 September 1635.5 He died at Dunottar Castle 28 October 1635, * about the 50 zeire of his age.'8 He married (contract 12 October 1609 7) Mary Erskine, daughter of John, Earl of Mar, who was married, secondly, to Patrick Maule, first Earl of Panmure. (See that title.) By her he had : — 1. WILLIAM, who succeeded as seventh Earl Marischal. 2. GEORGE, eighth Earl Marischal. 3. Sir Robert. Considerable mystery surrounds Sir Robert. He is not mentioned by Crawfurd or Sir Robert Douglas, and his name first appears in Mr. Wood's edition of the latter's Peerage, where he is said to have died unmarried. He seems to have been born between 1620 and 1624, and to have been educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen. After some soldier- ing in Scotland, then afflicted by civil war, he entered the service of the French King. On 12 April 1659 he was found by an inquest held at Forfar to be ' des- titute of his natural wit, furious and natural idiot,' and his immediate younger brother John was ap- pointed his tutor, curator, and administrator.' It has been suggested, though without positive proof, that Sir Robert married in France, and left de- scendants.8 An heir-male of Sir Robert's body would 1 P. C. Reg., 2nd ser., iii. 340. 2 Ibid., 431. 3 Ibid., xviii. 201. 4 Balfour's Ann., iii. 398. 6 P. C. Reg., xx. 114. 6 Balfour's Ann., ii. 223. 7 Cf. vol. v. of this work, 622. 8 From information communicated by Mr. J. R. N. Macphail, Advocate. KEITH, EARL MARISCHAL 57 be the head of this ancient family, and, but for the attainder, Earl Marischal of Scotland. 4. Alexander, an idiot.1 He was dead before 1654.2 5. John, first Earl of Kintore, called ' seventh and youngest son ' in MS. Hist, of John, first Earl of Kintore.3 (See that title.) 6. Mary, married, in April 1633,4 to John, Lord Kilpont, eldest son of William, Earl of Menteith.5 7. Jean, married to Alexander Forbes, first Lord Pitsligo.6 8. Anne. VII. WILLIAM, seventh Earl Marischal, was born in 1614,7 and succeeded his father in 1635. A few years after his succession, the King obtained a loan of £15,000 sterling, which was not wholly repaid until 1672.8 It is said that by his extravagant habits he reduced himself and his successors to absolute poverty.9 On 8 February 1639 he had a renewed grant from King Charles I. of his whole lands of the lordship of Deer, includ- ing those not included in the former's grant to his grand- father.10 In this year he commenced to take an active part in Covenanting affairs, and was given charge of Aber- deenshire, along with Montrose and Alexander Leslie, in the first Bishops' War.11 Henceforward he was deemed the head of the Covenanting party in the counties of Aberdeen, Banff, and Kincardine. On 15 March 1639 he entertained the Committee of the Covenanters at Dunottar, and proceeded to raise troops from among his tenantry to fight for the cause. He joined Montrose on 29 March, and entered Aberdeen with him. On 24 April the Covenanters met at Kintore, and with the Earl Marischal at their head marched again to Aberdeen, three thousand strong. He then proclaimed himself governor of the town, and a month later returned to Dun- ottar. In the following month, after the rout at Turriff, at which he was not present, he re-entered Aberdeen with a few hundred horsemen, and quartered his men in the 1 Sir P. K.-M. Papers. This fact is suggestive, when Sir Robert's malady is considered. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. * Reg. Mag. Sig., 1 April 1633. 6 Ibid. 6 Balfour's Ann., ii. 226. 1 sir P. K.-M. Papers. 8 Ibid. 9 Ibid. 10 Ibid. » Ibid. 58 KEITH, EARL MABISOHAL town. Soon afterwards, on being joined by Montrose, he returned again to Dunottar, leaving Montrose in Aberdeen, whence, on 15 June, making a sudden sortie with twelve hundred men, the latter routed a Royalist force of two thousand five hundred men under Lord Aboyne. The Treaty of Berwick put an end to hostilities for a time. On 2 March 1640 the Earl entered Aberdeen with Lord Eraser, and destroyed the Bond of Allegiance to the King which the townsfolk had signed, and in the following April, besides being empowered to enforce the Covenant in the vicinity, he received orders from the Council to convene all the nobles and gentry in order to take measures for raising regiments to aid the common cause. Entering Aberdeen on 5 May, he extorted nearly 6000 merks from the in- habitants. In June he again set out for Aberdeen from Dunottar with General Munro, and again levied a fine upon the town. On 15 July he was back in Aberdeen, after entering and despoiling the Castle of Strathbogie, and terrified the inhabitants into signing a bond, in which they submitted themselves and the town to him, and assured him of their devotion to the common cause. He then forced them to produce a hundred and forty men to join General Leslie's expeditionary force into England. In August 1641 he was deputed to meet the King on his way to the north, and the following month he was appointed a member of the Privy Council. In March 1645, Montrose, now leading the Royalist forces, appeared before Dunottar Castle and summoned the Marischal to surrender some fugitives who had taken refuge there. At the same time Montrose en- deavoured to persuade him to espouse the cause of the King; but the Marischal treated his messages with con- tempt, and Montrose, deeming the castle to be impreg- nable, departed, after burning the town of Stonehaven.1 At the Parliament held at St. Andrews in August 1645, the Marischal was made a Commissioner for Visitation of the Universities. In 1648 he raised a troop of horse at his own expense, and joined the Duke of Hamilton in his expedition across the Borders for the liberation of Charles i., and he fought at the battle of Preston. On 8 July 1650 he entertained 1 Mem. of the Troubles, ii. 307. 59 King Charles n. at Dunottar, and in January 1651 officiated at his coronation at Scone. On 6 June 1651, the last day of the Scottish Parliament's session at Stirling, the Earl Marischal, as hereditary keeper of the honours, took measures to have them transferred to Dunottar Castle, and to keep them there until further notice. It is stated in the Dunottar accounts for 1651 that the Earl arrived at Dunottar from Stirling on 12 June. They were there locked up, and the Earl took the key with him when he went to Alyth to attend a meeting of the Committee of Estates on 28 August. Upon that date he and other members of the Committee were taken prisoners there by a party of General Monck's cavalry. He, however, found means of sending the key to his mother, who had become Lady Panmure, and she immediately hastened to Dunottar, which the English forces were by this time rapidly ap- proaching, and committed the regalia to the care of George Ogilvy of Barras, who, by commission dated at Stirling on 8 July had been appointed Governor of the Castle by the Earl Marischal. But the story of the regalia is well known, and need not be repeated here. On 10 September 1660, Captain Humphry Mason, the Commonwealth Governor, vacated Dunottar Castle, and it was given into the charge of Robert Keith of Whiteriggs, Deputy-Sheriff of the Mearns, on behalf of Lord Marischal. The Earl arrived at Dunottar from London in October 1660, and on the 8th of that month the regalia were returned to his custody by Mr. Grainger and Ogilvy of Barras. He was made a Privy Councillor, and afterwards Lord Privy Seal, which latter office he held until his death. At the opening of Parliament in Edinburgh in 1661, the Earl Marischal attended in state, and handed over the regalia. During the latter years of his life he lived chiefly in London. He died at Inverugie in March 1670-71.1 He married, first, in 1637 (contract 22 May 1637), Elizabeth Seton, eldest daughter of George, second Earl of Winton ; 2 she died in childbirth 16 June 1650, aged twenty-eight;3 secondly, in April 1654,4 Anne Douglas, eldest daughter of Robert, Earl of Morton ; she died s.p. about 1689.5 1 Sir P. K.-M. Papers. 2 Aberdeen Burgh Sas., xxxviii. 437. 3 Hay's Gen. Coll., ii. 266. * Malcolm's Londinum Redivivum. 5 Edin. Tests. 60 KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL By his first wife he had : — 1. William, born 11 August 1638,1 died an infant. 2. Mary, married, first, 29 October 1657, to Sir James Hope of Hopetoun ; 2 secondly, to Sir Archibald Murray of Blackbarony. 3. Elizabeth, married (contract dated 25 March 1658) to Robert, second Viscount Arbuthnott. She died February 1664.3 4. Jean, married (contract 22 and 23 September 1669,4 where she is called youngest daughter) to George, third Lord Banff.5 5. Isabel, married to Sir Edward Tumour. 6. Margaret, born 16 July 1644 ; 6 died an infant. VIII. GEORGE, eighth Earl Marischal, succeeded his brother in 1670. As a young man he took service in the French army, where he rose to the rank of colonel. In 1648 he returned to Scotland, and placed his services at the disposal of the King against the Commonwealth. He fought at the battles of Preston and Worcester, and after both these engagements he was taken prisoner. What happened to him from the date of his capture after the battle of Worcester until the Restoration is not known, but after the latter event he is found still pursuing a military career.7 On succeeding to his brother, he found the family estates heavily burdened and in great disorder. Many of the family estates had to be sold, but by the exercise of great economy, he was able at his death to leave the estates which remained to him practically free of debt, although greatly reduced in size.8 He rebuilt the house of Fetteresso, which had been burnt down by Montrose during the Civil War. In 1675 he received from James, Duke of Albany and York, Lord High Admiral of Scotland, a gift of Admiralty between the waters of North Esk and Spey. In 1681 he signed the Declaration against Leagues and Covenants. He died in 1694. He married, 6 February 1662,' Mary Hay (contract dated January 1662 10), eldest daughter 1 Tranent Reg. 2 Lament's Diary, 102. 3 Cf. vol. i. 308. 4 Gen. Reg. Sas., xxiii. 331. 6 Cf. vol. ii. 20, 21. 6 Tranent Reg. T Sir P. K.-M. Papers. 8 Ibid. 9 Chronicle of Perth, 45. 10 Sir P. K.-M. Papers. KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL 61 of George, second Earl of Kinnoull, and by her had an only son, IX. WILLIAM, ninth Earl Marischal, probably born be- tween 1664 and 1666, who took the oaths and his seat in Parliament 19 July 1698. 1 In the Parliament of 6 May 1703, he protested against the calling of any of the Earls before him. He was strongly opposed to the Union, and entered a solemn protest against it in the Rolls of Parlia- ment. When the Union became an accomplished fact, it was enacted that the regalia of Scotland should be kept in the Castle of Edinburgh. The Earl Marischal handed them over by deputy to the Earl of Glasgow, Lord Treasurer Depute, protesting at the same time that their delivery was not to prejudice the heritable right of the Marischal to keep them when Parliament was sitting or otherwise, in the Gastle of Dunottar or elsewhere, and to receive intimation before their removal from the Grown Room in Edinburgh Castle.2 In 1705 and 1708 the Earl had warrants for the Order of K.T. from King James,3 and was imprisoned for a short time as a Jacobite, but in 1710 he was elected one of the sixteen Scottish Representative Peers in the Parliament of Great Britain. He died in London 27 May 1712. He married, about 1690, Mary Drummond, eldest daughter of James, fourth Earl of Perth, High Chancellor of Scotland, and by her, who died at Edinburgh 7 March 1729,4 had :— 1. GEORGE, who succeeded. 2. James, born at Inverugie 16 June 1696. He took part, with his brother, in the rebellion of 1715, and with him was attainted for high treason. He escaped abroad, and became an officer in the Spanish army. In 1728 he entered the Russian service, and was at once given the rank of major-general. In 1740 he came to England, and although still a Jacobite, was graciously received by King George n. On his return to Russia he was made Governor of the Ukraine. In 1747 he found it advisable to leave the Russian service, and within a month thereafter he entered 1 Minutes of Parliament. 2 Proc. of Soc. Antiq. of Scot., xxiv., years 1889-90; Regalia Papers, Bannatyne Club. 3 Ruvigny's Jacobite Peer- age, 194. 4 Musgrave's Obituary. 62 KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL the service of Frederick n., King of Prussia (Frederick the Great), as field-marshal. Two years later he was made Governor of Berlin, with a salary of £1600 a year. He was killed at the battle of Hoch- kirchen, 14 October 1758, in the sixty-third year of his age. A monument to his memory was placed in the church of that town in 1766 by his kinsman Sir Robert Murray-Keith. He was buried by the King of Prussia in the Garrison Church at Berlin. His statue was erected in Berlin, and a replica of it was presented to the town of Peterhead by the German Emperor. He was never married. 3. Mart/, married, as his second wife (contract 8 February 1711), to John, sixth Earl of Wigtoun. She died in 1721. 4. Anne, married in 1719 to Alexander, sixth Earl of Galloway. (See that title.) She died 1728. X. GEORGE, tenth Earl Marischal, was born in 1694,1 and succeeded his father in 1712. He entered the Army, and in 1711 was commissioned by Queen Anne as captain in the Earl of Hyndford's Dragoons. On 11 January 1714 he received a commission from King George I. as captain and lieutenant-colonel of the second troop of Horse Grenadier Guards. This commission was, however, soon afterwards cancelled at the instigation of the Duke of Argyll, who at the same time advised King George i. to remove many of the Scottish nobility from their positions in the public ser- vice, amongst others who were thus treated being the Earl of Mar, the Earl Marischal's kinsman, who was deprived of his office of Secretary of State. Soon afterwards the Earl set out for Scotland, and on his way north met his brother James at York, who was coming south to take up a com- mission in the English army. The latter, on being told what had occurred, turned his horse's head, and the two brothers returned to Scotland together. The Earl Marischal joined the Earl of Mar, and in 1715 was present at the so- called ' hunting party ' at Braemar on 26 August. At the battle of Sheriffmuir on the 13 November following he com- 1 Records of Marischal College, ii. 284. KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL 63 manded the right wing of the Jacobite army, consisting of about 1500 horse. On 27 December he joined the Chevalier at Fetteresso, who had before this honoured his house at Newburgh with his presence. When James left for France, the Marischal, after a march through the north of Scotland, escaped also to the Continent. For his part in the rising the Earl Marischal was attainted for high treason, his estates, entered officially as being worth at the sale in 1720 £2998, 4s. 4d. per annum, were forfeited, and the title and office of Marischal were confiscated. About the year 1717 he arrived in Paris on a mission connected with the Jacobite cause. After leaving Paris he lived for a short time at Valencia, and was granted a small annual pension by the Court of Spain. He took command of the Spanish Jacobite expedition which landed in Scotland 16 April 1719, and which was defeated at Glenshiel 18 June of that year. In this engage- ment he was badly wounded, but effected his escape to Spain. There he lived for a long time chiefly at Valencia, continuing to correspond with the Chevalier. In 1744 it was proposed that he should again have the command of a small force to be landed in Scotland, but the scheme was not carried out, and he took no part in the rising of 1745. There- after he left Spain, and in 1746 took up his residence in Venice. His brother James, having quitted the Russian service for that of Prussia, persuaded him to come and live with him there, and on 28 August 1751 Frederick the Great appointed him his ambassador in Paris. In 1752 he was removed from Paris, given the order of the Black Eagle, and made Governor of Neufchatel. On the death of his brother Marshal Keith at Hochkirchen in 1758, Frederick sent him a letter of condolence, signing himself ' your old friend till death.' In 1759 he was sent as Prussian ambas- sador to Spain. On 29 May of the same year he was granted a free pardon by King George n., and in the warn- ing transmitted by him to Pitt from Madrid of the family compact between King Carlos and Louis xv. he paid tribute to the generosity with which the King had re-admitted him as a citizen of his native country. In 1760 an Act was passed permitting him to inherit, notwithstanding his attainder, 64 KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL any title or estate which might descend to him, and in the following year, on the death of William, fourth Earl of Kintore, he succeeded to the title and estates. He declined, however, to take the title, and was never generally de-' signed as Earl of Kintore. In April 1761 he visited London, and was graciously received by the King, whence he re- turned to Spain, but in March 1762 he was once more in the Principality of Neufchatel, where Rousseau came to visit him. In August 1763 he again left for Scotland. His estates had been sold in 1720 to the York Buildings Com- pany, and by an Act of Parliament of 1761 he was granted out of the sums realised by the sale, and interest remain- ing due on the purchase, the sum of £3618, with interest from Whitsunday 1721. In 1764 he purchased part of the estates, but immediately resold them to James Ferguson of Pitfour, with the exception of the principal family seat, Dunottar Castle, which he sold to Alexander Keith of Ravelston, a descendant of the third Earl (q.v.). On the urgent request of King Frederick the Great, he returned to live in Prussia. A villa-cottage was built for him at Potsdam, where he lived, a trusted friend of the King until his death, unmarried, 28 May 1778. l The estate of Kintore, with the old castle of Hall- forest and Keith-hall, with the title of Earl of Kintore, devolved on Lord Falconer of Halkertoun as heir of entail, upon the death of the tenth Earl Marischal, the re- mainder of his property being divided among his grand- nephews, John, eleventh Lord Elphinstone, and his brothers the Hon. William Elphinstone and the Hon. George Keith Elphinstone.2 CREATIONS.— Between 1446 and July 1451, Lord Keith. Between 6 August 1457 and 7 October 1458, Earl Marischal. 29 July 1587, Lord Altrie. ARMS. — Argent, on a chief or three pallets gules. Behind the shield two batons gules placed saltirewise, semee of 1 Memoirs of Marshal Keith, Diet, of Nat. Biog., xxx. ; Affairs of Scot- land, by David, Lord Elcho ; Sir P. K.-M. Papers. 2 See title Elphin- stone, vol. iii. 548. KEITH, EARL MARISOHAL 65 thistles, ensigned on the top with an imperial crown or, as badges of the office of Great Marischal of Scotland. CREST. — A hart's head erased proper, attired with ten tynes or. SUPPORTERS. — Two harts proper, attired as in the crest. MOTTO. — Veritas vincit. [c. T. G.] VOL. VI. DRUMMOND, EARL OF MELFORT OHN DRUMMOND, second son of James, third Earl of Perth (see that title), was born about 1649. He entered the Army, and may have been the John Drummond who had a commission as ensign in Sir William Lockhart's Regiment of Foot, 25 July 1672.1 In the following year, how- ever, he was appointed a captain in the Scots Foot Guards. In 1679 he was made Deputy-Governor of Edinburgh Castle, and in 1680 Lieutenant-General and Master of the Ordnance. In 1681 he became Treasurer-Depute of Scotland under the Marquess of Queensberry, and in 1684 Secretary of State for Scotland. On the accession of King James vii. he was continued in office, and on 14 April 1685 was created VISCOUNT OF MELFORT AND LORD DRUMMOND OF GILESTOUN, getting a grant of the lands and barony of Melfort (part of the forfeited Argyll estates). He had also, on 19 March 1686, a charter of the barony of Muir- hall. In May following he exchanged these lands with the Crown for the lands and baronies of Cesnock, Duchall, Riccartoun, and others, which had fallen to the Crown as forfeited.2 On 12 August 1686 he was created EARL OF MELFORT, VISCOUNT OF FORTH, LORD DRUMMOND 1 Dalton's Army Lists. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., viii. 582, 592. DRUMMOND, EARL OF MBLFORT 67 OF RIOCARTOUN, OASTLEMAINS, AND GILSTOUN.1 In both his patents of Peerage the remainder was to the heirs-male of his body of his second marriage, whom failing, to the heirs-male whatever of his body. The postponement of the children of his first wife to the succession arose from the fact that the Lundins, the family to which she belonged, were zealous Protestants, and would not allow her two sons to be brought up as Roman Catholics, to which faith their father had turned. On 6 June 1687 Melfort was made a Knight of the Order of the Thistle on the Institution of that Order. He was in London when the Prince of Orange landed, and at once took the precaution of resigning his estates and having them regranted to his wife, with remainder to their son John,2 Lord Forth, and his heirs- male, whom failing, his heirs-female, whom failing, his heirs whatsoever. Having thus endeavoured to make his position as secure as possible, Melfort left England before the King, landing at Ambleteuse 16 December 1688. Mean- while his house in Edinburgh was ransacked by the mob, and all his papers scattered or destroyed. At St. Germains, however, he soon became a person of importance: being, as a contemporary chronicler relates, ' very handsome, . . . very ambitious, with abundance of lively sense, . . . very proud, and cannot bear a rival in business,' he speedily gained the confidence of the King, and was one of his most influential advisers. In 1689 Melfort accompanied James to Ireland, but made himself so unpopular in that country that he was sent back to France, from which country Louis xiv. despatched him as Jacobite envoy to Rome. His estates having been sequestrated, many of his moveables were seized in London in 1691 ; and his pictures, including specimens of Vandyke, Rubens, and others, were, according to Evelyn, sold in 1693, and excited considerable competition. In 1691 Melfort had returned to St. Germains, and was made a K.G. by James, who also, 17 April 1692,3 created him Duke of Melfort, a title which, it is said, was accepted and confirmed by Louis xiv. on the death of King James, when the French King granted to the Duke of Melfort and his male posterity the 'honneurs du Louvre,' 1 Perth Peerage Case, 112. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig., 9 November 1688. 3 Perth Peerage Case, 114. 68 DRUMMOND, EARL OP MELFORT and the 'Tabouret' to the Duchess, and all the other honours and privileges enjoyed by French Dukes and Duchesses, except that of sitting in the Chamber of Peers.1 In 1695 Melfort was formally attainted, but it was pro- vided that the forfeiture was not to taint the blood of his children by his first marriage.2 His arms were ordered to be * cancelled and erased out of the registers and records of Heraldry.3 Melfort appears now to have lost his influence at the Court of St. Germains. In 1696 he was banished to Rouen, but was afterwards permitted to live in Paris, and to pay occasional visits to St. Germains. In 1701 he was accused of writing a letter, which was seized in the Post Office, with the object of creating a rupture between the King- doms of France and England. He was consequently banished to Angers, and never again saw James. It is said that the latter, on his deathbed, directed that Melfort should be recalled and his dukedom publicly acknowledged.4 Melfort appears to have been a born schemer and intriguer, though his steadfastness to his master is noted by a con- temporary.5 He died in Paris 26 January 1714,6 aged sixty- four. He married, first, 30 April 1670, Sophia, daughter and heiress of Margaret Lundin of Lundin, co. Fife, by her husband, Robert Maitland, brother of John, Duke of Lauderdale.7 By her he had issue : — 1. John, born 31 October 1673 ; died young. 2. James Lundin of Lundin, who took his mother's name, and succeeded her in her estates; died, unmarried, 6 November 1698. 3. Robert, whose descendants ultimately became the heirs-male of the Earls of Perth. (See that title.) 4. Anne, born 3 March 1671 ; married to Sir John Houston of Houston, with issue. 5. Elizabeth, born 22 July 1672; married to William, second Viscount Strathallan, with issue. 6. Mary, married, first, to Gideon Scott of Highchester, who died 1707; and secondly, before 11 November 1 Historical Facts regarding the Succession to the . . . Baronies of Drummond, etc., Paris, 1866. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., ix. 407. 3 Ibid., App., 110. This may have been nominally done, but, as a matter of fact, the arms had never been recorded. * Diet. Nat. Biog. 6 Lives of the Lindsays, ii. 158 note. 6 Perth Peerage Case, 262. 7 Vol. iv. 302. DRUMMOND, EARL OF MELFORT 69 1718, to Sir James Sharp of Scotscraig, Bart., who died 25 April 1738. She died at St. Andrews 4 October 1754, leaving issue by both husbands. Lord Melfort married, secondly, in 1680, Euphemia, daughter of Sir Thomas Wallace of Oraigie, a Lord of Session. She was one of the beauties of her day, and lived to be over ninety, dying at St. Germains in 1743. After her husband's death she was granted by Louis xiv. the privilege of keeping one of the two faro tables authorised by him. It was to her, too, that * I Padri e gli Alumni ' of the Scots College at Rome dedicated their republication of Lesley's Vita di S. Margherita, Regina di Scoria, originally printed in 1691. l By his second wife Lord Melfort had issue : — 7. JOHN. 8. Thomas, an officer in the service of Charles vn., Emperor of Germany, who died, unmarried, 1715. 9. William, in holy orders in the Roman Church, an abbe in Liege ; died in Spain 1742. 10. Andrew, a colonel of horse in the French service ; mar- ried Magdalen Silvia de St. Hermione, with issue : — (1) Louis, married, 1759, Jeanne Elizabeth de la Porte, daughter of the Marquess de Presles, Intendant of Dauphiny. It is probably he whose death as ' Earl of Melfort ' (? Comte de Melfort) was announced in the magazines of the day as having taken place at Yvoy-le-Pre, his seat in France, in November 1788.2 They had issue : — i. Louis Pierre Francis Malcolm, died 1833, said to have married, first, Caroline Barry, daughter of the Earl of Barrymore, and secondly, Caroline, daughter of Kenneth, Earl of Seaforth. She died s.p. 1847, and was buried at St. Pancras, London. He had issue, with other children : 3 — (i) Louis Edward Genevieve, born 1791 ; colonel on the French staff, Knight of St. Louis of France, and of St. Ferdinand of Spain; died 1888, having married, in 1823, Eudoxia Saulnier de Cherrieres. ii. Annabella Henrlette, married to the Comte de Mar- guerie, who was guillotined 1793. 11. Bernard, died young at Douai. 12. Philip, in the French service ; died of wounds received in action. 1 House of Drummond, 306. 2 Scots Mag. ; European Mag. ; Gent. 'a Mag. 3 This branch is now extinct in the male line. 70 13. Margaret, baptized 7 April 1683.1 14. Henrietta, died unmarried 1752. 15. Mary, married to Don Jose de Royas, Count Bozas of Oastel Bianco, in Spain ; died s.p. 1713. 16. Frances, married, by papal dispensation, to her de- ceased sister's husband, Count Castel Bianco, with issue. One of their daughters, Maria Theresa, made a morganatic marriage, in 1776, with Louis de Bour- bon, the Infante of Spain, brother of Charles vi.2 17. Louisa, died unmarried. 18. Teresa Margarita, died unmarried. II. JOHN DRUMMOND, who, but for the attainder, would have been second Earl of Melfort, was born in Scotland 26 May 1682.3 In 1686 he was styled Viscount Forth.4 He took part in the Rising of 1715, and was Major-Gen eral of the insurgent army, but escaped lo France again, 4 February 1716. He died 29 January 1754, and was buried at St. Nicholas des Champs, Paris. He married, 25 May 1707,5 Marie Gabrielle d'Audibert, widow of Henry Fitz James, titular Duke of Albemarle, a natural son of King James vii., and daughter of Jean d'Audibert, Comte de Lussan. She was an heiress, and brought her husband the various estates of her family, fourteen villages in Bas Languedoc, which had been erected into a Compte ('male et femelle tenant de la Tour des Louvres ') by Louis xiv. in October 1645. She died 15 May 1741, at St. Germains, aged sixty-six.6 By her he had issue : — 1. JAMES. 2. Louis, born at St. Germains 16 February 1709 ; colonel of the regiment of Royal Scots in the French service, raised at the expense of the family ; a Grand Cross of St. Louis ; was at the battle of Oulloden, where he lost a leg, and died at Paris 8 July 1792.7 3. John, born at St. Germains 31 October 1711 ; 8 Lieu- tenant of the Guard of the King of Poland, with the rank of major-general. 1 Canongate Reg. 2 Drummond's Noble Families. 3 Historical Facts, etc., 33. * Drummond's Noble Families. 6 Pedigree in Perth Peerage Case, 263. ° Scots Mag. 7 Perth Peerage Case, 165 ; Drummond's Noble Families. 8 Pedigree in Perth Peerage Case. DRUMMOND, EARL OF MELFORT 71 4. Constantine, born at Bagnals 19 June 1717, and died there 1719.1 III. JAMBS (called Thomas by Douglas), but for the attainder third Earl of Melfort, was born at St. Germains 16 May 1708.2 He succeeded to the large estates of his mother in Languedoc. He was a captain of cavalry in the French service, and lost both his feet in action. He died 25 December 1766, having married, 29 January 1755, at Lussan,3 Marie de Beranger. She, who was the daughter of Francis Beranger, in the town of St. Paul, Trois Chateaux, was born at Barjac 1 September 1728.4 On 1 June 1775 she had a grant from Louis xv. of a pension of 3000 livres.5 By her James Drummond had the following issue, three sons and one daughter having been born previous to the marriage : 6 — 1. JAMES Louis. 2. CHARLES EDWARD. 3. Henry Benedict, entered the French navy 1767, severely wounded in action 27 July 1778, in recogni- tion of his services he was made a Chevalier of the Order of St. Louis 16 August 1778, and had on 15 December following a gratuity of 600 francs. On 30 January 1779 he was at the taking of Senegal, was appointed captain on 13 March following, and died on board the Feudant 6 April 1779, unmarried.7 4. Leon Maurice, born 11 April 1761, died 26 April 1826, having married, 26 October 1794,8 Lucie Marie de Longuemare ; she died 12 August 1824, with issue : — (1) GEORGE, of whom presently. (2) Lucie Clementine, born 1796, married, 8 September 1823, to Francis Henry Davies, Registrar of the Court of Chancery. He died 23 October 1863 ; she died 27 April 1879. (3) Leontine, born 1793, died 1809. 5. Marie Cecile Henrietta, born at Lussan 23 May 1754. She got a pension of 1000 livres from Louis xv. ; 9 died before 1803. 6. Amelia Felicia, living at Amiens in 1804, died 1846. 1 Pedigree in Perth Peerage Case. 2 Perth Peerage Case, 265. 3 Ibid., 267. * Ibid., 267. 5 Ibid., 157. 6 They were affianced in 1747 at Avignon, but could not marry publicly without his father's consent. On the death of the latter in 1754, they were legally married as soon as French law allowed, in 1755. 7 Perth Peerage Case, 284. 8 Ibid., 272. 9 Ibid., 158. 72 DBUMMOND, EARL OF MELFOBT IV. JAMES Louis, but for the attainder fourth Earl of Melfort, was born 14 October 1750.1 He was a general in the French service, and a Commander of the Order of St. Louis. He retired from the French army in 1790, and went to Spain, entering the service of that country as a brigadier.2 In 1792, at the time of the Revolution, the Lussan estates which were in his possession were seized by the revolution- ary government, and the chateau, with all its contents of charters, family papers, furniture, etc., was burned by the mob. The estates themselves were divided and sold to forty-seven different persons. It has been stated3 that James Louis Drummond died at Lepus Island in Spain in September 1800, without having ever returned to France. He married, at Paris, in 1788 (contract 30 April), Aglae Elizabeth Jaqueline d'Oms Alais, daughter of Marc, Vicomte d' Alais, Baron de Salindres. By her he had issue one daughter, who died young. V. CHARLES EDWARD, but for the attainder fifth Earl of Melfort, born 1 January 1752, entered the Roman Church. It is said that on escaping from France at the time of the Revolution he went first to Holland and then to England, and that while there, some time after 1805, considerable pensions were granted both to him and his brother Leon, as British subects who had never lost their nationality,4 in the Civil List in Scotland. But ultimately he went to Rome, where he died as a prelate in the household of the Pope in April 1840.5 VI. GEORGE, but for the attainder sixth Earl of Melfort, succeeded his uncle in 1840. He was born 6 May 1807, in Stephen Street, London, and baptized at Marylebone parish church 10 September 1808. He was for some time a captain in the 93rd Highlanders. In 1841 he established in France, before the Conseil d'Etat and the Tribunal de la Seine, his right to the French titles of Due de Melfort, Oomte de Lussan, and Baron de Valrose.6 He proved his 1 The children born before the legal marriage of their parents were apparently legitimated by express declaration at the time of the marriage ; Min. of Evidence, Perth Peerage Case, 267. 2 Historical Facts, etc., 36. 3 Ibid. ; Complete Peerage. * Historical Facts, etc., 37. 6 Perth Peerage Case, 172. 6 Complete Peerage. DRUMMOND, EARL OP MELFORT 73 descent before the House of Lords in England in 1848, and the attainders having been reversed by Act of Parliament 28 June 1853, he was found entitled to the dignities of Earl of Perth (1605), Earl of Melfort (1686), Viscount Forth (1686), Lord Drummond (1488), and Lord Drummond of Riccartoun, Oastlemains, and Gilstoun (1686). He died 28 February 1902, having married, first, 19 May 1831, the Baroness Albertine de Rotberg, widow of General Comte Rapp, a Peer of France. She died 2 June 1842, and he married, secondly, 9 August 1847, Susan Henrietta, daughter of Thomas Bermingham Sewell of Athenry, and widow of Colonel Burrowes of Dangan Oastle, co. Meath; she died 11 September 1886. By his first wife he had issue : — 1. James Maurice Willoughby, born 12 August 1832, died February 1833. 2. George Henry Charles Francis Malcolm, Viscount Forth, born at Naples 13 May 1834, was in the 42nd Highlanders; died 8 October 1861, having married, 24 October 1855, Harriet Mary, eldest daughter of the Hon. Adolphus Oapell, and niece of the Earl of Essex. She married, secondly, 29 October 1861, Edward Oholmely Dering, and died 30 April 1868, leaving issue by her first husband :— (1) George Essex Montifex, Lord Drummond, born 3 September 1856 ; died s.p., and unmarried, 4 August 1887. 3. Annabella, born 11 July 1835, died November 1838. By his second wife the Earl had :— 4. Marie Augusta Gabrielle Berengere Blanche, born 15 December 1848. Married, 24 April 1871, to Colonel Mackenzie Fraser of Castle Fraser and Inverallochy, and died s.p. 5 February 1874. 5. Marie Louise Susan Edith Grace, born 29 April 1854. She inherits the French titles of Countess de Lussan and Baroness de Valrose. At the death of the Earl, his title of Earl of Perth was inherited by his distant kinsman William Huntly Drum- mond, Viscount Strathallan (see title Perth). The French dukedom of Melfort became extinct. It is said, however, that in 1687 the first Earl made a resignation of all his honours, and there is no doubt that 74 DRUMMOND, EARL OF MELFORT he got a regrant on 9 November 1688 from King James, creating all his lands into a new earldom of Melfort and lordship of the regality of Forth, in favour of his wife for her life, and of his eldest son John, styled in the writ * Lord Forth,' and the heirs-male of his body, whom failing, the heirs-female of his body, whom failing, his heirs whatsoever.1 CREATIONS. — Viscount of Melfort and Lord Drummond of Gilestoun, 14 April 1685; Earl of Melfort, Viscount of Forth, Lord Drummond of Riccartoun, Castlemains, and Gilstoun, 12 August 1686, in the Peerage of Scotland. Due de Melfort, 17 April 1692, in the Peerage of France. ARMS (not recorded in Lyon Register, but given in Peers' Arms MS., Lyon Office). — Quarterly : 1st and 4th, or, three bars wavy gules, for Drummond; 2nd and 3rd, or, a lion rampant within a double tressure flory counterflory gules surrounded by a bordure compony argent and azure, for Lundin of that Ilk. CREST. — Out of an eastern crown or a demi-lion affrontee gules holding in its right paw a dagger, and in its left a thistle, both proper. SUPPORTERS. — Two lions rampant gules collared azure, the collars charged with thistles or. MOTTO.— Dei dowo, sum quod sum. [j. B. P.] 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., MS. lib. Ixxi, No. 107. anfc JEleMUe MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEYEN AND MELVILLE T is probable that the Mel-, villes are of Norman de- scent. There is mention of Guillaume de Malleville among those who accom- panied William, Duke of Normandy, into England in 1066.1 The same indi- vidual is again referred to as ' Le Sieur de Male- ville ' by Dumpulin in his Histoire General de Nor- mandie* and either he, or a relative of the same name, took part in the expedition undertaken in 1096 by Robert Ourthose, Duke of Normandy, and Godfrey of Bouillon, Duke of Lorraine.3 Sir William Fraser in his work on The Melvilles quotes a number of references to Melvilles in England at an early date. He also states that so recently as 1667 there were three principal families of the name of Maleville in Nor- mandy, and he considers it a fair inference from all the facts that the family of Malville are of Norman origin, and that, like many other adherents of the Conqueror, they obtained lands in England, and thereafter migrated northwards and settled in Scotland.4 GALPRID MELVILLE is the first of his family known to have settled north of the Tweed. Of his immediate 1 Nobiliare de Normandie, par E. de Magny, 5. 2 P. 190, App. 16. 3 Ibid. 4 The Melvilles, i. 2. 76 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE parentage and descent nothing has been ascertained. His name is found in a charter by King Malcolm iv., dated 1162,1 and he was then in occupation of the important office of Sheriff of Edinburgh Castle, at that time a promi- nent royal residence. From his occupation of this post, and the numerous grants of land which he received from the King, it may be inferred that he enjoyed the royal favour in a marked degree. It appears from the only original charter to Galfrid which has been preserved, and from other available evidence, that among the royal grants of land were a part of Liberton parish with Lecbernard (Leadburn) in Midlothian.2 The previous possessor of the Liberton lands was Malbeth, Malbet, or Macbet Bere, a baron of the time of David i. Before 1147, Malbeth made a grant to King David's new Abbey of Holyrood of two oxgangs of land,' with the chapel of Liberton and the teinds of Lecbernard. Galfrid Melville was in possession of the lands of Liberton and Leadburn between 1153 and 1165, and he, or more probably his son of the same name, confirmed this gift by his predecessor to the new abbey.3 Besides his other lands, Galfrid appears to have held those now known as Melville, and it is considered probable that he gave his own name to these lands when he founded the church of Melville. The date of the charter in which it is first named, and by which it was conveyed to the Abbey of Dunfermline^ can only be approximately given as between 1177 and 1188, but Galfrid refers therein to the church as already dedicated, and grants it to the monks of Dunferm- line in pure alms, under condition that a light shall be kept perpetually burning before the tombs of King David I. and Malcolm iv.4 Another charter of Galfrid, of uncertain date, indicates that he was the owner of the surrounding land, and that there was then a manorial residence at Melville.5 In the reign of William the Lion, Melville appears to have been promoted to the office of Justiciar, probably of the district south of the Forth,6 and he was a witness to several charters by that King between 1171 and 1178. His death probably occurred soon after the latter 1 Reg. de Newbotle, xxxvi. 122, 123. 2 The Melvilles, iii. 1. 3 Holyrood Reg. 4, 24, 208. * Reg. de Dunferm., 91. 5 Ibid., 190. ° Reg. Epis. Glasg., 36. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 77 date.1 He seems to have been twice married, but the name of his first wife has not been ascertained.2 He married, secondly, Matilda Malherbe, a lady of Anglo-Norman ex- traction, who survived him, and by whom he had issue : — 1. GREGORY, his heir. 2. Gdlfrid, who received from his nephew Richard, son of his brother Gregory, the lands of Grendun (now Granton, near Edinburgh), and those of Stanehouse or Stenhouse, near Liberton. From about the year 1200 to about the year 1230 his name appears as witness to writs relating to lands in the county of Fife, from which the inference may be drawn that he had settled in that district. From this fact, and from a tradition preserved in the family of the Melvilles of Raith that the Laird of Carnbee was the second son of the first Lord of Melville,3 also from the circum- stance that the lands of Stenhouse and Granton are found, before 1379, in the possession of the Melvilles of Oarnbee, the conclusion seems not unwarranted that Galfrid, the younger, was the ancestor of that branch of the family.4 He was apparently alive in the reign of Alexander n.5 3. Thomas, who with his four younger brothers is named as a witness to their father's grant of the church of Melville to the Abbey of Dunfermline, but of whom nothing more is known. ''4. Robert, named in the same charter, who is probably identical with Sir Robert Melville, whose name appears in 1223 and 1226 as witness to two transac- tions, one respecting the lands of Stobo, the other to part of the lands of Maxton, both in Roxburgh- shire, where, as also in Peeblesshire, the Melvilles are known to have had possessions, and where he may at that time have held lands.8 5. Hugh, who appears as a witness about 1203 to a grant by Alan Fitz-Walter, Steward of Scotland, of lands in Renfrew to the Abbey of Paisley, and to another charter to the same abbey about the same date.7 1 The Melvilles, i. 6. 2 Ibid. 3 Ms. Genealogy of the house of Raith in Melville Charter-chest. * The Melvilles, i. 7. 6 Ibid. ° Ibid., i. 8. 7 Reg. de Passelet, 14, 49. 78 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 6. Richard, and 7. Walter, both named in the charter above mentioned. GREGORY MELVILLE, the eldest son, succeeded his father Galfrid. In a charter of King William the Lion (1165-1170),1 the lands of Liberton and Leadburn are conveyed jointly to him and his father, and in another royal charter of the same reign he receives the lands of Grendun in exchange for about 208 acres in Ednam, given to him by King Malcolm iv.2 It is uncertain whether he survived his father. The name of his wife is not known. He was succeeded by his son, SIR RICHARD MELVILLE, who seems to have been one of the personal followers of King William the Lion. He accompanied the King on his hostile expedition into England in 1174, and was taken prisoner on the occasion of the King's capture by the Yorkshire barons at Alnwick on 13 July of that year.3 He was in possession of the lands of Liberton and Leadburn, Granton, and Stenhouse about the year 1178.4 He also possessed lands in the parishes of Inverkeillor and Tannadice in Forfarshire.5 He was Sheriff of Linlithgow towards the end of the reign of William the Lion.6 He must have received the rank of knighthood, being referred to by his grandson as Sir Richard Melville. No record of him has been found after the death of King William. He married, between 1189 and 1199, Margaret Prat, daughter of Richard Prat of Tynedale, and received with her a large tract of land which has been identified with a part, or the whole, of the parish of Muiravonside in Stir- lingshire.7 He left a son, WILLIAM, who succeeded to the estates, but who is only known from references to him in his son Gregory's charters. The name of his wife is not known. He appears to have left three sons : — 1. SIR GREGORY, his heir. 1 The Melvittes, iii. 1. 2 Ibid. 3 Robertson's Scotland, i. 366-370 ; Pal- grave's Hist. Docs., 77-80. 4 The Melvilles, iii. 2, 3. ° Reg. Aberbrothoc ; Beg. S. Andree, 64, 152, 230. 6 Holyrood Reg., 28. * The Melvilles, iii. 4, 5. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 79 2. Thomas, styled ' of Haddington,' in a charter of his brother Sir Gregory.1 He married Christiana, sister of Gregory Lysurs, chaplain, a member of the Gorton family, from whom he received a grant of six acres of the lands of Temple, including four acres lying between Dalhousie and Gorton.2 He left three daughters, who succeeded to his lands of Gorton : (1) Gristiana, married to Adam, son of Walter, son of Aldwyn.3 (2) Alicia, married to Richard, son of Galfrid, son of Gunnild; and (3) Eva, married to Malcolm, son of David Dun/ 3. David, described by Sir Gregory as his brother.5 SIR GREGORY MELVILLE, Knight, appears under the de- signation of Gregory, Lord of Melville, in a charter granted probably between 1240 and 1250.6' He is frequently men- tioned as a witness to charters,7 and before 1264 he ap- pears to have been Sheriff of Aberdeen.8 The name of his wife is not known, but he left at least one son, WILLIAM MELVILLE, who, in a charter by his father dated about 1270, is designated his son and heir.9 He was one of those who, in 1296, swore fealty to King Edward i. He had a son, JOHN MELVILLE, who, in 1329, confirmed to the monks of Newbattle the charter of right of way through Tartraven granted by his grandfather Sir Gregory,10 and also in 1344 the gift of a stone of wax." The name of his wife is not known. He had a son, THOMAS MELVILLE, who was a consenting party to his father's grant to the Abbey of Newbattle in 1344, and to another agreement with the Prior of St. Andrews in 1345.12 His name has not been found elsewhere on record, and it is not known whether he ever succeeded to the estate. He left a son — 1 Beg. S. Andree, 377. 2 Reg. de Neubotle, 301. 3 Ibid., 301-304. * Ibid. 5 Reg. S. Andree, 377. c Reg. de Neubotle, 150. 7 The Melvilles, i. 14. 8 Exch. Rolls, i. 12. 9 Reg. S. Andree, 377. 10 Reg. de Neubotle, 161-163. 11 Ibid., 176, 177. 12 The Melvilles, iii. 9-11. 80 MELA1LLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE JOHN MELVILLE, who, on 20 November 1379, was in possession of the family estates, as upon that date he granted to John Melville, son of John Melville of Oarnbee, his lands of Granton and Stenhouse in the barony of Melville.1 He was succeeded by his son, THOMAS MELVILLE, who was in possession of ' Mailvil ' as 4 lord of the samyn sted ' on 27 March 1427, when he entered into a contract of excambion, with consent of John Mel- ville, his son and heir, and Sir William Tynyngham, parson of the 'Kirk of Mailvil,' anent the 'Kirklands of Mailvil.'2 At this date Thomas was probably well advanced in life. He died in December 1429.3 He was succeeded by his son, JOHN MELVILLE, who was retoured heir to him 27 January 1429-30 in the barony of ' Malwyle,' the retour stating that the barony was in non-entry from the decease of Thomas Melville eight weeks before/ He appears to have died before 1442.5 His wife, whose name has not been ascer- tained, must have survived him, her terce having been paid up to June 1465.6 THOMAS MELVILLE appears to have succeeded his father about the year 1442, as he was then infeft in the lands of Grieston, Peeblesshire, which had been possessed by his father.7 On 10 January 1451-52, as Thomas Melville, lord of that Ilk, he witnessed a charter by Robert Boyd of Kil- marnock to Sir David Hay of Yester.8 In 1456 his goods were escheated to the extent of £10,9 probably on account of debt, as there is evidence that his lands of Mosshouse and Grieston were mortgaged for a time.10 He died in 1458,11 the last direct heir-male of his family. His widow was alive in 1471.12 He was succeeded by his daughter, AGNES MELVILLE, who was under age at her father's death, and remained a ward of the Crown until 1471, being 1 The Scotts of Buccleuch, ii. 10. 2 The Melvilles, i. 19 and note. 3 See his son's retour, dated 27 January 1429-30, The Melvilles, i. 20, note 1. * Retour, ut supra. 5 Exch. Rolls, ix. 657. 6 Ibid., vii. 254, 320, 403. 7 Ibid., ix. 657; Certif. of Sasine, The Melvilles, iii. 22. 8 Confirmed 12 January, Reg. Mag. Sig. 9 Exch. Rolls, vi. 143, 144. 10 The Melvilles, i. 21 note. n Retour of Agnes Melville, his daughter, 23 April 1471, The Melvilles, iii. 46, 47. 1Z Exch. Rolls, vi. 254, 320, 403, 535, 628. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 81 retoured heir to her father in April of that year.1 She was married to Robert Ross, son of Sir John Ross of Halkhead,* She died before 16 October 1478,3 leaving a son and heir John Ross, a minor, afterwards Sir John Ross, and second Lord Ross.4 He was retoured heir to his mother in the barony of Melville 16 May 1496, although apparently in possession of the estate in 1490.5 He was killed at Flodden 9 September 1513. The baronies of Melville, Hawk- head, and others were inherited by his descendants in the male line until the death, unmarried, of William, last Lord Ross of Hawkhead, in 1754. On the death of his eldest sister, the Hon. Jean Ross (wife of John Ross McKye), with- out issue, 19 August 1777, the succession devolved upon her younger sister, the Hon. Elizabeth Ross, who had married, 7 July 1755, John, third Earl of Glasgow.6 The present Earl of Glasgow thus represents, in the female line, the ancient house of Melville of Melville. There is a persistent tradition in the family of the Melvilles of Raith, who are the ancestors of the present holder of the title of Melville, that the founder of their house was a Stephen Melville. The dates of the tradition do not fit the actual facts, but there is authentic evidence that a Stephen Melville actually flourished a few genera- tions earlier than the date assigned to him by tradition, and was in relationship, more or less close, with the family of the lords of Melville. Between the years 1233 and 1249 Stephen Melville was witness, along with William Melville and others, to a charter affecting Kilbucho in Peebles- shire,7 and about the same time he witnessed charters granted by William Lysurs, laird of Gorton, to Thomas of Temple, son of William, Lord of Melville, and to his three daughters.8 At a later date he received from William Lysurs a grant to himself in feu-farm of these same lands with others.9 His association with the Melvilles of that Ilk in these transactions indicates a probability of relation- ship to the family, and if this be the case, it seems likely he was a younger son of Sir Richard, and thus a brother of William Melville of that Ilk, and an uncle of Thomas, * of 1 Retour, ut supra. 2 The Melvilles, i. 21. 3 Ada Dom. Cone., 13. * The Melvilles, i. 22. 5 Ibid. Cf. Beg. Mag. Sig., 27 September 1490. 0 Supra, iv. 215. 7 Reg. Episc. Glasg., i. 128. 8 Reg. de Neubotle, 301-304. 9 Ibid., 303, 304. VOL. VI. F 82 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE Haddington 'or 'of Temple,' as he is variously designed.1 He left a son, WALTER, who inherited the lands acquired by his father, and disponed them soon after to Sir William of St. Glair.2 Walter may have been the father of JOHN MELVILLE, who lived in the time of King Robert the Bruce, and resigned in his hands the lands of Cap- roneston in Peeblesshire, in favour of his son Walter Melville and Margaret, daughter of John Ayr, his wife. WALTER MELVILLE also surrendered these lands in the hands of the same King for a regrant in favour of himself and his wife, and their issue and other heirs, which was confirmed on 5 July ,1365 by David n., after the deaths of John and Walter Melville.3 Walter Melville and Margaret Ayr may thus have been the immediate progenitors of the first known and authenticated Laird of Raith. JOHN MELVILLE of Raith, who is first named in an un- dated charter granted to him by William Scott, laird of Balwearie, of the lands of Pitscottie, with a third part of the lands of Callange, which from the names of the wit- nesses, may be assigned to the year 1400.4 This grant of Pitscottie was confirmed by Robert, Duke of Albany, as Earl of Fife, 3 August 1411.s The next reference to John Melville of Raith is in a charter to his son John, who, on 31 May 1412, on his marriage with Marjory Scot of Bal- wearie, received the lands of Durachmure from his father- in-law.6 The elder Melville was probably dead before 1427, for it seems to be his son who, on 12 June 1427, entered into an agreement with Sir John Wemyss as to a mill dam from Loch Gelly to Melville's mill of Pitconmark.7 In the MS. pedigrees of the family he is said to have married a daughter of Stewart of Lorn, but of this no proof has been found. He left a son — 1 The Melvilles, i. 25. 2 Reg. de Neubotle, 304, 305. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig. 4 The Melvilles, iii. 17. s Ibid., 18. 6 Ibid., 18 19. 7 Wemyss Charter- chest. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 83 SIR JOHN, who is first named in the charter of 31 May 1412, and later, in the agreement with Sir John Wemyss of Reres of 1427, both already cited. He was a knight in 1454, being described as Sir John Melville, Knight, in a writ of that date.1 He must have died before August 1463, when his son appears to have been in possession of the family estates.2 He married Marjory, daughter of William Scott of Bal- wearie,3 and by her had at least two children : — 1. WILLIAM, who succeeded, and 2. Elizabeth, married, before 24 June 1436, to David Boswell of Balgregie, afterwards of Balmuto.4 On 4 November 1458 David Boswell, their son and heir, received a charter of Glassmonth, Balmuto, and other lands, on his father's resignation.5 WILLIAM MELVILLE, of Raith, witnessed a charter by George Abernethy of Balglaly Wester to John Boswell of Bowhill on 2 August 1463,6 and being there designed 'of Raith,' he must have succeeded his father before that date. On 26 May 1474 he received from Henry, Abbot of Dun- fermline, a charter to himself and his heirs of the lands of Raith, the yearly rental of which was fixed at £5 Scots.7 On 22 October 1490, he and his eldest son bound themselves before the Lords of Council to submit certain questions connected with the disposal of the family estates to the decision of the Earl of Argyll, then Chancellor, the Earl of Bothwell, and Lord Home.8 In the same year he appears as tutor to John Bonar, the young Laird of Rossie, whose sister his eldest son had married.9 It was probably under an award by the arbiters above-mentioned that William Melville entered into an obligation to resign his lands and deliver goods to the value of £1000 Scots to his eldest son. The bond not having been satisfied, the son thereupon brought an action against his father for fulfilment of these obligations before the Lords of Council. The dispute was settled in the following May, William Melville then making a formal resignation of all his lands in favour of his son.10 1 The Melvilles, iii. 22, 23. 2 The Douglas Book, iii. 95. 3 The Melvilles. iii. 17. * Ibid., i. 28. 5 Reg. Mag. Sig. 6 The Douglas Book, iii. 95. 7 The Melvilles, iii. 47-49. * Ada Dom. Cone., 154. 9 Ibid., 157, 158. 10 The Melvilles, i. 30 84 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE In June 1493 William Melville again submitted to an arbi- tration, this time between himself and his two younger sons, William and Andrew, on the one side, and his eldest son, John, on the other, the latter having objected to the alienation by his father of certain lands in favour of the two younger sons.1 The award is not recorded. John, the eldest son, died within a year of the date mentioned, but litigation continued with his widow, Janet Bonar. The question in dispute was decided against the elder William.2 On 28 February 1497-98, William Melville appears as one of the parties to a marriage-contract between his daughter Elizabeth or Elspet and John Gourlay, younger of Lam- lethan.3 He may have been dead before 29 October 1502, when his grandson, Sir John Melville, was retoured heir of his father, the deceased John Melville, in the family estates.4 He is said to have been twice married, the name of his first wife being given as Margaret Douglas, daughter of Douglas of Longniddry ; but the only wife of whom there is authentic record is Euphemia Lundie, daughter of Sir Robert Lundie of Balgonie. She survived him, and about a year later engaged in a dispute with her husband's grand- son, John Melville, about the payment of her terce, which was finally referred to the judgment of the Lords of Council,5 and on 20 April 1506 she granted to him, now Sir John Melville, a lease of her lands of Feddinch ; he on his part undertaking that his mother, Janet Bonar, should renounce her claim against his grandmother and her sons, David and Andrew Melville, for the goods taken by them from the house of Raith and elsewhere during their occupation.6 By his wife Euphemia Lundie William Melville had issue : — 1. JOHN, younger of Raith, of whom later. 2. William, whose name frequently appears in disputes between his father and elder brother. He appar- ently received from his father the lands of Pitscottie and Dura, and on 11 February 1492-93 he was one of 1 Ada Audit., 176. 2 ActaDom. Cone., 339. 3 The Melvilles, iii. 51-53. 4 Ibid., 53, 54. 6 Decree 23 March 15034, Robertson's Becord of Parlia- ment, 500, 501. 6 The Melvilles, iii. 55. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 85 several defenders in an action of spoliation at the instance of various tenants of these lands.1 He was one of the parties to his sister's marriage-contract in 1498, and seems to have survived until the year 1513.2 3. Andrew, who is also mentioned in the litigation between his father and brother, and who was ejected by the latter from possession of the lands of Raith. In 1506, he, with his brother David and their mother Euphemia Lundie, were formally relieved of a claim by Janet Bonar, his eldest brother's wife, the pro- prietrix of Raith, for goods taken from the house.3 Prom a discharge granted to his nephew for £40, dated 22 March 1515-16, it is evident he had settled in Leith,4 but nothing further has been discovered regarding him.5 4. David, named along with his brother Andrew in a dis- charge granted by their mother to Sir John Melville.6 5. Elizabeth or Elspet, who married John Gourlay, younger of Lamlethan.7 6. Margaret, who, according to the family pedigrees, married James Bonar of Rossie, but no conclusive evidence of this has been found.8 7. Gelis, married to Henry Pitcairn of Drongy,9 and had issue John Pitcairn of Pitlour,10 entered as her heir in a tenement in Edinburgh 6 February 1550-51. JOHN MELVILLE, younger of Raith, was infeft in the family estates on his father's resignation, on 4 November 1490," and on 20 May 1491, following upon an action brought against his father before the Lords of Council, the elder Melville made another and formal resignation in favour of his son.12 At the time of his death, which occurred before 14 June 1494, he was engaged in another litigation with his father.13 He married Janet Bonar, daughter of William 14 Bonar of 1 Acta Dom. Cone., 280. 2 The Melvilles, i. 34. 3 V. supra. * The Melvilles, Hi. 60. 6 Ibid., i. 34. 6 Ibid. * Ibid., 35. 8 Ibid. 9 Reg. Mag. Sig., 21 August 1505. 10 Protocol Book of A. King, Edin. Council Chambers, ii. 87. " Writ in Melville Charter-chest. 12 Ibid. 13 Acta Dom. Cone., 324, 325, 352, 353. »* Acta Dom. Cone., xvi. f. 62. 86 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE Rossie, who survived him and was alive in 1506,1 and by her had issue : — 1. JOHN, who succeeded. 2. David, who became a burgess of Edinburgh, and left a son, Walter.2 SIR JOHN MELVILLE, fourth of Raith, was retoured heir to his father in the lands of Raith, Pitconmark, and Torbain on 29 October 1502, his grandfather William Melville being then presumably dead.3 In the discharge dated 20 April 1506 by Euphemia Lundie, relict of William Melville, above referred to,4 John Melville is designed Knight, which may have been one of the numerous dignities bestowed at the time of the marriage of King James iv. with the Princess Margaret of England on 11 August 1503.5 On 6 February 1509-10, Sir William Scott of Balwearie granted an obliga- tion to Sir John Melville discharging payment of the sum of 200 merks, due by the latter under a previous bond, if Sir William should fail in the * keping of favour and kind- ness in tym to cum to the said Johne.' ' Indications of the disturbed condition of Scotland at this time are furnished by the existence of a bond of friendship and mutual defence entered into by Sir John Melville, David Wemyss of Wemyss, John Moultray of Markinch, and other neigh- bouring lairds at Scone, and dated 13 February 1520-21 ,7 and by these bonds of manrent, dated respectively 9 July and 30 August 1522, by Robert Orrock, son of James Orrock of that Ilk, Alexander Orrock of Silliebalbie, and David Bos well of Glasmonth, who undertake, in return for Sir John's aid and protection, to -assist him with their advice, and with armed force if necessary.8 In October 1526 Sir John Melville received the appointment of Master of Artillery for life.9 In December of the same year he joined John, Earl of Lennox, in his attempt to free King James v. from the control of the Douglases. On the defeat and death of Lennox, ' all the Lords and Earles of the este and north parts ' who had joined Lennox fell into the hands of the Earl of Angus and his brother George Douglas, 1 Melville Charter-chest, ut supra. 2 The Melvilles, i. 37. 3 Ibid., 38. * Page 84 supra. 6 The Melvilles, i. 38. 6 Ibid. 7 Ibid. 8 Ibid. 9 Hey. Sec. Sig. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 87 * to raunsom and fyne at their pleasyr.1 What penalty was inflicted in Melville's case is not known, but on 14 August 1527 a remission was signed in favour of Sir John, his son- in-law James Kirkcaldy of Grange, David Wemyss of Wemyss, and others, for their offence of taking up arms against the King, Angus being then Chancellor of Scotland.2 Two years later, on 26 July 1529, Sir John and Kirk- caldy of Grange received a similar remission — this time, however, for having given treasonable help to the Douglases, who were then in exile.3 As the result of a family feud of long standing between the Melvilles and the family of Moultray of Markinch, several serious frays took place about this time, and Melville himself received several dangerous wounds.4 The quarrel had become so bitter and protracted that King James v. deemed it desirable to intervene. He therefore came to Oupar-in-Fife, where the parties appeared before him. On 29 January 1533-34, the King issued instructions in the form of a letter directing the Lords of Council and Session who had been com- missioned to decide the case to * make an gude end of the affair,' that the parties might stand 'in concord eftyrwart.' This object seems to have been achieved, for there is no evidence of further trouble between the two families.5 Sir John Melville accompanied King James v. in his expedition to the Borders in 1527,6 and in the expedition of 1533, when the King marched southwards with the unful- filled intention of invading England.7 In July 1537, Sir John formed one of the jury in the trials of John, Master of Forbes, Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis and her son Lord Glamis, on a charge of conspiring against the life of the King,8 and in August 1540 he sat as one of the jury who tried and convicted Sir James Hamilton of Finnart of another attempt on the King's life.9 It was apparently in or before the year 1540 that King James v. conferred upon Melville the important office of Captain of the Castle of Dunbar, where he guarded the Highland chiefs whom the King brought back as hostages from his expedition to the 1 Letter, Sir C. Dacre to Lord Dacre, 2 December 1526; Pinkerton, ii. 478. 2 The Melvilles, iii. 66. 3 Ibid., 48. 4 Ibid., i. 43-48. 6 Ibid., 49, 50. 6 Ibid., 50. 7 State Papers, Henry VIII., iv. 637. 8 Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, i. 184, 190, 199. 9 Acta Part. Scot., ii. 602. 88 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE Isles in that year.1 Sir John enjoyed a considerable degree of royal favour, which was apparently continued until the King's death on 16 December 1542, and he had influential friends amongst those in the higher offices of State and in attendance at the Court.2 Having participated in the first stirrings of the Reformation movement in Scotland, he speedily became obnoxious to the clergy, and at the insti- gation of Cardinal Beaton, the names of Sir John Melville, Kirkcaldy of Grange, and other Fifeshire gentlemen were included in a list of noblemen, gentlemen, and burgesses accused of heretical opinions which was presented to the King about July 1540, with the request that the estates of all those named should be forfeited. The list was rejected at that time,3 but it is said that in October 1542 the King began to entertain the proposal. Owing to the King's death and the eventual submi'ssion of Cardinal Beaton to Arran's authority, the confiscation of Sir John's lands, and of those others enumerated in the list referred to, was not at this time effected.4 It has been alleged that a strong enmity existed on the part of the Cardinal against Sir John Mel- ville,5 but no charge of complicity in the prelate's murder was brought against Sir John.6 On 1 June 1548, the Earl of Arran, Regent of the kingdom, wrote a letter to Mel- ville, authorising him to write to England and make arrangements for the release of James, Lord Fleming, from captivity, whom his father, Malcolm, Lord Fleming, had left in the hands of the Government in England as a hostage after the rout of Sol way Moss.7 Within six months of the date of the Regent's letter, Sir John Melville was accused of treason. The principal evidence against him was a letter he admitted he had written to his natural son John Melville in England, in which he informed his son of the chief military events then taking place in Scotland, ex- pressed his sympathy with the English invading army, and suggested how intelligence might be gained for Somerset.8 He was arrested some time before 3 December 1548,9 and on the 13th of that month he was found guilty of the 1 Mem. of Sir James Melville, Bann. Club ed., 12. 2 Calderwood, i. 158 ; Sadler, i. 19 ; The Melmlles, ii. 2. s Knox's Hist., Laing's ed., i. 82 ; Calderwood, i. 146, 147. 4 The Melmlles, i. 58. 6 Crawfurd's Peerage, 324, 325. 6 Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 447. 7 The Melvilles, iii. 86. 8 Ibid., 86-90, 102-108. 9 Memoirs, Bannatyne Club. MELVILLE, EARLS OP LEVEN AND MELVILLE 89 charges brought against him. He was executed on the same day, and on the 14th all his lands and goods were con- fiscated to the Crown. By a charter dated 7 January 1549- 50, Robert Carnegie of Kinnaird received Murdocairnie.1 Pitscottie and Dura passed to Mr. William Scott, son of Sir William Scott of Balwearie, the superior.2 The largest part of the estates, consisting of Raith, Pitconmark, and Torbain, went to David Hamilton, third son of the Regent . Arran.3 In 1563 Sir John's widow, Helen Napier, and her elder children, petitioned the Government to rescind the condemnation and forfeiture, mainly on the ground that Sir John had been deceived and concussed into the admission that the letter founded upon at the trial was written by him.4 The petition was granted, but the Act of Parlia- ment giving effect to it proceeds merely on the technical ground that the judges, not having been specially commis- sioned, were incompetent to try the case.5 Sir John Melville married, first, about July 1503, a daughter of Sir John Wemyss of that Ilk;6 and secondly, about 1525, Helen Napier, stated by genealogists to have been the daughter of Sir Alexander Napier of Merchiston, but in a family memorandum, dated 1575, said to have been his niece, and her mother a daughter of the Laird of Craig- millar." This statement however does not agree with the chronology of the Napier family [see that title], and it is probable that the memorandum is incorrect. Helen Napier survived her husband, and in 1569 obtained from David Hamilton, son of the Regent, a charter to herself and her son John of the lands of the Abthanery of Kinghorn Easter, now Abden, of which she was still in possession in May 1584, but she probably died about 1588.8 According to a memorandum preserved in the family Sir John Melville had by his first wife sons and daughters, but the sons died v.p. By his second wife he is said, on the same authority, to have had nine sons, of whom several are said to have died young, and two daughters : 9 — 1. William, who predeceased his father, was apparently a son by the first marriage.10 In July 1544, his father 1 Reg. Mag. Sig. 2 The Melvilles, i. 75. 3 Reg. de Dunferm., 396; The Melvilles, iii. 90. 4 The Melvilles, i. 70, 71. 5 Acta Parl. Scot. ; The Mel- villes, Hi. 102-8. 6 Wemyss Book, i. 101. 7 The Melvilles, i. 77. 8 Ibid., 78, 446. 9 Ibid., 78. w Ibid., 79. 90 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE settled upon him and his wife part of the lands of Pitconmark.1 He married, 3 April 1541, Margaret Douglas, sister of Robert Douglas of Loclileven.2 He seems to have died about 1547, no reference to him having been found after 5 March of that year, when he was a member of an assize in an action of appris- ing.3 He left no surviving issue. His widow was still alive in May 1584.4 2. JOHN, the eldest son by the second wife, who succeeded. 3. Sir Robert of Murdocairnie, created first LORD MELVILLE, of whom later. 4. Sir James of Hallhill, born in 1535.5 He was author of the well-known Memoirs of His own Life. At the age of fourteen he was sent to France by Mary of Guise as a page of honour to the young Queen of Scotland. In May 1553 he entered the service of the Constable, under whom he saw considerable military service.6 At the skirmish of St. Quentin in August 1557, he was wounded and nearly taken prisoner.7 In 1559 he was sent by Henry u. of France on a special mission to Scotland, which he successfully accomplished. In 1564, having accepted an invita- tion to return to Scotland, he entered the Queen's service, who, on 20 July 1564, gave him a pension of £100 Scots for life,8 and was sent by her to England later in the same year on an important mission to Queen Elizabeth.9 On 22 January 1564-65 he had a Crown charter of the lands of Drumcorse in Linlith- gowshire,10 and on 10 April 1566 he received from Darnley and the Queen, for life, a pension of 500 merks Scots yearly." He attended the marriage of Mary with Bothwell on 15 May 1567, and in August of the same year he was commissioned to meet the Earl of Moray, on his return from France, at Berwick, and offer him the Regency.12 On the death of Mr. Henry Balnaves of Hallhill, in February 1570- 71, James Melville, whom the former had adopted 1 Reg. de Dunferm., 562. 2 The Melvilles, i. 79. 3 Ada. Dom. Cone., xxii. £. 152. * The Melvilles, i. 79. 6 Ibid., 133. 6 Ibid., 134. T Ibid. 8 Reg. Sec. Sig., xxxii. £. 84 ; Acta Parl. Scot., iii. 246. 9 The Melvilles, i. 137. 10 Reg. Mag. Sig. ll Reg. Sec. Sig., xxxiv. 63. 12 The Melvilles, i. 141, 142. 91 as his son, inherited from him his whole estate,1 and during the government of the Regent Morton Melville retired into private life.2 He was made a privy councillor by James vi.,3 who, in 1588, desired that he should be one of the two ambassadors to Denmark to make arrangements for the marriage with the Princess Anna, second daughter of Fred- erick ii., King of Denmark. But Melville would not accept the honour.4 He was appointed Gentleman of the Queen's Chamber, and was knighted on the occasion of her coronation on 17 May 1590.5 Sir James was in the Palace of Holyrood on the night of 27 December 1591, when the Earl of Bothwell attempted to get possession of the King's person, and was also with the King at Falkland when Bothwell made his second similar attempt on 28 June 1592.6 In July 1599 he was one of a commis- sion for raising men for military service,7 and on 14 July 1600 he was sworn a member of the Privy Council, as reconstituted in 1598.8 He declined to accompany the Court to London when King James departed from Scotland in 1603.9 He died 13 Novem- ber 1617, aged eighty-two.10 He married Christine Boswell,11 by whom he had, so far as known, (1) James, of Hallhill, who was retoured heir to his father in the lands of Prinlaws, U April 1618. 12 On 22 July 1636 he was retoured heir of line to his cousin Robert, second Lord Melville, in the lands of Nethergrange, the castle and mill of Burntisland and other lands, and on 12 April 1653 in the barony of Burntisland.13 The date of his death has not been ascertained. He married, first, Catherine, third daughter of Alexander Colville, Commendator of Culross. They were married shortly after 5 September 1612, and she died 10 June 1614, leaving issue.14 He married, secondly, Catherine Learmonth, by whom also he had issue : — i. Sir James, of Hallhill and Burntisland, son of the first marriage, who was a member of various Com- mittees of Parliament between 1644 and 1661. 15 He 1 Melville Charter-chest. 2 The Melvilles, i. 147. 3 Ibid., 149. * Ibid., 155. 6 Calderwood, v. 95. 6 The Melvilles, i. 156, 158. * Acta Parl. Scot., iv. 156, 188. 8 Beg. Privy Council, vi. 130. 9 The Melvilles, i. 160. 10 Ibid., 161. u Reg. Mag. Sig., 24 February 1575-76. 12 Fife Retours, 275. 13 Ibid., 539. i* Protocol Book of James Primrose, ff. 104-106 ; St. Andrews Tests., 19 August 1614. 16 Acta Parl. Scot., vi. passim, and vii. 206. 92 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE sold the barony of Burntisland to General James Wemyss, and after his death Hallhill was adjudged to George, Lord Melville, in payment of debt. He died in 1664. ! He married Margaret Farquhar, by whom he had at least two sons — (i) James, who lost Hallhill by adjudication in 1675,2 and who seems to have died s.p. before 1714. (ii) Gilbert, successively minister of Arngask and Glendevon, but who demitted office in 1709.3 In 1714 he was retoured heir-special to his father and uncle Robert, in part of Wester Kinghorn.4 ii. Robert, son of the second marriage, who seems to have died s.p., his nephew being retoured heir to him in 1714.6 iii. John, son to James Melville of Hallhill, apprenticed 23 February 1642 to John Foulis, apothecary, Edin- burgh, cancelled 25 October 1643.6 iv. William, son to James Melville of Hallhill, appren- ticed, 13 October 1652, to Andrew Balfour, merchant, Edinburgh.7 v. Anna, a daughter of the first marriage. (2) Robert, named in the will of the second Lord Melville as legatee of 1000 merks. He was minister of the parish of Simprin, in Berwickshire, from 1641 to 1652. He died about the latter date, leaving a widow Catherine Melville, a son John, apprenticed on 28 June 1648 to Robert Aitchison, merchant, Edinburgh,8 and daughter Margaret.9 (3) Elizabeth, married to John Colville, Commendator of Culross, ancestor of the Lords Colville of Culross.10 She was remark- able for her piety and intellectual accomplishments.11 (4) Margaret, married (contract 27 December 1589) to Sir Andrew Balfour of Montquhany, and she was still his wife in 1606.12 5. David of Newmill. His name first appears as a witness to contracts between his brothers John and Robert in 1561 and 1563.13 He took the side of Queen Mary, and joined Sir William Kirkcaldy of Grange in the Castle of Edinburgh in 1570. He was appointed a captain in the Queen's forces 5 June 1571, and took part in various engagements.14 In 1571, with his 1 The Melvilles, i. 162. 2 Melville Charter-chest. 3 Fasti Eccles. Scot., ii. 626, 767. 4 Index to Serv. of Heirs, 1710-1719, p. 18. 6 The Melvilles, i. 447. 6 Reg. of Apprentices, 125. "' Ibid. Perhaps this "William was of a later generation. 8 Ibid. 9 Fasti Eccles. Scot., ii. 448, 449. 10 The Melvilles, i. 161 ; supra, ii. 550. n Ibid. 12 Reg. Mag. Sig., 3 January 1605 and 24 June 1606. Fraser and others make her the second wife of Sir John Scott of Scotstarvit, but Sir John's wife was named Elizabeth Melville. Reg. Mag. Sig., 6 May 1647, and other references in same volume. 13 Melville Charter-chest; Reg. Mag. Sig. H Diurnal of Occurrents, 218, 238, 257. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 93 brothers Robert and Andrew, he suffered forfeiture by Parliament,1 but was reinstated in 1579.2 Before 1584 he acquired the lands of Newmill.3 He also held the small estate of Prinlaws in the parish of Leslie, in Fifeshire.4 and in 1581 he had a charter of the mills of Dairsie.5 He died in October 1594. He married (contract 12 September 1589) Margaret Douglas, sister of Robert Douglas of Annaquhroche,6 by whom he left no issue,7 for in January 1595 his next elder brother, Sir James Melville of Hallhill, and in March 1596 his eldest brother, John Melville of Raith, were retoured as his heirs.8 6. Walter, named with his brother David as a witness in 1561 and 1563.9 He is referred by his brother Sir James in his Memoirs as one of the gentlemen of the Earl of Moray's chamber, and he witnessed, on 17 January 1564-65, a charter by that Earl.10 He continued in Moray's service when Regent, and seems to have been at the battle of Langside. He is said to have died young.11 7. Sir Andrew of Garvock, He entered the personal service of Queen Mary, and in February 1566-67, three days after the murder of Darnley, she granted to him, as her 'lovit servitour,' a yearly pension of £200 Scots.12 He and his brother Robert were taken prisoners at the battle of Langside, but were leniently treated, three of their brothers being in the victorious army.13 In 1570 he joined his nephew, Kirkcaldy of Grange, in the Oastle of Edinburgh, and in 1571 was forfeited by the Parliament held by the Regent Lennox at Stirling.14 After the surrender of Edin- burgh Oastle in May 1573, Melville went to England, became Master of the Household to Queen Mary, attended her during her trial on 14 October 1586, 1 The Melvilles, i. 79. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., iii. 186. 3 Marriage-contract between his nephew, Robert Melville, younger of Murdocairnie, and Margaret Ker of Ferniehirst, 24 and 28 October 1584, Melville Charter- chest. 4 P. C. Reg., iv. 133, 460, 461. 6 Beg. Mag. Sig., 15 February 1580- 81. 6 Reg. o/ .Deeds, xxxvi. f. 101. * The Melvilles, i. 80. 8 Special Retours, Fife, 1519, 1523. 9 Melville Charter-chest, ut supra. 10 Reg. Mag. Sig. 11 The Melvilles, i. 81. 12 Reg. Sec. Sig., xxxvi. f. iii. 13 Report of battle of Langside, State Paper Office ; Tytler, vi. 470, 471. u Memoirs, 226 ; Calderwood, iii. 137. 94 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE and took an affecting farewell of her on the morning of her execution.1 He accompanied the Queen's remains to Peterborough Cathedral in August 1587, and attended the funeral pageant.2 He was appointed one of the Masters of the Household to James VIM and probably held that office before 10 September 1588, when the King gave him a yearly pension of 400 merks, ratified by Parliament 5 June 1592.3 In 1591, during an attack on the Palace of Holyrood by Bothwell, he brought a number of armed citizens to the King's rescue.4 Before 1604 he received the honour of knighthood, but did not accompany the King to England. He retired to his estate of Garvock, in the parish of Dunfermline, and purchased part of an adjoining property in South Fod.5 In 1611 King James granted him a further pension of £1200 Scots,6 which, however, appears to have been very irregularly paid.7 When the King visited Scotland in 1617, Melville was again proposed as one of the Masters of the Household, but died in May 1617.8 He married, first, Jane Kennedy, one of Queen Mary's ladies-in-waiting, who was drowned in 1589 in crossing the Firth of Forth 9 on her way to Court, whither she had been summoned by the King to attend upon Queen Anna.10 He married, secondly, Elizabeth Hamilton, who survived him, and was alive in 1626.11 By his second wife he had issue : — (1) Sir George, Under-Master of the Household to King Charles n. in 1650 and 1651. 12 He married and had issue.13 (2) William, styled brother-german of George in a charter by the latter on 18 March 1623." (3) Henry, named as a legatee in the will of Robert, second Lord Melville.16 8. William, Commendator of Tongland. In November 1 Tytler, vii. 74, 116. 2 TJie Melvilles, i. 164. 3 Acta Parl. Scot., iii. 602 ; iv. 94, 156. « Memoirs, 398. & The Melvilles, i. 165. 6 Royal Letters, 1601-1616, H.M. Reg. Ho. 7 Reg. of Royal Letters, i. 96. 8 The Melvilles, i. 167 ; Canongate Burial Reg. 9 Apparently on 10 September 1589, in ' Johnne Kempis boit,' run down by a ship called the St. Michael. See official account Reg. Sec. Sig., Ix. f. 96, 7 November 1589. 10 The Melvilles, i. 167. » Ibid. n Ibid. ™ Ibid., ii. 232-234. " Laing Charters, No. 1922. 15 The Melvilles, i. 167. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 95 1583 he was in the service of the Prince of Orange.1 About the year 1587 he was appointed a Lord of Session, and in 1588 was given the spirituality of the abbacy of Tongland in Galloway,2 having been appointed Ooramendator some time previously,3 pro- bably as a reward for going to France to obtain for King James vi. information regarding the Princess of Navarre, whom he contemplated marrying. Eventually the King having decided to marry the Princess of Denmark, William Melville was com- missioned to accompany his brother"Sir James to that country to conclude arrangements for the marriage. But the latter declined to undertake the mission, and it was discharged by the Earl Marischal.4 The Com- mendator was admitted a member of the Privy Council 4 June 1607.5 He died 30 October 1613.6 He married, before July 1594, Anna Lindsay, widow of James Murray of Pardewis,7 by whom he had a son Frederick and a daughter.8 9. Janet, married to James Kirkcaldy of Grange, and had issue. 10. Katherine, who obtained on 1 July 1549, on her father's forfeiture, a charter of Shawmill from David Hamilton, son of the Governor of Arran. She was married, first, to Robert White of Maw, without issue ; secondly, to John Brown of Fordell, by whom she had a son John, who was retoured her heir 18 February 1558-59.9 11. Joneta or Janet, married (contract 25 March 1564 10) to James Johnstone of Elphinstone. They had issue two sons, James and Robert.11 She died September 1603.12 Sir John had also an illegitimate son John Melville, who wa.s one of the conspirators against Cardinal Beaton, and whose correspondence with his father furnished the chief evidence upon which the latter was convicted and executed. 1 Thorpe's Cat. State Papers, i. 461. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., iv. 307, 308. 3 The Melvilles, i. 168. 4 Memoirs, 364-366, 368. & P. C. Beg., vii. 380. 6 Edin. Tests., 24 May and 17 June 1614. i Vol. i. of this work, 464. 8 The Melvilles, i. 171 ; Edin. Tests., 17 June 1614. 9 The Melvilles, i. 81, 447; Browns of Fordell, 16, 17. 10 Acts and Decreets, xlv. 403. u Reg. Mag. Sig. ; Memoirs, Bannatyne Club, 155. 12 The Melvilles, i. 81. 96 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE I. SIR ROBERT MELVILLE of Murdochcairnie, first Lord Melville, third son of Sir John Melville, fourth of Raith, was born probably about 1527. In 1555 he appears in receipt of a sum of £50 Scots, paid by the special command of Mary of Guise, and later of a pension of £150 Scots yearly. He is designed ' servand to the quenis grace,' although it is not clear what post he held.1 On 10 October 1559 he received from King Francis n. and Mary Queen of Scots a grant of annualrents over the lands of Hilton of Rosyth,2 which had belonged to his father. On 14 February 1563-64, their father's forfeiture having been recalled the year before, he received from his elder brother, John, a charter of the lands of Mur- docairnie in Fife.3 In October 1559 Sir Robert left the service of the queen-regent for that of the Protestant party. He later joined those who were opposed to Queen Mary's marriage with Darnley, but he was eventually pardoned by the Queen, and sent to the Court of England as her resident ambassador.4 In May 1567 he was living at his own house of Murdocairnie, having apparently withdrawn from Court.5 He was recalled from his retirement to be the bearer of Queen Mary's letter to Queen Elizabeth respecting her marriage with Bothwell. He had several interviews with Queen Mary during her captivity in Lochleven Castle, at the first of which he delivered his message from Queen Elizabeth condemning the marriage.8 On 30 September 1567, Drury wrote to Cecil that ' Robert Melville has of ten recourse to the Queen. . . . She calls now and then for some money, a small portion Robert Melville from the Regent brings unto her.' ' On 18 September 1567 he received sasine of the office of Keeper of Linlithgow Palace,8 which had been bestowed by Queen Mary on 15 February 1566-67. After the escape of the Queen from Lochleven, she revoked the deeds signed by her when a prisoner, and Melville, who had been present at the signing of these writs, gave his written testimony upon the document containing the revocation.9 He was taken prisoner after the defeat of the Queen's army at Langside, 1 Treasurer's Accounts, 1555; Laing's Knox, ii. 361 note. 2 Melville Charter-chest. 3 Ibid. ; Reg. Mag. Sig. 4 Keith's Hist., 325, App. 119 ; Thorpe's Cal., i. 228. 6 The Melvilles, i. 88. 6 Ibid., i. 91. 7 Cal. State Papers, Foreign. 8 The Melvilles, iii. 116 note. 9 Eraser's Earls of Had- dington, i. 268-277 ; The Lennox, ii. 437-447. 97 but was soon probably released through the influence of his brother and other friends.1 He adhered closely to the Queen, and in May 1571 he was with Kirkcaldy and Lethington in Edinburgh Oastle.2 On 30 August 1571, his estates, which comprised, besides Murdocairnie, the tower and fortalice of Burntisland, and the port customs there, were forfeited by the Regent.3 Upon the surrender of Queen Mary's partisans in Edinburgh Oastle in May 1573, Melville, with others, was delivered into the custody of the Regent Morton; but owing to Queen Elizabeth's special intervention, his life was spared, and although for a time imprisoned, he was finally set at liberty a year later. On 18 August 1574 he writes from his own house in Fife expressing his gratitude to Queen Elizabeth for his life and liberty.4 For the next few years he seems to have lived in retirement, and in November 1579 his forfeited estates were restored to him.5 On 20 October 1581 he was knighted,6 and on 13 April 1582 he was appointed clerk and deputy to the Earl of Gowrie, then Treasurer of Scotland.7 In November 1582 and July 1583 Melville's previous purchase from the Duke of Lennox of the lands of Woodfield and the Moss of Grangemyre in the barony of Aberdour, Fife, was confirmed by royal charter.8 On 29 August 1583 he was made a member of the Privy Council,9 and there seems no doubt that he became a favourite of King James. On 10 May 1586 he and his son Robert re- ceived from Patrick, Master of Gray, ratification of a grant of the house of Abbotshall, and the erection of Burntisland into a free port,10 and about the same time he obtained a charter of the lands of Garvock in Fife, and was infeft in them on 25 November 1584.11 Immediately after the trial and condemnation of Queen Mary, he accompanied the Master of Gray to England to remonstrate with Queen Elizabeth, and they returned to Scotland on 7 February 1587, the day before the Queen's execution. For his ser- vices on this mission Melville received a royal grant of the marriage of Kennedy of Ardmillan, valued at £1000.12 He was deputed to act as Chancellor when King James left 1 The Melvilles, i. 94. 2 Calderwood, viii. 72, 73. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig. 4 Thorpe's Col., iii. 386. 5 Acta Parl. Scot., viii. 186. ° Marjoribanks, Annals, 40. T P. C. Reg., iii. 478-480. 8 Beg. Mag. Sig. 9 P. C. Reg., iii. 594. w Melville Charter-chest. " The Melvilles, i. 111. l2 Ibid., 112. VOL. VI. G 98 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE Scotland for Denmark in October 1589,1 and on the King's return was appointed a member of the Commission for maintaining peace and order on the Borders. As treasurer- depute, he frequently had to advance large sums to the King,2 and probably it was to reimburse him for these heavy expenses that he received on 15 December 1590 a grant of the Grown casualties of ward and others from the lands and baronies of the deceased Lady Margaret Balfour of Burleigh during her son's minority, and also the casualty of his marriage.3 On 19 December 1592 Sir Robert bought from James Balfour, Oommendator of the Priory of Charter- house, near Perth, the manor and lands of Monimail, which, with additions, became the barony of Melville in Fife.4 Three days before the sitting of Parliament, which opened in May 1594, he was made an Extraordinary Lord of Session, and on 11 June following he was admitted to the bench.5 In the beginning of the year 1596 King James made certain changes in the administration, and Melville was deprived of his office as Treasurer-depute.6 In December 1600 he resigned his place in the Council in favour of his son, Sir Robert Melville of Burntisland.7 In February 1601 he retired from the bench, his son being appointed an Extra- ordinary Lord of Session in his place.8 In July 1603 his name appears as attending the Privy Council in London,9 but in February 1604 the King issued a warrant dispensing with his attendance at Council and Exchequer on account of his ' age, seiknes, and inflrmiteis.' 10 On 10 January 1606 he acted as one of the judicial assessors at the trial of those ministers who were accused of treason for holding a General Assembly at Aberdeen.11 He was appointed a member of the reconstructed Scottish Privy Council in 1610.12 In his private affairs he continued to receive marks of royal favour. On 20 February 1605 the King granted to him, and to his son, and son's wife, a remission of all rent or feu-farms payable by them to the Crown from the lands of Murdocairnie, which was confirmed 24 June 1609,13 and by patent dated 1 April 1616, Sir Robert was created a 1 P. C. Reg., iv. 429. 2 Ibid., iv. 470. 3 Melville Charter-chest. * Ibid. 6 Books of Sederunt, iv. f. 148. « Thorpe's Col., ii. 706, 707. 7 P. C. Reg., vi. 182. 8 Books of Sederunt, IV. ii. f. 303. 9 P. C. Reg., vi. 577, 578. 10 The Melvilles, ii. 12. " P. C. Reg., vi. pp. xxxiv, 5, 164. 12 The Melvilles, i. 123. 13 Ada Parl, Scot., iv. 455. MELVILLE, EARLS OP LEVEN AND MELVILLE 99 peer of Parliament by the title of LORD MELVILLE OF MONIMAIL as a recognition of the many and important offices which Sir Robert held during the reign of the King and his predecessors, and of the dignity and efficiency with which he had transacted the affairs committed to him.1 The Peerage was to Sir Robert for life, and after his death to his eldest son, Sir Robert Melville of Burntisland, and the lawful heirs-male of either of them. Lord Melville died in December 1621, aged ninety-four. He married, first, Katherine Adamson, said to be a daughter of William Adamson of Craigcrook, a burgess of Edinburgh, and widow of Richard Hopper, also a burgess there.2 He married, secondly, before 1593, Mary Leslie, daughter of Andrew, fifth Earl of Rothes. She died in March or April 1605. He married, thirdly, Jean, daughter of Robert Stewart, Earl of Orkney, and widow of Patrick Leslie, first Lord Lindores, who survived him and was alive in 1642.3 He had issue by his first wife only : — 1. SIR ROBERT, second Lord Melville. 2. Christian, married to Thomas Oliphant, portioner of Hilcairny, and had issue. Both were dead before March 1593. 4 II. SIR ROBERT MELVILLE of Burntisland, second Lord Melville of Monimail. He is first mentioned in his marriage- contract dated 24 and 28 October 1584.5 In 1586 he received from Patrick, Master of Gray, as Oommendator of Dunferm- line, a ratification of his infeftment in the house of Abbots- hall, which his father resigned in his favour.8 On 22 November 1587 he joined with his father in resigning the office of Keeper of the Palace of Linlithgow in favour of Sir Lewis Bellenden of Auchnoul.7 On 9 January 1587-88 the King granted to the two Melvilles, father and son, the lands of Wester and Over Kinghorn and others, with the castle of Burntisland, the whole being erected into a free barony and regality to be named Burntisland, and on 1 March fol- lowing the elder Melville resigned the lands, the barony being then bestowed on the son.8 On 18 May 1588 the 1 The Melvilles, iii. 152, 153. 2 Reg. of Deeds, viii. f. 284. She was alive 11 December 1586. 3 The Melvilles, i. 124. * Reg. of Deeds, xliii. f . 343. 6 The Melvilles, i. 124, 125. 6 Ibid., 125. 7 Reg. Mag. Sig. 8 Melville Charter-chest. 100 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE lands of South Ferry of Portincraig, now Ferryport-on Craig, with the town, port, and right of ferry, were granted to the elder Melville in liferent and to the son in fee.1 The whole of these grants were ratified to the younger Melville on 1 February 1591-92, and on 7 February 1591-92 a similar grant was made of the lands of Murdocairnie.2 Judgment was given by the Privy Council in favour of the Melvilles, in a claim made for the possession of the ferry and fishings connected with the lands of Ferryport, on 26 January 1593- 94, when the younger Melville is described as Sir Robert, but it does not appear when or why he received the rank of knighthood.3 In December 1600 he was admitted a member of the Scottish Privy Council on his father's retirement, and on 26 February 1601 he was appointed an Extraordinary Lord of Session, with the title of Lord Burntisland.4 He was one of those who followed King James to London after his accession to the English throne, and he acted as one of the Scottish Privy Councillors there.5 In August 1621 the Scottish Parliament ratified to Sir Robert and his wife a charter, dated 14 August 1613, confirm- ing a grant of the lands of Letham, mill of Monimail, lands of Monksmyre and Edensmoor, and erecting them into the barony of Monimail.6 In December 1621 he succeeded his father as second Lord Melville of Monimail,7 and he got a new charter of the barony 10 August 1627, to him and the heirs of his own body, whom failing, to his heir-male general or of conquest whom it should please him during his life to designate as his successor.8 It was through the exercise of this nomination that the next holder of the title succeeded, as will be afterwards shown. He was a member of the first Convention of Estates in Scotland after the accession of King Charles I., but in 1626 he was deprived of office. Yet, as a Privy Councillor, he attended a Convention of Estates in July 1630, when he was placed on an important committee appointed to deal with the fisheries of Scotland.9 In the Parliament held in Edinburgh in 1633, on the occasion of King Charles's coronation there, Lord Melville took a prominent part in opposing the King's ecclesiastical 1 Reg. Mag. Sig. z Ibid. 3 P. C. Reg., v. 124-126. 4 Ibid., vi. 182 ; Books of Sederunt, ut supra. 6 P. C. Reg., vi. 577, 582. 6 Acta Parl. Scot., iv. 661. ^ The Melvilles, i. 128. 8 Reg. Mag. Sig. 9 The Melvilles, i. 129, 130. MELVILLE, EARLS OP LEVEN AND MELVILLE 101 policy.1 He nevertheless continued to sit in the Privy Council, and was a member of a Special Commission appointed in February 1634 to audit the Treasurer's accounts.2 He died at Edinburgh 19 March 1635.3 At the time of his death his moveable estate was valued at the considerable sum of £28,571, 3s. Scots.4 He married, first (contract dated 24 and 28 October 1584), Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Ker of Ferniehirst.5 She died 24 May 1594.6 He married, secondly, before 1613,7 Jean Hamilton, daughter of Gavin Hamilton of Raploch, and widow of Robert, fifth Lord Ross.8 She died in May 1631. Lord Melville left no issue by either marriage. JOHN MELVILLE, fifth of Raith, elder brother of Sir Robert, first Lord Melville, and eldest son by his father's second wife, became entitled to the succession on the death of his half-brother William about 1547, but does not appear on record until about the year 1560.9 It is likely he had just reached his majority when his father was executed in Feb- ruary 1548.10 The family estates had immediately after that event been forfeited, as mentioned above, and David Hamilton was still proprietor of Raith in 1559.11 Following on the joint petition by John Melville, his mother, and his brother Robert, which came before Parliament on 4 June 1563, an Act was passed rescinding the forfeiture against Sir John, and restoring to his widow and children all the rights which they would have enjoyed had the sentence never been pronounced.12 On 10 November 1563 John Mel- ville of Raith was duly retoured lawful heir-general of his father, Sir John Melville. On 19 January 1565-66 a final decree giving John Melville full possession of the lands of Raith was pronounced by the Lords of Session, and he was duly infeft on 15 October 1566.13 He appears to have taken little part in public affairs, but he was present in the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in July 1567, and subscribed the articles dealing with the affairs of the Church.14 The family papers show that during the twenty 102 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE years following his acquisition of the estates he paid off a number of mortgages, some of which were loans inherited from his father.1 He died in March 1605. His personal estate was valued at £861, 10s. Scots, his liabilities, how- ever, exceeding that sum by £736, 8s. 8d. Scots.2 He married, first (contract 30 March 1563), Isobel Lundie, daughter of Walter Lundie, Laird of that Ilk ; 3 secondly (contract 30 March 1570),4 Margaret Bonar, daughter of William Bonar of Rossie, who died in October 1574 ;5 thirdly, Grisell Meldrum, of the family of Segie, who died in October 1597.6 By his first wife he had issue : — 1. JOHN, who succeeded. 2. Margaret, married in 1585 to James Wemyss of Bogie. She died October 1598, leaving issue.7 3. Isobel, married in 1588 to George Auchinleck, younger of Balmanno. She died 21 December 1593, at her jointure-house of Pitterichie, in the parish of Glen- bervie, apparently without issue.8 By his second wife he had : — 4. Mr. Thomas, named as a witness in various documents. He was named executor in the will of Robert, Lord Melville, in 1621. He had a gift of the marriage of his nephew John, Lord Melville, in 1626, who names him as a legatee in his will dated 8 May 1642. His name is, however, omitted in the confirmed testa- ment on 21 April 1643, so that he probably died between those two dates.9 5. Agnes, one of her mother's executors. Married (con- tract 31 October 1604 10) to John Ramsay of Prior- letham. She died, without issue, before 15 February 1609, when her brother Thomas and her sister Janet were appointed her executors." 6. Janet, also named as an executor of her mother.12 She was married to George Boiswell.13 7. Another daughter, referred to, but not named." 1 The Melvilles, i. 175. 2 Ibid., 183. 3 Reg. of Deeds, vi. f. 147. 4 Ibid., xi. f. 244. 6 The Melvilles, iii. 121. <* Ibid., 142. 7 Edin. Tests., 10 Novem- ber 1599. 8 Ibid., 15 December 1596. 9 The Melvilles, i. 183 ; iii. 172 ; Mel- ville Charter-chest. 10 Acts and Decreets, ccclii. f. 208. n Edin. Com. Decreets, at date. u The Melvilles, iii. 121. 13 Acts and Decreets, ccclii. f. 208. " The Melvilles, i. 180. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 103 By his third wife he had : — 8. James, who about 1588 received as a provision the lands of Feddinch.1 He died apparently between 1642 and 1652, leaving issue two daughters. 9. Alison, probably a daughter of the third marriage, provision being made for her and her three younger sisters in 1587.2 She was married to Mr. David Barclay of Touch, minister successively of Dailly, Maybole, Dumfries, Kilwinning, St. Andrews, and Dairsie. She died before 1627, no issue of the marriage being recorded.3 10. Margaret, recorded in 1587 as one of the younger daughters of John Melville, and in 1597 as a daughter of Grisell Meldrum. In January 1605 she was recom- mended by her father in his testament to the care of her cousin Sir Robert Melville of Burntisland.4 She seemed to have been unmarried in 1621, when she is named in the will of her uncle Robert, first Lord Melville, as legatee for 500 merks.5 11. Christian, named with her sisters in 1587 and 1597.8 She was recommended by her father in his testament to the care of her uncle Sir James Melville of Hall- hill, and is named by Lord Melville as legatee of 500 merks.7 12. Katherine, described by her father as his youngest daughter, and recommended by him to the care of his brother Sir Robert, first Lord Melville, in whose testament she is named, in 1621, as legatee of 1000 merks.8 JOHN MELVILLE, sixth of Raith, was probably born about 1563 or 1564.9 He is first mentioned in 1584, when he was contracted in marriage to Margaret Scott, sister of James Scott of Balwearie, the bride's dowry being 5000 merks.10 In 1602 he received, on his father's resignation, a charter from Queen Anna of the lands of Raith.11 In 1605 he suc- ceeded his father in full possession of the family estates.12 In 1608 he bought, for £12 Scots, an exemption from liability 1 The Melvilles, iii. 129. 2 Ibid., 130. 3 JM& 4 Ibid^ 151. 157. • Ibid., 130, 142. 7 Ibid., 151, 157. 8 Ibid. 9 Ms. Genealogy. 10 Melville Charter-chest. " Ibid. 12 TJie Melvilles, iii. 158. 104 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE to serve in an expedition ordered by King James to proceed against the turbulent clansmen of the Western Islands.1 By a contract executed at Raith 8 March 1616,2 John Melville resigned his lands to his eldest son John, reserving his own and his wife's liferent, and specifying certain pro- visions for the younger children.3 This was followed, 18 April 1616, by a formal charter of the lands,4 confirmed by King Charles I. 3 February 1626.5 He died January 1626.6 As already stated, he married Margaret, sister of James Scott of Balwearie, who survived him, and by her he left issue : — 1. JOHN, afterwards third Lord Melville. 2. James, mentioned in 1609 in connection with the plan- tation of Ulster. Between 2 May and 6 June 1618 his elder brother John granted him and his wife, on their marriage, a sum of 300 merks Scots yearly, as interest on the principal sum of 3000 merks, and on 7 May 1623 James Melville, then designed * of Ard- mure,' and his wife, acknowledged receipt from his brother John of 3000 merks Scots.7 In 1635 he was left a legacy of £1000 Scots by Robert, second Lord Melville.8 He married (contract dated at Dysart and Raith 2 May 1618 9) Jean Sinclair, widow of George Seton of Parbroath. Nothing more is known regard- ing him. 3. David, named in the contract of 1616 10 as provided to the sum of 700 merks. In May 1644 he was ap- pointed tutor to his brother Lord Melville's chil- dren. He died before 25 December 1644, apparently unmarried.11 4. Thomas, minister of Kinglassie, ancestor of the Mel- villes of Oairnie. He was born about 1602.12 He was ordained minister of the parish of Kinglassie in 1630,13 and was a member of the General Assembly in 1650. He died 21 April 1675. He married Jean Gourlay, and had issue three sons and three daughters.14 1 P. C. Reg., viii. p. liv. 2 Melville Charter-chest. 3 Ibid. * The Melvilles, iii. 157. 5 Reg. Mag. Sig. 6 St. Andrews Tests., 20 April 1627. 7 Melville Charter-chest. 8 Ibid. 9 Reg. of Deeds, cclxxxii., 18 February 1619. 10 8 March 1616, Melville Charter-chest. " Ibid. 12 The Melvilles, i. 188. is Scot's Fastii iv. 547. i* MELVILLE, EARLS OP LEVEN AND MELVILLE 105 5. Jean, whose portion, amounting to 3000 merks, was paid to her on 2 May 1618.1 She was married (con- tract dated 26 July and 2 August 1623) to Michael Balfour of Grange or Newgrange.2 6. Elspeth or Elizabeth, married (contract dated 24 May 1616) to Mr. Robert Murray, minister, provost of Methven, and had issue.3 7. Bathia, who, apparently about 1629, acknowledged. payment of £'1000 from her brother as her share of her father's estate.4 She was married (contract 17 September 1634) to John Traill, younger of Dinnork. She survived her husband, and died in Kinglassie, Fife, in July 1652.5 8. Euphame, who apparently died unmarried.8 9. Margaret, who was married (contract dated 10 and 12 December 1632) to James Scrimgeour of Wester Oartmore, son of Mr. John Scrimgeour of Wester Bowhill, Auchterderran. III. JOHN, third Lord Melville of Monimail, succeeded his father in the family estates in January 1626, and was infeft in Raith 13 March 1626.7 He succeeded his cousin Robert in the title in 1635. The latter had been empowered by a royal charter of 1627 to nominate either his heir- general, James Melville of Hallhill, or his heir of conquest, John Melville of Raith, as his successor in the honours. His decision having been in favour of the Laird of Raith, the latter assumed the title on the death of his kinsman 19 March 1635. The King, however, at first declined to acknowledge him as .Lord Melville, and instructed the Scottish Privy Council to forbid the use by the Laird of ' suche title of a lord ' until authorised by royal warrant.8 The Council thereupon summoned Melville before them, but, on his production of the royal charter of 1627, they were satisfied, and informed the King accordingly. On 11 May 1636 he was retoured heir of conquest and provision to Robert, Lord Melville, in the lands and barony of Moni- mail, with the title of Lord Melville, and in the lands of 1 The Melvilles, iii. 153. 2 Ibid., i. 188. 3 Ibid., 188, 189. * Ibid., 189. 5 Test, confirmed 9 March 1653, Melville Charter-chest. 6 The Melvilles, \. 189. 7 Melville Charter-chest. 8 The Melvilles, ii. 21. 106 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE Letham, Monksmire, and others, in the county of Fife.1 He was present in the short Parliament of 1639 and in that of the following year. About the year 1640 Lord Melville's net rental in the parish is stated at 3900 merks.2 In March 1643 his lands of Monimail, Raith, and others were erected into the barony of Monimail.3 He died 22 May 1643. His will was confirmed 27 May 1644, the debts exceeding the personal estate and assets by £2927.4 He married (con- tract 27 October 1627) Anne, elder daughter and co-heiress of Sir George Erskine of Innerteil, a Lord of Session, with the title of Lord Innerteil, a brother of the first Earl of Kellie, and by her, who survived him and was still alive in 1648,5 he had issue : — 1. GEORGE, who succeeded. 2. John, named in his father's will. He died, without issue, before 1675.6 3. James, who acquired the lands of Oassingray. On 22 August 1693 he witnessed a discharge by his brother George, at Melville. He appears to have died about 1706. He married (contract 7 September 1673) Anne, daughter of Mr. Alexander Burnett of Carlops.7 There was apparently no issue of the marriage, as his nephew David, third Earl of Leven, was retoured his heir-general 19 August 1714.8 4. Isabel, who was provided in 1643 to the sum of 6000 merks. She appears to have died young. 5. Jean, who was also provided to 6000 merks.9 She died between 1645 and 1650.10 6. Anna, who was provided with a similar portion as her elder sisters.11 She was married to Thomas Boyd, younger of Penkill. She had issue, and died before 1675.12 7. Catherine, who was similarly provided for with her sisters. She died unmarried, and was buried at Raith 18 March 1692." IV. GEORGE, fourth Lord and first Earl of Melville, was born in 1636, and was only about seven years old when he 1 Retours, Fife, No. 534 ; cf. Gen. Reg. Sets., xliii. f. 486. 2 Melville Charter-chest. 3 Acta Parl. Scot., vi. pt. i. 250. 4 Melville Charter-chest. 5 The Melvilles, i. 446. « Ibid., 194. 7 Fife Sasines, 8 September 1673. 8 The Melvilles, i. 194. 9 Ibid. 10 Ibid. » Ibid. 12 Ibid. 13 Ibid. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 107 succeeded to the title and estates. His name first appears upon the rolls of Parliament in 1661, but in 1651 and 1652 he received several letters from King Charles u. The first is dated 6 May 1651 from Dunfermline, and is virtually an application for money on behalf of Sir George Melville of Garvock, who then held the post of Under-Master of the Household to the King in Scotland. The other royal letters appear to be appeals for pecuniary aid for the King himself.1 In May 1660 he went to London to welcome King Charles n. on his restoration. On 20 April 1663 Lord Melville was appointed one of the curators of Anna Scott, Duchess of Monmouth ; he afterwards managed her affairs in Scotland, and discharged his duties so satisfactorily as to obtain the approval not only of the Duke and Duchess, but of King Charles himself.2 In 1679 Lord Melville, with the approval of the King, joined the Duke of Monmouth, at that time Captain-General of the royal forces operating against the Covenanters, and made earnest representations to them that they should lay down their arms.3 In 1683 orders were given for his arrest on suspicion of complicity in the Ryehouse Plot, and about the middle of July he effected his escape to Holland.4 He attached himself to the Court of the Prince of Orange, and seems to have remained in Holland until after the latter sailed for England in Nov- ember 1688. Although it seems certain that Lord Melville did not accompany Monmouth in his disastrous descent upon England,5 but only contributed towards the funds, he was formally declared a rebel by Parliament in June 1685, and his estates were forfeited and annexed to the Crown.6 On 21 January 1686-87, however, King James intimated that he had extended his clemency to Lord Melville, and had granted his forfeited estates to his son, the Master of Melville ; and from another letter by the King, dated 31 March 1687, it appears that for these royal favours Lord Melville paid a composition of £3000 sterling, and a yearly rent of £200 sterling.7 Lord Melville came to England after William and Mary had been proclaimed King and Queen, and attended the Convention of Estates which met 1 The Melvilles, i. 195, 196. 2 Ibid., 197. 3 Acta Part, Scot., viii. App. 58 ; The Melvilles, ii. 27. * The Melvilles, i. 201. 6 Ibid., 202. 6 Acta Part. Scot., viii. 491, App. 59-65. 7 The Melvilles, ii. 29, 30. 108 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 14 March 1689.1 On the adjournment of the Convention he came to Court, and was present on 11 May when the King and Queen accepted the Crown of Scotland. On 13 May 1689 he was appointed sole Secretary of State for Scotland. On 26 February 1690 Lord Melville was appointed Royal Commissioner in the second session of the Scottish Parlia- ment, it being declared at the same time that his office of sole Secretary of State for Scotland should continue as before.2 On 8 April 1690 he was promoted to the dignity of Earl, by the style and title of EARL OF MELVILLE, VIS- COUNT OF KIRKCALDY, LORD RAITH, MONYMAIL AND BALWEARIE, and on the 15 of the same month the King authorised him to open the session of the Scottish Parliament which, on 7 June, passed the Act for settling Church government in Scotland, ratified the Westminster Confession, and established presbytery.3 Two Acts passed by this Parliament were in favour of the Earl of Melville himself, one rescinding the forfeiture of his estates, the other formally dissolving the estates from the Crown and conveying them to himself and his heirs.4 Before the close of 1690 Lord Melville's sole Secretaryship for Scotland ended, Sir John Dairy mple being conjoined with him in the office, and accompanying the King to Flanders. Melville's Presbyterianism was disagreeable to many in Scotland. His enemies did not fail to misrepresent him, and to attack his ecclesiastical policy. This may have prejudiced the mind of the King. But it is also possible that King William may have wished to have beside him a man of younger years and more versatile talents when visiting the Continent in the beginning of 1691 in order to cement his alliance with the Continental powers against France. In 1691 Lord Melville accepted the less important office of Lord Privy Seal.5 In a letter probably written about the end of 1693, he mentions the fact of his having been ap- pointed one of the Scottish Commissioners of Admiralty. In May 1696 he was offered, by desire of the King, the post of President of the Privy Council, which, after some demur, he accepted, and he probably entered upon his new duties in August of that year. The salary was £1000 1 Acta Part. Scot., ix. 22. 2 The Melvilles, iii. 201. 3 Acta Parl Scot., ix. Ill, 113, 196, 198. « Ibid., ix. 181, 228. 5 The Melvilles, i. 227. 109 sterling yearly.1 He attended the Parliament of 1696, and took his seat as one of the great officers of State, being afterwards appointed a member of the committee for the security of the kingdom.2 Melville continued to hold his office during the remainder of King William's reign, and was permitted to retain it after the King's death in March 1702 until December of that year. He attended the Parlia- ment of 1703, and petitioned it on behalf of the privacy and amenity of his house and park at Monimail, then styled Melville, praying that as he had planted and fenced the surrounding land through which there was a public path, Parliament would order the road to be diverted. The petition was granted.3 He was not a member of the last Scottish Parliament which commenced 3 October 1706, but it passed an Act authorising the repayment to him of sums advanced by him for the public service.4 He died 20 May 1707.5 He married (contract dated 17 January 1655) Catherine Leslie, only surviving daughter of Alexander Leslie, Lord Balgonie, and grand-daughter of the famous general the first Earl of Leven, her tocher being 25,000 merks.6 She survived him, and died 2 April 1713.7 They had issue : — 1. Alexander, Master of Melville and Lord Raith, born 23 December 1655. During his father's absence in Holland he attended to the interests of the family at home, and after the revolution he was appointed a member of the Privy Council and Treasurer-Depute. Like his father, he was a staunch Presbyterian, and although subjected to frequent and bitter attacks, he was much respected even by his political opponents. He died, vita patris, 26 March 1698. He married (contract 27 August 1689) Barbara Dundas, third daughter of Walter Dundas of that Ilk,8 who survived him, and died 23 February 1719. They had issue two sons, who both died in infancy. 2. John, born 28 May 1657, who died young. 3. DAVID, third Earl of Leven, who succeeded. 4. George, born 24 September 1664, who died young. 1 Melville Charter-chest. 2 The Melvilles, i. 236. 3 Acta Part. Scot., xi. 61, 70. 4 Ibid., xi. App. 100, Melville Charter-chest. '° The Melvilles, i. 240. ' Lament's Diary, 84 ; Melville Charter-chest. 7 The Melvilles, i. 241. 8 Melville Charter-chest. 110 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 5. James, born 18 December 1665. In 1675 the lands of Hallhill were conveyed to him by his father, but were regranted by the son to Lord Melville in 1699.1 He owned also the lands of Balgarvie.2 He died in 1706.3 He married Elizabeth Moncreiff, whose parentage has not been ascertained. They had issue three sons and four daughters. 6. John, born 24 April 1670, who died young. 7. Charles, born 27 December 1673, who died young. 8. John, born 26 September 1677, who also died young. 9. Margaret, born 28 October 1658 ; married to Robert, fourth Lord Balfour of Burleigh/ 10. Mary, born 7 May 1662. 11. Anna, born 8 March 1668. 12. Katherine, born 1 June 1671. The last three all appear to have died young.5 V. DAVID, third Earl of Leven and second Earl of Mel- ville, was born 5 May 1660.6 He succeeded to the earldom of Leven, as heir to his cousin Catharine, Countess of Leven, on the death of John, Duke of Rothes, 27 July 1681, and on 26 April 1682 he was retoured and infeft in the estates.7 In 1683 he accompanied his father in his flight to Holland, where he seems to have spent some time in travelling.8 In June 1687 he was at Berlin, and prior to that date, through the influence of the Electress Sophia of Hanover, he had entered the service of her son-in-law, the Duke of Brandenburg, being appointed colonel in the Elector's army in September of the same year. He arranged a meeting at Cleves between the Prince of Orange, who had previously employed him on missions of a confidential nature, and the Elector of Brandenburg, which paved the way for the Revolution of 1688. In aid of this enterprise Lord Leven raised at his own expense a regiment of his country- men, afterwards numbered the 25th, in Germany and Holland, his commission as colonel being dated 7 September 1688. At its head the Earl accompanied the Prince to England in the following November, and received the sur- 1 Melville Charter-chest. 2 The Melvilles, i. 243. 3 Ibid. * Ibid. 6 Ibid., 243. 6 Ibid., 245. 1 Fife Retours, No. 1204. 8 The Melvilles, i. 247. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 111 render of Plymouth, the first of the English towns to declare for the Prince of Orange. After the coronation in London the King despatched Lord Leven to the Convention of Estates with a letter to that Assembly, which he pre- sented on 16 March 1689, the third day of its meeting. The Duke of Gordon being in possession of Edinburgh Castle, which he held for King James, Lord Leven was empowered to raise a regiment 800 strong to guard the town, which he succeeded in doing. In the proceedings of the Convention Lord Leven took an active part in the interest of King William. He attended the King's first Scottish Parliament, which sat in Edinburgh 5 June 1689, and protested for the precedency of his title over the Earl of Callander.1 On 10 July 1689, a royal warrant was issued to Lord Melville, then only in his thirtieth year, and Major-General Mackay, empowering them to take measures to induce the rebel Highlanders to lay down their arms. He commanded his regiment at the battle of Killiecrankie 17 July 1689. On the surrender of Edinburgh Castle on 14 June 1689, the keeping of it was conferred upon Lord Leven, 23 August 1689.2 He had, about this time, a seat on the Privy Council of Scotland, and took an active part in the two Parliamentary sessions of 1690.3 He took part, with his regiment, in the campaign in Flanders in 1692, but was back in London in October of that year, leaving his regiment in Flanders.4 The Earl took an active part in promoting the succession of Queen Anne, and his services in this respect were acknowledged by the Government.5 At the close of 1702 he was deprived of the command of Edinburgh Castle, but was to some extent compensated by his appoint- ment on 1 January 1703 as Major-General of all the Forces in Scotland.6 On 17 October 1704 the Queen restored to him the command of the Castle,7 and on 7 April 1705 he was appointed Master of the Ordnance in Scotland, with a pension of £150 stg. in addition to the usual salary of £150. Soon afterwards, on the death of Lt.-General Ramsay, he obtained the post of Commander-in-chief of the Scottish forces, his commission being dated 2 March 1706.8 He took 1 Acta Parl. Scot., ix. 95, 99. 2 Melville Charter-chest. 3 Acta Parl. Scot., ix. 106, 114, 143, 161, 188, 200, 230, 232. * The Melvilles, i. 270. « Ibid 6 Melville Charter-chest. 7 Ibid. * Ibid. 112 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE an active part in forwarding the Union between the two Kingdoms, and in 1706 was reappointed one of the Commis- sioners for the Union, whose sittings in London he attended regularly. After the Union Lord Leven was elected one of the sixteen Scottish Representative Peers in the Parliament at Westminster. On the death of his father, 20 May 1707, the Earl of Melville succeeded to the title and estates of Melville, Raith, and others, as second Earl of Melville, but did not assume the title.1 In June 1712 the Earl was deprived of all his military offices, probably owing to the want of sympathy between his views and those of the faction which then dominated the policy of Queen Anne's Government. On 4 August 1714 King George I. was pro- claimed King in Edinburgh. The Earl and his son, Lord Balgonie, took part in the proceedings, and immediately afterwards set out tor London, to welcome the son of his former friend and correspondent, the Electress Sophia.2 But though he was graciously received by His Majesty on his landing in England, Leven's enemies succeeded in undermining his influence, and his political career was terminated. By the year 1716 his financial affairs had fallen into much embarrassment, and at that time he made over all his estates to his son in fee, under burden of relieving him of the greater part of his debts, which then amounted to nearly £400,000 Scots. In 1717 the lands of Inchleslie were sold to Colonel Patrick Ogilvie, brother of James, Earl of Findlater, for £11,454, Os. lOd. sterling, to satisfy pressing creditors, and in 1725 Raith was sold by public roup to Mr. William Ferguson, ancestor of the present possessor. The Earl died 6 June 1728, in his sixty-ninth year.s He married (contract 3 September 1691 4) Anna Wemyss, eldest daughter of James Wemyss, Lord Burntisland, and Margaret, Countess of Wemyss, sister of David, third Earl of Wemyss, by whom he had issue : — 1. George, Lord Balgonie, born in January 1695. He became an ensign in Brigadier James Maitland's Regiment, and afterwards held a commission as captain in the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards, but sold 1 The Sfelvilles, i. 287. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid., 305, 306. 4 Melville Charter- chest. 113 it in 1716, in which year his father placed him in possession of the estates. He died vita patris on or about 20 August 1721, in the twenty-seventh year of his age,1 having married (contract 27 July 1716) his cousin Margaret Carnegie, eldest daughter of David, fourth Earl of Northesk.2 She died 7 July 1722.3 They had issue :— (1) DAVID, who succeeded his grandfather in the titles and' estates. (2) Anne, who was born 7 April 1721, and died in 1723.* 2. ALEXANDER, who succeeded his nephew in the honours and lands. 3. James, mentioned as third lawful son of the second Earl of Melville. He was alive in 1738. 4. Mart/, who was born in July 1692. She was married in 1708 to William, Lord Haddo, afterwards second Earl of Aberdeen, and died in 1710.5 5. Margaret, who was born in March 1696, and seems to have died young.6 VI. DAVID, fourth Earl of Leven and third Earl of Mel- ville, was born 17 December 1717. After his father's death in 1721 he was styled Lord Balgonie. He succeeded as Earl of Leven and Melville 6 June 1728, when in his eleventh year, and died in June of the following year.7 VII. ALEXANDER, fifth Earl of Leven and fourth Earl of Melville, was born in or about the year 1699.8 He was educated for the legal profession, and in September 1715 was sent to Leyden to complete his studies. He had previously obtained a commission as ensign in the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards, and when on the eve of starting for Holland he was ordered by his colonel to join the com- pany to which he belonged. The difficulty was, however, overcome on the earnest representation of his father, and his attendance with his regiment was dispensed with.9 He was still at Leyden in December 1718. He was admitted a member of the Faculty of Advocates 14 July 1719,10 after 1 The Melvilles, i. 306, 307. 2 Ibid., 306. 3 Ibid., 307. * Ibid. 6 Cf. vol. i. 90. 6 The Melvilles, i. 308. 7 Ibid. 8 Ibid., 309. 9 Ibid., 309, 310. 10 Books of Sederunt, at date. VOL. VI. H 114 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE he had applied to Lord Dunmore, the colonel of his regi- ment, to be allowed to return home for this purpose. Shortly after his admission to the Bar he applied for per- mission to dispose of his commission.1 On the death of his young nephew in June 1729 he succeeded as fifth Earl of Leven and fourth Earl of Melville. On the resignation of James Erskine, Lord Grange, he was appointed a Lord of Session, and he took his seat on the Bench 11 July 1734.2 In the same year he was appointed Chamberlain of the Crown lands of Fife and Strathern.3 In 1741 he was made Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, a post which he continued to fill up to and including the year 1753. On 30 November 1741 he was installed as Grand Master Mason of Scotland. In 1747 he was elected one of the sixteen Representative Peers for Scotland. In the autumn of 1749 he travelled in France, probably on account of his health, but had returned to London by the middle of October.4 He died 2 September 1754, at the residence of Lord Balcarres in Fife, where he had gone to dine. He married, first, 23 February 1721, Mary Erskine, eldest daughter of Colonel John Erskine of Carnock, her dowry being 18,000 merks Scots. She died 12 July 1723. He married, secondly, 10 March 1726, Elizabeth Monypenny, daughter of Alexander Monypenny of Pitmilly, with whom he received a dowry of 9000 merks.5 She survived him, and died at Edinburgh 15 May 1783, aged eighty-four.8 By his first wife he had issue : — 1. DAVID, who succeeded. By the second marriage he had issue : — 2. George, named in 1730 in a bond of provision by his father. He seems to have died young.' 3. Alexander, who was born in 1731. He entered the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards in 1753, and, obtaining rapid promotion, became lieutenant-colonel of the 56th Regiment in 1766, after having served for a short time in the Marines. In 1774 he was in America. In 1775 he was appointed aide-de-camp to King 1 Melville Charter-chest. 2 Books of Sederuut, at date. 3 Melville Charter-chest. 4 Ibid. 6 The Melvilles, i. 314, 315. 6 Scots Mag. 7 The Melvilles, i. 335. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 115 George in. with the rank of colonel in the Army. In 1776 he was again in America, acting as brigadier- general under Sir William Howe, who spoke highly of his gallantry in the field. In 1780 he, with the rank of major-general, joined Lord Ooruwallis in North Carolina, and was at the battle of Guildf ord in March 1781. Towards the end of the same year he was in command at Charleston, but on 27 May 1782 he obtained leave of absence on account of ill-health. For some years after his return home he was second in command of the Forces in Scotland. He died at Beechwood, near Edinburgh, 27 December 1794.1 He married, 23 December 1760, Mary Margaret, second daughter of Walter Tullideph of that Ilk in Forfar- shire, who died 14 October 1761, s and by her had issue : — Mary Anne. She was married, 30 April 1787, to John Rutherford of Edgerston.3 4. Anne, born 27 February 1730 ; married, 30 April 1748, to George, sixth Earl of Northesk, with issue. She died in Edinburgh 8 November 1779, aged fifty. 5. Elizabeth, born in March 1735 ; died young. 6. Elizabeth (secunda), born in July 1737; married, 10 June 1767, to John, second Earl of Hopetoun, and had issue. She survived her husband and died 10 April 1788, aged fifty-one. 7. Mary, married, in 1762, to Dr. James Walker of Inner- dovat, in Fife, and had issue three sons and one daughter. She was alive in 1818. VIII. DAVID, sixth Earl of Leven and fifth Earl of Mel- ville, was born 4 March 1722. On his father's accession to the titles and estates in 1729 he took the title of Lord Balgonie. He entered the University of Edinburgh, where he was a class-mate of the famous Dr. Alexander Carlyle of Inveresk/ In 1740 he was sent with his tutor, Mr. Morton, to Groningen, in Holland, where he probably remained until March or April 1742, when his father expressed a wish that he should enter the Army. On 4 1 The Melvilles, i. 335. 2 Scots Mag. 3 Kay's Portraits, ii. 79. 4 The Melvilles, i. 337. 116 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE June 1742 lie received a commission as ensign in General Handasyde's Regiment of Foot, then stationed in the North of Scotland. He continued in the regiment during the rebellion of 1745-46, but did not, apparently, see any active service. On 2 September 1754, on the death of his father, he succeeded to the titles and estates. In the following month he went to London, and was graciously received by King George n. In 1759 he was installed Grand Master Mason of Scotland, an office which he held for two years. He held the appointment of a Lord of Police from 1773 until the abolition of that Board in 1782, and in 1783 he became Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, his commission being dated 5 May 1783.1 He continued to fill the same office until the year 1801 inclusive. v He died at Edinburgh 9 June 1802, in the eighty-first year of his age. He married, 29 July 1747, Wilhelmina, daughter of William Nisbet of Dirleton,2 with whom, fifty years later, he celebrated his * golden wedding * at Melville House. She died there 10 May 1798, aged seventy-four.3 They had issue : — 1. ALEXANDER, who succeeded. 2. William, born 8 August 1751. He entered the Army as an ensign in the 42nd Highlanders (Black Watch), and accompanied the regiment to Ireland in 1771. In 1773 he left the 42nd and joined the 17th Regiment as lieutenant. In 1776, as captain, he was with his regiment in America, and with it took part in the successful attack on Long Island in August of that year. He was killed 3 January 1777 in an action near Princeton, New Jersey. He died unmarried.4 3. David, born 13 January 1755. He joined the 16th Foot, and was stationed at Gibraltar soon after its siege in 1782. He was aide-de-camp to his uncle, General Alexander Leslie, while second in command of the Forces in Scotland. He was on duty in Ireland from 1796 till 1804, and assisted in quelling the Irish rebel- lion of 1798. He became colonel in 1800, major- general on the North British staff in 1808, and general 1 Melville Charter-chest. 2 The Melvilles, i. 339. 3 Ibid., 349. 4 Ibid., 351. on 2 July 1838. After retiring from the Army he lived at Jedbank, near Jedburgh. He died 21 October 1838. He married, 16 January 1787, Rebecca, daughter of the Rev. John Gillies, D.D., minister of the Blackfriars Church, Glasgow, but had no issue.1 4. John, born 20 November 1759. On 22 July 1778 he joined the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards as ensign, and was promoted captain in July 1781. He served in Flanders in 1793 and 1794, where he was wounded. He became general 12 August 1819. He died with- out issue November 1824. He married, 13 September 1816, Jane, eldest daughter and heiress of Thomas Cuming, banker in Edinburgh.2 5. George, born 21 April 1766. He entered the Indian Civil Service in 1802, and was stationed in Ceylon. He died 8 March 1812. He married, 27 November 1802, Jacomina Gertrude, only daughter of William Jacob Vander-Graaff, Governor of Java, by whom he had issue a daughter, Mary Christiana, born 10 November 1803.3 6. Jane, born 1 April 1753 ; married, 9 November 1775, to Sir John Wishart Belsches Stuart, Bart., of Fetter- cairn, M.P., and had issue a daughter, Williamina, married to Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, Bart. She died 28 October 1829.4 7. Mary Elizabeth, born 4 March 1757 ; married, 8 November 1776 to her cousin, the Hon. James Ruthven, afterwards fourth Lord Ruthven, and had issue. She died in 1820.5 8. Charlotte, born 22 September 1761. She died, unmar- ried, 26 October 1830.6 IX. ALEXANDER, seventh Earl of Leven and sixth Earl of Melville, was born 7 November 1749. After making the usual 'grand tour' on the Continent, he returned home, and was, in 1786, appointed Comptroller of the Customs at Edinburgh. In July 1798 he was made lieutenant-colonel of the 5th or Fifeshire Regiment of Militia.7 On 9 June 1802 he succeeded his father as Earl of Leven, and was the 1 The Melvilles, i. 351, 352. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. * Ibid. 6 Ibid. fi Ibid. 7 Melville Charter-chest. 118 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE first of his family to assume the designation of Earl of Leven and Melville, this step being probably due to the creation of another Peerage of Melville six months after his succession ; and in 1803 the Earl's younger children assumed the surname of Melville in addition to that of Leslie. At the general election, 1806, he was elected one of the sixteen Representative Peers for Scotland.1 He died 22 February 1820. He married, 12 August 1784, Jane, daughter of John Thornton of Olapham, Surrey,2 who died 13 February 1818.3 They had issue :— 1. DAVID, Lord Balgonie, who succeeded. 2. JOHN THORNTON, who succeeded his brother. 3. William Henry, born 19 May 1788. He entered the Hon. East India Company's service, and arrived at Calcutta about 24 October 1808. In 1817 he was, at his own request, made assistant superintendent of police in that town. He returned home before 1832, and in 1841 was made a director of the East India Company. He edited a selection from the letters and papers of George, first Earl of Melville, printed for the Bannatyne Club in 1843 as The Leven and Melville Papers. He died unmarried 9 April 1856.4 4. Rev. Robert Samuel, born about 1793. He entered the Church of England, but died 24 October 1826, unmarried.5 5. Alexander, of Branston Hall, Lincolnshire, was born 18 June 1800. Admitted to the Faculty of Advocates 24 February 1824. He died 19 November 1881. He married 19 October 1825, Charlotte, daughter of Samuel Smith, M.P., of Woodhall Park, Hertford- shire, who died 26 April 1879. They had issue, six sons and six daughters. 6. Lucy, born 10 December 1789, died 11 February 1791. 7. Lucy (secunda), born 26 January 1794 ; married, 14 July 1824, to Henry Smith, son of Samuel Smith, M.P., and nephew of first Lord Carrington. She died 23 December 1865. 8. Jane Elizabeth, born 16 May 1796 ; married, 13 October 1816, to Francis Pym, of the Hasells, Bedfordshire. She died 25 April 1848. i The Melvtiles, i. 366, 367. 2 Ibid., 360. 3 Ibid., 368. * Ibid., 369. 6 Ibid. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 119 9. Marianne, born 30 November 1797 ; married, 28 August 1822, to Abel Smith, M.P., son of Samuel Smith, M.P., and nephew of first Lord Oarrington. She died s.p. 22 March 1823. X. DAVID, eighth Earl of Leven, and seventh Earl of Melville, was born 22 June 1785. After the death of his grandfather in 1802, he had the courtesy title of Lord Balgonie. He entered the Royal Navy before March 1800. In December 1809 he was promoted commander, became a post-captain in 1812, and in 1814 seems to have retired from the service.1 He succeeded to the titles and estates on the death of his father 22 February 1820. On 3 June 1831 he was elected a Representative Peer for Scotland, and held the position for thirty-eight years. On 31 October 1846 he was promoted to be rear-admiral on the retired list. He died at Melville House, 8 October 1860, aged seventy-five. He was succeeded in the lordship and barony of Monimail and other lands, known as the estate of Mel- ville, by his eldest daughter and heir of ine and entail, Elizabeth Jane Leslie Melville or Oartwright.2 He married, 21 June 1824, Elizabeth Anne Campbell, second daughter of Sir Archibald Campbell, second Baronet of Succoth, who survived him, and died at Melville House, 6 November 1863. They had issue :— 1. ALEXANDER, Lord Balgonie, born 19 November 1831. He was educated at Eton. He entered the Army in December 1850, and became lieutenant 1st Foot Guards (Grenadiers), of which the Duke of Wellington was colonel. He served in the Crimea through the greater part of the campaign of 1854, acting as aide- de-camp to General Sir Henry Bentinck, and was promoted to the rank of major. Towards the end of 1855, ill-health, due to the hardships of the campaign, compelled him to return home. After spending the winter and spring of 1856-57 in Egypt, he returned to England, and died at Roehampton House, 29 August 1857. 2. David Archibald, born 14 October 1833, died unmarried, 20 October 1854. » The Melvilks, i. 371, 372. 2 Ibid., 379. 120 MELVILLE, EARLS OP LEVEN AND MELVILLE 3. Elizabeth Jane, born 13 May 1825, who, on the death of her father in 1860, inherited the family estates of Melville. She was married, 2 November 1858, to Thomas Robert Brook Oartwright, of Aynho, North- ants, and died 25 January 1892, having had issue. 4. Anna Maria, born 28 December 1826 ; married, 26 April 1865, as his first wife, to Sir William Stirling Max- well, Bart., who died 15 January 1878, with issue. She died 8 December 1874. 5. Susan Lucy, born 1828; Lady of the Bedchamber to H.R.H. Princess Christian from 1868 to 1883. 6. Emily Eleanor, born May 1840; married, 28 March 1864, to John Glencairn Carter Hamilton, afterwards Lord Hamilton of Dalzell, who died 19 October 1900. She died 11 November 1882, leaving issue. XI. JOHN THORNTON, ninth Earl of Leven and eighth Earl of Melville, was bom 18 December 1786. In 1809 he acted as Assistant Deputy Paymaster-General to the forces in the Peninsula, then under Sir Arthur Wellesley.1 He was in London in the year 1812, and must therefore have left Spain before the end of the war. He became one of the original partners of Williams, Deacon, Labouchere, Thornton & Co., bankers, London, and continued a partner until within a few years of his death.2 He succeeded to the titles on the death of his brother David, 8 October 1860. He was chosen one of the Representative Peers of Scotland 28 July 1865, and continued to hold this offiee until his death. In 1864, after Lady Elizabeth's succession to the barony of Melville, which occurred on 12 June of that year, in pursuance of a decree obtained in the Court of Session by the trustees of his brother, Earl David, in order to have it found that the entail made by his grandfather in 1784 was invalid, and that he was entitled to dispose of the estate in fee-simple, the unentailed estates were re-entailed by the trustees in favour of Lord Leven and Melville and his heirs. These estates comprised the old Melville barony of Hallhill and others in Fife. In 1869 the trustees pur- chased the eastern portion of Glenferness, in Nairnshire, for £12,000, and soon afterwards they made a second entail, 1 The Melvittes, i. 382. 2 Ibid., 384. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 121 whereby these lands were entailed upon the same series of heirs as in the entail of Hallhill in 1864. On the same date in 1869 the Earl acquired the wester and larger part of the Glenferness estate for £47,900,* and it thereafter became his principal Scottish residence. He died at Glenferness 16 September 1876, at the age of ninety. He married, first, 15 September 1812, his cousin Harriet, youngest daughter of Samuel Thornton, of Olapham. She died 26 July 1832. He married, secondly, 23 April 1834, his cousin Sophia, fourth daughter of Henry Thornton of London. Issue by the first marriage : — 1. ALEXANDER, who succeeded. 2. Alfred John, born 5 June 1826. He entered the ser- vice of the East India Company, and died at Penang 25 May 1851. 3. Emily Maria, born 28 November 1815; married, 18 November 1858, to Robert Williams of Beidehead, Dorset, who died 7 June 1891. She died 10 March 1896. 4. Anna Maria, born 7 February 1821 ; died 25 September 1836. 5. Harriet Rosa, born 5 December 1822 ; died 20 April 1850. 6. Julia Louisa, born 4 March 1829 ; married, 29 March 1869, to Lieutenant-General Richardson Robertson of Tulliebelton, Perthshire, and died 24 October 1870. He died 1 November 1883. 7. Adelaide Harriet, born 10 August 1831 ; died 10 Feb- ruary 1898. By his second wife he had issue : — 8. RONALD RUTHVEN, who succeeded his half-brother Alexander. 9. Norman, born 5 February 1839. He entered the Army and became captain in the Grenadier Guards. He married, 4 December 1861, Georgina, daughter of William Shirley Bell of Abbeylarn, co. Longford, and has had issue. 10. Ernest, born 20 January 1843, died 1 September 1862. 11. Clara Sophia, born 5 July 1843, died 11 December 1898. 12. Florence Lucy, born 15 August 1848. 1 The Melvilles, i. Preface, xv. 122 MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE XII. ALEXANDER, tenth Earl of Leven and ninth Earl of Melville, was born 11 January 1817. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. He became a partner in the banking-house of Williams, Deacon and Company, London. On the death of his father on 16 Sep- tember 1876, he succeeded to the titles of Leven and Melville, and to the estates of Hallhill and Glenferness. On 16 April 1880 he was elected a Representative Peer for Scotland, and continued to sit in the House of Lords in this capacity until his death. He died unmarried 22 October 1889, aged seventy-two.1 XIII. RONALD RUTHVEN, eleventh Earl of Leven and tenth Earl of Melville, K.T., P.O., M.A. Oxford, and a Deputy-Lieutenant for Nairnshire, was born 19 December 1835. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, and was a partner with his father and brother in the bank. On 22 October 1889, on the death of his half-brother, he succeeded to the titles and estates. He was one of H.M.'s Lieutenants for the City of London, a Representative Peer for Scotland, Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland, and was Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for the years from 1898 to 1905 inclu- sive. He died 21 August 1906, leaving inter alia a sum of £40,000 to be applied by trustees, under certain conditions, to the restoration of the Royal chapel at Holy rood Palace, but the scheme was eventually set aside. He married, 7 May 1885, Emma Selina, eldest daughter of the second Viscount Portman, and had issue : — 1. JOHN DAVID, who succeeded. 2. Archibald Alexander, born 6 August 1890. 3. David William, born 23 May 1892. 4. Ian, born 14 August 1894. 5. Constance Betty, born 7 August 1888. XIV. JOHN DAVID, twelfth Earl of Leven, and eleventh Earl of Melville, was born 5 April 1886. He was educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford, and succeeded to the titles and estates on the death of his father, 21 August 1906. 1 The MelvUlea, i. 386. MELVILLE, EARLS OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE 123 CREATIONS. — Baron Melville, 1 April 1616, extended limi- tation 17 August 1627. Earl of Leven and Lord Balgonie, 11 October 1641. Earl of Melville, Viscount of Kirkcaldy, Lord Raith, Monymail, and Balwearie, 8 April 1690. ARMS (recorded in Lyon Register). — Quarterly : 1st, azure, a thistle slipped proper, ensigned with an imperial crown or, a coat of augmentation to the arms of Leslie; 2nd, gules,, three crescents within a bordure argent charged with eight roses of the first, for Melville ; 3rd, argent, a fesse gules, for Melville of Raith ; and 4th, argent, on a bend azure three buckles or for Leslie. CRESTS. — (1) Leslie : a demi-chevalier in complete armour, holding in his right hand a dagger point downwards proper, the pommel and hilt or. (2) Melville : a ratch hound's head erased proper, collared gules. SUPPORTERS. — Dexter, a knight in complete armour, holding in his dexter hand the banner of Scotland, all proper (Leslie) ; sinister, a ratch hound proper, collared gules (Melville). MOTTOES. — 1. Pro rege et patria. 2. Denique ccelum. [C. T. G.]. THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH COOKDING to an unnamed writer, who wrote about the year 1165, the district of Menteith was originally joined with that of Strath- earn to form one (called Fortrenn) of the seven provinces of * Scotia,' or Scotland north of the Forth and Clyde.1 This, however, was at a very early period, and history is silent regarding the intervening centuries, but the original province was, at some period prior to 1163, divided into two separate earldoms. As a district Menteith lay partly in Perthshire and partly in Stirlingshire, and comprehended the parishes of Aberfoyle, Port of Menteith, Oallander and Leny, Kincardine, Kilmadock, Lecropt, Dunblane, and part of Kippen, being practically those parishes which were bounded on one side or other by the river Teith. Probably these were all included in the earldom, while the ancient rulers of the district also appear to have exercised a certain authority over Oowal and Kintyre.2 The older history, however, both of the Earls and of the earldom, is very obscure, as almost nothing is recorded of either. 1 Chronicles of the Picts and Scots, 136. The account of Scotland here given was at one time attributed to Giraldus Cambrensis, but Dr. Skene suggests Ailred as the author. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 372. 125 I. GILCHRIST, Earl of Menteith, is named as such in a charter by King Malcolm iv. providing for the restora- tion of the Abbey of Scone, which had been destroyed by fire. The charter is dated in 1164,1 and this is the first notice which has been found of an Earl of Menteith, while of Gilchrist's parentage or personal history nothing has been discovered, though his name suggests a Celtic origin. He again appears as witness to a charter, dated between. 1175 and 1178, by King William the Lion, granting certain privileges to the then new city of Glasgow.2 The date of Earl Gilchrist's death is not recorded, but he was dead before 1198, when his successor is named. Gilchrist is said to have had a daughter Eva, married to Alwin, second Earl of Lennox. (See that title.) II. MAURICE or * MURETACH,' Earl of Menteith, is the next on record, but whether he was Gilchrist's son is not clear. He appears as Maurice, Earl of Menteith, in a charter by King William the Lion, not dated, but which may have been granted between 1189 and 1198, confirming a donation of the church of Moulin to the monks of Dunfermline.3 The next notice of him is as a witness to an agreement, not dated, but which cannot be earlier than 1198, between Gilbert, Prior of St. Andrews, and the canons there, and the Ouldees of that place, as to certain teinds in dispute betwixt them. There the Earl is designed 'Murethach, Earl of Menteith,' but as the writ already cited is earlier in date, it is probable that the so-called * Murethach ' and Maurice are one and the same.4 This seems the more probable, as the next reference to Maurice implies that he had been some time in possession and was recognised as Earl, although his right was afterwards challenged. In or before 1213, a younger brother, also named Maurice, claimed the earldom, on what ground does not appear, though probably it was another case of conflict between the offspring of a union recognised by the Church and the heir of a Celtic marriage. 1 Liber Ecclesie de Scon, 8. 2 Peg. Epis. Glasguensis, i. 36. 3 Reg. de Dunfermlyn, 34. 4 Sir William Eraser in his Red Book of Menteith, a work to which this article is much indebted, makes ' Murethach ' the second Earl and Maurice the third, two distinct persons. But on a careful study of the subject the writer thinks there is good reason to believe that the first ' Maurice ' and ' Murethach ' were the same. 126 THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH The two brothers did not resort to force over their respec- tive claims, but submitted to arbitration. An amicable arrangement was entered into under the auspices of Prince Alexander, afterwards King, the Earls of Fife and Strath- earn, and other nobles, under which the elder Maurice, who is formally styled Earl of Menteith, resigned the earldom, of which he must have been in possession, into the hands of King William, who then gave it to the younger Maurice, not yet designed Earl, as his right and heritage. The elder brother was to hold, by bailiary of the King, the lands of Muyline and Radenoche (probably Maling and Rednoch), with other lands,1 which the younger Maurice gave up to the King for that purpose, and which were to revert to the estate on the elder's decease. The younger brother also delivered to the elder certain other lands,2 to be used for the marriage of his daughters. This agreement was made at Edinburgh on St. Nicholas Day (6 December) 1213, the original writ being sealed by the Prince and some others, while it was duly ratified by the King himself on the follow- ing day.3 How long the elder Maurice lived after this agree- ment is not known, and the names of his wife and daughters are not recorded, while he appears to have had no male issue. III. MAURICE, the younger brother of the preceding, no doubt assumed the earldom. In any case Maurice, Earl of Menteith, appears as one of the seven Earls who were present at the enthronement of King Alexander n. at Scone on 6 December 1214. The Earls also accompanied the young King with the funeral cortege of his father, King William, from Perth to Arbroath, where the interment took place before the high altar of the church on 10 December.4 Earl Maurice appears to have taken no great part in public life, as ten years elapse before there is record of him, but he was present with King Alexander at Stirling when he granted a charter to the Abbey of Paisley on 5 September 1224.5 Two years later, on 27 March 1226, the Earl is referred to as Sheriff of Stirling.6 He did not after this live 1 The other lands are Turn, Cattlyne, Brathuly, and Cambuswelhe. 2 These are said to be Savelime (as held by both brothers), Mestrym, Kenelton, and Stradlochlem. 3 Bed Book of Menteith, ii. 214, 215. 4 Scottish Kings, by Sir A. H. Dunbar, 82, 88. 6 Reg. de Pasaelet, 214. 8 Cart, of Cambuskenneth, 176. THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH 127 very much longer, though he probably survived the year 1231, usually assigned as the date of his death. He was, however, dead before January 1233-34, which is the first date on which his successor is named as Earl of Menteith. The name of his wife is not known, but he had two daughter : — 1. ISABELLA, who became Countess of Menteith. 2. MARY, who also became Countess of Menteith. IV. ISABELLA, Countess of Menteith, is presumed rather than proved to have been the daughter of Earl Maurice, and her personality is largely merged in that of her hus- band, Walter Comyn, who was second son of William Comyn who afterwards became Earl of Buchan (vol. i. 505). When he was born is uncertain, but he was old enough to attend at Court and witness royal charters between the years 1211 and 1214, including the agreement, already cited, as to the earldom of Menteith. In 1220 he went in the train of King Alexander n. to York, where arrangements were made for the King's marriage to Joanna of England. Between this date and 1229 he was a frequent witness to the King's charters, and seems to have closely followed the Court.1 After 1229 he appears as Lord of Badenoch, a territory which, it is suggested, he received for his services or those of his father in suppressing an insurrection raised by Gilles- cop M' William, who had been Lord of Badenoch, and whose estates were forfeited. According to Sir William Fraser he became Earl in 1231, on the authority of a charter in the Chartulary of Balmerino, ascribed to 3 February 1230- 31, where he is styled Walter Oomyn, Earl of Menteith.2 But there is good reason to believe that the writ in ques- tion is, if not spurious, at least misdated. Apart from other reasons, the names and designations of the witnesses apply to a date some years later. Especially is this the case with Walter Comyn, who is still Walter Comyn on 4 Feb- ruary 1232-33, also on 30 June 1233,3 and it is not until 1 Red Book of Menteith, i. 14, 15, and authorities there given, though we cannot agree with Sir William Fraser in assuming that this Walter Comyn in 1225 filled the office of King's Clerk or Lord Clerk Register (Reg. Moraviense, 461). That officer was more probably an ecclesiastic. * Liber de Balmerinoch, 4. 3 Liber de Melros, i. 222, and The Maxwells ofPollok, i. 122, 123. 128 THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH 9 January 1233-34 that he appears on record as Earl of Menteitli.1 It is not certain that this rank followed on his marriage, as there is evidence that he received a charter of the earldom, though the date is not recorded,2 and the charter may have been granted some time after his marriage. The Earl's father had died in 1233, and now he, by his possession of Menteith and the great lordship of Badenoch, became one of the most powerful nobles in Scotland. He remained still in frequent attendance at Court until the close of the King's reign, and was one of those who under- took to maintain the treaty of peace made between Scot- land and England in 1237, and again in 1244, when war nearly broke out on account of a private feud in which the Earl was specially interested. Patrick, Earl of Atholl, had been, in 1242, basely done to death at Haddington, and his relatives the Oomyns combined to avenge his death. Walter Biset of Aboyne, the chief instigator of the crime, and other Bisets, were banished from Scotland, and Walter passed to England and incited King Henry in. to war, which was averted by a second treaty, to which the Earl of Menteith was also a party.3 The comparatively sudden death of King Alexander n. in 1249, when his son was only eight years old, nearly caused trouble in Scotland, but the Earl of Menteith, who headed what may be called the National party, took such wise and prompt steps that the boy King was at once placed on his throne without opposition, and at a later date was rescued from the hands of the rival faction, which acted in the English interest. One of the latest acts of the Earl was to enter, on 18 March 1258, with other Scottish magnates into an alliance with Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, to assist him in his war with England, and to establish commercial relations between Scotland and Wales/ Besides taking part in public life, the Earl also had a warm side to the Church, and soon after 1238, when he received permission from Pope Gregory ix., he built a Priory for Augustinian 1 Reg. de Holyrood, 52. 2 Ms. Roll of Charters in Gen. Reg. House, about 1579, containing notes of many now lost. Among these on folio 18, are five of the reign of Alexander n., one being ' Carta Walter! Cumyn de Comitatu de Menteithe.' 3 Col. Doc. Scot., i. Nos. 1358, 1654. * Fcedera, Record ed., i. 370. THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH 129 Canons on the Isle of Inchmahome, or the Isle of Rest. He made certain arrangements also with the Bishop of Dun- blane, who gave up rights of pension over the earldom of Menteith, with which no doubt the new priory was endowed.1 The Earl died suddenly in November 1258, by the stumbling of his horse, which fell upon its rider.2 So at least it was reported to the English King, but the Scots believed that he was poisoned by his Countess, who survived him. She certainly gave ground for the story by marrying again within a short time after his death, an English knight, named Sir John Russell. This mar- riage, though made, it is said, with the King's consent, offended the Scottish nobles, who raised or renewed the accusation of poisoning, and succeeded in depriving the Countess of the earldom, and forcing her and her husband to retire to England. They were even confined in prison for some time because of the charge against them. The earldom was given to Mary, the younger sister of Isabella, and Walter Stewart, her husband. Countess Isabella went to the English Court, where Henry in. certified the agree- ment of 1213, already quoted, and she also appealed to the Pope, Urban iv., who sent a legate to York, to inquire into the matter. But the legate behaved in such a manner as to rouse the indignation and opposition of King Alex- ander and the Scottish nobles, and the Pope was obliged to remit the case to be settled by three Scottish clerics, who in turn allowed the subject to drop, as it entrenched upon the King's jurisdiction. The Countess and her second hus- band did not pursue the matter further. He died before 1273, and she probably predeceased him. The Countess had issue by her second husband, a daughter, Isabella,3 married, before 1273, to William Oomyn of Kirk- intulloch, who in that year instituted proceedings on behalf of his wife for possession of the earldom 1 Liber Insula Missarum, pref . xxix. 2 Matthew Paris, Rolls series, v. 724. The Earl's lands of Badenoch passed to his grand-nephew William Comyn, who was succeeded in 1291 by his brother John. 3 Sir William Fraser states that this Isabella was the daughter of Walter Comyn, but there is clear evidence (Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. No. 466) that she was the daughter of Sir John Russell. Sir John's parentage is not known. He is said to have belonged to the diocese of Ely. There certainly were Russells holding land there, but he cannot specially be identified. VOL. VI. I 130 THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH of Menteith, but without success. In 1285 the claim was renewed, and on 10 April a decision was given by the King in Parliament at Scone, when half the earldom was given to Oomyn, but not the rank of Earl. He died 3 August 1291, and his wife married, secondly, about 1293, Sir Edward Hastings, a great- grandson of David, Earl of Huntingdon, and brother of John Hastings, one of the Competitors, in 1291, for the Crown of Scotland. Sir Edward, in right of his wife, held one-half the earldom of Menteith. He died after May 1312, perhaps one of those who fell at Bannockburn, 24 June 1314. His wife is not on record after 1306, when she did homage to King Edward i. She bore no issue to either of her husbands. Walter Comyn had apparently a son Henry, who in a charter, dated about 1250, by Maldouen, Earl of Lennox, of the lands of Luss, is described as 'Henry, son of the Earl of Menteith,' 1 but nothing more is known of him. V. MARY, Countess of Menteith, married Walter Stewart, third son of Walter, third High Stewart of Scotland. He was distinguished by the sobriquet ' Bailloch ' or the * freckled.' His name as Walter Stewart appears in various writs as a witness. He is said to have gone to Egypt under Louis ix. of France, but there is no certain evidence of this. After the death of King Alexander n. he favoured the English faction, who by a stratagem in 1255 secured the persons of the young King and Queen, but he was not at this time admitted to a share in the govern- ment. It was about 1260, when the Countess Isabella and her husband were forced to renounce the earldom, that the King and barons of Scotland decerned the lands and title to belong to the wife of William Stewart, and he was invested therein.2 He was certainly Earl before 17 April 1261, when he was witness to a grant to the Abbey of Paisley.3 In the following year Dugall MacSwein granted to the Earl the lands of Skipnish, * Kedeslatt ' or Killislate, and others, being that part of Kintyre called South Knapdale and the parish of Kilcalmonell. Following on this, the 1 The Lennox, by Sir W. Fraser, ii. 405 and facsimile. 2 Red Book of Menteith i. 41. 3 Reg. de Passelet, 121. THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH 131 Earl granted the church of Kilcalmonell to the monks of Paisley.1 He also made grants to the monastery of Kil- winning of churches in Knapdale, which show that he had possession of North Knapdale also.2 About 1263 the Earl was Sheriff of Ayr, and aided in making preparations to repel the expected invasion of King Haco of Norway.3 He is said to have taken part in the battle of Largs, and afterwards to have been commissioned to reduce the chieftains of the Western Isles/ but there is only a probability of the first, and Fordun does not name him as one of the commission referred to.5 The Earl was Sheriff of Dumbarton in 1271. 6 On 25 July 1281 he was one of the witnesses to and guarantors of the marriage con- tract of the Princess Margaret with Eric, King of Nor- way.7 In 1285 he and his Countess were again attacked by the rival claimants William Comyn and his wife, their claim having been in 1282 pressed upon Alexander HI. by the English King,8 and in a Parliament at Scone it was decided that the earldom should be divided into two por- tions. One half was retained by Walter Stewart, with the title of Earl, he having the principal residence on the territory, and the other half was erected into a barony in favour of William Comyn and his wife.9 The component parts of the earldom which remained to Walter Stewart are not known. The death of King Alexander in. threw the kingdom again into confusion, and during the rivalry which ensued between the parties of Bruce and Baliol, the Earl of Menteith supported the cause of Bruce.10 In 1289 he was present at Brigham, and approved of the marriage proposed between Prince Edward of England and the young * Maid of Norway ' as she was called, the heiress of the Scottish Crown. Her unhappy death renewed the con- test between Bruce and Baliol, and when it was proposed that the King of England should arbitrate, Menteith was one of those named by Bruce as his commissioners. He was present at Norham on 20 November 1292 when Baliol 1 Reg. de Passelet, 121. 2 Theiner's Vetera Monumenta, 248, No. 488 ; Col- lections of Ayr and Wigton, i. 163. 3 Exch. Rolls, i. 5. * Red Book, etc., i. 65. Fraser states this, but founds on unreliable authority. 6 Fordun a Goodall, ii. 6 Reg. de Passelet, 191. 7 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 423. 8 Col. Doc. Scot., iv. 357, 387. 9 Wyntoun, Laing's ed., ii. 263, 264 ; Stevenson's Hist. Documents, i. 22. 10 Fcedera, Record ed., i. 781. 132 THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH swore fealty to Edward.1 This is the last certain record of him, as although letters were addressed by the English King to Walter, Earl of Menteith, on 29 June 1294,2 it is not clear that he was then alive. He may even have been dead by 10 February 1292-93, when Baliol's Parliament directed the lands of Knapdale belonging to the Earl to be incorporated in the sheriffdom of Lorn under Alexander of Argyll.3 The Countess Mary predeceased her husband, but at what date is not certain. Their tombstone is preserved in the Priory of Inchmahome, bearing the effigies of husband and wife, the former bearing on his shield the Stewart fess chequy with a label of five points, a device which also appears on his seal 'of arms in the Public Record Office, London.4 They had issue two sons named together by their father in a charter : — 1. ALEXANDER, who succeeded to the earldom. 2. Sir John, who has achieved an unenviable notoriety as the taker or betrayer of Sir William Wallace. His history has been fully sketched by Sir William Fraser, and need not be detailed here. He was possessor of the lands of Rusky in Menteith, and perhaps also of Knapdale. He died about 1323.5 By his wife, whose name has not been ascertained, he had issue : — (1) Sir John Menteith who married Ellen, daughter of Gratney, Earl of Mar, and died before 1344, leaving issue :— i. Sir John Menteith, styled Lord of Arran and Knap- dale, who died about 1360. By his wife, a lady named Catherine, he had no issue. ii. Christian, married, first, to Sir Edward Keith of Sin- ton, by whom she had a daughter Janet, wife first of Sir David Barclay of Brechin, and secondly of Sir Thomas Erskine. (See title Mar.) Christian Menteith or Keith was married again, as his second wife, to Sir Robert Erskine of that Ilk. (See Mar.) (2) Walter, ancestor of the Menteiths of Rusky and Kerse, and also of the later family of Dalzell of Binns.6 (3) Joanna, the only one of Sir John's alleged three daughters who can be traced with certainty, was married, first, to Malise, seventh Earl of Strathearn, who died about 1324-25 ; secondly, 1 Fcedera, i. 804. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 447 3 Red Book of Menteith, i. 75 ; ii. 220. Sir William Fraser thinks the Countess died before 1286, but the proof he gives is doubtful. 4 Macdonald's Scottish Armorial Seals, No. 2553. 6 Red Book of Menteith, i. 433-456. 6 Ibid., i. 460463. THE ANCIENT EARLS OP MENTEITH 133 to John Campbell, Earl of Atholl. (See that title.) Thirdly, about July 1339, to Sir Maurice of Moray, created Earl of Strathearn in June 1344, by whom she had a daughter Joanna, married, first, to Sir Thomas Moray of Both well ; and, secondly, to Sir Archibald Douglas, third Earl of Douglas. (See that title.) Joanna Menteith married, fourthly, William, fifth Earl of Sutherland.1 VI. ALEXANDER, Earl of Menteith, is first noted with his brother John in a compact between Bruce and the Stewarts on 20 September 1286, at Turnberry.2 In another writ, of uncertain date, granted by their father to the Abbey of Kilwinning, he and his brother are styled Alexander and John Menteith.3 They had therefore changed their family name from Stewart to Menteith. Alexander joined with his father in a charter granting the church of Kippen to the Abbey of Oambuskenneth to secure themselves a place of burial. This writ is said to be dated in 1286/ He was at Norham in 1291, and swore fealty to Edward I., while he also appears in other matters before his succession, the date of which is uncertain, but was probably between 1292 and 1295. In any case he was the Earl of Menteith who with the Earls of Atholl, Ross, and others gathered a force and invaded England in revenge for Edward's savage attack on Berwick. Their army was defeated at Dunbar on 27 April 1296, and on that or the following day Menteith and others who had fled to Dunbar Castle were taken captive, and he was committed to the Tower. He was not, how- ever, detained long as a prisoner, but was liberated either before or shortly after a promise of service made by him to the English King, and dated at Elgin 27 July 1296. He repeated this promise, and swore fealty at Berwick a month later, on 28 August.5 He then left two of his sons in the King's hands as hostages.6 Perhaps this fact influenced his future movements, for, excepting some transactions dealing with the estates of Alexander Abernethy, and 1 The Sutherland Boole, i. 36. Duncan Stewart (History of the Stewarts) says that a second daughter married Archibald or Gillespie Campbell of Lochow, and a third married Maurice Buchanan of that Ilk, but it seems more probable that the wife of Buchanan was a granddaughter of Sir John (Strathendrick, etc., by J. Guthrie Smith, 284). 2 Stevenson's Hist. Documents, i. 22. 3 Theiner's Vetera Monumenta, 258. 4 Cart, of Cam- buskenncth, 168 ; Duncan Stewart's Hist, of the Stewarts, 207. 5 Bagman Rolls, Bannatyne Club, 103, 119. 6 Hist. Documents, ii. 138. 134 THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH also of Alexander of Argyll and his son, of which he was appointed guardian by Edward,1 he seems to have taken no part in public affairs. At least nothing is recorded about him, except a letter to him from the English King on 26 September 1297,* and the date of his death is not known. He married a lady named Matilda,3 whose sur- name has not been discovered, and had issue : — 1. ALAN, who succeeded as Earl. 2. Peter, who in 1296 was a hostage in England with his brother Alan. He accompanied King Edward to Flanders, and took part in the French campaign of 1297,4 where he may have been killed, as nothing further is known of him. In any case he seems to have predeceased his older brother. 3. SIR MORDACH, who became Earl of Menteith. 4. Alexander, who is styled ' brother ' by Murdach, Earl of Menteith, in a charter to Gilbert Drummond of half the lands of Boquhappil.6 VII. ALAN, Earl of Menteith, is first named on record as a hostage in England for the good behaviour of his father. He and his brother Peter went in the train of Edward I., in 1296, to London, and in the following year were equipped by him at all points as his squires, and accompanied him to the campaign in Flanders of 1297.8 The date of his succes- sion to the earldom is not certain. An Earl of Menteith was summoned to meet Prince Edward at Dunfermline in 1303 and 1304, but it is not certain whether Earl Alexander or Earl Alan is meant.7 The latter, however, was Earl not long afterwards. He was provided as one of the heirs of entail to the earldom of Fife by Duncan, tenth and last Earl of Fife of the ancient race. The charter itself is not known to be extant, but it is referred to in the indenture of 30 March 1371 between Isabella, Countess of Fife, daughter of Earl Duncan, and Robert Stewart, Earl of Menteith, 1 Hist. Documents, ii. 82; Rotuli Scotice, i. 31. 2 Ibid., i. 50. 3 Cart, of Cambuskenneth, 168. * Hist. Documents, ii. 138-141. 6 Red Book of Menteith, ii. 227 and facsimile. A Maurice of Menteith appears as a witness to charters by "William Maule of Panmure about 1293 and in 1309, but there is no evidence as to who he was (Reg. de Panmure, ii. 152-154, 157). 6 Hist. Documents, ii. 138-142. 7 Cal. Doc. Scot., iv. 480-482. THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH 135 husband of Earl Alan's granddaughter.1 The entail was probably made before 1306, when Earl Duncan married, and in that year also events took place which stirred up the national life. Earl Alan joined Bruce at the beginning of his struggle for Scottish Independence and his earldom was forfeited and given by Edward I. to John Hastings.2 This was on 22 May 1306, a month before the conflict of Methven. He is said to have been taken prisoner there, but this is doubtful, though he apparently surrendered later and was committed to John Hastings, to be imprisoned in the Castle of Abergaveny or elsewhere.3 The Earl died in captivity, though the exact date is not known, but it must have been before 16 March 1308-9, when the Parliament of Scotland stated that the heir of the earldom was then a ward.4 The name of his wife was Marjory, who sur- vived him, but her family has not been ascertained,5 and his only child so far as certainly known, was a daughter,8 MARY, who became Countess of Menteith, though the Earl's immediate successor in the earldom was his brother, VIII. MURDACH, who is first named about January 1310-11 as ' valet ' or page of Sir William Perrars, receiving money on behalf of his master.7 In 1312 he was, with a number of other Scottish gentlemen, in the service of King Edward at Dundee, where he is described as owning a black piebald horse with four white feet.8 He was still in England and had attained the rank of knighthood on 19 January 1316-17, when the English King gave permission to Sir William Ferrars to settle his manor of Groby, in Leicestershire, on Sir Murdac de Mentethe, who was to regrant it to Sir William and his wife, Elena, failing whom and their heirs the manor was to revert to Sir Murdac.9 The latter 1 See article 'Fife,' vol. iv. 13, 14. 2 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. No. 1771. 3 Pal grave's Hist. Documents, 353, 354, November 1306. 4 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 459. 5 Marjory, widow of Earl Alan, was on 13 March 1308-9 permitted to leave the manor of "Wotton for her life ; Cal. Doc. Scot., iii. No. 81. G A petition (of uncertain date) was presented to Edward n. by Gilbert* Malherbe, craving a grant of the ward and marriage of the late Earl of Menteith's son and heir (Cal. Doc. Scot., iii. No. 410), but the sex may be wrongly stated, or the child died young. Mary was the only known sur- viving heir. 7 Cal. Doc. Scot., iii. No. 193. 8 Ibid., 429. 9 Ibid., No. 534. Cf. Patent Rolls, Edward n., 1313-17, p. 613. 136 THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH returned to Scotland before 5 December 1318, when as Earl of Menteith he witnessed a grant by King Robert Bruce to the Bishop of Aberdeen.1 Various contemporary authorities assert that Murdach was concerned in the plot to place Sir William Soulis on the Scottish throne, that he betrayed the conspiracy, and was made Earl of Menteith. Sir Thomas Gray in his ' Scalacronica ' says, ' This conspiracy was discovered by Murdach of Menteith, who himself became Earl of Menteith afterwards. He had lived long in England in loyalty to the King, and in order to discover this conspiracy went to (Soulis') house. He became Earl of Menteith by consent of his niece, daughter of his elder brother, who, after his death at another time became Countess.'2 A similar statement is made by another chronicler of the period.3 Such definite statements are worthy of attention, but his promotion to the earldom, if the above charter be correctly dated, certainly appears to have taken place before the re- velation of the Soulis conspiracy, which was not made until about August 1320. Pordun refers to it and the * Black Parliament ' which followed, as at that date, and it is certain that Soulis, Sir David Brechin, and others impli- cated in the plot, appended their seals to the Barons' letter to the Pope on 6 April 1320.4 It is no doubt probable that Earl Murdach was the revealer of the conspiracy, though it does not appear that he thus gained his earldom, which may rather have come to him, as Sir Thomas Gray states, by the consent of his niece.5 But whether that be so or not, he certainly received grants of land which had belonged to those forfeited in August 1320. He had grants of Barn- bougie and Dalmeny, forfeited by Roger Moubray, and of Gilmerton near Edinburgh, which had belonged to Sir William Soulis. Rothiemay in Banffshire, and lands in Fifeshire formerly belonging to William Ferrars, were also bestowed upon him.6 He also, in 1329, had other gifts from King Robert.7 , l Acta Part. Scot., i. 473, 474, where the date is inadvertently given as 18 instead of 5 December 1318. 2 ' Scalacronica,' translated by Sir Herbert Maxwell ; Scot. Hist. Review, iii. 463. 3 Stevenson's Illustrations of Scottish History, 9, 10. 4 Fordun a Goodall, ii. ; Acta Parl. Scot., i. 474. 6 It may be noted that Murdach, though apparently Earl of Menteith before 1320, did not join with the other Earls in the Pope's letter. 6 Robertson's Index, 11, 16, 19, 20, 21. ' Exch. Rolls, i. 179, 210. THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH 137 During his tenancy of the earldom, Earl Murdach granted numerous charters of lands, among others, a considerable portion to his niece Mary. His cousin, Sir Walter Menteith, in whose charter he described himself as son of Earl Alexander, Gilbert Drummond, and Robert Logie, also received grants.1 The dates of these writs cannot be precisely stated, but they must have been granted between 1320 and 1332, when the Earl was killed at the battle of Dupplin, where he played a very heroic part. As is well known, Donald, Earl of Mar, then Regent, was in command of the Scots army, drawn up on Dupplin Moor to receive the force of Edward Baliol, who had landed at Kinghorn and was pushing north- ward. Mar, however, kept no discipline nor watch, and was attacked suddenly before daylight of 12 August 1332. The advance of Baliol's force was, however, checked for a time by the Earls of Moray and Menteith and others who led their men steadily and bravely forward, and the victory might have inclined to the Scots, but for Mar's inexperience and rashness. Menteith and Moray both were killed, and the Scots were defeated with terrible carnage.2 It is not clearly ascertained whom Murdach, Earl of Menteith, married, but Alicia or Alice, Countess of Meu- teith, had a pension from King Edward in. between May 1335 and February 1339-40, on the ground that she was not permitted to receive anything from estates or goods,3 and she was probably Earl Murdach's wife, possibly an Englishwoman. They do not appear to have had any issue. IX. MARY, Countess of Menteith, succeeded her uncle Sir Murdach, who is said to have held the earldom by her consent. In April 1320 Sir John Menteith, her grand uncle, is designed guardian of the earldom of Menteith,4 even though Murdach was nominally Earl, and it may be he thus safeguarded the interests of the heiress. The date of her birth is not known, but it must have been before 1306. Before May 1334 she had married Sir John Graham,5 and it 1 The Red Book of Menteith, i. 98; ii. 227-230. 2 Fordun a Goodall, ii. 305. Some writers incline to the belief that Earl Murdach was killed at Halidon, but the balance of testimony is in favour of Dupplin. 3 Hotuli Scotice, i. 346, 399, 570, 572 ; Fcedera, Record ed., ii. 922, 931, 1113. * Acta Parl. Scot., i. 744. 6 A papal dispensation for their marriage was granted 138 THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH was probably then or at an earlier period that she received from Earl Murdach a grant of the lands of Aberfoyle, Buchlyvie, Boquhapple, and others, forming a considerable portion of the earldom.1 After that date Sir John is found bearing the title of Earl of Menteith. As such he is witness to a charter of uncertain date, by Robert the Steward of Scotland to William Douglas of Bondingston and other lands in the barony of Dalkeith.2 As Sir John of Graham, Earl of Menteith, he was one of the jury who, on 7 June 1344, the Earl of Fife being foreman, found Malise, Earl of Strathearn and Caithness, guilty of treason for surrendering his earldom of Strathearn into Edward BalioPs hands.3 Two years later the Earl of Menteith came to an untimely end. He had accompanied King David ii. on his fateful expedition to England in 1346, and was present at the battle of Neville's Cross on 17 October. There he fought with great bravery in a futile attempt to change the fortune of the day, and was taken prisoner. Later he was conveyed to the Tower of London, on 22 February 1346-47 was condemned to be executed as a traitor, a sentence which was carried out a few days later, on or before 6 March. The Countess of Menteith survived her husband for some years, and granted various charters, chiefly in favour of the Campbells, who were allied to her by marriage. It is not exactly known when she died, but there is ground for believing her death to have taken place before April 1360,4 when a papal dispensation styles her daughter Countess of Menteith. The only known child of Sir John Graham and the Countess was 1. MARGARET, who succeeded. X. MARGARET, Countess of Menteith, is chiefly distin- guished for her matrimonial adventures, as very little is 1 May 1334, but they had been married sometime before that date. Sir John Graham is believed to be identical with the Sir John Graham who was Lord of Dalkeith and Abercorn, but even to this day the proof is not complete. The latest writer on the point thinks that there is nothing to disprove the supposition that they were the same (Scottish Antiquary, xvii. 187), but the present writer is rather inclined to think the two John Grahams were not identical. 1 Duncan Stewart's History, 208. 2 Reg. Honoris de Morton, ii. 35. 3 Fragment of Roll of Parliament, MS. in Gen. Reg. Ho. 4 Eocch. Rolls, iv. pp. clxxv, clxxvi ; Red Book of Menteith, i. 125. THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH 139 known regarding her, except in connection with her hus- bands. She was born apparently some time before 1334, when her parents had a dispensation authorising their marriage and legitimising their offspring. Nothing further is stated of her until in November 1348 a dispensation was granted for her marriage with John Moray, Lord of Both- well,1 and in this writ she is designed Margaret Graham, daughter of John Graham, Earl of Menteith. As a result of the marriage John Moray is said to have borne the title of Earl of Menteith,2 but the authority is not entirely satisfactory, and as he died in 1351, while his mother-in- law was still Countess of Menteith in her own right, it seems strange that he should have been styled Earl. In the following year a dispensation was granted to Margaret, widow of the late John Moray, for her marriage with Thomas, Earl of Mar.3 Either they anticipated this dis- pensation, or it never reached Scotland, as on 29 May 1354 another dispensation was issued, legalising the marriage which had taken place in the interval. This second dispensa- tion proceeds on the ground that no other had been granted, a strange fact when it is understood that Queen Joanna of Scotland had interested herself in obtaining the first. Scarcely had the new dispensation reached Scotland when the Earl of Mar, * instigated by the devil,' as the old chronicler has it, divorced his wife because she had no children. When this event took place is not exactly known, but in 1360 another papal dispensation was granted, legal- ising the union she had formed some time before with John Drummond of Concraig, and legitimising their offspring.4 The dispensation styles her Margaret, Countess of Menteith, 1 Dispensation dated 21 November 1348 ; vol. ii. 128. 2 Vol. ii. of this work, 129 ; Family of Rose of Kilravock, 116. The charter referred to by Mr. Innes in that work is not in evidence. It is the only instance of John Moray being styled Earl of Menteith, and in a writ, 12 April 1351, a few months before his death, he describes himself only as 'Panitarius' of Scotland (Rcgistrum Moraviense, 296, 297). 3 15 August 1352, Theiner's Vetera Monumenta, 300. 4 29 April 1360, Theiner, 305. A writer in Notes and Queries, 7th ser., vol. x. 163, suggests, on the evidence of a charter by her, confirmed by King Robert ii. on 30 March 1372 (Reg. Mag. Sig., fol. 113), that it was Mary, Countess of Menteith, who married John Drummond, but the proof is not complete, and there is, in the papal writ and the charter cited in the text, sufficient ground for believing that John Drummond, described as a ' noble young man,' married the Countess Margaret. 140 THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH and about the same date she, as Countess, grants the lands of Aberfoyle to John Drummond of Ooncraig, and to the children born betwixt them, a grant confirmed by King David ii. on 12 November 1361. l The fact that she is styled Countess seems to imply that her mother had then died, probably about 1359. Countess Margaret's third husband must have died soon after the granting of the dispensation, or after 17 May 1360, if, as seems probable, he was the John Drummond who took part in the agreement made on that day with the Menteiths, with whom he had been at feud.2 He was certainly deceased before 9 September 1361. when a fifth dispensation was issued for the marriage of Margaret, Countess of Menteith, with Robert Stewart, third son of Robert, Earl of Strathearn (afterwards King Robert n.), the intending spouses being themselves the petitioners.3 The marriage seems to have taken place soon after the date of the dispensation, and the Countess appears again only twice on record, first, in the indenture between her husband and Isabella, Countess of Fife, as to the earl- dom of Fife, which carried out the entail made by Isabella's father to Alan, Earl of Menteith, grandfather of the Coun- tess Margaret. The indenture was dated 30 March 1371 ,4 and thereafter she and her husband held the two earldoms of Fife and Menteith. The second and latest known refer- ence to Countess Margaret is in the marriage-contract, on 21 July 1372, of her daughter Janet to David de Loen. When the Countess died is not exactly known, but she was deceased before 4 May 1380, when a dispensation was issued for the Earl of Fife's marriage with Muriella Keith. (But see under title Albany for notice of her children.) ARMS. — The original territorial arms of the earldom were barry wavy of six.5 Walter Stewart, who became Earl of Menteith jure uxoris in 1258, bore a fess chequy with a 1 Red Book of Menteith, i. 127; ii. 246. 2 Ibid., L 109-113; ii. 239-246. 3 Theiner, 317. Margaret, Countess of Menteith, petitions under that designation, which seems to negative Sir William Eraser's view that her mother was a party. The writ recites a treaty between their 'parentes,' but this evidently refers, not to their fathers or mothers, but to the agreement of May 1360, to which their ' parentes ' or kinsmen, the Earl of Strathearn and the Menteiths, gave consent. 4 Red Book of Menteith, ii. 251. 6 Ibid., i. pp. xlii-xlviii, and authorities there referred to. THE ANCIENT EARLS OF MENTEITH 141 label of five points in chief. His son, the sixth Earl, bore on his shield an eagle having on its breast a shield bearing three bars wavy surmounted of a fess chequy with a label of five points in chief.1 The seventh Earl bore the fess chequy and label alone, without the bars wavy.2 [j. A.] 1 Red Book of Menteith, ii. 461 and 455. 2 Macdonald's Armorial Seals, 2556. GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH ALISE GRAHAM, the first of his name to bear the title of Menteith, was the only son of Sir Patrick Graham of Kin- cardine, second son of Sir Patrick Graham, an- cestor of the Earls and Dukes of Montrose. (See that title.) The younger Sir Patrick married Eu- famia Stewart, Countess Palatine of Strathearn, and became in her right Earl of Strathearn. (See that title.) Malise, their son, who was born about 1407, or perhaps later, during the earlier years of his life also bore the title of Strathearn, and as such was proposed as a hostage for King James I., and was named among those who welcomed him at Durham in March 1424. The King, however, took advantage of the Earl's minority, and deprived him of the earldom of Strathearn, creating him at the same time EARL OP MENTEITH. The charter of the new earldom, dated 6 September 1427, is granted to * Malise, Earl of Menteith,' as if the dignity had been con- ferred on him some time previously, but there is no record to fix the date. The writ of erection enumerated the lands to be included in it as follows : Oraynis Easter, Oaynis Wester, Oraguthy Easter and Wester, Glasswerde, Drum- laen, Ladarde, Blareboyane,Gartnerthynach,Blareruscanys, Forest of ' baith sidis * of Lochcon, Blaretuchane and Mar- duffy, Gulyngarth and Frisefleware, Rose with Oragmuk, GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH 143 Inchere, Gartinhagil Bobfresle, Bouento, Downans and Balech, Tereochane, Drumboy, Orancafy, Achray, Glassel and Cravaneculy, Savnach, Brigend, Lonanys and Garquhat, Dramanust, Schanghil [Schannochill?], Ernetly and Mony- brachys, Gartmulne and Ernomul, Ernecomry, Achmore, with the Port and the Inch, lying in the sheriffdom of Perth.1 The lands named, many of which can still be identified, indicate that the newly constituted earldom comprehended the whole of Aberfoyle parish and a portion of that of Port of Menteith. But this was only the smaller half of the original earldom, the remainder being annexed to the Crown. Two months after his receiving the above charter Earl Malise, in November 1427, entered England as a hostage for King James i., and was confined in the castle of Ponte- fract, whence he was not released until 17 June 1453. James, Lord Hamilton, who had married the Earl's sister, Euphemia Graham, widow of Archibald, fifth Earl of Douglas, was the chief agent in obtaining the release, and received a grant on 17 December 1453 of the lands of Illiestoun or Elleistoun, in the lordship of Kilpont, sheriff- dom of Linlithgow. The Earl in the charter styles himself Earl of Menteith and Lord of Kinpont, the latter being a very early possession of the Graham family, which had descended to him through his father. The Earl appears on various occasions in his place in Parliament, but little is known of his history except that he appears to have become involved in debt. He is said to have been present at the battle of Sauchie on 11 June 1488, and to have fought for the King ; but this is doubtful, as he must then have been above eighty years of age. In the retour of his grandson to the estates on 6 May 1493, Earl Malise is said to have died at the peace of King James iv.2 The exact date of his death is not known, but he was dead before 19 May 1490, perhaps not very long before 1 History of the Earldom of Strathearn, by Sir Harris Nicolas, App. xvi.-xviii. ; Bed Book of Menteith, ii. 293. The writer of this article begs to acknowledge kind encouragement from Dr. J. W. Barty, Dunblane, and much assistance to otherwise inaccessible lore from Mr. W. B. Cook, Stirling. But the opinions expressed in the article are entirely the writer's own, and he has verified most of the references personally. 2 Red Book of Menteith, ii. 302. 144 that date, when a gift was made to John Home of Ersil- toun of the ward of the lands of Gilmertoun, held of Malise, Earl of Menteith, and then in the King's hands by his decease.1 The Earl was at least twice married. His first wife is said to have been Jane de Rochford. On 19 April 1471 Janet, Countess of Malise, Earl of Menteith, is held to be entitled to her terce from Kinpont, belonging to her son Patrick. On 23 October 1476 the Earl gifted to his Coun- tess, for her good deeds done to him in youth and age, in England and in Scotland, a silver-gilt horn, a masar-dish, a silver cup, a missal, nine silver spoons, a silver saltfat, and others acquired by his own industry, the gift being sealed by his placing a gold ring on her finger.2 She pro- bably died not long afterwards, but this is uncertain. In 1490 the Countess of Menteith was named Marion, and she survived her husband, marrying John Drummond before 17 May 1491. She was still alive in 1530, dying between 28 April and 23 August in that year.3 Earl Malise had issue : — 1. Alexander, who as son and heir of his father took the latter's place as a hostage in England on 17 June 1453. He was still apparently an exile at his death, which took place some time before 19 April 1471, when Patrick is described as son and heir of Earl Malise.4 2. Patrick, named first as son and heir of Earl Malise on 19 April 1471, when he entered into an agreement for securing his mother's terce from the lands of Kin- pont. In 1476-77 and 1481-82, he is named in trans- actions with his father, always as son and heir.5 On 19 October 1478 he was infeft in the lands of Craig- uchty and Auchmar (or Auchmore) in terms of a precept from his father. He does not appear later on record, and it is not certain when he died, though it is not impossible that he may have been killed at the battle of Sauchie in 1488. He certainly pre- deceased his father, as Earl Malise was succeeded 1 Ada Dam. Cone., xii. f. 32. 2 Scottish Antiquary, x. 59, 135 ; The Lake of Menteith, by A. F. Hutchison, 272. * Reg. Mag. Sig., 23 August 1530. * Scot. Antiq., x. 59. 6 Ibid., x. 137, 170. GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH 145 by a grandson. He married in terms of a papal dispensation, about 24 January 1465-66, Isobel, daughter of Thomas, Lord Erskine,1 and had issue : — (1) ALEXANDER, who became Earl of Menteith. (2) Henry, who, on 16 October 1510, had a charter from his brother Alexander of half the lands of Gardrany and Auchmore.2 He is named with his brother Thomas, in 1532, as cited below, and in 1534 his brother the Earl confirmed the grant of the above lands, with a lease of the other half.3 No further definite record of him has been found. (3) Thomas, named along with Henry as a brother of the Earl of Menteith on 18 June 1532, when they were found as sureties for the restitution of certain stolen cattle.4 He appears to have been either illegitimate, of which there is no evidence, or to have died before 1534, when Henry is described as the Earl's ' beloved only brother-german.' 8 3. John, who is named as receiving from King James in., on 7 April 1469, the lands of Kilbride, in the sheriffdom of Perth.6 Much confusion as to this John has been caused by an error in the Acts of the Lords of Council. The lands of Kilbride were after his death the subject of litigation, and in 1492 the charter cited was produced in Court, and described as a grant to John Graham, ' sone and are ' to Earl Malise.7 Sir William Fraser and others, founding on this, have assumed that John Graham was the second son of Earl Malise, but this is con- tradicted by the references already given to his elder brother Patrick. A later note of the charter made in February 1508-9, when it was again pro- duced, repeats the date as 7 April 1469, and describes it as a charter of Kilbride to John Graham and his heirs -male.8 John Graham, however, appears on record before 1469, as receiving a fee from Exchequer in the years 1464 down to 1473.9 He is then styled son of Malise, Earl of Menteith, while, as stated, 1 Red Book, etc., i. 297 ; cf . 303. 2 Third Hep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 398. The lands are described as Gardrany or Auchmore, but later evidence (Red Book, etc., i. 334) shows these were separate holdings. 3 Red Book, etc., i. 307. 4 Acta Dom. Cone, et Sess., i. 28. 5 Red Book, etc., i.307. 8 Crawfurd gives the date as 7 April 1464, but incorrectly, as 1469 is corroborated by later evidence. 7 Acta Dom. Cone., i. 238. 8 Ibid., MS. xx. f. 150. A note of the writ in the Gartmore Charter-chest also describes it as ' to John, sone to Malise, Earl of Monteth ' (Priory of Inchmahome, by Rev. W. MacGregor-Stirling, 165). 9 Exch. Rolls, vii. 486, 574, 624; viii. 70, 172. VOL. VI. K 146 GRAHAM, EARLS OF MBNTBITH his brother Patrick appears, in 1471, as son and heir- apparent, showing he was the elder. Very little more is known of this John Graham. It has been suggested that he was the John Graham described by Earl Malise in 1476 as his ' natural son,' l but this is not certain. The latest date at which John Graham of Kilbride is named as in life appears to be 1478,2 but he may be the John Graham who in 1480 had a lea'se for three years of the Grown lands of Arnbeg and others.3 Sir William Fraser thinks he died before 1478, but a recent writer on the subject suggests, on reasonable grounds, that he lived until after 1486, perhaps until 1488. He was certainly dead before 1491-92.4 John Graham of Kilbride married Margaret Muschet, not improbably a daughter of James Muschet of Tolgarth. She survived him, and had her terce from Kilbride. They had surviving issue one daughter, married to Malcolm Drummond of Megour, apparently after her father's death, as her mother alone is referred to as disponing under the marriage-contract.5 There is no evidence of surviv- ing male issue. The charter of 1469 was granted to him and his heirs-male, and as Alexander, Earl of Menteith, in 1492, founded on that writ as one of his titles to Kilbride, in competition with a later charter to Muschet of Tolgarth,6 it is evident Earl Alexander accounted himself heir-male of the grantee. This seems to preclude the existence of nearer heirs-male of the body of John Graham.7 1 Scot. Antiq., x. 135. 2 Red Book of Menteith, i. 302. 3 Exch. Rolls, ix. 564. 4 Scot. Antiq., xi. 108-112. 6 Acta Dom. Cone., \. 6 Ibid., i. 238. 7 On 19 October 1556 and 19 February 1556-57, before a jury at Stirling, Alexander Drummond, then of Megour, claimed, as great-grandson of John Graham, to be infef t in a tenement in Stirling (Stirling Court and Town Council Records at date). He was heir only through a female, and could not have claimed at all if John Graham had left direct male heirs. Tradition identifies this John Graham of Kilbride with John (or Sir John) Graham ' of the bright sword,' who is claimed as the ancestor of the Grahams of Netherby and Esk. That personage doubtless did exist, as the local traditions regarding him are consistent, but the writer has been wholly unable to discover anything to identify the two men. John Graham ' of Kilbride ' is never styled ' Sir John,' nor given in record the rank of ' Miles,' while, as Indicated, there is a strong presumption that he left no lawful male issue. GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH 147 4. John (secundus), who on 8 December 1485, while still a youth, as son of Earl Malise, received from his father the lands of Port, Monvrachy and others, including the Lake of Menteith and the islands.1 He was under age and still under tutors on 25 February 1494-95,2 when he and his brother Walter joined in resigning the lands granted them by their father in favour of Alexander, Earl of Menteith. In the resignation they are styled ' sons carnal ' of Earl Malise,3 but there seems no reason to doubt that they were his sons by his second wife, with perhaps some canonical impediment/ He apparently reached majority in or about 1499 when he again granted a bond in favour of Earl Alexander, from whom he appears also to have held the lands of Kilpont under rever- sion.5 The remainder of his history is not on record, so far as is known, but George Orawfurd, writing before 1719, although he confuses him with John Graham of Kilbride, states that he married a lady of the Campbell family, and had a son Thomas, whom Orawfurd affirms to be the ancestor of the present family of Graham of Gartmore and Ardoch, but with- out giving any proof of his statement.8 The tradi- tion of the countryside is that the present Gartmore family are descended from the family of Graham of Dunans or Downans.7 There certainly was a Thomas Graham who died before November 1568, and who wag the progenitor of the Downans and Gartmore Grahams, but nothing has been found on record to prove him the son of John, the son of Earl Malise. A few steps of the pedigree are given here to 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., 29 June 1489. 2 This fact shows that he was a totally different person from John Graham of Kilbride, although Crawfurd, Peerage, 331 n., confounds the two brothers. 3 The Priory of Inch- mahome, by Rev. W. MacGregor-Stirling, 71 n. 4 The following seems to be a case in point. George Douglas, Master of Angus, and Elizabeth Drummond were married in March 1487-88, and had issue, but some years afterwards some canonical impediment was discovered, and they obtained a dispensation on 3 December 1494. But in a writ of 1514, after his father's death, George Douglas, the second son, though born in wedlock, is styled ' films carnalis ' of his mother Elizabeth Drummond (Milne Home, MSS. ; Douglas Book, ii. 126 ; iii. 437). 6 Authorities cited in Red Book, etc., i. 298, 299. 6 Crawfurd's Peerage, 331 n. 7 Evidence taken by Mr. W. Fraser in 1859. 148 GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH correct oiie or two errors into which Orawfurd has fallen : — a. Thomas, who died before 10 November 1568, as in writ cited below, but of whom nothing else is recorded. He had issue : — (a) John. (6) Malise, in the Kirkland of Aberfoyle. (c) William, (d) Duncan, (e) Isabel, relict of the late Walter Stirling of Auchyll.1 (/) Margaret, relict of the late Duncan Graham in Gartlonan. b. John Graham of Downans, to whom, on 10 November 1568, his "brother and sisters, as above named, of their own free wills committed all right they had or might claim against John Dormund (Drummond) of Drongy, as heir to his grandfather, for fire-raising and harrying the house and goods of the late Thomas Graham their father.2 He had, on 17 July 1569, a charter of sale to himself and his son William, by John Drummond of Drongy, of the lands of Duchray, followed, apparently, by a Crown charter. 3 He was twice married, the name of his first wife not being known. His second wife was Christine Graham.4 He had issue : — (a) Thomas ; (6) William, both by first marriage, (c) An- drew ; (d) John, by second marriage, (e) a daughter. c. William, named with his father in the charter of 1569, who succeeded to Duchray. He died in or before 1618, having married Christine M'Farlane of the Gartavertane family, who survived him.6 They had issue : 6 — (a) John. (6) Andrew, (c) Walter, ancestor of the Grahams of Glenny and Ballagan. (d) Thomas. (e) Gilbert. (/) George. d. John, ' fiar of Duchray ' in 1613.7 He acquired Glenny, and is styled ' of Glenny ' in a writ of 7 November 1615.8 He was retoured heir to his father in Duchray, Easter and Wester, on 30 October 1618.9 In 1621 he is styled John Graham of Polder, and granted an annualrent from Over Glenny to his brother Walter.10 In 1622, he, with consent of Katherine Stewart, his wife, sold Duchray to Thomas Graham in Inchrie, apparently his uncle, and John, his son.11 About 1644 he purchased Gallingad in Dumbartonshire, and re- ceived a commission against criminals in the shires of Stirling and Dumbarton and the Lennox. He was also on the Committee of War for Perthshire.12 By his wife Katherine Stewart he had issue : — (a) William of Polder. (6) Walter of Gallingad. (c) John, (d) Anna, (e) Mary, both married. 1 In this connection it is important to notice a writ quoted in The Stir- lings of Keir, 169, which shows that this Isabel was married before 18 July 1531. 2 Protocol Book of John Muschet, Town Clerk, Stirling, at date. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig. ; Exch. Rolls, xx. 30. * Stirlingshire Reg. Baptisms. '"' Stirlingshire Sasines. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 15 January 1622 ; 29 July 1626. 7 Stirlingshire Bonds. 8 Gen. Reg. of Deeds. ° Retours, Stirling. 10 Stir- ling Sasines, ii. f. 213. u Ibid., f. 293, 23 March 1622; Reg. Mag. Sig., 29 July 1626. It was this John, son of Thomas in Inchrie, who married Marion Graham of Rednock [p. 161]. 12 Acta Part. Scot., vi. (1) 124 ; (2) 356. GRAHAM, EARLS OF MBNTEITH 149 e. William Graham of Polder bought Gartmore in 1644 from the Earl of Stirling. He was created a Baronet 28 June 1665, and died in December 1684. He married Elizabeth, one of the daughters of John, Lord Kilpont, eldest son of William, seventh Earl of Menteith. (See title Airth.) His male line ended in his son Sir John Graham, second of Gart- more, and his succession devolved upon Robert Graham, son of Walter Graham of Gallingad, from whom the pre- sent Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham of Gartmore and Ardoch descends in direct line. 5. Walter, not improbably a twin with the above John. He received on the same day as his brother, 8 De- cember 1485, a charter of the Lake of Lochcon (Loch Ohon, not Loch Achray as Sir W. Eraser has it) with its islands and other lands, including the mill town and kirk town of Aberfoyle, Bofresle, Downans, and Oranisbeg, confirmed by the King on 29 June 1489.1 He also with his brother John resigned, on 25 Feb- ruary 1494-95, the lands given him by his father. He received from his nephew, Earl Alexander, the lands of Kilbride, but as these were recognosced by the Crown the Earl recompensed him by other lands on 14 May 1510.2 He had also another grant of lands, which were, however, redeemed under reversion in 1521, along with what remained of Kilbride. Walter Graham died between 17 June 1523, as cited below, and 26 February 1524-25, when a precept of clare constat was granted for infefting his son Thomas in the lands of Glassford, Boquhapple, and others.3 He married a lady named Marjorie Campbell, with whom he had a grant, on 17 June 1523, of the lands of Drongy, called Gartinsalze and Blarecholich, and part of the Brae of Boquhapple, from William Bal- four of Boquhapple.4 She survived him, and married, secondly, before 1531, Duncan Campbell of Drumfad, whom also she survived.5 Walter Graham had issue : — (1) Thomas, who succeeded his father as stated, before 26 February 1524-25. He held the offices of Custumar of Inver- 1 Reg. Mag. Sig. 2 Ibid., 6 January 1493-94, 3 February 1511-12. 3 Bed Book, etc., i. 300 and authorities cited ; cf. Third Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., 398. 4 The Stirlings of Keir, 321. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 18 April 1550; 28 September 1554. 150 GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH ness, Ross, Sutherland, and Caithness, and of Comptroller of the Treasury,1 and possessed the lands of Calziemuck, Boquhapple, and others. He died in 1562,2 having married Christine Oliphant,who survived him and married, secondly, Alexander Livingston of Terrinterran.3 Thomas had issue, inter alias : — (1) George. (2) James, who was his father's executor, and was killed on 26 December 1575, his brother George being his executor.4 (3) Marion, called eldest daughter, married in 1558 to William Schaw, , younger of Knockhill.5 George, who succeeded about 1562, and died 26 January 1598-99. He married Marjorie Graham, and had issue : — i. Thomas, ii. George, iii. John, iv. Janus, v. Mar- garet, vi. Marjorie, vii. Janet, viii. Marion, ix. Katrine, x. Helen, and xi. Barbara, all mentioned in their father's testament.6 Thomas, married (contract 6 July 1609) Isobel Schaw, relict of John Buchanan of Arnprior (who died in April 1598), and they were both alive in 1628.7 She may have been his second wife. Thomas had only one son, William, named in August 1628 as fiar of Boquhapple. He, on 28 April 1625, for a sum of money, renounced in favour of William, seventh Earl of Menteith, the lands of Glassford, Discheratoyre, Blairruskanmore, and Blairquhople, granted in 1518 to his great-great- grandfather, WalterGraham of Lochcon.8 He acquired Wester Boquhapple in 1627.9 He married (contract 8 and 28 July 1622) Margaret, daughter of William Stirling of Auchyle,10 and had issue three sons, i. Walter, ii. Patrick, Sheriff-depute of Stirlingshire,11 and iii. Thomas,1* also a daughter Elizabeth, married to Andrew M'Lachlan of Drumlean.13 Walter, who succeeded. He married, about 1648, Jean, second daughter of George Graham of Claverhouse,14 and had issue, i. William, ii. Patrick,15 iii. Mungo,10 and iv. Marion. William, entered the Army and was a major at Killie- crankie, after which there was a process of treason against him.17 On 22 April 1701 he was served heir of 1 Exch. Rolls, xix. passim. * Reg. Mag. Sig., 6 August 1562. 3 Ibid., 2 November 1583. 4 Edin. Tests., 16 November 1582. Walter Graham of Wester Torrie may also have been a son of Thomas, but there is no direct evidence. 6 Original writ in Blair-Drummond Charter-chest. 6 Dunblane Tests., 20 October 1620. 7 Part. Reg. Sas. Stirling, 27 August 1628; Strath- endrick, by J. Guthrie Smith, 365. 8 Red Book of Menteith, i. 301. • Reg. Mag. Sig., 5 August 1630. 10 Ibid., 23 December 1623. » Services of Heirs ; Stirlingshire Sheriff-court Book. 12 Original Bond. 13 Stirling- shire Sasines. 14 Ibid., viii. f. 316 ; vol. iii. of this work, 323. 16 Red Book of Menteith, ii. 193. 16 Menteith Letters, penes W. B. Cook, Esq. See Airth. » Acta Parl. Scot., ix. App. 152. GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH 151 conquest to his uncle Patrick Graham, Sheriff-depute of Stirlingshire.1 As ' Colonel William Graham of Boquhapple, indweller in the Citadel of Leith,' he died there in February 1736. He died intestate, and the inventory of his effects was given up by his 'cousin-german,' William Graham, senior, merchant in Edinburgh.* The estate changed hands in 1681. There is no mention of children in the inventory cited, but he married, first, a Janet Herries, styled wife of 'Col. William Graham of Balwhapple' in a service of 24 December 1709.3 He married, secondly, . Catherine, daughter of James Lythgow of Drygrange, widow of James Thomson of Colmslie, merchant in Edinburgh.4 By his first wife he had a son Herries Graham, served heir to his mother in 1709, but as to this son no further information has been obtained. (2) Patrick, named in 1530,5 probably rector of Kilmore, and ancestor of the Grahams of Soyoch.6 (3) Walter,1 ancestor of the Grahams of Drumlean, Daldouran or Dundurran, Bowton of Kilbride, and Ballochallan.8 6. Euphame, married, first, to Robert Vaus of Bam- barroch,9 and secondly, as his second wife, to Sir William Stewart of Garlics. She survived Sir William, and was alive in 1495.10 II. ALEXANDER, second Earl of Menteith, was the grand- son of Earl Malise, as appears from an instrument of sasine on 6 May 1493.11 His parentage is nowhere stated, and it has been held that he was the son of Alexander, the eldest son of Earl Malise. Sir William Fraser combats this view, and though later evidence has proved part of his argument to be unsound, he is probably right in supposing that Patrick was the father of the second Earl. Alexander was infeft as his grandfather's heir on 6 May 1493, and the lands had then been three years in the hands of the Crown, probably because the heir was under age. He is named in record before that date, but not as Earl, simply as heir to Earl Malise. After his infeftment he is styled Earl, and he made various grants of lands included in the earldom. He granted Kilbride to his uncle Walter, which he afterward redeemed. In 1495 he was one of the King's Council, and 1 Services of Heirs, 1701-1709. * Edin. Tests., 22 September 1736. 3 Services of Heirs, 1710-19. * Plates to Nisbefs Heraldry (1892), 57. 6 Beg. Mag. Sig., 23 August 1530. « Information from W. B. Cook, Esq. 7 Reg. Mag. Sig., 23 August 1530. 8 Information from W. B. Cook, Esq. 9 Agnew's Sheriffs of Galloway, ii. 430. 10 Vol. iv. of this work, 150; Acta Dom. Cone., 401. » Red Book of Menteith, ii. 302. 152 on 27 May 1501 he was party to a bond between King James iv. and various Perthshire lairds for the bringing of criminals to justice. In 1503 he entered into a contract for mutual defence and alliance with James, Lord Hamilton, first Earl of Arran.1 On 13 July 1512 the Earl granted the lands cf ' the two Oraance ' and Craiguchty to Sir John Colquhoun of Luss.2 Later he made grants to his uncle Walter, his own brother Henry, and other members of his own family. He was present in Parliament on 10 July 1525,3 though he does not appear largely in public affairs. In or before November 1533, the 'robbers of the dan Gregor ' paid him a visit and carried off forty cows from him and his son the Master.4 He died between 31 January or 27 February 1536-37, when his son is styled Master of Menteith,5 and 16 May following, when his son had sasine of the earldom.6 He married Margaret Buchanan, daughter of Walter Buchanan of that Ilk, and had issue, so far as known, two sons and a daughter : — 1. WILLIAM, who became third Earl. 2. Walter, a witness to the instrument of sasine of the earldom in favour of his elder brother on 16 May 1537.7 According to Sir Robert Douglas in his Peerage, it was this Walter who received a grant of the lands of Gartur from the Abbot of Inchmahome in 1553.8 It is also stated that he married Margaret Shaw, daughter of Shaw of Knockhill. He married, secondly, Isobel Graham. He died apparently before 1558, leaving issue : — (1) George, eldest son by second marriage.9 (2) Walter, and (3) William, named in 1573 with his brother George. (4) Agnes, daughter by first marriage. George, son and heir of Walter and Isobel, who was in possession of the lands of Gartur, Upper and Nether Blair- cesnoch, and other lands in 1573, 10 when he had a tack of the 1 Bed Book of Menteith, i. 306, and authorities cited. 2 Chiefs of Col- quhoun, ii. 321. 3 ActaParl. Scot., ii. 292. * Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, i. 164. 5 Reg. Ho. Charters, Nos. 1146, 1164, William being designed Master of Menteith on both dates. 6 Exch. Rolls, xvii. 739 ; Third Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., 398. * Red Book of Menteith, i. 308. 8 Ed. 1764, 476. There is now no clear proof available that Walter Grahame of Gartur was the second son of Earl Alexander, but his pedigree is here given, as in Douglas, with additions. 9 Protocol Book of Robert Ramsay, notary, Stirling, 25 March 1558. 10 Laing Charters, No. 881. GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH 153 teinds from David Erskine, Commendator of Inchmahome. The exact date of his death is not known, but he married Isobel Kinross, who survived him, and who was alive in 1596. l They had issue :— i. Walter, who died s.p. before 10 January 1596-97. ii. Jasper, in. Mary, wife of Gilbert Graham in Rednock, is believed to be a daughter. Jasper, who was infeft in the lands named on a precept from the Earl of Mar, declaring him heir of his deceased brother Walter, with reservation of liferent terce to his mother . Isobel Kinross, on 10 January and 20 April 1596.2 He was killed in 1618 by the Grahams of Polder and Duchray. He married Agnes Graham, who survived him,3 and had issue : 4— (i) John, (ii) Walter, named in the remission of 1622 and other writs as brother of John, (iii) Robert. (iv) George, (v) Janet, married to John Stewart of Annat.6 (vi) Elizabeth, (vii) Christian. Also a natural son John, named in 1622. John, of Blaircesnoch and Gartur, joined with his mother, his brother Walter, and natural brother John, in granting Letters of Slains to the murderers of their father, in 1622. 6 He came of age before March 1621, when he had a precept of clare constat as heir of his father.7 The date of his death is not certain. He married, first, Catherine, daughter of Duncan Buchanan of Cashlie (contract 28 January 1626s), without issue; secondly, Isabella Drummond, daughter of John Drummond of Coquhalzie,9 by whom he had : — a. Walter, b. Captain John, who died in June 1712, his heir being his nephew James.10 c. Robert, in Shannochill, of whom hereafter, p. 155 infra : with other sisters indicated in Captain John's confirma- tion. Also apparently a son Henry, married to Margaret, third daughter of James Menteith of Aldcathie.11 Walter is referred to in several writs as son of John of Gartur. He died in or about April 1702. 12 He married Marion, daughter of Sir James Grahame of Airth, by whom he had :— (a) James, baptized 14 September 1664 ; died an infant.1* (6) James, (c) Robert, (d) Marie, baptized 18 De- 1 Laing Charters, No. 1304. 2 Ibid., Nos. 1304, 1310. s Reg. Mag. Sig., 15 January 1622. 4 The issue are all named in a deed of 7 October 1617, Dunblane Reg. of Bonds. 6 History of the Stewarts, by Duncan Stewart, 131. « Reg. Mag. Sig.( 15 January 1622. 7 Laing Charters, No. 1972. 8 Ibid., No. 1973. 9 Ibid., No. 2616, where she is inadvertently described as the wife of his son ; Genealogy of the House of Drummond. I0 Dun- blane Tests., 28 August 1712; Laing Charters, No. 3065. » Genealogy of House of Drummond, 49. 12 Session Records, Port of Menteith, ut cit. 13 Ibid. 154 GRAHAM, EARLS OP MENTEITH cember 1670.1 (e) Margaret, married to Thomas Stewart of Ballymoran, co. Down.2 James, of Gartur, born 15 May 1668,3 his elder brother having died. In 1713 he was served heir to his uncle, Captain John.4 He died in November 1719, having married Anna Graham, daughter of James Graham of Orchill,6 and had issue :— (a) James. (/3) John, who died s.p. (y) William, after- wards of Gartur. (8) Marion.9 James, who in 1694, after the death of William, the last Earl of Airth and Menteith, was, according to Sir Robert Douglas, the undoubted heir-male of that family. He succeeded his father in November 1719, and was his father's executor. He sold his lands of Gartur to his younger brother William. He died before 10 August 1745.7 He married Elizabeth Wilkinson, daughter of Captain P. Wilkinson of Ireland, and had issue :— aa. David, who was served heir to his father on 10 August 1745. 8 He became a merchant in England, bb. John, an officer in the Army. William, who bought Gartur from his brother James. He became a merchant in Glasgow, and in 1762 the lands of Easter Torrie were adjudged to him from Robert Campbell of Torrie.9 He died in June 1766, and his daughter Janet was his executrix in 1771.10 He married Christian, only daughter of John Somerville of Glenhove, and had issue :— aa. Walter, bb. John. cc. James, dd. Janet, who in 1771 was her father's executrix. John, the only one of the brothers of whom anything is known, was the last of his family to hold the estate of Gartur. He died on 28 April 1818, aged sixty-nine.11 He bequeathed his own estate of Gartur (called Woodend), near Stirling, to Lord William Grahame, second son of the third Duke of Montrose, but the conveyance was found invalid, and the estate went to a Miss Graham, a cousin of his own and his nearest heir.12 He married Matilda, daughter of James Erskine of Car- dross, without issue. She survived him until about 1844. On the tablet he is described as then the last male repre- sentative of the family of Gartur, but this was not the case, as the late Major Graham Stirling of Craigbarnet, who died in 1898, was the last male having right to that position. He was descended from the third son of John Graham of Gartur and Isabella Drummond (see p. 153), who was Robert Graham in Upper Shannochill, called also 'in Blairsesnoch ' and 'of M'Keanston,' an estate which he acquired about 1700. He was Collector of vacant Stipends, and in 1697 presented two mortcloths to the Session of Port." 1 Session Records, Port of Menteith, ut cit. l History of the Stewarts, by Duncan Stewart, 164. 3 Session Records, Port of Menteith, ut cit. 4 Laing Charters, No. 3065. 5 Douglas, ed. 1764, 476 ; Or and Sable, by L. G. Graeme, 435; Dunblane Tests. 6 Session Records. 7 Services of Heirs. * Ibid. • Laing Charters, No. 3214. 10 Glasgow Tests., 18 July 1768, 5 August 1771. \l Inscription on tablet on wall in choir of Priory of Inchmahome. 12 Notes by Mr. Fraser in 1859. 13 Session Records. GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH 155 He married, first, Jean Menteith, daughter of James Men- teith of Auldcathie, and had issue. She died in January 1686,1 and he married, secondly, before 15 February 1688, Mary Stirling, third daughter of John Stirling of Crag- bernard, and sister of Mungo Stirling,2 who survived her husband, and died in 1759, aged ninety.3 Robert Graham in Shannochill died in March 1710, aged about seventy, having made his will on 18 February 1708.4 He had issue :— (a) John of M'Keanston, eldest son of first marriage, who was served heir to his father on 17 May 1711.5 (6) James, also of first marriage.6 (c) Mungo, eldest son of second marriage, baptized 9 April 1700,7 who died young and unmarried, his brothers Robert and George being his executors.8 (d) Robert, of whom below, (e) George, who died in June 1736,9 apparently unmarried. Robert, also in Shannochill, second son of marriage with Mary Stirling. In 1784 he was aged seventy-nine, which makes the year of his birth 1705, and he was five years old at his father's death. He was then (in 1784) residing with his son at Feddall, and he stated on oath that he was grandson to the late John Graham of Gartur,10 and a descendant of Graham, Earl of Menteith, and that he was born and had lived till within a few years at Shannochill, in the parish of Port, within a mile from the island residence of the Earls.11 He married Catherine Menteith of the Auldcathie family,12 and had issue : — i. Robert, ii. George, born 31 August 1742. iii. Mary. Robert, born 30 January 1741, who became tenant, first of Shannochill, then of Glenny in Port parish, also of Milton near Callander ; he was afterwards Laird of Feddall through his wife, and took the surname of Burden. He attended in 1818 the funeral of his kinsman John Graham of Gartur, and died, it is said, in 1823. He married Agnes Campbell, daughter of Robert Campbell of Torrie, by his wife Ann Burden. She succeeded to her mother in the estate of Feddall.13 They had issue, with three sons who died unmarried : — (i) Robert, whose circumstances became so reduced that he was for a time a street porter in Edinburgh. He was twice married, but had no male issue, (ii) John,1* who became a farmer at Brae Leny on the Perth estate. He married Isabella Campbell, and had issue, besides a daughter Agnes, a son — 1 Dunblane Tests., 4 November 1686. 2 In his Stirlings of Keir, Mr. Fraser makes Mary Stirling the daughter of Mungo Stirling of Craigbarnet (her brother), and the wife of George Graham in Shannochill, her own son. 3 Airth Peerage Case, 1839, 58. * Dunblane Tests., 7 September 1710 and 10 December 1713, also 21 February 1723. 6 Services of Heirs. 6 Dun- blane Tests. , 10 December 1713. 7 Register of Baptisms, Port of Menteith. 8 Dunblane Tests., 21 February 1723. 9 Stirlings of Keir, 134. 10 See p. 153 supra. u Airth Peerage Case, 58. 12 Red Book of Menteith, i. 463, has ' Christian,' but the name in the Baptismal Register is Catherine. 13 Information collected by Mr. W. Fraser in 1859. H Ibid. 156 GRAHAM, EARLS OF MBNTBITH a. Charles Campbell Graham, Stirling, only son, who, in 1832, succeeded to the estate of Craigbernard or Craigbarnet, in terms of an entail on 14 March 1799 by John Stirling, then of Craigbarnet, providing the estate to, among other heirs, the heirs of the body of John Graham, second son of Robert Graham Burden of Feddal. Charles was a major in the Army, and served with the Black Watch, whom he commanded at the assault on Sevastopol in 1855. He died, the last direct male heir of Gartur, on 24 July 1898, without male issue. He married, at Ballagan House, 2 December 1856, Elizabeth Agnes, elder daughter of the late Robert Dunmore Napier of Ballikinrain, and had issue, an only daughter, Caroline Frances, married, 10 January 1883, to George H. Miller, lieutenant R.N., third son of James B. Miller, Esq. of Muirshiels, Renfrewshire.1 III. WILLIAM, third Earl of Menteith, is first named in record on 16 June 1521, when he and his wife redeemed the lands of Lochcon from his grand-uncle Walter, and he later took steps to redeem Kilbride. He joined with his father in 1528 in releasing other lands from mortgage, and in 1534, while still Master, he obtained from their owner the lands of Boquhapple and Drongy. He succeeded his father be- tween February and May 1537, and had sasines of the earldom of Menteith, and of the lands of Kilpont and of Kilbride.2 He took little part in public affairs, though he was present in Parliament in December 1540. His career was cut short by an untoward incident. The event is narrated in more versions than one, but the main facts were that a party of marauders, Murrays of Athole accord- ing to one account, but according to most versions Stewarts of Appin, passing through Menteith, came to a place where a wedding feast was prepared, the Earl being an expected guest. The strangers seized on the provisions, ate up the whole, and went on their way. The Earl, enraged at their audacity, pursued the Stewarts, and, according to a local writer, overtook them near a spring, now known as the Tyepers Well, on the ' Tyepers ' path, which leads to Loch Achray and the Trossachs.3 Here a fight ensued, in which the Menteith men were worsted and the Earl slain or mortally wounded. The exact date of this fray is not known, but the Earl was alive in September 1543 and was 1 The Stirlings of Keir, 135, 136 ; The Sterlings of Craigbernard, 14. 8 Red Book of Menteith, i. 309, 310 ; Exch. Rolls, xvii. 739, 753. 3 The Lake of Menteith, by A. F. Hutchison, 27. 157 dead before 23 January 1543-44.1 He died intestate, but an inventory of his goods was given up and confirmed at Dun- blane in July 1545.2 He had ' plenishing ' on the lands of * Kilbryd, Dalbrok, Auchayk, Oardranycht, and Boquhoppill,' also in 'Auchmore, Arnthome, Portend, Brigend and Inche,' in the diocese of Dunblane. In the diocese of St. Andrews he had Kinpont and Bonhard. The whole inven- tory in both dioceses amounted to £1392, 19s. 8d. Scots. Earl William married, before June 1521, Margaret Moubray, daughter of John Moubray of Barnbougle, and widow of John Cornwall of Bonhard, who was killed at Flodden.3 She survived him, and was alive in July 1548. 1. JOHN, who became fourth Earl of Menteith. 2. Walter, who, with his mother, was executor of his father.4 He and his mother also were, in May 1545, infeft in the lands of Gartavertane, in terms of a grant to them by John Buchanan of Gartavertane, and again on 26 July 1548. They are also named in a charter to them on 28 May 1547, by George Home of Lundies, of the lands of Easter Argatie, followed by sasine on 30 May 1547.5 No further notice of Walter has been found, and the date of his death is unknown, but his lands of Gartavertane were apparently, in 1565-66, in possession of his brother Andrew, and after October 1570 belonged to his younger brother Gilbert.6 3. Robert, who, in 1547, was infeft in the lands of Wester Boquhapple by his brother, Earl John, but he sold these lands in 1553 to his brother-in-law, Archibald, Earl of Argyll, and his wife and son. In May 1547 he acquired part of Gartmore, and in 1554 he had a charter from Walter M'Awlay of Gartmore, granting the twelve-merk land of Gartmore to Robert Graham, brother-german of John, Earl of Menteith, whom failing, to Gilbert Graham, his brother, a grant which 1 Acta Dom. Cone, et Sessionis, xxv. 31, where it is suggested that he died in September 1543 ; Reg. Sec. Sig., xviii. f. 25. See above. 2 Dunblane Tests., i. ff. 94, 95. 3 Decree of Lords of Council, to warrant her against the claims of the Crown over the rents of Bonhard, 31 January 1536-37, Reg. Ho. Calendar, No. 1146. 4 Acta Dom. Cone, et Seas., xxv. f. 31. 6 Protocol Book of John Graham, Stirling. * Exch. Bollat xix. 545 ; xx. 413. 158 GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH was repeated in 1563 and 1568 to Robert and his wife and to Gilbert, his brother.1 Robert, * being sum- quhat evill disposit,' made his will at Stirling 20 February 1572-73,2 and died not long afterwards, without male issue by his wife, Elizabeth Erskine, a natural daughter of Thomas, Master of Erskine, to whom he was married in terms of a contract dated 29 January 1562-63.3 She survived Mm, and was still alive in 1577-78.* Robert Graham had at least one lawful daughter, Margaret, named in his will. She died in August 1573. He had also a natural son John and a natural daughter Christian, both referred to in his will.5 4. Gilbert, frequently designed of Beircrofts, named in 1551 as brother-german to John, Earl of Menteith, and also in the charters to his brother Robert, already cited. On 30 October 1570 he had sasine from the Crown of the lands of Gartavertane, which had belonged to his brother Walter, and in January 1572- 73 resigned them into the hands of the Regent Morton for a regrant to his son and heir, William Grahame.6 He died soon afterward, on 24 April 1573, leaving a sum of £3969 Scots, chiefly money due to him.7 He married, before 1562, Helen, daughter of John Kincaid of Warriston and widow of Robert Crauford of Beircrofts.8 She survived him, and married, thirdly, before July 1578, Gavin Hamilton of Hill.9 Gilbert had issue four sons : — (1) William, called Ninian in some writs, a minor in July 1573, ln who, on 25 June 1577, was served as heir of tailzie to his uncle, Robert Graham of Gartmore. Before January 1583- 84 he had married Janet Graham, and died between 4 August 1588 and February 1588-89.11 His wife survived him, and married, before August 1590, Colin Campbell, variously designed as 'brother of the Laird of Ardkinglas,' also i Red Book of Menteith, i. 312, 313. 2 Edin. Tests., 27 September 1574. 3 Reg. of Deeds, vi. f . 17. See also under title of Mar. 4 Exch. Rolls, xx. 527. 6 Edin. Tests., 27 September 1574 and 16 November 1576. 6 Exch. Rolls, xx. 413; Red Book of Menteith, i. 314. 7 Edin. Tests., 4 June 1578. 8 Edin. Com. Decreets, i. f . 64, 17 June 1564, where Helen Kincaid requires her father to produce her marriage-contract with Crauford ; cf. also Acts and Decreets, vol. 1. f. 404, and Edin. Tests., 4 June 1578. 9 Acts and Decreets, Ixxiii. f. 114. 10 Ibid., li. f. 319. " Red Book of Menteith, i. 314 ; Acts and Decreets, cxvi. f. 347 ; Stirling Antiquary, iii. 321. GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTBITH 159 ' of Blairnarne ' l and ' of Boghall,' not of Ardbeith, as suggested by Sir William Fraser.2 William and Janet had issue at least one son, i. Robert, who, on 27 May 1606, was retoured heir to his father in the lands of Gartmore and Gartavertane. He died in November 1614. He had a son Gilbert, who is styled of Gartmore in the court book of the Stewartry of Menteith between 1630 and 1634. He was still under age in 1632, and died before 9 October 1634, when his sister, Agnes Graham, was served . heir to their father on these lands, which had been nineteen years in ward and one in non-entry.3 Agnes married John Alexander, a younger son of William, Earl of Stirling. The lands were disponed by her to the Earl and were afterwards sold to William Graham of Polder in 1644, whose younger brother was the ancestor of the present family of Graham of Gartmore and Ardocb. (2) John, a minor in July 1573 and second son,4 who in 1586 was styled of Bofreslie.5 In 1581-82 he claimed to be heir of his younger brother James, but on 28 February in that year James was asserted to be alive.6 John Graham was still alive on 6 February 1588-89.7 (3) James, named executor to his father on 3 May 1578, and gave up the inventory of his father's estate.8 He was still alive on 28 February 1581-82, as above stated. (4) Andrew, who, as brother-german of William Graham of Gartavertane, had, on 1 July 1585, a gift of the escheat of Helen Short, widow of John Guthrie, Captain of (Castle) Campbell.9 (5) Marion, sister of William Graham of Gartavertane, married, apparently as second wife, to Alexander Alexander of Menstrie, father of William Alexander, first Earl of Stirling.10 5. Andrew, who, ill 1547, received the lands of Boquhapple from his brother Earl John.11 It is probably also he who, as Andrew Graham of Gartavertane, had, on 6 February 1565-66, a commission of Justiciary against evildoers within the earldom of Menteith.12 6. Margaret, married, on 21 April 1541, in the Priory of Inchmahome, as his second wife, to Archibald, fourth Earl of Argyll. (See that title.) 7. Christian, married, before March 1553, to William 1 Information from Dr. Barty, Dunblane. 2 Red Book of Menteith, i. 314 ; see Reg. Privy Council, viii. p. 723. 3 Special Retours, Perthshire, Nos. 161, 437. 4 Acts and Decreets, li. f. 319. 5 Reg. of Deeds, xxiv. f. 185, 14 April 1586. 6 Canongate Court Book. 7 Acts and Decreets, cxvi. f. 347. 8 Edin. Tests., 4 June 1578. 9 Reg. Sec. Sig., lii. f. 153. 10 Edin. Tests., 24 May 1581 ; cf. House of Alexander, by Dr. C. Rogers, i. 27. » Red Book of Menteith, i. 311. 12 Exch. Rolls, xix. 545. 160 GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH Livingstone of Kilsy th. (See that title, and authorities there given, showing that she was the daughter of William, third Earl, and not of John, fourth Earl, as usually asserted.) IV. JOHN, fourth Earl of Menteith, had a gift of his own ward and, marriage on 23 January 1543-44.1 He succeeded apparently in September 1543, as he was held to be in possession of the teinds of Kinpont from that date,2 though he was not formally infeft until 4 January 1546-47.3 As Earl of Menteith he sat in Parliament at Stirling in June 1545, and at Linlithgow in October same year. He also attended the Privy Council in February and March 1545-46.4 It was in September of the following year that the young Queen Mary abode for a short space in the Earl's Isle of Inchmahome, and he is said to have gone in her company to France, but this is doubtful, and the date cited by Sir William Fraser suggests what is really the case, that he was one of the many nobles who accompanied the Queen- Dowager to France in 1550.5 After her return the Earl is again found present in the Privy Council, and in 1554, after she became Regent, he received from her a Commission of Justiciary over both the earldom and the stewartry of Menteith.6 In 1558 the Earl joined the Lords of the Con- gregation and adhered steadily to them, taking part in the siege of Leith, ratifying the Confession of Faith, and attending meetings of the Assembly of the Church.7 He died in January 1564-65.8 The Earl married (contract dated 8 October 1548) Marion Seton,9 daughter of John, Lord Seton. She survived him, and married, as his third wife, John, tenth Earl of Suther- land, and was poisoned with him at Dunrobin 23 June 1567.10 The Earl had issue : — 1. WILLIAM, fifth Earl of Menteith. 2. George, who, in 1560, was one of the hostages given 1 Reg. Sec. Sig., xviii. f. 25. 2 Acta Dom. Cone, et Sess., xxv. f. 31. 3 Exch Rolls, xviii. 409. * Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 455, 495 ; P. C. Reg., i. 22, 60. 6 Diurnal of Occurrents, 50. 6 Red Book of Menteith, i. 318, and authorities cited. 7 Ibid., 319. 8 This date is given in the course of an action as to the teinds of Kilpont (Acts and Decreets, xlvi. 326). 9 Acta Dom. Cone, et Sess., xxv. f. 60. 10 The Sutherland Book, i. 128. GRAHAM, EARLS OF MBNTEiTH 161 to the English Admiral Winter for observing the treaty with England, and was then only five years old. His father was very desirous that he should be kept near the Border that he might frequently hear of him. He seems to have been placed in the charge of the Dean of Durham, and was apparently still in England in December 1561.1 He became, after his brother's death, tutor-at-law to his nephew, Earl John, and he was still tutor on 20 January 1585-86, when summoned to confer with the Privy Council as to the repression of crime in Menteith.2 He and his wife, his son and apparent heir, James, and his sons Dougall and Archibald are named in a writ of 18 November 1601, a promise to give them the lands of Rednock in feu farm.3 George Graham of Rednock, and his sons Dougall, Walter, John, and Hew were all charged with violent abduction of the daughter of Colin Campbell of Blairnarne in 1609, and he was alive in 1610.4 He married Agnes Macdougall,5 and had issue : — (1) James, who had Crown charters of the lands of Easter Red- nock on 12 February 1584-85 and 12 June 1598.6 He died without issue, after 1601, when he was apparent heir. (2) Dougall) named with his father and mother in a writ of 1601. already cited. He is called son and apparent heir in 1609.7 (3) John, who, on 10 March 1619, was served heir to his brother James in Easter Rednock, and also in Mondowie, co. Stirling,8 which latter lands were sold to William, Earl of Airth in 1635. He married Jean Kinross, and had issue :— i. Marion, married to John Graham of Duchray, known as the ' Highland Hector,' son of Thomas Graham of Inchrie, as on p. 148, ante, and had issue.9 ii. Anna, married (contract dated 19 July 1645) to Alex- ander Colquhoun of Camstradden, and had issue.10 iii. Elizabeth, married to John Macfarlane. iv. Mary, unmarried in 1650.11 (4) Walter, named in 1609. (5) Archibald, styled brother of Dougall in writ of 1601. George Graham had also a natural son Hetv, named in 1609. 1 Cat. Scot. Papers, i. 312, 345, 372, 580. * P. C. Reg., iii. 718. 3 Writ in Polmaise Charter-chest. 4 P. C. Reg., viii. 249, 261, 403, 556. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 12 June 1598. 6 Ibid., at dates. 7 P. C. Reg., vii. 261, 556. 8 Special Rftours, Perth, No. 265 ; Stirling, No. 96. 9 Chiefs of Colquhoun, ii. 205. 10 Ibid., 205, 207. » Reg. Mag. Sig., 24 January 1650, where all their names are given. VOL. VI. L 162 GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH 3. Mary, married, in January 1560-61, to George (not John) Buchanan of that Ilk, and had issue.1 V. WILLIAM, fifth Earl of Menteith, had a gift from the Grown on 10 April 1565 of his own ward and marriage,* and he entered into a contract with his mother by which she advanced the money paid for the gift, and drew the rents of the earldom until the sum was refunded. He was under age at his father's death, and had not been infeft in the earldom, but he was publicly acknowledged as Earl, and sat as such in the Gommission of Parliament at Stirling, which, on 29 July 1567, received Queen Mary's demission, and assisted at the coronation of the infant Prince James. He fought against the Queen at the battle of Langside, and took part in meetings of Privy Council and Parliament up to July 1569. He was still under age, but obtained, on 28 October 1571, a dispensation from the Grown, upon which, on 20 November same year, he was infeft in the earldom of Menteith, the lands of Kilbride, and others.* He attained majority on or before 24 January 1572-73, when he ratified his marriage-contract made in his minority/ On 2 May 1574 he received a Commission of Justiciary against a number of marauders with Highland names, and was a member of the Privy Council until his death. His vassals and those of Leckie of that Ilk at this time quar- relled, and serious bloodshed took place, on account of which the principals on both sides were summoned before the Oouncil in May 1577, and in February and March 1577- 78 the Earl was bound over to keep good rule.5 He, how- ever, died a few months later, in September 1578, after an illness apparently of some duration, as he delivered his eldest son to the charge of George Buchanan of that Ilk, his brother-in-law, about ten days before his death, and left a will directing that the child should remain in Buchanan's charge.8 Earl William married (contract dated 16 May 15717) 1 History of Strathendrick, by J. Guthrie Smith, 288. Mary, in a royal precept of 10 November 1561, is styled elder daughter of Earl John (Beg. Sec. Sig. , xxx f . 76). She was therefore not the only daughter. 2 Reg. Sec. Sig., xxxiii. f. 11. 3 Red Book of Menteith, i. 324 and authorities there cited. * Reg. of Deeds, xii. f. 28. 6 P. C. Reg., ii. 612, 672, 729. • Acts and Decreets. Ixxiv. f. 151, and 26 January 1578 79. 7 Reg. of Deeds, xii. f. 28. It was owing to this contract that he infeft himself before his majority when it was made he was still under curators. GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH 163 Margaret Douglas, daughter of Sir James Douglas of Drumlanrig, and widow of Edward, seventh Lord Orichton of Sanquhar, who survived him, and married, thirdly (contract 22 May 1593), Robert Wauchope of Niddrie.1 By her the Earl had issue : — 1. JOHN, who succeeded as sixth Earl. 2. George, designed brother-german of Earl John. He also, as son of the deceased Earl of Menteith, is a witness to a charter of 13 March 1590-91. 2 In 1602 he had a serious quarrel with William Greir, or Greirson of Lag.3 In 1605 he was denounced and put to the horn by his sister-in-law and her husband, Campbell of Lundie, as having given himself up to living by reif and sorning with the Clan Gregor and the Macfarlanes. But in November 1607 he was released from outlawry and given the wand of peace.4 He died in April 1617, survived by his wife Grisel, daughter of Henry Stirling of Ardoch, and leaving issue a son John, under the tutory of his nephew William, seventh Earl of Menteith, and a daughter Elspeth.* 3. Helen, named as daughter of William, Earl of Men- teith, in an action by her as assignee of her brother George, 25 January 1610, before the Lords of Privy Council.6 VI. JOHN, sixth Earl of Menteith, was a boy under five years old when he succeeded to his father. This appears from an action between George Buchanan of that Ilk, to whom he had been intrusted by his father, and Countess Margaret, his mother, who claimed the custody of her son until he was seven years of age.7 He was afterwards, as stated, for some time under the tutory of his uncle George, and after his death under that of John Graham of Fintry. He was, it is said, retoured heir to his father in 1583. Letters of dispensation were obtained from King James vi. 1 See ante, vol. iii. 229. 2 Beg. Mag. Sig., 5 December 1591. 3 P. C.Reg., vi. 383. 4 Gen. Beg. of Inhibitions, x. f. 80 ; xxvii. f. 95, where in one place he is erroneously styled Robert ; cf. P. C. Reg., vii. f. 39. 5 Red Book of Menteith, i. 327; Dunblane Tests., 3 February 1618. 6 P. C. Reg., viii. 403. 7 Acts and Decreets, Ixxiv. f. 151, and 26 January 1578-79 ; the case was twice continued, and the sequel has not been ascertained. 164 GRAHAM, EARLS OF MENTEITH on 7 October 1587, and a little later he was, notwithstand- ing his minority, infeft in the earldom and other lands. A lawsuit arose between him and his mother about the custody of some of the charters of the earldom, which she alleged were committed to her keeping by the late Earl, but were now demanded by Earl John and his tutor, the Laird of Fintry. It was probably in connection with this dispute that an attack was made on the place of * Kelwode,1 as the Earl was required to find caution that she should suffer no injury.1 He entered into a mutual bond of maintenance and manrent with Malcolm Macfarlane, fiar of Gartaver- tane, on 6 March 1597.2 He died in December 1598, having married (contract dated 22 October 1587,3 when he was scarcely fifteen) Mary Campbell, sister of Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy, who paid 8000 merks as her dowry. She survived the Earl, and married, secondly (contract dated 26 June 1599 4), Colin Campbell of Lundie. Earl John had issue : — 1. WILLIAM, who became seventh Earl of Menteith. 2. Christian, who, on 20 January 1615, had a bond from her brother for four thousand merks Scots, to be paid when she should 'be cled with ane husband.' She was married to John Blackadder of Tulliallan, who was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia, on 28 July 1626. VII. WILLIAM, seventh Earl of Menteith, was still under age in 1610 when a royal dispensation was granted on account of his minority, and on 7 August in that year he was served heir to his father in the earldom of Menteith, the lands of Kilbride, and others. From this time for some years he devoted himself to consolidating and adding to his estates. In 1621 he had a Commission of Justiciary over malefactors in his own district, and in that year also he first sat in Parliament. In 1626 he was made a Privy Councillor and a Commissioner of Exchequer. In 1628 he was made President of Council and also Justice-General of Scotland, holding the last office, at the pleasure of the 1 Bed Book of Menteith, i. 329 ; P. C. Beg., iv. 263. It has been suggested that ' Kelwode' is perhaps a mistake for Kilbride, but the record is quite distinct. 2 Bed Book of Menteith, ii. 316. 3 Beg. of Deeds, xxx. f. 164. Cf. vol. ii. 183, where the year is inadvertently given as 1589. 4 Reg. Mag. Sig.,3 August 1614. GRAHAM, EARLS OF MBNTEITH 165 King, until 1633. In 1630 he was sworn a Privy Councillor of England also. His commanding talents and his public services were thus rewarded, until, in an evil moment, he laid claim to the earldom of Strathearn, held by his ancestor Earl Malise. He was, after a formal resignation, ratified in the title of Earl of Strathearn, but the remainder of his history, his death, and his family will be found in detail under the title of Airth.1 CREATION.— 6 September 1427, Earl of Menteith. ARMS. — The various Earls used slightly different coats of arms, all of which are recorded in the Red Book of Men- teith, ii. 459. Sir David Lindsay gives the Arms as — Quarterly : 1st, argent, on a chief sable three escallops or ; 2nd and 3rd, or, a chevron gules (on the seals this quarter is generally two chevronels for Strathearn) ; 4th, or, a fess chequy azure and argent. CREST. — The seal of the seventh Earl bears for crest an eagle's head. SUPPORTERS. — On the same seal are two lions rampant. [J. A.] 1 Vol. i., pp. 133-145. STEWART, LORD METHVEN EN BY STEWART, first Lord Methven, younger son of Andrew Stewart, second Lord Avandale, and brother of Andrew, Lord Ochiltree, was born about 1495. He supported the Earl of Arran against Angus in 1524. He owed Ms advancement, how- ever, to the favour of the Queen - Dowager Mar- garet Tudor, widow of King James iv., who be- came attracted by him about 1526, when he held the office of Master Carver to the King her son. The Queen was then in the midst of her quarrel with the Earl of Angus, her second husband, and was soon completely governed by Henry Stewart, who favoured the English alliance. She appointed him Treasurer, Lord Chancellor, and Keeper of the Seals, and he ' ordered everything.' l The Queen obtained a divorce from Angus, at Rome, 11 March 1527-28, and shortly after 23 March 1527-28, at which date the news had not arrived, but before 2 April 1528, married Henry Stewart.2 He was imprisoned for a short time, but on the fall of the power of Angus was received into the favour of the King, and retained it until his death. He was created LORD METHVEN 17 July 1528, the King giving in conjunct fee 1 Letters and Papers of Henry VIH., iv. No. 800. a Ibid., Nos. 4091, 4134 ; State Papers, iv. p. 491. Dunbar's Scottish Kings gives the date of this marriage as in March 1526. STEWART, LORD METHVBN 167 to his mother and to Henry Stewart her husband, brother of Andrew, Lord Avandale, the lands of Methven and Bal- quhidder, erected into a barony to be called the lordship of Methven.1 He received the grant of many other lands also. On account of his marriage he assumed (and bore on his seal 1539) for one of his supporters a dragon (the badge of his wife's father, King Henry vn. of England), and for crest, a queen crowned, standing erect, holding a naked sword reversed with her right, and leaning on a wheel with her left.2 He was later made * Maister of the Ordinaunce and Sherif of Linlithcu by inheritance.'3 The Queen later, in 1537, obtained a dissolution of her marriage with him also, on the ground that he was within the fourth and fourth degrees of consanguinity to the Earl of Angus, her second husband,4 and wished to marry again, but her son James v. prevented this scandal, and she died at Methven 18 October 1541. He received a final grant of the lordship of Methven 10 October 1551s to himself, Janet Stewart, Mistress of Sutherland, and their son, and died shortly after. He was, it is stated, married early in life to * Lady Leslie,' by whom he had a son.8 His first proved marriage, however, was to the Queen-Dowager. On her death he married the mother of his four children, Janet Stewart, who, as his wife, received with him, June 1545, the third part of the lands of Nether Gorthie.7 She was daughter of John, second Earl of Atholl, and widow, first of Alexander, Master of Sutherland, and secondly, of Sir Hugh Kennedy of Girvanmains. She survived him, liferenting the lordship of Methven, and married, fourthly (contract 9 April 1557), Patrick, Lord Ruthven.* This is her last proved marriage, but it is alleged that she was married, fifthly, to James Gray, son of Gilbert Gray of Foulis.' He had issue : — 1. John Stewart, Master of Methven, said to have been a son by * Lady Leslie,' to have received a pardon in March 1540 for holding heretical opinions,10 and to 1 Reg. Mag. Sig. 2 Riddell's Remarks, 198. 3 Estimate of the Scottish Nobility, 24. * Liber Off. S. Andree, 6 June 1537, fol. 265. 5 Reg. Mag. Sig. c Stuart's Stuarts of Castlestuart. 7 Reg. Mag. Sig. 8 Cf. vol. IT. 260. 9 Ex inform. Hon. Vicary Gibbs. w Green's Princesses, iv. 600 n. 3. 108 STEWART, LORD METHVEN , have been killed at the battle of Pinkie 10 September 1547.1 2. HENRY, son of Janet Stewart, who succeeded him. 3. Janet, eldest daughter, who was married, or at least contracted, 21 February 1547-48 2 and 14 October 1551, to Oolin Campbell, sixth Earl of Argyll.3 4. Jean, daughter of Henry, Lord Methven, contracted to Patrick Wood, younger of Bonnytoun, 17 August 1560.4 She must either have been another daughter, or else the marriage with the Earl of Argyll did not take effect. In a pedigree by Sir William Segar, Garter, of the * Lord of Ogheltree,' she is stated to have married * Woods Dns de Lewingston.' 5. Margaret, married, first, before 1566, to Andrew Stewart, Master of Ochiltree ; 5 secondly, to Uchtred Macdowal of Garthland.8 She is perhaps the Dame Margaret Stewart, Lady Ochiltree elder, who died I January 1627, and whose testament-dative was given up by her daughter Susanna Stewart.7 6. Dorothea, married, 17 August 1561,8 to William, first Earl of Gowr}e. It has been asserted that she was a daughter of the Queen-Dowager, and that the Gowrie conspiracy was in fact her son's attempt on the throne. Her parentage, however, is proved by letter of legitimation, dated 16 September 1551.* II. HENRY, second Lord Methven, received with his three sisters a legitimation in 1551, 10 and succeeded his father by grants of the baronial fief of Methven to him, nominatim 10 October 1551 and 1 December 1564,11 the last grant being to the heirs-male of his body, whom fail- ing, to return to the King. He was on the Regent's side against Queen Mary," and after the slaughter of the Regent Lennox, whom he dearly loved, could not enjoy Scotland.11 He intended to go abroad, and his will was made on account of 4 beand of mynd to pas to ye pts. of Prance for learning of languages and behavior and exerceis quairthrow I may 1 Stuart's Stuarts of Castleatiiart, 136. 2 Ada Dom. Cone, et Stss., xxvi. 24. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig. * Beg. of Deeds, iii. 415. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig. * Duncan Stewart, 122. 7 Edin. Tests. • Scott's Gowrie, 39. fl Reg. Sec. Sig., xzir. f. 99, to Henry, Janet, Margaret and Dorothy Stewart. I0 Ibid. u Reg. Mag. Sig. 13 Duncan Stewart, 122. 1S Estimate of the Scottish Nobility, 24. STEWART, LORD METHVEN 169 be ye mair habill to serve our souerane Lord in defence of his realme and legis,' but before he carried out his intention he was killed, 3 March 1571-72,1 ' in the cyuill warres, by the schott of a canon out the castle of Edinburgh/2 and was buried at Methven 21 March. His family is thus described:3 'They be of noble blood, very religious and valiaunt.' 4 He married Jean Ruthven, daughter of Patrick, third Lord Ruthven. She was married, secondly, to Andrew, fifth Earl of Rothes, and died in September 1591, her testament being recorded 26 October 1594.5 Issue : — 1. HENRY, succeeded his father. 2. Dorothea, married to Mr. John Stewart, styled of Oampsie,6 son of Alexander Stewart of Brjghouse.7 III. HENRY, third Lord Methven, succeeded his father in the lordship, ' a new house, and of no great lyvinge or power,' on 1 July 1592. The title of Methven is described as ' decaied by want of heires, and comming to the King's hands, he hath disponit it to the Duke (of Lennox).8 He is stated to have married a daughter of Henry Stewart, a son of James, Earl of Arran.8 On 31 July 1587 the King granted to his physician, Gilbert Moncrieff, part of the lordship of Methven, which had reverted to the King on the death without heirs-male of his body of Henry, last Lord Methven, in January 1585.10 CREATION.— Lord Methven, 17 July 1528. ARMS. — Quarterly : 1st and 4th, or, a lion rampant within a double tressure flory counterflory gules ; 2nd, or, a fess chequy azure and argent, for Stewart ; 3rd, argent, a saltire between four roses gules, for Lennox ; on an escutcheon surtout, a lion rampant holding a castle in its paws, for the title of Methven.11 [A. F. s.] 1 Edin. Tests., 7 October 1572. * Estimate of the Scottish Nobility, 36. 3 Ibid., 24. * ' Lord Methven's Tragedie,' 1572, by Lord Sempill, is men- tioned in Walpole's Royal and Noble Authors. ° Edin. Tests. ' Edin. Inhibs., xi. 204. r Perth Sasines, 28 December 1593. 8 Estimate of the Scottish Nobility, 36, 71. 9 Duncan Stewart's History of the Family of Stewart, 122. l° Reg. Mag. Sig. " Macdonald's Scottish Armorial Seals, No. 2671. MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON IDDLETON is one of those surnames derived from a place, and it is also one which, at an early date, appears in many locali- ties both in England and Scotland. The Middle- tons treated of in this article descend from a family who settled in the Mearns or Kincardine- shire, and assumed the style of Middleton *de eodem,' or of that Ilk. They are said to have obtained their lands in the time of David I., according to a charter by William the Lion to a Malcolm, son of Kenneth, cited by Nisbet on the authority of Sir George Mackenzie. The first of the name who is certainly on record is HUMPHREY DE MIDDLETON, a witness to a charter by Stephen of Kinardley to the monks of Arbroath, and it was probably he who also witnessed a charter made to the same abbey by Robert, son of Warnebald, about 1238.1 He is also a witness to a charter by Walter of Lundin, granting to Philip of Feodarg (or Meldrum) the lands of Balcormok, about 1250.' 1 Registrumde Aberbrothoc, 179, 198. 2 Macfarlane's Collections, MS., 34, 3, 25, Adv. Lib. MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON 171 HUMPHREY MIDDLETON of that Ilk, perhaps grandson of the preceding, did homage to King Edward I., in 1296, for lands in Kincardineshire, and again in 1306 for the same.1 The next on record, who can be definitely connected with Porfarshire, is WILLIAM MIDDLETON,* who had between 1418 and 1432, a tack of the lands of Invercany, co. Forfar, from Walter, Abbot of Arbroath, with the mill and tithes. He was appointed Custodian of the forest of Trostow.3 GILBERT MIDDLETON of that Ilk, who was witness, 5 Sep- tember 1454, to a charter by John de Troup of lands in Kincardineshire to Alexander Sutherland of Dunbeath.4 In 1460 and 1461 he appears as a juror on two inquests, the first as to some land belonging to the Abbey of Arbroath, and the second, for serving Sir Alexander Fraser as heir to his grandfather in the lands of Cowie.5 LAURENCE MIDDLETON of that Ilk, who is referred to in 1481 as a witness to a sasine in favour of Andrew, Lord Gray.8 He died before 15 June 1493.7 He married, it is said, a daughter of Straton of Lauristoun, and on 17 January 1496-97 an action was raised against Alexander Straton of Lauriston at the instance of Alexander, son of James, Lord Ogilvy, and Nicolas Straton, his wife, for non-delivery of two-thirds of the goods of Laurence Middleton of that Ilk.8 Nicolas Straton may therefore have been his widow. He had issue — 1. GILBERT, who succeeded. 2. David. 3. Walter. 4. Alexander, named in the action of 17 January 1496-97, cited above. 5. Violet, described as * daughter to the Laird of Middle- 1 Cat. Doc. Scot., ii. 209 ; Fcedera, Record ed., i. 995. 2 There are various Middletons named in the English records between 1306 and 1418 (cf. Col. Doc. Scot., iii. iv.), but none of them can be connected with the family now treated of. * Beg. Nig. de Aberbrothoc, 60. Woodjand Douglas state that he had a Crown charter of these lands in 1430, citing the Haddington Collections, but the entry really refers to the tack. The lands were not then in the hands of the Crown. William is not designed ' of that Ilk ' in the tack, but probably was so. * Reg. Ho. Charters, No. 337. 6 Reg. Nig. de Aberbrothoc, 115; Frasers of Philorth, ii. 203. 6 Wood's Douglas. 7 Acta Dom. Auditorum, 178. 8 Acta Dotn. Concilii, MS., vii. f. 53. 172 MIDDLETON, EAKL OF MIDDLETON ton in the Mearns, and widow of Thainstoun.' l She was apparently the Violet Middleton married, as his second wife, to George Leslie of that Ilk. They had a Grown charter, on 24 November 1497, of half the lands of Edingareoch.2 She died before 26 October 1505. GILBERT MIDDLETON of that Ilk, sou and heir of the deceased Laurence, is so referred to on 15 June 1493, when he obtained a decreet against his father-in-law John Wishart of Pittarrow for £20 Scots, part of a dowry payable with his daughter Marjorie, now dead, who had been Gilbert's wife.3 On 7 April 1494 he was one of the jurors on a ser- vice of Alexander Irvine of Drum.4 He sold his lands of Middleton, except the manor-house and orchard, on 20 August 1510, to Adam Orichton of Ruthvens and Isabel Gray, his spouse, a grant confirmed on 24 August ISIO.5 In 1516 he was Sheriff of Forfar, according to Orawfurd. He was dead before 28 March 1533.8 He married, iirst, Mar- jorie, daughter of John Wishart of Pittarrow. She died, as stated, before June 1493, and he married, secondly, Agnes Lauder, said to be of the Bass family. They held, in 1519, the templelands of Middleton, Fettercairn, and Benholm.7 By her Gilbert Middleton had issue : — 1. Alexander, who died either before or very soon after his father. He married Isabell Grahame, who is described as relict of the late Alexander Middleton, son and heir of the late Gilbert Middleton of that Ilk, on 28 March 1533, when she brought an action against a Jonet Middleton and Gilbert Keith her spouse for spoliation.8 2. JOHN, who succeeded. 3. 4, 5, 6. Four sons, whose names are unknown. 7. Middleton of Olerkhill, described in a writ of 1682 as fifth brother of Kilhill.9 He was probably the Henry Middleton who had the lands of Olerkhill, and on 22 December 1553 he acquired the lands of 1 Bishop Lesley's MS. Genealogy of the Leslies. a Records of the Family of Leslie, i. 49. 3 Acta Auditorum, 178. * Reg. of Deeds (M'Ken.), 10 February 1741. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig. ' Ex inform. Dr. Maitland Thomson. 7 Barclay Allardyce MS. ; Jervise, Angus and Mearns, 366. 8 Ada Dom. Cone, et Sess., ii. f. 152. ' Grant of Arms in Lyon Register. MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON 173 Oraraondgorth, co. Aberdeen.1 On 8 August 1559 he received permission to stay at home from warlike raids, inquests and assizes.2 Henry had issue, the most distinguished of his descendants being Captain Laurence Middleton of Futtaburgh,3 who married, secondly, Grisel, daughter of Thomas Mowat of Garth.4 They had a son George, alive in 1688.5 JOHN MIDDLETON of Middleton, of Netherseat, and finally of Kilhill, is first mentioned on record in the gift of his marriage as son and heir of the late Gilbert Middleton of that Ilk,8 in favour of Alexander Strachan of Thornton, who sold it to David Falconer of Halkerton. On 6 October 1539 part of the lands of Middleton were apprised from John for 650 merks at the instance of Sir John Campbell of Lundy and Isabella Gray, his spouse. On 19 January 1539-40 John Middleton and David Falconer of Halkerton made an excambion of their lands, and Falconer acquired Middle- ton, Easter-Husbandton of Middleton and Drumquhirbir, while Middleton obtained the Netherseat of Halkerton with other lands. This transaction was confirmed by charters under the Great Seal 27 January 1539-40.7 Falconer subse- quently obtained other portions of Middleton.8 On 15 April 1552 John and his wife had a charter from the Constable of Dundee of Newtibber and Davidstoun,9 and paid £40 for his entry thereto.10 In 1542 he was taken prisoner at a raid called the Moss of Aberlour by an Englishman, Matthew Forrester. He arranged with his captor for a ransom of £40, and left Andrew Buchanan as his surety, promising to pay the £40 by next New Year's day. He failed to keep his promise. Buchanan paid for his own release, and was allowed to go home under sureties for payment of Middle- ton's ransom. He had great difficulty in getting the latter to pay anything, and the last heard of the matter is that a decree was got charging Lord Maxwell, the Warden of the West Marches, to take cognisance of the affair.11 He died in July 1588, having married, first, Isabella, daughter 1 Eeg. Mag. Sig., 23 February 1553-54. 2 Reg. Sec. Sig., xxix. f. 88. 3 Grant of Arms in Lyon Register. 4 Grant's Zetland Families. 6 Orkney Sasines, 29 August 1688. 6 Reg. Sec. Sig., 27 July 1535. 7 Reg. Mag. Sig. 8 Ibid., 8 October 1546. 9 Confirmed 7 May 1565, ibid. 10 Scrymgeour Inventory. n Acts and Decreets, i. 278. 174 MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON of David Falconer of Halkerton. She died between 26 March 1553 and 13 March 1557-58.1 Middleton married, secondly, before the last-mentioned date, Katherine, said to have been the daughter of Strachan of Thornton.2 She died 30 November 1575.3 By his first wife he had issue : — 1. JOHN, who succeeded. 2. Marjorie, married, before 1561, to Mr. Gilbert Bisset of Pitmuckston. She died in October 1608. By his second wife he had issue : — 3. Alexander.4 He had succeeded to Berrihill, as the substitute of George Middleton, by Lammas 1589. He married (contract 2 September 1598) Margaret, daughter of John Robertson of Monquaith, and left issue by her. 4. James, apprenticed, 7 March 1587, with Andrew Mal- colm, burgess of Edinburgh, merchant. His father paid a premium of 20 bolls victual yearly out of the lands of Oourthill, where James had infeftment, and Malcolm also got the rent of a house and lands in Montrose belonging to James; for this he was to teach him his trade, to exercise him in travelling in Scotland, Flanders, and France, to give him two suits of clothes a year, and to provide him in meat, drink, etc.5 5. George, named along with other children in his mother's testament-dative in 1575. He was alive in February 1588-89, when he and his brother James gave up his father's testament-dative. He had also a natural son — Jo/iw, to whom letters of legitimation were granted 22 March 1584. JOHN MIDDLETON, the eldest son, had a charter 17 March 1564-65 of the lands of Netherseat on the resignation of his father.8 On 20 December 1595 he had a Grown charter of Bent Upperseat and Netherseat alias Kilhill.7 He died between 2 July 1602 8 and 1 January 1604-5. He married, 1 Reg. Mag. Sig. * Barclay-Allardyce MS. 3 Edin. Tests., 14 July 1582. * Reg. of Dttds (Scott), 2 July 1588. 5 Ibid., xxx. 10 June 1588. • Reg. Mag. Sig. 7 Ibid. 8 Reg. Sec. Sig. MIDDLETON, EARL OP MIDDLETON 175 first, Elizabeth, daughter of David Ramsay of Balmain. Before his second marriage he entered into a contract with her brother, also David Ramsay, to pay annually for seven years 200 bolls of victual for the * weill and comoditie ' of his children * as sister beirnis to the said David.' ' He married, secondly (contract dated at Auquhorties 23 De- cember 1595), Katherine Mortimer, relict of James Forbes of Oorsindae, and daughter probably of John Mortimer of Oraigievar. By his first wife he had issue : — 1. JOHN, who succeeded. 2. ROBERT, who succeeded his brother. 3. James, alive in 1595. 4. Mr. Alexander, alive in 1613. 5. Patrick, alive in 1595. 6. Margaret, married (contract 23 May 1598) to Robert Strachan in Kinkell, second son of Monboddo. 7. Elizabeth, of whom nothing is known except that she was alive in 1595. By his second wife he had : — 8. Francis, designed brother of Robert of Caldham on 16 October 1629, when he was leaving the country.2 JOHN MIDDLETON of Kilhill succeeded his father in 1604. He had a charter of Kilhill on his father's resignation 20 December 1595.3 On 2 November 1606 he excambed the lands of Kilhill, Latch, and Bent with Alexander Strachan of Thornton, then a minor, and his curators for the lands of OaWhame (by which designation his family was afterwards known), Muirtoun, and Roishill, with £6000 in cash/ Middleton omitted to resign the lands in the first instance into the King's hands, and the consequence was that the latter granted Kilhill to James, son of John Livingstone of Dunipace.5 By arrangement between them his brother Robert entered into possession of Muirton in order to protect it from John's creditors, and subsequently, from 1612, he was designed of Oaldhame, and John ' of Muirton." The date of John Middleton's death has not been ascer- 1 Forfar Deeds, 23 November 1596. 2 Reg. of Deeds (Gibson), 474, 7 June 1634. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig. * Reg. of Deeds (Scott), v. 132, 10 May 1607. a Reg. Mag. Sig., 10 July 1607. 6 Reg. of Deeds, 216, 15 December 1513. 176 MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON tained, but he was alive 28 June 1618.1 He married (con- tract 18 April 1599 2) Euphemia, daughter of John Mortimer of Plemington. They were married in June, but continued 4 in mutuall societie and cumpany onlie be the space of ane quarter of a year.' She obtained a decreet of adherence against him 6 March 1606 ; in the proceedings she stated that she brought to him a tocher of 4000 merks. She got a judgment on 4 July 1607 for 400 merks annually.5 ROBERT MIDDLETON, his brother, had a confirmation from the King of the lands of Oaldhame 7 January 1624.4 He was on the Committee of War for Kincardineshire 4 July 1644. Although it is said by Wishart that he never took up arms at all in the troubles of the day, he was killed in his bed in 1645 by Montrose — 4a grave ould gentleman,' quite undeserving of such a fate. He married, in or before 1608, Katherine Strachan, who was buried 3 February 1674.5 By her he had issue : — 1. JOHN, afterwards Earl of Middle ton. 2. Alexander, born about 1610; graduated at King's College, Aberdeen 1630.6 Regent and Procurator Laudoni- ensis 30 June 1634,7 Sub-Principal of King's College 10 March 1641.8 Admitted minister of the parish of Rayne 14 November 1655 ; 9 translated to Old Machar 1661,10 and to Newhills about 1663.11 He held his appointment in conjunction with that of Principal of King's College, to which he had been elected in 1662.12 He demitted the charge of Newhills in 1679 ; he was buried in the church of Old Machar 7 December 1686.13 He married, on Tuesday, 17 January 1643, Margaret, daughter of Thomas Gordon of Kethock's Mill,14 'being the first regent that entered in a marriage condition ' in King's College. She predeceased her husband by a few months, being buried at Old Machar 26 July 1686.15 They had issue :— 1 Reg. of Deeds (Scott), cclxxvi. 16 October 1618. 2 Ibid., 18 July 1615. 3 Ibid., cclxxvi. 16 October 1618. « Beg. Mag. Sig. 6 Montrose Burial Reg. 6 Officers and Graduates of University and King's College, New Spalding Club, 186. 7 Ibid., 55. 8 Ibid., 41. • Scott, Fasti, iii. 599. J0 Ibid., 485. » Ibid., 507. 12 Officers of King's College, 27. " Old Machar Reg. " Officers of King's College, 41. 16 Old Machar Reg. 177 (1) George, born 14, and baptized 25, February 1645. Graduated at King's College 17 July 1662 ; minister of Glamis 5 Janu- ary 1667 ; Regent of King's College 22 August 1673 ; Sub- Principal 21 October 1679 ; doctor of divinity of St. Andrews University 31 December 1683 ; Principal of King's 27 October 1684, succeeding his father in that office. He held it till 1717, when he was turned out by the Presbyterians. He died 26 March 1726,1 having married, 15 February 1671,2 Janet, baptized 28 March 1652, daughter of James Gordon of Seaton. She was buried 17 January 1753, at the age of. one hundred years and ten months.3 By his wife George Middleton had eighteen children, of whom the following sons married and had issue : — i. Alexander, baptized 8 May 1676, was Comptroller of Customs for the Port of Aberdeen, and Postmaster for the shire. Died 26 October 1751. Married, 17 September 1705, Elspet Burnet, who was buried at Old Machar 21 December 1767, aged eighty-four.* They had issue :— (i) George, baptized 22 August 1706. (ii) John, the second son, baptized 21 March 1708 ; emigrated to Barbadoes ; died 26 August 1792. Married, 31 July 1731, Mary Allister. They had issue, with one daughter, two sons : — a. Alexander, born 8 August 1735, died be- fore July 1756. 6. John, born 27 March 1739 ; married, 16 October 1765, Hester Haselwood, with issue two sons, John and Richard. If descendants of this branch are alive they are the eldest heirs-male of the family, and would be entitled to the forfeited Peerage if restored. (iii) Alexander, third son, baptized 3 September 1709 ; he emigrated to America, and died 21 August 1750, having married, at Boston, Ann Todd, by whom he had five daughters, ii. John, sixth son, born 27 September 1678, was a writer in Edinburgh, but entered the Army, and ultimately was given the command of the 25th Foot 17 June 1725, and the 13th Foot 29 May 1732, being made brigadier- general 1735. He sat in Parliament for the burgh of 1 Officers of King's College, 27. 2 Ibid. 3 An inscription, quoted in the Scots Mag., states that the cause of her longevity 1 Was not an indolent life, She had eighteen children, 'Twas not a continual sunshine, She met with cross accidents, 'Twas a cheerful temper, A clear conscience, Moderate exercise, And a temperate life.' * Old Machar Reg. VOL. VI. M 178 MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON Aberdeen from 1763 till his death. As a young man he was a musical amateur, being one of the nineteen gentlemen performers at the feast of St. Cecilia, held at Edinburgh 22 November 1695. 1 He purchased the lands of Seaton. He died in London, and was buried, 24 March 1739, at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields.2 He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Cuninghame of Enterkin. She died and was buried in Aberdeen April 1734. They had issue five daughters and the following sons : — (i) John, baptized 14 March 1713, buried 1714. (ii) George, baptized 11 July 1714; admitted advocate 17 December 1734. He died at Seaton, and was buried at Old Machar 11 August 1772, having married, in September 1736, Diana Gray, daughter of the Earl of Stamford, who died 14 January 1780, with issue. iii. Patrick, born at Old Aberdeen 8 March 1680. 3 Emigrated to Poland 21 June 1693. Was admitted burgess of Aberdeen ' for love and favour ' 7 August 1725.4 He died at Cracow in 1771, aged ninety-one, having married, 29 July 1706, Susannah Moer, by whom he had fifteen children. In 1779 there were two alive and the following son :— (i) Patrick, born 12 November 1712, became major- general in the Polish service ; married in Silesia, 6 July 1775, Janet de Seher, with issue.6 iv. Charles, baptized 10 December 1681. v. George, baptized 15 June 1683. vi. Wittiam, baptized 10 June 1687. vii. Robert, baptized 16 February 1693, commanded a revenue cutter for some time, after which he was appointed, in 1731, Collector of Customs at Inverness ; the year following he was transferred to Dundee, and from there to Borrowstouness. He married Helen, daughter of Captain Charles Dundas, fourth son of Sir James Dundas of Arniston, with issue, besides five daughters : — (i) George of Lethamdolls, Stirlingshire, and Moss- hall, West Lothian, Captain in the Scots Brigade, who died, as Comptroller of Customs, at Leith, 20 February 1794, having married Elizabeth, daughter of George Wilson of Stottencleugh (who died June 1788),6 with issue : — a. Robert Gambler, born at Leith November 1774. Entered the Royal Navy 1786, and retired with the rank of rear-admiral 1 Chambers's Domestic Annals. 2 St. Martin's Reg. 3 Old Machar Reg. 4 Burgess Roll, Aberdeen. 5 Cf. Major-General Middleton's account of his family, 1779, quoted in Biscoe's Earls of Middleton, 385. 6 South Leith Reg. MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON 179 9 June 1832. Died 21 August 1837 at Moor House, Limpsfield, Surrey, having married, 11 December 1802, at St. Mary- lebone, Middlesex, Susanna Maria, daughter of John Martin Leake of Thorpe Hall, Essex. They had twelve children, of whom the following sons grew up to manhood, married, and had issue :— (a) William, born 19 April 1814, colonel 17th Madras Native In- fantry ; retired 1862 ; died 5 July 1907, having married Harriet Theophila, daughter of William Sterling, of the Indian Civil Service. He had issue four daughters and one son, William Gambier, District Probate Regis trar for Warwickshire. He married Sophia Margaret Mouat, and has issue. (6) Alexander, twin with the fore- going. Died at Putney July 1846, having married Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Neave, Secretary to Chelsea Hospital, with issue. (c) George, born 18 February 1823, became District Probate Regis- trar for Cheshire. Died at Clifton 4 December 1902, having married Mary Woolston, daugh- ter of Rear-Admiral Sir John Marshall, K.C.B. They had issue, besides one daughter, Janet Mary Woolston, a son, Robert Marshall, born 1857, married, 7 October 1886, Henri- etta Ellen, youngest daughter of James Chisholm Gooden. They have no issue. (d) Charles John, born 8 October 1809, principal registrar of H.M. Court of Probate. He resigned office in 1892, and died 1 January 1894. He married, 14 December 1837, Catherine Anne, eldest daughter of the Rev. Clement Strong of Limpsfleld, Surrey, and of Gedney, co. Lincoln. She died 5 December 1901, leaving issue : — a. Clement Alexander, born 12 September 1838, was 180 MIDDLETON, EARL OP MIDDLETON a judge at Kurrachee, India, and a Bencher of Gray's Inn ; died 11 March 1891, having married, first, 6 October 1864, Edith, daughter of the Rev. Canon Melville, rector of Barnes, Surrey. She died September 1867, and he married, secondly, 4 Oc- tober 1870, Helen, only daughter of Thomas Noel Harris. By her he had issue seven sons and four daughters. ft. Oswald Robert, born 4 Sep- tember 1840; served in the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment ; colonel 1 July 1885, and retired 1897. Married, 14 July 1881, Christine, daughter of Admiral Robert Kerr, and has no issue. (y) Gerard Henry Noel, born 26 November 1843, and died the following year. (8) Emily Augusta, born 2 March 1845, died, un- married, 31 October 1883. (ii) Charles, who had a distinguished naval career. He was born at Leith 14 October 1726; was created a baronet 23 October 1781, and a Peer, under the title of Lord Barham, 3 May 1805. He died 17 June 1813, having married, 21 December 1761, Margaret, sister of James, Lord Gambier, by whom he had a daughter, Diana, who succeeded him in the title and married, 30 December 1780, Gerard Noel Edwards, grandson of Lord Anne Hamilton and Mary Edwards.1 She died 12 April 1823. Their son was created Earl of Gainsborough, (iii) Robert, served heir of provision, along with his brothers and sisters, to his mother, 29 August 1752.2 (2) John, baptized 9 August 1646 ; 3 rector of Cricksey and vicar of Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex ; buried at Burnham 16 February 1704-5. Married, first, Lydia, daughter of the Rev. Nathaniel Hewetson.4 She died 10 November 1680.6 Secondly, Mary , who survived him and married, secondly, Rev. James Chrystie. He had issue by both wives. 1 Cf. vol. iv. 385-388. 8 Services of Heirs. * Old Machar Reg. 4 Burn- ham Parish Reg. 6 Ibid. MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON 181 (3) William, baptized 16 November 1647. ] Died before 1658. (4) Alexander, baptized 1 April 1649.2 Died young, before 3 April 1653. (5) Thomas, baptized 31 August 1651.3 George, John, and Thomas are named together in a deed by their father and mother on 27 April 1658, as if the three elder sons in life, and they were then under age.4 Thomas was alive in 1675, and is believed to have written the Appendix to Spottiswoode. (6) Alexander, baptized 3 April 1653. 8 Rector of Milton, co. Kent, 2 April 1684 ; perpetual curate of Thanington in 1687; 6 curate of Chartham and of St. Alphage, Canterbury.7 He died in 1715, being buried on 31 March in St. Alphage aforesaid.8 He married, 27 May 1689, Phoebe, daughter of Anthony Hammond of St. Albans Court, Kent, relict of Thomas Thomson, younger son of Thomson of Kenfield, in the parish of Chartham, Kent.9 By her, who died at Can- terbury and was buried at Pelham 14 July 1713,10 he had issue one daughter. 3. Gilbert, entered the Scots College at Paris in 1635, became a Jesuit, and died a young man. 4. Robert, * the granter's son,' witness to an assignation by Robert Middleton of Caldham 16 July 1639.11 5. Francis, mentioned in 1640 as ' brother german of John, Earl of Middleton.' 6. George, mentioned on 22 August 1662 as * Dr. George Middleton, brother-german to Mr. Alexander Middle- ton.' 12 7. William. As Captain William Middleton he is men- tioned in several deeds, 1669 and 1670.13 On 8 April 1672 he was admitted a Burgess of Aberdeen 'for love and favour.' M As Colonel William he was a witness to baptisms in the Strathmore family up to 1701. It is possible that he is the William Middleton of Kincardine O'Neil whom Sir James Strachan of Thornton designs his cousin-german in 1663.15 The relationship may have been through Strachan's mother, Marie Ramsay, who was a sister of Eliza- beth Ramsay, mother of Robert Middleton of Cald- ham. The date of William's death has not been 1 Old Machar Reg. * Ibid. 3 Ibid. * Protocol Book of A. Forbes, No. 83, Gen. Reg. Ho., ff. 40-42. 5 Old Machar Reg. 6 Hasted's Kent, iii. 587, 589. 7 Parish Regs. 8 Cowper's printed Reg. of St. Alphege. 9 Chatham Parish Reg. 10 Pelham Parish Reg. ; Transcripts in Canter- bury Cathedral. u Unrecorded deed. 12 Reg. of Deeds (Durie), 21 July 1664. 13 Ibid. (Dab.), 20 December 1669 ; Ibid. (Dundee), 18 June 1675. 14 Aberdeen Burgess Roll. 16 Sheriff Clerk Deeds, Aberdeen, 17 July 1672. 182 MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON ascertained. If he were the same as the William of Kincardine O'Neil his wife's name was Madeline Sinclair. 8. Sir James, knighted before 1662, probably the Cornet James Middleton to whom in 1646 the Parliament granted 600 merks for his pains and expenses for carrying letters to and from the Lord-General to the Parliament and Committees.1 In a Lyon Office pedi- gree he is styled ' Tribunus Militaris ' in Spanish Flanders.2 He had a natural son Francis, baptized 17 February 1663, being then eleven years old.3 9. Andrew, of Pitgarvie (afterwards of Balbegno), styled ' brother-german to John, Earl of Middleton.' 4 He was Hon. Muster-Master,5 and as such signed the Muster Rolls of the Life Guards from 18 October 1684 down to 1688, the last year for which these rolls are preserved before the Revolution.6 In 1690 he purchased the estate of Balbegno from Andrew Wood, younger,7 and the following year sold Pitgarvie to David Melville, late of Pitnamoon.8 He died in July 1699,9 having married, first (contract 3 January 1671), Elizabeth, daughter of Sir David Ramsay of Balmain, with a tocher of 6000 merks; secondly (contract 9 November 1678), Anna, youngest daughter of Thomas Forbes of Water ton. By his first wife he had issue : — (1) Elizabeth, ' only daughter,' married (contract dated 28 April 1698) to Charles Gordon of Achanachie. By his second wife he had : — (2) Robert, who succeeded him, and married Anne, daughter of George Ogilvy of Lunan. (3) Charles, 'my second son,' died July 1699. (4) Andrew, ' third lawful son,' died July 1706. An attempt has been made by the collateral descendants of David Middleton, factor to the Duke of Bedford, to affiliate themselves to Andrew Middleton of Pitgarvie. Sir "William Fraser, who superintended a search as to this, considered it was not proved. All deeds relating to Pit- 1 Acta Part. Scot., vi. pt. i. 2 Reg. of Gen. Lyon Office, i. 18. 3 Canon- gate Reg. * Gen. Reg. Sasines, 1 October 1673. 6 Reg. of Deeds (Mack.), vi. f. 1684. 6 Ex inform. Andrew Ross, Esq., Ross Herald. 7 Aberdeen Sasines, 8 July 1691. 8 Ibid., 14 April 1714. 9 Services of Heirs. MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON 183 garvie name only the daughter and three sons above given, but the claim is made more doubtful by Carte the historian, who, in describing the deserted condition of James n. at Rochester when flying from his kingdom, adds that there was not even a servant with him, and that the fire requiring to be mended, the Earl of Middleton, with the King's per- mission, called in his own servant David Middleton, after- wards factor to the Duke of Bedford, to put it right. 10. - - a daughter, apparently married, either as his first or second wife, to Mr. Robert Ogilvie, minister of Methlick, as he is styled Principal Alexander Middle- ton's ' good brother.'1 I. JOHN, first Earl of Middleton, eldest son.2 He has usually been supposed, on the authority of Clarendon and the Holborn Marriage Register, to have been born in 1617 or 1619. As, however, his second brother, Alexander, was born about 1610, the birth of the Earl must be dated previous to that year, and was probably about 1608. At an early age he entered the ranks of a Scottish regiment in the French service, under the command of Sir John Hepburn. In 1638 all Scottish officers serving abroad were recalled to their country, and Middleton, who by that time had pro- bably received a commission ; and in June 1639 he was a captain in Montrose's army, and was present at the engage- ment of the Bridge of Dee. Montrose going over to the royalist side, Middleton took service with the English Parliamentarian troops, and attained the rank of Colonel and Lieutenant-General. For the next two years he saw con- siderable service with them, but as a result of the disputes which arose between the Presbyterians and Independents, he left the English army, returned to Scotland, and was, in August 1645, appointed second in command to David Leslie, and was present at the battle of Philiphaugh in the follow- ing month. In 1646 he was appointed General Major of the Horse, and £1000 was allowed for his expenses in levying a regiment of cavalry.3 During the year he was engaged in operations in the North of Scotland against Montrose, who capitulated in July. For his services he was thanked by Parliament, who also voted him a salary of 1200 merks monthly, and a gold chain, worth £2666, to be given him. 1 Spalding. 2 Gen. Reg. Sasines. 3 Acta Part. Scot., vi. pt. i. 215, 661. 184 MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON It may be doubted whether he ever got either the one or the other ; certainly, very shortly afterwards, he had heavy arrears to receive from Parliament.1 On 8 April 1648 he was appointed one of the Colonels of Horse for Kincardine- shire, and on 11 May General Major of the whole Forces in Scotland. He served with Hamilton in the army of the ' Engagement ' for the recovery of the King, but was, in the unsuccessful invasion of England, taken prisoner at War- rington, and sent to Newcastle ; from there he soon after succeeded in escaping, and then threw in his lot openly with the royalist party in Scotland. After taking part with Ogilvie and Huntly in a futile attempt at insurrection in 1649, he ultimately agreed with Leslie to lay down his arms and to take service under him. This he accordingly did after Charles u. was crowned in January 1651. He had the rank of Major-General, and accompanied the King's army on its invasion of England, an expedition which ended in the battle of Worcester, at which Middleton was wounded and taken prisoner. He was a prisoner in the Tower for some time, but was fortunate enough to make his escape, and joined Charles on the Continent in March 1652. During the following year he was much engaged, though not with great success, in endeavouring to raise troops in Holland for service in Scotland. He got together a small force and joined Glencairn and the other supporters of the King in Scotland, and for some time carried on a desultory cam- paign, the cause not being advanced by constant quarrels amongst the royalist leaders. In 1654 he was excepted from Cromwell's Act of Grace and Pardon ; and on July of that year he was defeated by Monck at Lochgarry, some time after which he left Scotland and joined Charles at Cologne. In 1656 the exiled monarch created Middleton an Earl, and after the Restoration the dignity was confirmed to him on 1 October 1660 under the title of EARL OF MIDDLETON, LORD OF CLAIRMONT AND FETTER- CAIRN, with remainder to his heirs bearing the surname and arms of Middleton, and with precedency of September 1656. The same year he was appointed the King's Com- missioner to Parliament, Commander-in-chief of the Forces in Sco.tland, and Governor of Edinburgh Castle. He was 1 Acta Parl. Scot., vi. pt. i. 779; pt. ii. 65. MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON 185 again Commissioner in 1662, and was, on 15 July of that year, appointed an Extraordinary Lord of Session. In all his offices he behaved very badly. Drunken and dissolute, he abused his power in an absolutely indefensible way, and raised up enemies on every side, chief amongst them being Lauderdale. Chiefly by the influence of the latter he was, early in 1663, deprived of all his offices, and retired to England. He was, however, in time, to a certain extent, restored to royal favour, and received a command at Rochester. He was appointed Governor of Tangiers 15 April 1667, being the fourth nominated to that post in five years ; but he did not go out to take up office for two years later, and had some difficulty about getting an advance of his pay. At last, somewhere in the latter half of 1669, he did go out. He did not enjoy his new post long, as in 1673 he tumbled downstairs when drunk, and broke his arm, which produced such complications that he died. A brave soldier and capable commander, Lord Middleton was quite unsuited for the role of a statesman, and even in an age which made all allowances, his temper and habits did not render him popular. The Earl married, first (contract July 1639), Grizel, daughter of Mr. Alexander Durham of Easter Powrie, second son of James of Pitkerro, and sister of Sir Alexander Durham of Largo, Lyon King of Arms.1 She died at Cranstoun in September 1666, and he married, secondly, 16 December 1667, at St. Andrew's, Holborn, Martha, daughter and co-heir of Henry Carey, second Earl of Monmouth. She survived him more than thirty years, dying in the precincts of Worcester Cathedral 23 January 1705, aged seventy-one. By his first wife Lord Middleton had issue : — 1. CHARLES, Lord Clermont, who succeeded. 2. Grizel, married, at Holyrood, 12 June 1662, to William, fourth Earl of Morton.2 She died at Aberdour in March, and was buried at Kinross 29 April 1666.3 3. Helen, married, 23 August 1662, at Holyrood, to Patrick, Earl of Kinghorn, afterwards Earl of Strathmore.4 1 After her death her paternal arms, Or, a fess azure between three mullets in chief and as many crescents in base, were recorded in her name, to be impaled with those of her husband. 2 Lament's Diary. 3 Canon- gate Reg. 4 Ibid. 186 MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON 4. a daughter, buried in Holyrood Church 8 June 1669. 5. a daughter, buried November 1669. By his second wife the Earl had issue : — 6. John, died February 1696, and was buried in the crypt of Worcester Cathedral.1 7. Elizabeth, married, 20 July 1693, to William Spelman of Wickmer, Norfolk. He died in 1713, and she was buried at St. Margaret's, Westminster, 19 January 1748.' II. CHARLES, second Earl of Middleton, was born in 1650.3 After the restoration he was appointed Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of Vienna, a position which he held till 1682. The previous year he writes to Charles from Leutzen, complaining that his pay is six months in arrear, that he is absolutely destitute and unable to get to Vienna even by pawning what he has.4 He accompanied the Duke of York on his return to Scotland in 1682. He was in the wreck of the Gloucester, the ship that carried the Duke and party, but Middleton was fortunate enough to get a seat in the longboat. Many others, including the Earl of Roxburghe, were drowned. On 25 September Middleton was made one of the principal Secretaries of State for Scotland ; on 11 July 1684 he was admitted to the Privy Council, and on 15 July was ap- pointed one of the Extraordinary Lords of Session. On 25 August following he was one of the principal Secretaries of State for England, and when Parliament was summoned in 1685 he was, along with Lord Preston, intrusted by the King with its management, and upon the whole he seems to have managed it very well, so far as the narrow and im- politic views of his master would let him. He remained a faithful servant to the King notwithstanding his disapproval of many of the royal projects, and when James went over to France Middleton remained in England with the view of promoting the interests of the exiled King as far as he could. He was imprisoned for a short time in 1692, but soon regained his liberty, and then went to St. Germains. A summons of treason was ultimately issued against him, and he was tried (in absence) and outlawed by the High 1 M. I. on tombstone. 2 Bath Journal. 3 Mss. Biblioth&que Nationale, Paris. * Add. MSS. B. M. 18827, f. 20. MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON 187 Court of Justiciary 23 July 1694, his title and estates being forfeited by Parliament 2 July 1695.1 He acted as prin- cipal Secretary of State to James in his exile, and no doubt did the best he could for him under unfavourable circum- stances. When James died in 1701 he was one of the council appointed by the King's will to assist the Queen in her guardianship of her son. He was always in favour of moderate and prudent measures, and probably earned the displeasure of the Queen by opposing the opinions of Perth, Lovat, and others who wished the young Prince to raise the standard of revolt in his own country without delay. Whether it was owing to his being in the shade of disfavour or not, it was at this time that Middleton, who had hitherto resisted all temptations to go over to Rome, and who, so far as he was anything, for he had * but a careless way of living,' was a Protestant, suddenly became a con vert to Romanism, and, it is said, retired to a convent for some time to be in- structed in the Roman Catholic faith. Taking advantage of his absence, the wily and treacherous Lovat attempted to gain the confidence of the Queen, and Middleton, in order to check his machinations, soon returned to St. Germains-en- Laye. In August 1712, when the Chevalier was obliged to quit St. Germains, Middleton accompanied him as his principal adviser, and continued as such till 14 December 1713, when he resigned office, returned to St. Germains, and was ap- pointed the Chamberlain to the Queen. Two years after this the latter died, 7 May 1718, and Middleton did not long survive his royal mistress, dying at St. Germains 28 July the following year.2 'One of the politest gentlemen in Europe ' is the verdict of a contemporary ; ' has a great deal of wit mixed with a sound judgment and a very clear understanding . . . one of the pleasantest companions in the world.' 3 Had James had more counsellors like him he might have been spared many of his misfortunes. The Earl married Catherine Brudenal, daughter of Robert, second Earl of Cardigan. She, who was born in 1648, was governess to the Princess Louisa, who died in 1612. She survived her husband, and lived in the old castle of St. Germains, which had been granted by Louis xiv. to the members of the Queen's household for their lives, died 1 Acta Part. Scot. 2 Hist. Reg. 3 Macky's Characters. 188 there 11 March 1743,1 aged ninety-five, and was buried in the church the following day.2 By her Lord Middleton had issue : — 1. JOHN, Lord Olermont, of whom presently. 2. Charles, born 4 December 1688,3 Maitre de Camp of Cavalry, and Chevalier of the Order of St. Louis in Prance. He took part in the Jacobite attempt of 1708, was taken prisoner and committed to the Tower along with his brother, but was released in 1711. He died in the old Chateau of St. Germains-en-Laye 3 August 1738/ 3. Katherine, born 10 August 1685,5 and baptized at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields 25 August.6 She was married in 1705 or 1706 to Sir John Gifford, Baronet, of Burstall, Gentleman of the Chamber to James at St. Germains.7 Gifford died 8 October 1707, and was buried in the Church of St. Germains,8 leaving an only daughter, Mary Anne, who died in 1759. His widow married, secondly, after 25 November 1709, Lieutenant-General Michael Rothe, Commander of the Order of St. Louis, an Irish General in the French service. He, who was the son of Edward Rothe or Rooth, was born at Kilkenny 29 September 1661, and died at Paris 2 May 1741. His widow died at the same place 10 June 1763, leaving issue. 4. Elizabeth, born 25 June 1690 ; married, at St. Germains- en-Laye, 25 November 1709, to Lord Edward Drum- mond, son of James, Duke of Perth. She survived her husband, who died in 1760, and died in Paris, at a great age, after 1773.9 III. JOHN, Lord Olermont, titular Earl of Middleton, was born 7 November 1683, and baptized 19 of the same month.10 He accompanied his parents to France, 1 Burial Reg., Mairie St. Germains. 2 Gazette, de France. 3 Family Bible. 4 Burial Register, Mairie St. Germains. 6 Family Bible. 6 Parish Register. 7 (Euvres completes de Comte A. Hamilton. This disposes of the marriage given in Wood's Douglas's Peerage of a Mary Middleton to Sir John Gifford, Knight ; it also indicates that there is apparently a generation omitted in the notice of the Giffords in the Complete Baronet- age. 8 Burial Register, Mairie St. Germains. 9 Complete Peerage. 10 Family Bible, and Parish Register, St. Martin's-in-the-Fields. MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON 189 and in 1708 he was, with his brother, one of the members of the unlucky expedition of that year, which ended so ignominiously for James. Lord Clermont was particularly unfortunate, for he was in the only ship, the Salisbury, that was taken. He and his brother spent three years in the Tower, from which they were not liberated till 20 June 1711, and then only upon entering into personal recognisances of £4000 each, and getting bail for £2000 each. Later he is designed as * in the French King's ser- vice.' In 1729 he was conducting a negotiation between Lord Oxford and the Abbe Bignon, who was acting for the King of France, in regard to the exchange of some manu- scripts, and incidentally he begs Oxford to 'lay an old bachelor's heart at Lady Margaret's feet.'1 Her father replied, * Peggy is your humble servant,' which was a safe non-committal answer. Lord Olermont died, unmarried, at St. Germains, 3 November 1746, and was buried there the following day.2 No claim has ever been made to this forfeited Peerage, but if the forfeiture were reversed the collateral heir-male of the first Earl would be entitled to the dignities under the creation of 1 October 1660, if, according to the true construction of the letters-patent, it were a grant to heirs- male, but if it could be held that it was a grant to the heir of the Earl of Middleton on such heir assuming the name and arms of Middleton, then the heir of line of the Earl would be the person who, on assuming the name and arms, would be entitled.3 CREATION. — Earl of Middleton, Lord of Olairmont and Fettercairn, 1 October 1660. ARMS (recorded in Lyon Register). — Parted per fess or and gules, a lion rampant armed and langued azure within a double tressure flory counterflory of the second and first and counterchanged. 1 Lady Margaret Cavendish Harley, only daughter and heir of Edward, second Earl of Oxford, married, in 1734, William, second Duke of Port- land. She was well known for her love of art and patronage of litera- ture. 2 Burial Register, Mairie St. Germains-en-Laye. 3 Hewlett on Scottish Dignities, 167. 190 MIDDLETON, EARL OF MIDDLETON CREST. — Issuing out of a tower sable a lion rampant gules, armed and langued azure. SUPPORTERS. — Two eagles volant sable, armed and beaked or. MOTTO. — Fortis in Arduis. [M.R.-R.-M'G.-G.] ,MP. .*.-.-... jflftontrose GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE HE derivation of the name of Graham, the patro- nymic of a title which, perhaps above all others in the long roll of Scot- tish honours, history has gilded with the halo of romance, has been the subject of much specula- tion. It has been as- cribed both to Gaelic and to Norse and Saxon roots, but most frequently to one or other of two Saxon words Grim, signifying fierce or savage, and Gram, a chief or leader. There is little doubt, however, that the noble house of Graham, with its numerous branches, comes from a Norman stock. Indeed, Sir Thomas Gray of Heton, the compiler of the Scalacronica, whose father was a near neighbour of the elder branch of the Grahams in the north of England, and must have often encountered the contemporary heads of each branch, both in peace and war, in the reigns of the first and second Edwards, expressly instances ' lez Grames ' among those Norman families who rose to distinction in Scotland in the reign of William the Lion.1 In this view Graham, perhaps originally Gray-ham,2 is to be looked for as the place of origin, probably, although not necessarily in England,3 of the original Norman settler. 1 Scalacronica, 41. 2 Caledonia, ii. 545 note. 3 Jehan de Graimes is mentioned as a noble of Provence in 1496 ; he may, however, have de- scended from a Scot abroad. Rymer's Fcedera, xii. 612. 192 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE The tradition of the descent of the Grahams from Grim or Grame, a leader of the Scots, under whom the defences of the Antonine Wall were first effectually overcome, de- serves notice here, being, from the credence it so long ob- tained, in a sense part of the family history. Fordun in the fourteenth century found the remains of the wall already known to the inhabitants of the adjoining district by the name of * Grymisdyke.' l It is therefore not improbable, although quite different explanations of the name have been suggested,2 that a leader or chieftain called Grym did flourish at some remote period and gave his name to the wall ; but if so, the embellishment of his fame by Fordun, Boece, and Buchanan, under which he appears as returning with Fergus 11. from the court of Denmark, and becoming that monarch's father-in-law and an ancestor of our royal race, as well as of the Grahams, is simply a part of that fictitious early history which was once an article of faith with every patriotic Scotsman, but which, unsupported by contemporary authority, has long since been rejected by the critical historian. In these and later chronicles it is interesting to note the gradual evolution of the name of the wall, or at least its eastern portion which lay nearest to the confines of the old Northumbrian kingdom, from Gryme's to Grame's or Graeme's, and latterly to Graham's, Dyke.3 The orthography of the name, in view more particularly of the standing diversity of usage between * Graham ' and ' Graeme,' also requires a foreword. The name first appears in writing in the monastic chartularies ; and there, in writs dating from the beginning of the twelfth to the middle of the thirteenth century, the form is invariably ' de Graham.' With the gradual change from place-names to surnames, and under the influence of Norman French as an official and polite language, variants such as 'Grame,' 'Gram,' and ' Graym ' appear ; and, about the time when the hero of the wall is first treated of by Fordun, ' the Grame ' or ' le Grame' appear as further variants not necessarily re- stricted to the chief. These latter forms had their fullest vogue in the fifteenth century when Blind Harry composed 1 Fordun a Goodall, i. 110. 2 Transactions of the Glasgow Archceologi- cal Society, New Ser., i. 376. 3 Fordun ut supra; Buchanan's Hist., Bk. v. cap. iii. ; Irvine's Historice Scotice Nomenclatura, 93. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSB 193 his memorable epic, and first introduced to history 'Sir John the Grame ' the friend and companion in arms of Wallace. The spelling * Graeme ' is that adopted by Buchanan l for the name of the mythical progenitor, and there can be little doubt that the pages of the great humanist, so long regarded as of unquestionable authority, are chiefly responsible for this form of the name. It has been used principally by the Inchbrakie and Garvock branches and their cadets Gorthie, Braco, and Graemeshall, Balgowan, and Eskbank. At all times, however, there have been instances in which its adoption, and a reversion to the original form, have been matters of individual taste ; and quite frequently one finds a writ where the granter is designed 'Graham' subscribed 'Graeme,' and vice versa. The first of this celebrated name who appears upon authentic record is WILLIAM DB GRAHAM, who comes into view as a personage of importance in the reign of David I. From the connection maintained by his assumed descendants for at least two centuries with Tynedale, it is possible that his family first settled there, and that he attached himself to the fortunes of David while the latter was yet Prince of Oumbria, perhaps through the Scoto-Saxon Earls of Dunbar. He witnessed a charter by King David to the Church of St. Outhbert c. 1127,2 and the well-known foundation-charter of the Abbey of Holyroodhouse in 1128,3 also a charter by David to the Priory of Coldingham in 1139/ He was one of those who, c. 1141, perambulated the lands of Olerkington, given by the King and Earl Henry his son to the Church of Haddington,5 and he also witnessed a charter by Robert, Bishop of St. Andrews, to Herbert, Bishop of Glasgow, the King and Prince being consenters, between 1147 and 1152.8 He is assumed to have acquired the manor of Dalkeith by grant of King David, and, although direct evidence is awant- ing, the following may be supposed to have been his sons : — 1. Peter de Graham, Lord of Dalkeith, ancestor of the 1 Hist., Bk. v. cap. iii. 2 Liber Cart. Sanctce Crucis, 8. 3 Ibid., 6. 4 Raine's North Durham, App. Nos. six. and xx. 6 Reg. Prior. S. Andree, 181. « Reg. Epis. Glasg., i. 13. VOL. VI. N 194 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSB elder branch of the family, Barons of Dalkeith, Aber- corn, and Eskdale, who, in the early part of the reign of William the Lion, granted to the monks of Newbattle the lands of Balnebuth on the Esk.1 The charter bears to be granted * pro salute Domini mei Willelmi Regis et pro anima mea et pro animabus predecessorum meorum et pro anima uxoris mese Gevae et pro salute flliorum meorum ' ; and, if Radulph de Graham after mentioned is correctly sup- posed to have been his youngest son, he was probably twice married. His sons were :— (1) Sir Henry of Dalkeith, who first appears as a witness to a charter by Countess Ada to the monks of Newbattle be- tween 1153 and 1159.2 He confirmed his father's grant to that abbey, Robert ' nepos Dominae Gevae ' being one of the witnesses to his charter,3 and frequently appears as a wit- ness to the charters of William the Lion, in one of which he is styled ' vicecomes meus,' presumably of Edinburgh, where the charter was granted.* He had at least two sons : — i. Sir Henry of Dalkeith, and probably also of Tarbolton in Ayrshire, who, between 1203 and 1233 confirmed the grants of his father and grandfather to New- battle Abbey,6 and who made grants to the abbeys of Hexham and Blanch land from his manor of Simundburn in Tynedale, the Northumbrian lord- ship of the Scottish Kings.6 His sons were : — (i) Sir Henry of Dalkeith, who was in curia regis at Berwick, 1248, when Alexander n. confirmed to the abbey and convent of Melrose a grant of lands at Halsington in Berwickshire, flowing from Robert de Mu scamp, Lord of Wooler,7 and was, when well stricken in years, one of the magnates of Scotland who in the Parlia- ment of Scone 5 February 1283-84 acknow- ledged Margaret of Norway as heir to the throne.8 He had a charter of Tarbolton from James the Steward of Scotland after 1283.9 By his marriage with the daughter and heiress of Roger Avenel (who died 1243) he acquired the lordships of Abercorn in Linlithgowshire, Kilbucho and Newlands in Peeblesshire, and Eskdale in Dumfriesshire.10 He is supposed to have had six children :— a. Sir Nicholas of Dalkeith, Abercorn, and 1 Chart. Newbotle, 6. 2 Ibid., 55 and Montrose MS. Collections, Buchanan. 3 Chart. Newbotle, 6. * Ibid., 65. 5 Ibid., 1. 6 Priory of Hexham, Surtees Society, ii. 16, 114 ; Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 168. 7 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 409. 8 Ibid., 424. 9 Third Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 386. 10 Caledonia, iv. 879. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 195 Eskdale, who, in a charter to the monks of Melrose of their lands of Halsington, is styled ' primo genitus Domini Henrici de Graham.' 1 He is included in a list, dated 22 September 1278, of persons own- ing twenty librates of land and upwards in the county of Northumberland, held in capite of Edward i. 'who ought to be knights and are not,' and were allowed till the following Christmas, under sureties, to take upon themselves the degree of knighthood.2 He played an important part in the troubles which followed the death of Alexander in. ; sat in the Parliament at Brigham 1290,3 was one of the nominees of Bruce in the com- petition for the throne 1292, and swore fealty to Edward i. at Berwick 1296, being designed 'del Counte de Linlescu,4 from which we may infer that his principal residence was Abercorn. His lands in the counties of Berwick, Roxburgh, Ayr, Peebles, and Edinburgh in Scotland, as well as his wife's lands after mentioned, were more than once forfeited by Edward 'for rebellion,'5 but about 1303 he was received to the King's peace, and died soon thereafter.6 He married, before 1269, Maria, younger daughter of Malise, Earl of Strathearn, by his wife Marjory de Muschamp, co-heiress of the barony of Muschamp (including Wooler, Belford, and Lowick) in Northumberland.7 By the death of her sister Muriel, Countess of Mar, in 1291 s.p. she became vested in the whole of her mother's moiety of the barony.8 On 14 June 1306, as widow of Sir Nicholas, she did homage to King Edward upon his restoration of her seisin of the half-barony of Muschamp, and she died between 1314 and 1318.9 The children of Sir Nicholas were : — (a) Sir John of Dalkeith, Abercorn, and Eskdale. In an inquest at Barn- borough with regard to his mother's half of Muschamp, 19 May 1306, he is said to be twenty-eight years of age.10 He was one of the sup- 1 Original penes Earl of Haddington, 1736, p. Montrose MS. Collections. 2 Hodgson's Hist, of Northumberland, i. 295. 3 Ada Parl. Scot., i. 441. « Fadera, Rec. ed., i. 767; Ragman Rolls (Ban. Club), 162. 6 Rotuli Scotia, i. 30; Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 1138. 6 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 1359, 1770. 7 Ibid., i. 2538. 8 Stevenson's Historical Documents, i. 267, ii. 49. 9 Cal. Doc. Scot., iii. 392. 10 Ibid., ii. 1770. 196 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE porters of Baliol included in the capitulation of Sir John Comyn at Strathord 1303-4. l Having joined the fortunes of Bruce, Edward n., twelve days before the battle of Bannockburn, granted to his favourite, Hugh le Dispenser, and Alianora his wife, a charter of all the lands and tenements in Scot- land forfeited by John de Graham, the King's enemy and rebel.2 At first at feud with the monks of Melrose, he eventually granted to them full confirmation and an en- largement of the original grants by the Avenel family of their lands in Eskdale, which confirmation was ratified by King Robert, by charter dated 25 December 1316. 3 Sir John made a donation to the Abbey of Dunfermline of the patronage of the church of New- lands in Peeblesshire, 1317.4 Along with his kinsmen, Sir David de Graham and SirPatrick de Graham, he affixed his seal to the celebrated letter of the Scots Barons to the Pope, asserting the independence of their country, 6 April 1320.6 His estates were forfeited to Edward in., and he died 25 April 1337, leaving a widow, Isabella, who had a terce of his lands in Crichton, apparently exempted from the forfeiture, and a lease of the other two-thirds.6 Their children were : — A. Sir John de Graham, filius, last of Dalkeith, Abercorn, and Eskdale, who parted with those estates, finally resigning Dalkeith in favour of Sir William Douglas de Laudonia 6 January 1341- 42.7 On his death the direct male line of the elder branch of the family of Graham ended. B. Sybilla (?), married to Sir William More, and, on the resignation of her father or 1 Col. Doc. Scot., ii. 1741. 2 Ibid., iii. 361. 3 Liber de Melros, ii. 346, 349. 4 Reg. de Dunfermelyne, 236, 245. 5 Acta Part. Scot., i. 474. 8 Cat. Doc. Scot., iii. p. 382. 7 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 41, 44. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 197 brother, succeeded to the barony of Abercorn.1 c. Margaret, said to have been married to Sir William Douglas de Laudonia, the ' Knight of Liddesdale, ' though his only known wife was named Elizabeth. (See title Morton.) It may, how- ever, have been a marriage with a Graham which car- ried to the family of Douglas Dalkeith, Kilbucho, and Newlands in Peeblesshire, and the lands of Eskdale.2 (6) Isabella, married (as his second wife) to Walter, High Steward of Scotland, sometime husband of Marjory Bruce, daughter of Robert i., and by him, who died 1326, had a son, Sir John Stewart of Ralston, and other children.3 6. Henry, who had, apparently in his father's lifetime, a grant of Symundburn,4 and is probably the Henry de Graham, 'del Counte de Dunfres,' of the Ragman Roll.6 c. David de Graham, killed by Richard, son of Richard the Smith, in the town of Corbridge, in 1278,6 was perhaps also a son, as also was probably d. Peter or Peres, 'del Counte de Dunfres,' mentioned in Ragman Roll as swearing fealty along with Henry.7 e. William, an ecclesiastic.8 /. Idonea, married to Sir Adam of Swinburne, and had a grant from her brother Henry of the manor of Swinburne in 'liberum maritagium,' confirmed by an assize of novel disseisin at Wark, in Tynedale, 1291.9 (ii) Sir Nicholas, ancestor of the Grahams of Tar- bolton and Walston, in Ayrshire, who in a charter by John de Graham, Lord of Tarbolton, dated 1338, is styled ' proavus meus,' making him a contemporary of the third Sir Henry.10 He granted a charter to Alexander of Raith, 1 Robertson's Index, 40. 2 Caledonia, i. 546, iv. 799; Robertson's Index, 54. Cf. The Scottish Antiquary, xvii. 187. 3 Vol. i. of this work, 14. 4 Hodgson's Northumberland, ii. (part 2) 232, 250. 5 Ragman Rolls, 140. 6 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 148. 7 Ragman Rolls, ut supra. 8 Hodgson's Northumberland, ut supra. 9 Ibid., Mr. Algernon Charles Swinburne, the poet, is a descendant of this lady ; Burke's Peerage and Baronetage. 10 Original penes Cunningham of Enterkin, 1736, according to Montrose MS. Collections. 198 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSB 1284, confirmed by the charter last mentioned. The main line of this branch came to an end in Sir John Graham, by whom Tarbolton was resigned in favour of Sir John Stewart of Crookston and Darnley, ancestor of the Stewarts, Earls of Lennox, as appears from a charter by Robert the Stewart of Scotland, dated 16 May 1357. 1 ii. Peter, ancestor of the Grahams of Elvingston, near Haddington, which is still described in the titles as part of the barony of Dalkeith. Between 1190 and 1238 he granted lands in Elvingston to the House of the Holy Trinity of Soltre.2 The 'Peres de Graham del Counte de Edneburgh ' of the Ragman Soil was perhaps a descendant.3 David de Graham granted an obligation to the brethren of Soltre between 1296 and 1332. 4 The direct male representation of this family ended with a John de Graham in the reign of David ii.5 iii. Robert, who witnessed charters by Adam de Crebarrin (Carberry) and John de Crebarrin to the monastery of Dunfermline,6 and who is probably the same who was involved in a plea with ' Master Cyprian ' as to a carrucate of land in Sudichenton, in England, 1220." (2) William, who, along with his elder brother Hemy, was a witness to the charter by Countess Ada to the monks of Newbattle above mentioned, 1153-59.8 (3) Alexander, a witness to the charter by the first Henry de Graham to the monks of Newbattle,9 may have also been a brother. (4) John, present in the court of William the Lion at Alyth 1200, when William Comyn renounced in favour of the Bishop of Glasgow all claim he had to the lands of Muck- rath, near Kirkintilloch,10 and who, along with Henry de Graham, was a witness to a charter by Robert de Lyne and another by Thomas de Lestalrig to the Abbey of Newbattle,11 and witnessed also a donation by Thomas, son of Thankard, to the Abbey of Arbroath,12 was probably another son of Peter de Graham. (5) Radulph, in whose favour William the Lion, about the year 1180, granted a charter of the lands of Cousland, Pentland, and Gogar, providing that his mother (not named) be included in the donation,13 may have been a son of Peter by a second marriage to the Lady Geva. The only other fact ascertainable about Radulph de Graham is that he was a 1 Third Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 387. 2 Reg. de Soltre, 10. 3 Rag- man Roll, 161. 4 Reg. de Soltre, 41. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., fol. vol. 21, No. 1. 6 Reg. de Dunfermelyne, 103, 104. " Col. Doc. Scot., i. 752. 8 Chart. New- botle, 55. 9 Ibid., 6. 10 Reg. Epis. Glasg., i. 78; Ada Parl. Scot., i. 389. 11 Chart. Newbotle, 11, 38. 12 Reg. Vetus de Aberbrothock, 69. 13 Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 166. To the original at Buchanan the Great Seal in green wax is appended with silk, and both are in good preservation. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 199 witness to a charter by Robert de Lyne to Simon, son of Robert of Scrogis, which Simon afterwards resigned the lands of Scrogis to Walter, Bishop of Glasgow, who held that see 1207-32. l He probably died young, without issue. 2. ALAN, of whom below. ALAN DE GRAHAM is designed ' frater Petri de Graham ' in his brother's charter of Balnebuth to the Abbey of New- battle.2 Probably through a misreading in an early Mac- farlane copy of this charter, Douglas names the brother ol Peter, and presumed ancestor of the noble family of Mont- rose, John, and confounds him with the John above men- tioned, who obviously belongs to a later generation, and this has been followed by all subsequent Peerage writers. No other mention of Alan has been traced, but it is assumed that his son was WILLIAM DE GRAHAM, who as 'Willielmus de Graham' follows Alan as a witness in the charter of Balnebuth.3 He was witness to a charter by Alexander of Seton to Adam of Polwarth and Emma, the granter's sister, of the lands of Beath, c. 1200.4 From a charter to be afterwards noticed it is not improbable that the wife of William de Graham was a sister of Polwarth. He appears to have had three sons : — 1. DAVID, of whom below. 2. William, who in the reign of Alexander n. was con- cerned in the settlement of disputes between the monks of Newbattle and William de Vallibus, Lord of Dirleton, in regard to the marches between Had- dington and Elbottle,5 and of another dispute between the Prior and Convent of St. Andrews and Bernard Fraser and the heirs of Drem.6 3. Patrick, who witnessed a charter of Alexander n. to the monks of Newbattle in 1248.7 DAVID DE GRAHAM appears to have settled in Berwickshire, but nothing is known of him except that he married Amabel, widow, probably of Nicholas, de Faunes, Lord of Faunes 8 and 1 Meg. Epis. Glasg., i. 74, 75. 2 Chart. Newbotle, 6. 3 Ibid. * Liber de Dunfermelyne, 100. 6 Chart. Newbotle, 88. ° Reg. Prior. S. Andree, 322. 7 Chart. Newbotle, 32. 8 Liber de Calchou, 100; cf. Liber de Dry- burgh, 141. 200 GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE Mellerstain,1 and died, possibly in his father's lifetime, leaving a son SIR DAVID DE GRAHAM, the real founder of the house of Montrose. He was probably a minor at his father's death. There is a charter in his favour by Richard de Faunes, his brother uterine, the date of which cannot well be put much later than 1200, of two tofts in Melokistan (Mellerstain). The granter further ' voluntateejusdem David ' concedes to the Dame Amabel ' matri nostrae ' the said lands for her life, and these were, subject to the mother's liferent, to revert to the granter in the event of his brother dying without issue or changing his life. From the circumstance that David, at a later period, granted these lands to the Abbey of Kelso,2 it is not unreasonable to conjecture that his education was intrusted to the Abbot and Convent, and that his taking orders seemed to his brother a contingency worth providing against. When David de Graham reached manhood he would seem to have become attached to the service of Patrick, fifth Earl of Dunbar, his half-brother's overlord, and, along with representatives of the families of Polwarth and Noble, he is frequently to be found from about 1232, witnessing charters by that Earl and his son and grandson, the sixth and seventh Earls, or by others of lands within the earldom.3 In 1244 he was, along with Patrick, sixth Earl of Dunbar, and others, a guarantor of the obligations undertaken by Alexander 11. to Henry in. of England in the treaty of Newcastle,4 and two years later was a party to the peram- bulation and ascertainment of a part of the marches be- tween England and Scotland.5 In April 1248 he was in curia Regis at Berwick,8 and in May following at Stirling, being described as then Justiciar-depute of Lothian.7 In the minority of Alexander in. he was one of the anti- English party removed by the young King at the instance of his father-in-law King Henry from the administration of affairs, 20 September 1255.8 In this affair Patrick, 1 The text of the charter by William the Lion in favour of this David de Graham, as engrossed in a confirming charter of Robert n. anno 1389 (Second Rep. Hist. MSS., Com., App. 166), cannot be relied on. 2 Liber de Calchou, 100-103. 3 Raine's North Durham, App. passim. 4 Cat. Doc. Scot., i. 2672. 5 Ibid., i. 1699. 6 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 409. " Ibid., i. 404. 8 Cat. Doc. Scot., i. 2013. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 201 seventh Earl of Dunbar, appears as supporting Henry ; and Sir David as adhering to the Oomyns, Earls of Menteith and Buchan, leaders of the anti-English party ; but a few years later he is found holding the office of Sheriff of Berwick, and under that designation witnessing a charter by the Earl of Dunbar to the monastery of Coldingham.1 In 1264 he appears as an associate of John Comyn and others in their proceedings against Isabella, Countess of Menteith, widow of Walter Oomyn, and Sir John Russell, her English second husband.2 It is, however, from what is recorded of the grants of lands and heritages made to Sir David throughout Scotland by various donors that the best impression is obtained of the influence which he must have exercised upon his con- temporaries and the politics of his times. In a charter of confirmation in his favour by Alexander in., dated 17 De- cember 1253, there are enumerated no fewer than nineteen of these grants, the donors including persons of such note as Malcolm, Earl of Fife, Patrick (sixth) Earl of Dunbar, Roger de Quincy, Earl of Winchester, Maldouin, Earl of Lennox, Duncan, Earl of Oarrick, and Alexander the Steward.3 Two of the charters confirmed are extant. In each of these the one by Adam of Poulwrth, son of Adam of Poulwrth, of a tenement in Dunipace which had be- longed to Patrick, the granter's brother, in excambion for lands at Wedderlie in Berwickshire, c. 1233, and the other by Henry de Graham, son of Sir Henry de Graham, of the lands of Clifton in Midlothian, c. 1245, the grantee is designed ' cognatus meus.' 4 There is also extant a prior confirma- tion by Alexander n., dated 23 October 1237, of the charter by the Earl of Dunbar, bearing to be granted to David de Graham for his homage and service, of the whole waste lands of Dundaff and Strathcarron, which was the King's forest, in excambion for the lands of Gretquerquer in Gal-, loway, which the Earl by his charter had formerly con- ferred on David.5 This is the original grant of the barony of Dundaffmuir, the oldest existing possession of the house of Montrose. The grants by the Earl of Lennox and his son 1 Raine's North Durham, App. Nos. cxxxix-xl. 2 Red Book of Men- teith, i. 40. 3 Lennox Book, ii. 13. 4 Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 166. 5 Ibid. 202 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE of the lands of Mukraw, Killearn, and Strathblane recorded in the Chartulary of Lennox1 were the nucleus of their barony of Mugdock. Towards the close of his life Sir David obtained from Malise, Earl of Strathearn, a grant of the lands of Kincardine, Coul, Olune, Poswell, Pirny, and Berdrals in Perthshire,2 out of which was formed the barony of Kincardine. The Christian name of Sir David's wife was Agnes, and there is reason to believe that her surname was Noble, and that the lands of Kinpunt and Eliston in Linlithgowshire, acquired by Sir David from Ralph Noble and Thomas Noble, c. 1245,3 were so obtained in marriage with her, she being mentioned in these grants, but in no other known charter, in favour of Sir David, excepting King Alexander's con- firmation in 1253.4 Their children, so far as known, or as has been suggested, were : — 1. PATRICK, who succeeded. 2. Sir David, who swore fealty to Edward i. as Lord Superior of Scotland, 1291, 5 and was one of the nominees of Baliol in the competition for the throne, in June 1292.' He was one of the prisoners taken by Edward at the battle of Dunbar 27 April 1296, and was committed to prison in the Castle of St. Breval. On 30 July 1297 he was released and had his estates restored on condition of serving in the King's expedition to the Continent.7 He accordingly accom- panied Edward to Flanders, and died there 1297.8 He married Muriel, the youngest of three daughters 1 Chart. Lennox, 37. * Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 166. 3 Third Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App., 397. 4 Crawfurd, who has been followed by Douglas and Wood, here inserts in the family tree another David, son of the above and father of Patrick next herein noticed. His authority is a charter penes Ducem de Montrose, which charter is granted by Malise, Earl of Strathearn, to Annabella his sister for her marriage of the lands of Kincardine in Kather, c. 1251-60, and as there is a subsequent charter by Earl Malise to David de Graham of the lands of Kincardine and others, c. 1260-71, it has been assumed that there was a second David married to Annabella. But apart from this assumption there is no evi- dence of the existence of an intermediate David, and it will be seen infra that the wife of Patrick was named Annabella, who had lands in her own right, and that Patrick had a younger brother David, who was married prior to 1268 ; which does not seem to leave room for an interposed genera- tion. 6 Col. Doc. Scot., ii. 508. a Ftedera, Rec. ed., i. 767. 7 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 940 ; Rotuli Scotia, i. 45. 8 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 1967. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 203 and co-heiresses of John Byset, Lord of Lovat, in Inverness-shire.1 Among the records of Scotland found by King Edward in Edinburgh Castle, and de- livered by him to Baliol in 1292, was a letter by William de Fenton, Andrew de Bos^cho, and David de Graham (husbands of the three heiresses of Lovat) acknowledging that they had received from William Wyscard, or Wishart, Archdeacon of St. Andrews, and Chancellor of the King, those charters which the late John Byset had deposited in the Abbey of Jedburgh.2 Chancellor Wishart became Bishop of Glasgow in 1268,3 so that the marriage of David de Graham and Muriel Byset must have taken place prior to that date. In consequence of this marriage the private interests of Sir David lay chiefly in the north of Scotland, and he appears to have been involved in disputes with his brother-in-law Sir William de Fenton and the Bishop of Moray as to the lands of Kiltarlity and fishings of the water of Farrar.4 He had also, however, from his father the lands of Merton and others in Berwickshire.5 He had a son and a daughter : — (1) SIR PATRICK, who was under age at his father's death, as, on 17 March 1298, Edward I. grants to Robert de Felton, for good service in Flanders, the marriage of Patrick, son of David de Graham deceased.6 He joined Bruce at the com- mencement of his struggle for the independence of Scotland, but made an early surrender to Edward i., by whom, as 'Patrick de Graham, chevalier d'Escosse,' he was put in charge of the Bishop of Chester 8 November 1306.7 An incident of the English monarch's last expedition towards Scotland was the receipt at Ebbecestre, in Durham, of a request by Loughlan M'Locherry of the Isles for a grant of the estates of Patrick de Graham, Mons. Aymer de Valence making the same request.8 He had been released, and had regained possession of his estates prior to March 1314, when John of Argyll, his father-in-law, being put in command of an English fleet, was authorised to receive among others, Patrick de Graham, Knight, to the King's peace. He was one of the Barons who attached their seals to the famous letter of remonstrance to the Pope on 6 April 1 Hist, of Beauly Priory, Grampian Club, 54; Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 129. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 116. 3 Crawfurd's Officers of State, 15. 4 Reg. Epis. Morav., 135. 6 Rotuli Scotice, i. 269. 6 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 970, 975. 7 Ibid., 1849, 1852; Fcedera, Rec. ed., i. 995; Palgrave, No. cliv. 8 Pal- grave, No. cxlii. 204 GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE 1320. l He was taken prisoner at Halidon Hill 1333. a He married a daughter of John of Argyll, it would appear, without the consent of Robert deFelton, to whom, as above mentioned, his marriage had been granted by Edward i.3 There is no record of his issue, but from the fact that Hugh Fraser, Lord of Lovat, in 1367, did homage to the Bishop of Moray for Kiltarlity and the fishings of Farrar, it has been supposed that he left a daughter through whom his share of Lovat was carried to the Frasers.* On the other hand, it appears from an instrument of resignation by William the Graham, son and heir of Henry the Graham, in favour of Thomas, Earl of Moray, his overlord, dated at Chanonry 2 August 1420, that the lands of Kerdale belonged to a family of Graham till the early part of the fifteenth century, and on default of issue of William de Graham then passed to his 'gudfadyr' Hay of Lochloy.6 (2) a daughter, Christian name unknown, married (as his first wife) to William, Earl of Ross. Hugh, Earl of Ross, killed at Halidon Hill 1333, in a charter to Patrick de Graham of the lands of Scatraig in Strathnairn designs him ' avunculus meus.' 6 3. Sir John Graham of Dundaff, immortalised by Blind Harry, has been placed by Douglas and Wood as a son of Sir David Graham. This, however, is incon- sistent with the history of Sir John as related by the Minstrel, the sole direct authority for it, Harry mak- ing Sir John the son of an older knight of the same name, Lord of Dundaff, and living there at the outset of Wallace's career.7 That there was a son of Sir David called John is very probable. He may have been the John de Graham who, along with William Oomyn, was sued, for an alleged assault at Jedburgh, by John de Leverhelde in 1278,8 and may have had a grant of Dundaff or some part of the barony, from his father, or he may simply have retired there after the disaster of Dunbar. He is described by Harry as having ' purchest pes in rest he mycht bide still,' and as paying ' tribute sore against his will.' 9 That a John de Graham of this period married a lady whose 1 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 474. 2 Knigh ton's Chron. Decem Scriptores, col. 2564. 3 Col. Doc. Scot., iii. 65, ii. 1967. 4 Hist. Beauly Priory, 89. 6 Original penes Brodie of Brodie, 1736, p. Montrose MS. Collections. 6 Crawf urd's Peerage, 337 ; where, however, a mistake is made both as to the granter and the grantees of the charter said to be penes me. 7 Act is and Deedis of Schir William Wallace (Scottish Text Society), 87. 8 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 148. 9 Actis and Deedis of Schir William Wallace, ut supra. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSB 205 Christian name was Margery, and who was an heiress in Perthshire is ascertained ; ' and Viscount Strath- allan has it that a John de Graham was the first of the name to acquire a footing in that shire, and obtained it by marriage.2 Marjorie de Graham swore fealty to Edward i. at Berwick 28 August 1296,3 and on 3 September had a precept to the Sheriff of Perth- shire directing, conditionally, the restoration of her estate.4 In the view here suggested, the son of John and Margery de Graham was (1) Sir John Graham, the younger, the ' Schir Jhone the Grayme that worthe wes and wicht,' who, according to Blind Harry and a general tradition, was the comrade and companion- in-arms of Sir William Wallace from the slaughter of Hasel- rigg till the fatal battle of Falkirk, where Sir John fell gloriously along with Sir John Stewart, 22 July 1298.s The fact of his burial in Falkirk church is vouched for by a monument there, which is undoubtedly of great antiquity, although it has more than once been renewed,6 and which bears the well-known inscription :— ' Mente manuque potens, et Vallai fidus Achates Conditus hie Gramus, bello interfectus ab Anglis.' Two swords said to have been wielded by this hero are preserved, one at Buchanan Castle, bearing the date 1406, and an inscription in the vernacular corresponding to that on the tomb, and the other (which was long an heirloom of the Grahams of Orchill) in the Town Hall of Auchterarder. The marriage of Sir John to the ' first dochter ' of Halyday, nephew of Wallace,7 is an obvious myth. SIR PATRICK DE GRAHAM, the eldest son of Sir David, was a witness in 1272 to a charter by Sir Alexander Stirling, granting certain lands to the church of St. Servan of Alveth.8 The numerous other charters which he witnessed are to be found in many chartularies from Inchaffray to Hexham, and need not be adverted to here. He added to and consolidated the estates which his father had acquired in Lennox and Strathearn, obtaining confirmations from Malcolm, Earl of Lennox 9 (under whom 1 Rotuli Scotia, i. 26. 2 Genealogy of the House of Drummond, 165. 3 Ragman Rolls, 144. 4 Rotuli Scotice, ut supra. 5 Actis and Deedis of Schir William Wallace, 102 et seq, • Hailes, Annals, 3rd ed., i. 317. 6 In 1722 by James, Duke of Montrose, through Mr. James Graham of Airth, and in 1772 by William Graham of Airth. 7 Actis and Deedis of Schir William Wallace, 102. 8 Cart, of Cambuskenneth (Grampian Club), 25. 9 Cart, of Lennox, 39, 40. 206 GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE lie held, in addition to Mugdock,an estate on Loch Lomond- side and the lands and lake of Oorriearklet) and Malise, Earl of Strathearn.1 He had a letter of recommendation from Alexander in. to Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, brother of Edward I., 10 April 1279.2 He sat in the Parliament of Scone when the magnates of Scotland acknowledged the right of Margaret of Norway to succeed to the throne in the event of the death of her grandfather Alexander in., 5 February 1283-84.3 In the following year he was one of the four ambassadors sent by Alexander to France to nego- tiate his second marriage with Joleta, daughter of the Count of Dreux ; 4 and it was perhaps in connection with this service that, on 13 November 1285, he obtained from the King confirmation of the grants of Kincardine by the Earl of Strathern, conferring certain privileges and pro- viding for the event of the lands coming to hold of the Crown in chief.5 In the events which followed on the death of Alexander none of the lesser barons of Scotland acted a more conspicuous part. He was present at the assembly of Brigham, which agreed to the treaty of mar- riage between Queen Margaret and Prince Edward 17 March 1290.6 At this time Sir Patrick was Keeper of Stirling Castle, and along with William de Sinclair and John Foulis, Keepers of the other royal castles, went to the presence of the English King and obtained a postpone- ment of his demand for delivery of the castles till the arrival of the Queen in England or Scotland free of all other marriage.7 He was, along with his brother David, a nominee of John Baliol in the competition for the throne ; on 13 June 1291 he swore fealty to Edward as Lord Para- mount, and on 26 December following witnessed Baliol's homage to the English King at Newcastle.8 He was party to the general release granted by Baliol to King Edward 2 January 1292-93,9 his seal attached to it being thus described : ' On a chief three escallops, at each side of shield a boar's head.' 10 On 20 June 1294 he witnessed, at the New Temple, London, a charter by Baliol to the Bishop 1 Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 166. 2 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 157. 3 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 424. * Fordun a Goodall, ii. 127. 6 Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 166. 8 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 441. 7 Fosdera, Rec. ed., i. 738. 8 Ibid., 768, 782. 9 Ibid., 784. 10 Scottish Armorial Seals, No. 1119. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 207 of Durham,1 and he was included in the summons dated 29 of the same month, addressed by King Edward to Baliol and certain of his nobles, to attend him in London on 1 Sep- tember, with their men, horses and arms, in order to accompany him on his expedition to France.2 The accounts of Walter de Oamehou, a royal chamberlain, 1293-95, con- tain a statement with regard to lands in the Lennox, that no rents were received from them, Sir Patrick de Graham having ejected the King therefrom ' vi et armis.' 3 He was one of the barons who sealed the ratification of Baliol's treaty with Philip of France at Dunfermline 23 February 1295-96.4 In the battle of Dunbar, 27 April 1296, he main- tained his station against the English,5 and, according to Wood, ' died with honour, lamented and applauded even by his enemies, a goodly knight all dressed in harness meet.' Hemingburgh characterises him, ' miles strenuissimus, inter sapientores regni illius quasi primus et inter potentiores nobilissimus.' 6 He married Annabella, sister of Malise, Earl of Strathearn, who had (1251-60) a charter from her brother of part of the lands of Kincardine, in Perthshire, for her marriage.7 It is possible that she had been previously married to John of Lestalrig [Restalrig], for on 22 November 1293 there was an appeal taken to Edward i., as Lord Superior of Scotland, by Simon of Lestalrig, in a complaint by him to John Baliol, that Patrick de Graham, in time of the fatuity of the said John, had impetrated certain rights over Restalrig through Annabella, wife of the said John, to the loss and damage of Simon, John's son and heir.8 On 28 August 1296 ' Anable, qe fu la femme Patrik de Graham,' swore fealty to Edward at Berwick,9 and on 3 September a petition by her to the King for restoration of her own heritage and her dower out of her husband's lands, was referred to the Keepers of Scotland.10 The children of Sir Patrick de Graham, so far as known or has been suggested, were : — 1. SIR DAVID, who succeeded. 1 CaL Doc. Scot., ii. 691, 692. 2 Fcedera, Bee. ed., i. 804. 3 Cat. Doc. Scot., ii. 708. 4 Ada Parl. Scot., i. 451. 5 Hailes, Annals, i. 289. 6 Heming- burgh, ii. 104. T Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 166. 8 Rotuli ScoticK, i. 19. 9 Ragman Roll, 146. 10 Stevenson's Hist. Documents, ii. 92. 2. Patrick, probably the 'Monsieur Patrick de Graham vadlet' who, having participated in the rising of Bruce, was in 1306 ordered by Edward I. to be sent to the Tower, and to be there kept in irons and sustained meanly, the Constable to be responsible for the execution of the order * corp pour corps.' 1 On 14 December 1308 an order was made for the mitigation of this imprisonment.2 No further mention of him can be traced. 3. John. According to Sir William Fraser, the Sir John de Graham who married Mary, Countess of Menteith, and was executed by Edward in. after the battle of Durham, 1346, was probably a younger son.3 4. a daughter, married to Sir Malcolm Druru- mond, who flourished 1301-25,4 and was the mother, by him, of Margaret Drummond, married, first, to Sir John Logie, and, secondly, to David II.5 SIR DAVID GRAHAM, the eldest son, was taken prisoner at the battle of Dunbar, 1296, and confined at first in the Tower, and afterwards in the castle of St. Breval. On 30 July 1297 he was enlarged on giving security to accompany Edward I. on his expedition to Flanders.6 Returning to Scotland, and adhering to the national party, he accom- panied its leaders in an inroad to Selkirk Forest, and was present at their meeting at Peebles in August 1298 or 1299. According to the report by Sir Robert Hastangis, the English governor of Roxburgh Castle, he was involved in a quarrel between Bruce and John Comyn, the affray, however, being terminated by an agreement, under which the Bishop of St. Andrews (doubtless the peacemaker on this occasion), Bruce, and Oomyn should be Guardians of the realm.7 Sir David was included in the capitulation to the English forces of Sir John Comyn and the other leaders who had continued to uphold the cause of Baliol, at Strathord 9 February 1303-4, and one of the conditions imposed upon him was an exile from Scotland for six months.8 The murder of his patron Oomyn may possibly account for a reluctance which he 1 Fcedera, Rec. ed., i. 994; Palgrave, No. cliii. * Cat. Doc. Scot., iii. 62. 3 Red Book of Menteith, i. 104 ; but cf. The Scottish Antiquary, xvii. 186. * Genealogy of House of Drummond, Tree in App., 260. 6 Dunbar's Scottish Kings, 154. • Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 742, 901, 940. ~ Ibid., 1978. 8 Palgrave, No. cxxxii. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 209 seems to have shown to identify himself with the cause of Bruce ; for on 20 May 1308 he is among those who receive the thanks of Edward n. for faithful service to his father and himself.1 For some years thereafter there are refer- ences in the English records to the residence of ' David de Graham of Scotland ' in England, as a quasi prisoner, the latest being a grant on 12 February 1312-13 of £80 per annum from the issues of the Knights Templars' manor of Eykill in Yorkshire ' to sustain him in his service ' along with the use of houses and firewood in reason.2 He was probably released after the battle of Bannockburn, and appears as a person of note and influence in the reign of Robert the Bruce. On 1 April 1320 he witnessed, at Berwick-on-Tweed, the King's charter to Sir James Douglas of the lands of Douglasdale and Oarmichael,3 and his seal is appended to the letter by the Scots barons to Pope John, dated at Arbroath the 6 day of the same month and year.4 In June 1323 he was one of the guarantors to Edward n. that Bruce would fulfil his part of the treaty then entered into for a thirteen years' peace.5 At Scone, on the 5 March 1325, Sir David, as ' Sir David de Graham pater,' received two charters from King Robert, viz. one of the lands of Old Montrose, in the shire of Forfar, in excambion for the lands of Cardross, near Dunbarton, and another of lands in Oharlton and Kynnaber, near Montrose, in exchange for the lands of Sokach, in the earldom of Oarrick (probably the lands of Succoth, part of Oardross, had been held by the Grahams as vassals of the Earls of Carrick) and the islands of Inchcalliach and Inchfad, in Loch Lomond.6 The estate so acquired by the King became, as is well known, his favourite residence, and was the scene of his death in June 1329. The date of the death of Sir David de Graham is not known, but probably he died about the same time as his great sovereign. The name of Sir David's wife has not been ascertained, but he appears to have had at least two, possibly three sons, and a daughter : — 1. SIR DAVID, of whom below. 1 Cal. Doc. Scot., iii. 43. 2 Ibid., 193, 255, 303, 306, 311. 3 Douglas Book, iii. 355. * Acta Part. Scot., i. 474. 6 Fcedera, Rec. ed., ii. 522. 6 Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 166, 167. VOL. VI. O 210 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 2. Sir Patrick of Kinpunt. In the accounts of Ed- ward m.'s Sheriffs in Scotland for 1335-36 and 1337 it is stated that the £12 land of Kinpunt and £6, 13s. 4d. lands of Illaston are in the King's hands, through the forfeiture of Patrick de Graham, and concerning the first-mentioned subject the Sheriff remarks, ' non respondet quia vasta.' ' Sir Patrick appears to have lost his liberty as well as his lands in the wars which followed upon the attempt of Edward Baliol, as in the Chamberlain's Account, 1341-42, there is entered a payment to Patrick de Graham in aid of his ransom, by order of David 11., then newly returned from Prance.2 The same account bears a payment to Sir Patrick de Graham by the King's precept on account of his expenses passing to Norway on the affairs of the King and kingdom.3 Sir Patrick is probably the Patrick the Grame of Wyntoun's story, * a gud knycht that had travelled beyond the se,' who, in a Border jousting in time of truce, arranged between the Steward, Guardian of Scotland, and Henry, Earl of Derby, afterwards of Lancaster, being challenged by an English knight, said : — ' Man, will thou have of me justyng Rys up to morn in the mornyng And here the mes well, and schry ve the And thou sail sone delyverit be,' and in truth, on the following day, * bare him throw the body quhit ' with a mortal stroke.4 Sir Patrick was apparently again a prisoner in England in 1349, when he had a licence from Edward in. to go to Scotland ; but had been ransomed before 1352, when he obtained a safe-conduct to pass through England to parts over seas.5 In later life he witnessed a charter by Donald, Earl of Lennox, to Walter, Lord of Buchanan, of the lands of Kirkmichael and Blair- 1 Col. Doc. Scot., iii. pp. 333, 341. 2 Exch. Rolls, i. 509. 3 Ibid., 507. 4 Wynton's Cronykil, ed. Laing, ii. 444. Viscount Strathallan has it, ' Patrick Graham was provoked to a duell by an English man, to whom he said, "Pray you dine well, for I shall send you to sup in paradyse !" '; Genealogy of House of Drummond, 166. 6 Rotvli Scotice, i. 730, 751. GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE 211 fad,1 and in 1360-61 had a safe-conduct from Edward in. to pass through England on a pilgrimage to St. James.2 There is a charter by Patrick de Graham, Lord of Kinpunt, and David de Graham, Lord of Dundaff, son and heir of the deceased Sir David de Graham, knight, Lord of Dundaff, to John de Ancrum, burgess of Edinburgh, of the lands of Craig- crook, near Edinburgh, confirmed by David n., 1362. Of practically the same date there is a charter by John de Ancrum mortifying these lands to the Chaplain of the Altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Parish Church of St. Giles, also confirmed by the King, and in an Inventory of St. Giles's muniments this transaction is referred to as 'Donacio Patricii de Grahame super terris de Oraigcrooke.3 3. William de Graham, Keeper of Lochleven Castle 1362,4 may have been a son. 4. Margaret de Graham, of the diocese of Edinburgh, who had a dispensation, 24 November 1329, legitimis- ing her marriage with Hugh, Earl of Ross, killed at the battle of Halidon Hill 1333, and another, as his widow, to marry John de Barclay 1341 ,5 was pro- bably a daughter. DAVID DE GRAHAM, the eldest son, in his father's lifetime, as Sir David de Graham ' filius,' witnessed a charter by Simon Locard de Ley to William de Lindsay, rector of the Church of Ayr, of an annualrent out of the lands of Cart- land from Whitsunday 1323.6 After the battle of Dupplin and the coronation of Edward Baliol at Scone 1332 he was one of thirteen knights who, along with the Earl of Fife, submitted to Baliol.7 That he took an active part in the resumption of the national resistance to the enterprise of Baliol and his patron Edward in. may be inferred from the fact that in the accounts of Edward's Sheriffs in Scotland for 1335-36 the lands of Oraigcrook and Nether Carlowrie, in the barony of Abercorn, are stated to be in the King's hands by the forfeiture of David de Graham.8 He accom- 1 Lennox Book, ii. 25. 2 Rotuli Scotice, i. 854. 3 Cart, of St. Giles, 7, 8, 288. * Exch. Rolls, i. 114, 138, 166. 6 Theiner, Vetera Monumenta Hib. et Scot., 249, 276. 6 Reg. Epis. Gla*g,, 238. 7 Chron. de Lanercost, 269. 8 Cat. Doc. Scot., iii. pp. 333, 380. 212 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSB panied David n. in his unfortunate expedition into England, and was taken prisoner with him at the battle of Neville's Cross 17 October 1346.1 He must have been speedily ran- somed, as on 17 September 1348 he was present in a Justiciary Court at Forfar for the decision of a question between the monks of Arbroath and the burgesses of Dundee.2 In 1354 he was one of the Commissioners ap- pointed for negotiating the release of the King, and sat in the Parliament at Edinburgh 26 September 1357, when the treaty of ransom was approved, and was one of the guarantors of the treaty.3 On 11 January 1359 he obtained from David n. a confirmation of his father's charter of Old Montrose,4 and from this time to the end of David's reign is a frequent witness in both lay and ecclesiastical charters. Sir David sat in a general council held at Perth by David n. on 13 January 1364, was one of those elected by the Estates to hold Parliament at Scone 27 September 1367, was on the Committee for General Affairs 1368, and on the Committee of Dooms 1369.5 On 18 February 1369 it was found in a cause between him and William Barnard that the latter had not lawful sasine of the lands of Kinnaber, and that Sir David was first in possession of these lands.8 He was one of those who took the oath of homage and fealty to Robert n. at Scone 27 March 1371, and he also witnessed the Act of Settlement of the succession to the Crown by that monarch on 4 April 1373.7 On 23 July 1374 he obtained a decreet of Parliament finding that he was entitled to possess the lands of Old Montrose notwith- standing anything shown on behalf of Sir John Lindsay of Thurston.8 At Perth, on St. Andrew's day 1376, he witnessed a charter by Laurence of Hay, Lord of Eskyndy 9 [Essendy], and he must have died soon thereafter. The name of his wife is not known. His children were : — 1. PATRICK, of whom below. 2. David witnessed a charter at Perth 20 February 1369-70.10 1 Botuli Scotice, i. 678. 2 Reg. de Aberbrothock, ii. 20. 3 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 516 ; Fcedera, Rec. ed., iii. 370. * Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 167. 6 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 495, 501, 506, 508, 534. 6 Ibid., i. 536. 7 Ibid., i. 545, 549. 8 Ibid., Supp. 18. 9 Reg. Mag. Sig., fol. vol. 128, No. 8. 10 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 85. GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE 213 3. John, who as 'third son of Sir David Graham of Old Montrose ' in 1370 is claimed as ancestor of the Grahams of Morphie on grounds which would make him progenitor also of the Grahams of Auchincloich (in Kilsyth) and their branches.1 PATRICK DE GRAHAM, the eldest son, in terms of a stipu- lation in the negotiation of 1354 with Edward in., was in 1357, under the designation of * Patrik fltz et heir monsieur David de Graham,' delivered to the English King as one of the hostages for the ransom of David n.2 In 1372, as son and heir of Sir David, he granted an obligation to support a chaplain of the altar of the Holy Cross in the parish church of Dumbarton,3 and in the following year was a party along with his father to the Act of Settlement of succession to the throne.4 Immediately on succeeding to the family estates he was sent on a mission to England along with Sir Simon of Ketyns and John Mercer of Perth, receiving from Edward in. a safe-conduct, 23 March 1378, to come before the council and return before 1 May to de- liberate on the affairs of the kingdoms.5 He acquired the lands of Achincross in Lennox from Robert, Earl of Fife and Menteith, 1377,6 and Ardochmore near Oardross from Simon de Moravia 1382.7 In 1388 he obtained from Robert 11. a warrant disjoining his lands in Kilpatrick parish from the shire of Dumbarton, and annexing them to that of Stirling.8 In 1394 he was again a Commissioner to treat with the English.9 From 1388 to 1400 he acted as an Auditor in Exchequer.10 On 22 April 1398 he was appointed General Chamberlain and Keeper and Receiver of Customs,11 and on 27 June following was on the special council at Perth to assist the Duke of Rothesay in the Government.12 On 6 May 1400 he witnessed at Edinburgh a charter by David Fleming, Lord of Biggar and Lenzie, to Sir John 1 Burke's Landed Gentry, Scot. Armor. Seals, No. 1129, Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 88, but cf. Nisbet's Heraldry, i. 79. 2 Fcedera, Rec. ed.,iii. 372. 3 Dumbarton Charter-chest. 4 Ada Parl. Scot., i. 549. 6 Rotuli Scotice, ii. 7. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., fol. vol. 146, No. 96. 7 Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 167. 8 Lennox Book, i. 28. By an order pronounced by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, dated 24 October 1890, these lands have been restored to the county of Dumbarton. 9 Rotuli Scotice, ii. 126. 10 Exch. Rolls, iii. 161- 508. » Acta Parl. Scot., i. 571. « Ibid., i. 572. 214 of Dalzell,1 and his death must have occurred in the same year. The Christian name of his first wife was Matilda, accord- ing to a charter of impignoration by Angus Hawincross of that Ilk of part of the lands of Boclair in favour of Sir Patrick of Graham, knight, son and heir to David de Graham, Lord of Dundaff, and Matilda, wife of the said Patrick, dated at the manor-place of Mugdock 24 August 1372.2 He married, secondly, about the year 1384, Buphemia or Egidia, daughter of Sir John Stewart of Ralston, the half- brother of Robert u.,3 with whom he obtained the lands of Culteranich in Upper Strathearn.4 The issue of his first marriage were : — 1. SIR WILLIAM, of whom below. 2. Matilda, married to Sir John Drummond of Concraig.5 Of the second marriage there were born four sons : — 3. Patrick, who had a charter from his father with con- sent of Sir William of Graham, knight, his father's son and heir, of the lands of Kinpunt and Eliston in West Lothian, with a destination failing heirs-male throughout to his brothers-german Robert, David, and Alexander successively.8 About the year 1406 he married his second cousin Euphemia, Countess Palatine of Strathearn, daughter and heiress of David Stewart, Earl of Strathearn, son of Robert n., and Euphemia Ross, and became in her right Earl of Strathearn 7 (see that title). From their son Malise were descended the Earls of Menteith. (See also that title.) 4. Sir Robert, generally designed of Kinpunt, having probably succeeded to that estate on his brother's advancement to the earldom of Strathearn. From what is related of his acquaintance with 'lawe positive and canone and civill bothe,' 8 it is not un- reasonable to suppose that he was that son of Sir Patrick Graham who was a student at Paris in the 1 Eleventh Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App., Pt. vi. 24. * Lennox Book, i. 162. 3 Exch. Rolls, iv. cxcii. 4 Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 167. 6 Crawfurd's Peerage, 337, and Genealogy of Ho. of Drummond, 41. 6 Third Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 397. 7 Sir Harris Nicolas, Hist, of Earldom of Strathern, etc., 16. 8 ' Cronykill of the Dethe and False Murdure of James Stewarde, Kyng of Scotys,' in Misc. Scotica, ii. 26. GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE 215 year 1394 along with John Stewart, a natural son of Robert n.1 He was the leading actor in the murder of James I. at Perth on 20 February 1436-37, and justified on the scaffold the part he took in it.2 Viscount Strathallan mentions * an indenture of the date 1399 ' between Sir Patrick Graham of Kincar- dine and Sir John Oliphant of Aberdalgie * that Robin de Graham, sone of the said Sir Patrick the Grahame, shal wed to wyffe, God willand, Marion Oliphant, daughter of the said Sir John, with many remark- able and singular conditions very well worthie of the observing.' 3 Sir Robert Grabam had a son Thomas, witness to the infeftment of Lucas of Stirling in the lands of the Kere 22 January 1433-34,4 who suffered with him for the murder of the King.5 There is a charter by Sir James Hamilton of Oadzow to Marion Oliphant, and her sons Robert, Walter, Patrick, and Umfrid Grahame, of the lands of Oessford, on 24 February 1446-47.6 5. David,7 who had a charter from Robert, Duke of Albany, of the lands of Mukclere (Mucklaree) in the barony of Oluny.8 In 1406 David de Feme, burgess of Perth, had a charter of the same lands from Robert, Duke of Albany, Governor of Scotland, on the resignation of David de Grame ' dilecti consan- guinei nostri.' 9 6. Alexander, who, with his brother Robert, witnesses a charter by Robert, Duke of Albany, to Sir William Graham, dated 4 August 1420,10 and as 'patruus' of Patrick, Lord Graham, witnesses a charter by him at Mugdock, 23 October 1460, when he must have been upwards of seventy years of age.11 SIR WILLIAM DE GRAHAM was present in a Justiciary Court of Strathearn when Alexander de Moravia, indicted for the slaughter of William de Spalding, was repledged by 1 Exch. Molls, iii. 347. 2 'Cronykill' in Misc. Scotica, ii., ut supra. 3 Genealogy of Ho. of Drummond, 166. * Stlrlings of Keir, 211. 6 ' Cronykill ' in Misc. Scotica, ii., ut supra. 6 Fourteenth Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. iii. 16. 7 Third Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 397. 8 Robertson's Index, 144. 9 Beg. Mag. Sig., fol. vol. 240, No. 44. 10 Beg. Mag. Sig., 29 August 1430. » Original Writ, Buchanan. 216 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE Robert, Earl of Fife, afterwards Duke of Albany, by the law of Clan Macduff, 7 December 1391. l He had a charter from Alice of Erth, Lady of Oraigbernard, of certain lands in Mugdock wherein he is styled Lord of Kincardyn, 13 February 1400- 1.2 He had also a grant from Archibald, fourth Earl of Douglas, of Logyachray in Stirlingshire,3 and apparently by the favour of that powerful nobleman ap- pears to have become a tenant in chief of the Crown for his barony of Dundaff on the forfeiture of George of Dunbar, Earl of March. Accompanying the Earl of Douglas in his invasion of England, he was made prisoner with him at Homildon Hill 14 September 1402, but was soon after ran- somed.4 After Douglas had been again made prisoner at Shrewsbury 1403, Sir William on 8 March 1405 had a safe- conduct from Henry rv. to commune with the Earl of Fife (Murdoch, son of the Duke of Albany) and Earl of Douglas, ' being with the King,' on certain matters touching their condition.5 In the following year he was one of the hostages for the return of Earl Douglas temporarily liber- ated.6 In the same year he was a commissioner receiving a safe-conduct to go to England to treat for peace or a long truce between the kingdoms.7 He had a charter from Robert, Duke of Albany, of the lands of Old Montrose and others,8 was an adherent of the Duke, by whom he is styled ' consanguineus carissimus,'9 and is a frequent witness to charters granted by Albany as Governor of Scotland. He was at different times one of the commissioners sent by the Duke to England to treat for the release of James I. having safe-conducts both from Henry iv. and Henry v. for that purpose.10 He was an Auditor in Exchequer March 1405, and at intervals till June 1418.11 Towards the end of his life he acquired from Duncan, Earl of Lennox, the superiority of Mugdock and his other extensive estates in the Lennox, which have since been held directly of the Crown,12 and he obtained new charters of his other estates, with the exception of Kincardine, the fee of which he had 1 Liber Insulce Missarum, xl-1, see also Genealogy of Ho. of Drummond, 43. 2 Lennox Book, ii. 54. 3 Robertson's Index, 148. 4 Cal. Doc. Scot., iv. p. 403 ; Rotuli Scotia, ii. 172. 6 Cal. Doc. Scot. , iv. 675. 6 Rymer's Fcedera, viii. 429. r Ibid., viii. 461. 8 Haddington Collection. 9 Reg. Mag. Sig., fol vol. 236, No. 35. 10 Rymer's Fcedera, ix. 5, 48. » Exch. Rolls, iii. 613 ; iv. 306. 12 Reg. Mag. Sig., 28 August 1430. GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTBOSB 217 previously settled on his eldest son.1 From these charters the names of his sons are ascertained. In some of the charters by Robert and Murdoch, Dukes of Albany, and of the English letters of safe-conduct from the year 1412, he is styled Dominus de Graham or Lord Graham, which has led Orawfurd and Douglas to assign him the position of first Lord Graham, but in the latest of the charters above referred to — by Duncan, Earl of Lennox, of the lands in that earldom, dated 10 August 1423 — he is styled simply 'Dominus Willielmus de Graham miles.' That is also his designation in a charter granted by him of the lands of Ballancleroch at Campsie, dated at Mugdock 11 August 1423.2 Probably the title * Dominus de Graham ' was used by him simply as a comprehensive term in place of Dominus * de Dundaff ' or * de Kincardine ' as formerly. He died in 1424.3 He married, first, in his father's lifetime, a lady whose name is not certainly known. Orawfurd, followed by Douglas and (with hesitation) by Wood, calls her Mariota, daughter of Sir John Oliphant of Aberdalgie, but he gives no authority, and there is probably confusion with the wife of his brother Robert.4 He married, secondly, before 1416, the Princess Mary (or Mariota) Stewart, daughter of Robert in., and widow of George, Earl of Angus, and of Sir James Kennedy of Dunure, and perhaps also of Sir William Cunningham of Kilmaurs (see title Glencairn). After the death of Sir William de Graham, Princess Mary was married in 1425, for the fourth or fifth time, to Sir William Edmonstone, by whom she was ances- tress of the Edmonstones of Duntreath. She died after 1458, and was buried in the parish church of Strathblane.5 The children of the first marriage of Sir William de Graham, so far as known, were: — 1. ALEXANDER, of whom below. 2. JoTm, who appears as a substitute in a charter by Murdoch, Duke of Albany, to his father of the 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., 29 August 1430. 2 Lennox Book, ii. 411. The seal attached to this charter is, on a shield, quarterly, 1st and 4th, on a chief three escallop shells, 2nd and 3rd, three cinquefoils, each with five blades. The circumscription is ' S. Willm Gramis De Mot Ros ac Kinkar.' 3 Exch. Rolls, iv. clxxiv. 4 Crawfurd's Peerage, 338. 6 Genealogical Account of Edmonstone Family, 31. 218 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSB barony of Dundaff and others dated 8 January 1421- 22,1 and is probably the same who witnesses a charter by Archibald, Duke of Touraine, Earl of Douglas, to the Priory of St. Andrews,2 and who, as John de Graham, armiger, witnesses an instrument regarding the Abbey of Oambuskenneth's lands in Dunipace 21 January 1426-27.3 3. Elizabeth, who was contracted, but not married, to Robert de Keith, Marshal of Scotland, and again con- tracted to Walter, Earl of Caithness, the youngest son of Robert n. by Eupheinia Ross — the mandate for the dispensation being dated 1 August 1404.4 She was finally married to Sir John Stewart of Dundonald, natural son of Robert n., between 1412 and 1414.5 The issue of the second marriage, as appears from the charter of Dundaff and others above mentioned, were :— 4. Sir Robert Graham, variously designed of Old Mon- trose, of Ewisdale, of Strathcarron, and of Fintry, was fiar or first substitute in a charter by Robert, Duke of Albany, Governor of Scotland, in favour of William, Lord Graham and Mariota Stewart, his spouse, sister of the King, in conjunct fee and life- rent, of the lands of Old Montrose, Charlton, and Kynnaber in the shire of Forfar dated 4 August 1420.6 He afterwards resigned the lands contained in this charter to his nephew, Patrick, Lord Graham, in exchange for the lands of Craigton or Fintry in Stirlingshire.7 He acquired from his nephew George, Earl of Angus, the lands of Earl's Strathdichty (which came to be called Fintry, when the Stirlingshire Fintry reverted to the main line of the family in the seventeenth century) and Ballargus in Forfarshire.8 He married, first, Janet Lovel, daughter of Sir Richard Lovel of Ballumbie, and secondly Matilda, daughter of Sir James Scrimgeour of Dudhope. From him are descended the Grahams of Fintry, 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., 29 August 1430. 2 Beg. Prior S. Andree, 406. 3 Cart, of Cambuskenneth, 114, 116. 4 Regesta Vaticana, 326, fol. 220. 5 Exch. Rolls, iv. 202, 254. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 29 August 1430. 7 Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 167. 8 Douglas Book, ii. 46, 57, iii. 84. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 219 with their cadets of Ballargus, Olaverhouse (after- wards Viscounts Dundee — see that title) and Duntrune. He was also the father of Patrick Graham, Bishop of Brechin in 1463, and Archbishop of St. Andrews 1471-78.1 5. Patrick, named in the charter cited. He has been supposed by Douglas and Wood to have been the Archbishop of St. Andrews, but probably died young s.p. 6. William, who had a grant of the lands of Garvock con- firmed by James in. 1473, ancestor of the Grahams of Balgowan, including the gallant General Sir Thomas Graham, Lord Lynedoch, the hero of Barossa, and the Grahams of Eskbank, and Redgorton. 7. Henry, who presumably died young s.p. 8. Walter, who had a charter from his nephew Patrick, Lord Graham, of the lands of Wallaceton and Ardoch- more, Dumbartonshire, dated 6 September 1444,2 and another from John Maxwell of Oalderwood and Auchincloich of the lands of Auchincloich, Hilton, and Aldmarroch in the Lennox, reserving the life- rent of Mariota Stewart, Countess of Angus, his mother, dated 31 December 1450.3 He was ancestor of the Grahams of Knockdolian in Ayrshire, who attained to considerable prominence in the sixteenth century, and their cadets, Grugar, Auchincloich (in Kilpatrick), Auchinhowie, and, it is said,Dougalston.4 ALEXANDER GRAHAM, the eldest son, as 'Alexander de Graym, filius et haeresDomini de Graym,' had safe-conducts on 31 July 1408 and 18 May 1412 to go into England as a hostage for Murdoch of Fife, son of the Duke of Albany.5 He had a charter from Euphemia, Oountess of Strathearn, of the lands of Oallandermore and Callanderbeg 13 July 1414,6 and witnessed a charter by the Duke of Albany to William de Hay of Errol, dated at Falkland 14 March 1415-16.7 He died in the lifetime of his father, probably 1 This is proved by a writ in the Morton Charter-chest. Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 213. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig., 7 September 1444. 3 Ibid., 15 January 1450-51. 4 Trans, of Glas. Archceol. Soe.,NewSer., 376. 6 Rotuli Scotice, ii. 187, 200; Rymer's Fcedera, viii. 544. ° Third Rep. Hist. MSS. Com. App. 397. 7 Reg. Mag. Sig., 16 June 1430. 220 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE before 1420. The name of his wife is not known. His sons were : — 1. PATRICK, of whom below. 2. Alexander, who is known only as an occasional wit- ness to his brother's writs. 3. Katherine, married to Humphrey Moray of Ogilvy and Abercairny.1 I. PATRICK DE GRAHAM, the elder son, had a precept from Walter, Earl of Atholl and Caithness, as tutor of law to Malise, Earl of Strathearn, for infefting him as heir of his father, Alexander de Graham, in the lands of Kincardine, to be held blench, and lands of Oallandermore and Callander- beg to be held ward, dated 10 November 1424.2 It having been provided in the treaty with England for the release of James I. that the original hostages for payment of the King's ransom might be exchanged for others of equal rank, there was, on 8 March 1427, an order by the English Government for release of Gilbert Hay, son of the Constable of Scotland, * the Lord Graham ' being received in his place. On 20 June 1432 there was an order permitting him to return home on a further exchange, in which order he is styled simply Patrick Graham.3 There is no record of his taking any active part in public affairs during the strenuous reign of the first James. His sympathies were probably with the disaffected nobles, but prudence dictated a policy of effacement, if not an absence abroad. On 1 July 1444 he had a remission of the fine levied on his lands of Nether Pirny in Strathearn 'propter absenciam domini ejusdem.1 4 The annexation of the earldom of Strathearn to the Crown made a further important difference to his feudal status, his lands of Kincardine becoming a Crown fief ; and accordingly he obtained, about 1444, a new charter and infeftment of these lands erected into a barony.5 In 1458 his lands in the Lennox were also erected into a barony of Mugdock.6 On 13 January 1460-61 he and William the Graham, his heir, entered into an indenture with Robert Graham of Fintry and David Graham his son, confirming 1 Abercairny Inventory. • 2 Original Writ, Buchanan. 3 Rymer's Fcedera, x. 372, 510 ; Rotuli Scotice, ii. 277, 278. * Exch. Rolls, v. 173, 175. 6 Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 167. 6 Reg. Mag. Rig., 24 October 1458. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSB 221 the exchange of Old Montrose and others in Forfarshire by Fintry for the lands of Fintry and Buchlyvie in Stir- lingshire.1 Prior to 28 June 1445 he was raised to the Peerage under the title of LORD GRAHAM, sitting at that date for the first time as a Lord of Parlia- ment.2 He was keeper of Dumbarton Castle and Sheriff of Perth under James n. ; 3 in 1457 represented the King at a general council of the church at Perth ; 4 and in 1451, 1457, and 1459 was- an envoy to England under safe- conducts from Henry vi.5 He witnessed a charter by Queen Mary of Gueldres to the Abbey of Holyrood on 16 April 1459,6 and was one of the four ' governors ' chosen by her for the boy King, James in.7 On 5 March 1464-65 he was one of those appointed to remain with the King at Berwick during negotiations at Newcastle for a renewed truce with England.8 In 1460 he excambed the old family estate on Lochlomond-side, and the lands and lake of Corriearklet to Patrick Buchanan of that Ilk, for the lands of Balmore and Ledlewan, near Mugdock.9 He obtained, on 10 July 1462, a bond of manrent from Sir John Ogilvy of Lintrethin, upon a curious consideration, viz. in respect of his having given Sir John the same privilege of fishing upon a certain part of the water of Northesk then flowing through his (Lord Graham's) barony of Kinnaber, as he, Sir John, had had when the said water ran as the march between his lands of Wardropton and Lord Graham's lands.10 The last certain mention of Lord Graham is in a deed dated 24 June 1466 ; " and he died in that year. Patrick, Lord Graham, married Christian, daughter of Sir Robert Erskine.12 She survived him, and married, secondly, William Charteris of Kinfauns.13 She appears in the records of the Lords Auditors between 1474 and 1479 in at least three lawsuits, in all of which judgment was given in her favour.14 Their children, so far as known, were : — 1. WILLIAM, second Lord Graham. 1 Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 167. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 59. 3 Exch. Rolls, v. 411, vii. 111. * Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 83. 6 Rymer's Fcedera, xi. 286, 389, 423 ; Rotuli Scotice, ii. 347, 378, 390 ; Cal. Doc. Scot., iv. 1281. 6 Liber Cart. Sanctce Crucis, 148. r Genealogy of the House of Drummond, 167. 8 Acta Parl. Scot., xii. Supp. 30. 9 Original Writs, Buchanan. 10 Ibid. u Ibid. 12 Diocesan Registers of Glasgow (Grampian Club), ii. 296. 13 Acta Audit., 46. u Ibid., 34, 36, 46, 87. 222 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 2. David, who witnessed his brother's infeftment in Dundaff, Mugdock and Airthray, 13 May 1467, ' and, as David Graham of Gargunnock, was present at the marriage of his nephew, William, third Lord Graham, 1479,2 supposed ancestor of the Grahams of Meiklewood, vassals of the Lords Erskine. 3". Mr. James. 4. Robert. These three younger sons were all still in life in 1488, being substituted in a charter by James m., dated 23 May in that year, in favour of William, third Lord Graham, next after the heirs-male of his own body and his brothers german.3 5. Janet, married (bond of relief by her father to cautioners for her tocher is dated 16 June 1455) to Gilbert Keith of Inverugie.4 6. Elizabeth, married (agreement or articles dated 19 December 1480) to William Livingston of Kilsyth.5 II. WILLIAM, second Lord Graham, sat in Parliament 9 October 1466, and, on 23 November following, had a pro- tection from Edward iv., along with his relative Patrick, Bishop of St. Andrews, and others, for two years, to come to England, and thence to go to France, Flanders, etc., and return to Scotland.6 It is known that Bishop Graham went to Rome, and remained there for some years, but how far Lord Graham availed himself of the protection is doubt- ful. He sat in Parliament again on 14 October 1467 and 21 November 1469,7 and died about the year 1471. He married, prior to 1460, Eleanor or Elene Douglas, daughter of William, second Earl of Angus,8 who survived him. In an action pursued by her against her mother-in- law, Christian, Lady Graham, in 1474, the latter success- fully pleaded the exception 'again ye said Elene yt scho suld be under sentence of cursing.9 In May 1478 the Abbot 1 Original Writ, Buchanan. 2 Burgh of Stirling Records (1887), 265. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig., at date. * Slains Charters. 5 Vol. v. of this work, 186. 6 Rymer's Fcedera, xi. 575 ; Rotuli Scotia, ii. 420. " Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 85, 93. 8 It has been thought she was the daught-er of George, fourth Earl of Angus [see vol. i. 178, and the Douglas Book, ii. 64], but in a writ of 9 December 1460, penes Lord Ruthven, she refers to William Douglas of Cluny as her brother, and he was brother of Earl George. 9 Acta Audit., 34, 36. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSB 223 and Convent of Arbroath granted a lease to Helene, Lady Graham, and Oliver, her son, of the lands of Balfour and Kirkton, with the mill and teind sheaves, for nineteen years from Whitsunday 1480.1 The children of William, second Lord Graham, so far as known, were : — 1. WILLIAM, third Lord Graham. 2. George, ancestor of the Grahams of Oallendar, his brother William, third Lord Graham, having a licence from King James iv. to alienate to him these lands, part of the barony of Kincardine, to cure a recogni- tion incurred by a prior alienation without consent, the King's charter dated 28 February 1508-9.2 He fell at Flodden 9 September 1513. 3. Patrick, substituted after George in the charter of 1488 above mentioned. Taking orders, he became a canon of the Cathedral Church of Glasgow and rector of the University.3 4. Oliver, named in the lease to his mother of 1478,4 but, as he is not mentioned in the charter of 1488, he probably died young. 5. Jean or Marion, said to have been married to John, second Lord Ogilvy of Airlie. 6. Christian, married, first, to James Haldane of Glen- eagles, and secondly, as his second wife, before 1504, to Sir Thomas Maule of Panmure.5 7. Agnes, married to Sir Walter Forrester of Garden.6 III. WILLIAM, third Lord Graham, was a minor at his father's death, and his ward and marriage were granted by James in. to Thomas, Lord Brskine, and James Shaw of Sauchie. The records of the Burgh of Stirling bear that on 16 May 1477 William, Lord le Grame, being in the four- teenth year of his age, swore upon the gospels to stand for his profit and honour to the counsel and deliverances of Thomas, Lord le Brskine, his uncle, Alexander Erskine, Lord Brskine's son and heir-apparent, John Drummond of 1 Liber de Aberbrothock, ii. 176. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig., at date. 3 Fraser's Chiefs of Colquhoun, i. 86. * Liber de Aberbrothock, ut supra. 5 Acta Dom. Cone., xxiv. f. 92, where both her husbands are referred to. Cf. Reg. de Panmure, ii. 276, 279. 6 Ada Parl. Scot., ii. 578. 224 GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE Cargill, afterwards first Lord Drummond, and Mr. John Lyon of Ourtastone, in all his actions and rules touching his person and lordship till the twenty-first year of his age complete, the curators on the other hand promising them to give good and salutary counsel to their ward.1 The ward and marriage were afterwards redeemed for the minor by Lord Drummond for 1500 merks.2 Lord Graham sat in the Parliaments of James Hi. in 1479, 1481, 1482 and 1487,3 and supported the cause of that monarch against his son and the confederated Lords, being present on the royal side at the battle of Sauchieburn, 11 June 1488. He was soon received into favour, and even familiar friendship, by James iv.,4 and sat in this sovereign's first Parliament 6 October 1488, and in the second 6 February 1491-92.4 His principal acquisitions were the estates of Aberuthven and Inchbrakie in Perthshire.6 Between 7 July7 and 20 November 1503 8 he was created EARL OF MON- TROSB, and sat as such in Parliament 3 February 1505-6.9 On 3 March 1504-5 as William, Earl of Mon- trose, he had had a charter upon his own resignation of the lands of Old Montrose, which lands, the charter bears, belonged hereditarily to him by the grant of Robert I. and the confirmation of David n. under their Great Seals, to his predecessors, and which James iv. now erected into the free barony and earldom of Montrose.10 Of the same date he had three other charters, viz. a new erection of the barony of Kincardine, of Aberuthven, Inchbrakie, and others united into a barony of Aberuthven, and of Kyn- naber in Forfarshire also erected into a barony. The Earl accompanied James iv. in his ill-starred invasion of Eng- land, and fell at Flodden, * sub vexillo regis,' along with his brother George of Oallendar, and his brother-in-law, Sir William Edmondstone of Duntreath, 9 September 1513. 1 Stirling Records, 262. 2 Cf. Discharge dated in 1480, Gen. of Ho. of Drummond, 147. 3 ActaParl. Scot.,ii. 124,137, 142, 175. 4 The Treasurer's Accounts, under date 23 November 1507, bear this entry, ' Item, that day afternone, to the King to play at the cartes with Schir Duncan Forestar and the Earle of Montros, iij li. xs. ; Accounts, iv. 85. 6 Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 200, 229. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 16 July 1498, 20 January 1501-2. r Sasine in favour of Lord Erskine of that date, Buchanan Writs. 8 Eleventh Rep. of Hist. MSS. Com., Appendix, Pt. vi. 31, where he is styled Earl of Montrose. 9 Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 262. 10 Reg. Mag. Sig., at date. 225 The Earl married, first, in the parish church of Muthill, on 25 November 1479, in virtue of a dispensation by the Ohurch, Annabel Drummond, one of the five fair daughters of John, Lord Drummond,1 who is conjoined with her husband in a charter by James in. of the lands of Old Montrose (the manor-place whereof was then inhabited by the said William, Lord Graham) and other lands, dated 28 January 1487-88,2 and must have survived till the close of the century, as her son William, second Earl, was still a minor at his father's death; secondly, Janet, eldest daughter of Sir Archibald Edmonstone of Duntreath, who is conjoined with him in the charter of the barony of Aberuthven, dated 17 March 1504-5,3 and was dead before 15 April 1506 ; and lastly, to Christian Wawane of Seggie in Fifeshire, relict of Patrick, Lord Halyburton* (see that title). The children of the first Earl of Montrose were :— 1. WILLIAM, second Earl, a son of the first marriage, of whom below. 2. Walter , a younger son of the first marriage, who had a tack of Little Oairnie for nineteen years from the Abbot of Inchaffray, 8 January 1541-42,5 and appears to have been ancestor of the second family of the Grahams of Thornick, afterwards Cairnie.6 3. Patrick, son of the third marriage, ancestor of the Grahams of Inchbrakie and their cadets Gorthie, Bucklyvie, Airth, Strowan, Graemes-hall, etc. His charter of Inchbrakie from his father is dated 20 June 1513.7 4. Helen, married to Humphrey Golquhoun, younger of Luss. They had a dispensation to marry, being within the fourth degree of consanguinity, 13 July 1509.8 5. J , married to David Graham, third of Fintry.9 6. Elizabeth, married, in February 1513-14, to her cousin Walter, Master of Drummond, grandson of John, first Lord Drummond,10 who died v.p. 1 Stirling Records, 265; Gen. of Ho. of Drummond, 147. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig., at date. 3 Ibid. * Ibid., 24 May 1505; Exch. Bolls, xiii. 150. 5 Dupplin Charters. 6 Act Book Com. of Dunblane, 29 October 1551, and Dupplin Inventory. 7 Inchbrakie Charters. 8 Diocesan Regs, of Glasgow, ii. 295, 296. Sir William Fraser in The Chiefs of Colguhoun, i. 104, calls her, incorrectly, Catherine. 9 Ms. Mem. at Buchanan, which gives the initial only. 10 Original Writ, Drummond Castle. VOL. VI. P 226 GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE 7. Margaret, who, as daughter of the second marriage, was in April 1506, in her infancy, contracted to John, Master of Lennox, son and heir-apparent of Matthew, Earl of Lennox,1 which marriage did not take place, and she was afterwards married (contract 10 July - 1510 2) to Sir John Somerville of Cambusnethan. Lord Graham is said to have had other issue : — Andrew Graham, sometime vicar of Wick, consecrated Bishop of Dunblane in 1575, is said to have been a younger son of the third marriage,3 but this is doubtful. Jean, who, according to Lord Strathallan, was by William Ohisholm, Bishop of Dunblane, the mother of a daughter Jean, who became, in 1542, the second wife of Sir James Stirling of Keir,4 but she is not mentioned in her supposed father's will.5 IV. WILLIAM, second Earl of Montrose, was under age at the death of his father,6 but in virtue of the Act of 24 August, was served his heir 24 October, 1513.7 He early displayed qualities of prudence and statesmanship which enabled him, during a long life, extending over the reigns of James v. and Mary, to take an honourable, if not a very prominent, part in the conduct of public affairs. In 1525, several Lords being appointed by Parlia- ment to attend the King's person quarterly, the Earl of Montrose was one of four appointed to serve from Beltane to Lammas.8 Having been named an ambassador to France in connection with the marriage of James v., June 1535,9 he was one of the Commission of Regency to conduct the government during the King's absence in France in the same connection, 29 August 1536.10 He supported the measures taken by the King against the Earl of Angus and the English party, and on 29 May 1542 obtained, for his good 1 Lennox Book, 339. 2 Memorie of the Somervilles, i. 307. 3 Keith's Catalogue, 107, but the statement there made is not confirmed by the writ at Buchanan founded on. It seems more probable that Bishop Graham was a son of the Laird of Morphie, as stated by Grub, Eccles. Hist., ii. 192. 4 Gen. of Ho. of Drummond, 179; Stirlings of Keir, 39. 6 Spalding Club Misc., v. 320. 6 Precept by the Earl and his tutors in favour of Robert Graham of Knockdolian, 22 May 1514. Montrose MS. Collection. 7 Original Retour, Buchanan. 8 Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 295. 9 Hamilton Papers, i. 15. 10 Reg. Mag. Sig., at date. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSB 227 service ' and for special favour,' a grant in feu of the King's lands of Rathernes and Blacksaugh, in the stewartry of Strathearn,1 afterwards acquiring by purchase the lands of Orchill and Garvock in the same district.2 In the Parliament held at Edinburgh on 15 March 1542- 43 he was present and voted for the election of James, Earl of Arran, as Governor of the Kingdom during the minority of Queen Mary ; 3 but in the differences which arose between the Regent and Cardinal Bethune he supported the Car- dinal.4 He was one of those appointed to attend con- tinually upon the person of the infant Queen in Stirling Castle, and was a leading member of the Regent's Council.5 On 11 January 1545-46 he had a charter ' for his good service in standing by the Queen at the field of Stirling, and for his guarding of the Castle of Stirling and her person,' of many lands forfeited by Mathew, Earl of Lennox,6 which he retained till the restoration of Lennox by Queen Mary in 1564.7 He was with the Regent Arran at the siege of Broughty Castle in November 1547.8 When Arran demitted the regency in favour of the Queen-Dowager, Mary of Lorraine, the Earl of Montrose was one of the noblemen who, at the request of the Dowager and Henry n. of France, executed a bond in favour of the late Governor, now Duke of Ohatelherault, engaging to keep him scatheless in respect of his intromissions 12 April 1554.9 He was not present in the Parliament of August 1560, which declared the jurisdiction and authority of the Pope within Scotland to be at an end,10 and was the only nobleman who attended Queen Mary's first mass after her arrival in Scotland from France." He was made a member of the Privy Council 6 September 1561," but is not recorded as attending any of Mary's Parliaments after her return from France. The Queen, in her progress to the north, dined and supped with the Earl at Kincardine on 18 August 1562, and left for Perth the next day after dinner.13 William Ohisholm, second of that name, Bishop of Dunblane, being at 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., 29 May 1542. 2 Original Writ, Buchanan. 3 Ada Parl. Scot., ii. 594. 4 Hamilton Papers, i. 556. 5 Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 442 ; P. C. Reg., i. 5, 141. 8 Reg. Mag. Sig., at date. 7 Orig. Writs, Buchanan. 8 Cal. of State Papers, i. 44. » Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 603. 10 Ibid., 525. 11 Cal. of State Papers, i. 547. 12 P. C. Reg., i. 157. 13 Ms. Book of Sir J. Ogilvie, Master of the Household to Mary, Queen of Scots ; cf . Mary, Queen of Scots, by D. Hay Fleming, 522. 228 GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE Rome in the year 1563, gave the name of the Earl of Montrose amongst others to Pope Pius iv. as one of those remaining in the faith, each of the noblemen thus named receiving from his Holiness an autograph letter of exhortation.1 In a memorial by Thomas Bishop to Cecil, dated 3 February 1565, the Earl of Montrose is included in a list of probable enemies to the restored Lennox,2 but notwithstanding this he favoured the marriage between the Queen and Lord Darnley.3 In the troubles which fol- lowed the Darnley marriage the Earl appears to have steered a middle course, and to have been to a certain extent trusted by all parties. In May 1565, in a submission between Lady Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox, and the young Earl of Angus, as to the succession to the Angus estates, he was named * odman,' or oversman, * equalie chosen be baith pairtis.'4 On 3 June 1565 Randolph, writing to Cecil, names him as one of the noblemen on the Queen's side.5 With other noblemen the Earl came to Edinburgh after the Queen's marriage to Bothwell, to avenge the King's murder, and secure the separation of the Queen from Bothwell,6 but he was of the number who dissented from the deposition of the Queen and her imprisonment in Lochleven Castle.7 Upon her escape be joined her at Hamilton, and signed the bond for her sup- port 8 May 1568,8 but he was not among those who took the field for her, and his grandson and heir, a strong reformer, was on the other side.9 In his will, dated at Kincardine 22 May 1570,10 the Earl desires that if he * departs ' in Strathearn he shall be buried at Aberuthven, but if at Montrose then in the church of St. Mungo there. Still reputed a papist, he died at Kincardine 24 May 1571. The second Earl of Montrose was first contracted, on 10 July 1510, to Mary, eldest daughter of Sir John Somerville of Quothquhan,11 but the marriage never took place, and in December 1515 he married Janet Keith, daughter of William, Earl Marischal, who predeceased him between 27 August 1546 and 25 August 1547.12 1 Robertson, Statuta Ecclesice Scoticance, Pref., 167, 168. 2 Cal. of State Papers, ii. 119. 3 Ibid., 173. « Lennox Book, ii. 135. 5 Keith's Hist.. fol., 283. 6 Ibid., 399. 7 P. C. Reg., xiv. 22. 8 Cal. State Papers, ii. 403. 9 Ibid., 405. 10 Edin. Tests., 7 June 1576. " Memorie of the Somervilles, [. 306. 12 Original Writs, Buchanan. 229 Their children were : — 1. ROBERT, Master of Graham, of whom below. 2. Alexander, who had a charter from his father of the lands of Wallacetown, dated 17 May 1535, which lands were afterwards redeemed from him by Robert Graham of Knockdolian,1 and another charter, dated 25 March 1536, from his cousin David, Lord Drum- mond, of the lands of West Pordoun and others, and the third part of the farms of the burgh of Auchter- arder, which lands he sold to his brother Mungo in 1564.2 In the marriage-contract of his nephew John, Master of Graham, 1562-63, he is designed * Pensioner of Oambuskenneth.' 3 He married Marion, daughter of George, third Lord Seton, formerly wife of Thomas, Master of Borthwick, and widow of Hugh, Earl of Eglinton,4 it is supposed without issue. 3. William, an ecclesiastic, was admitted, on his father's presentation, to a Oanonry in Glasgow Cathedral and the Rectory of Killearn 2 June 1549.5 He had a charter from his father of the lands of Killearn, Ibert, and Drumbeg, dated 7 January 1560,6 and died about the year 1597.7 By one Elizabeth Stirling he had a natural son John, who founded the family of Graham of Killearn,8 the last of whom, Robert Graham, sold the estate in 1752, and died at Twick- enham Park 30 September 1779.9 4. Mungo, who had a charter from his father of Rathernes, dated 25 August 1547,10 and another of Orchill and Garvock, dated 8 December 1560. He married (con- tract 26 March 1571) Marjorie, daughter of Sir William Edmonstone of Duntreath,12 was a Master of the Household to James vi. for many years,13 and was dead before 15 May 1590, the date of a precept of clare constat by John, Earl of Montrose, in favour of 1 Originals penes Napier of Kilmahew, 1736, p. Montrose MS. Collection. 2 Original receipt penes Graham of Killearn, 1736, ibid. 3 Gen. of House of Drummond, 172. 4 Vol. iii. of this work, 439. 6 Orig. Writ, Buchanan. 6 Orig. penes Graham of Killearn, 1736, p. Montrose MS. Collections. 7 Original Writs, Buchanan. 8 Ibid. ° Montrose Chartu- lary, and memo, in Journal of second Duke. 10 Reg. Mag. Sig., 27 June 1551. u Orchill Inventory at Buchanan. 12 Gen. Account of Edmonstone Family, App., 83. 13 Exch. Bolls, xxii. 30. 230 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE his son Sir John Graham, second of Orchill.1 His widow married, secondly (contract dated at Stirling 17 September 1592), Sir John Maxwell of Pollok, then sixty-eight years of age.2 The male repre- sentation of this family came to an end with David Graham of Orchill, M.P. for Perthshire, who died in 1726.3 5. Margaret, married to Robert, Master of Erskine (con- tract dated at Edinburgh 17 February 1534-35),4 without issue. 6. Elizabeth, married to George, fourth Earl of Caithness (testament recorded 4 April 1576 5), and had issue. 7. Nicolas, married to John Moray of Abercairny (instru- ment of resignation upon the contract, wherein Robert, Master of Graham, is procurator for the said Nicolas, his sister, dated 11 February 1539-40 6), and had issue. 8. Agnes, substituted in an assignation by her brother Robert, Master of Graham, to his parents of a gift of the ward of part of the estate of his uncle Patrick Graham of Inchbrakie, 27 August 1546 ; 7 married (contract 15 April 1547 8) to Sir William Murray of Tullibardine, and had issue. 9. Janet, married to Sir Andrew Murray of Balvaird (charter to her in her virginity by Andrew Murray, son and heir of Sir David Murray of Arngask, knight, of the lands of Lochton, Kippo, etc., dated 28 Sep- tember 1542 fl), and had issue. 10. Christian, married to Robert Graham of Knockdolian (liferent charter by him in her favour of the lands of Hilton and Auldmarroch, dated 7 May 1552 10), and had issue. ROBERT, Master of Graham, eldest son and apparent heir of William, second Earl of Montrose, was present in the first Parliament of Queen Mary 13 March 1542-43, and, with his father, voted for the election of the Earl of Arran as 1 Original receipt penes Graham of Killearn, 1736, p. Montrose MS. Collection. 2 Eraser's Maxwells of Pollok, i. 39. 3 Original Writs, Buchanan. * Ibid. 6 Vol. ii. of this work, 340 ; Edin. Tests. ° Aber- cairny Inventory. 7 Original Writ, Buchanan. 8 Reg. Mag. Sig., 28 May 1547. ° Ibid., 6 September 1548. 10 Original Writ, Buchanan. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 231 Governor.1 He was also, with his father, a member of the Convention at Stirling, 26 June 1545.2 Having had the fee of the barony of Mugdock vested in him, he reconveyed it to his father, under reservation of his own and his wife's life- rent, by a charter dated at Edinburgh 4 September 1547.3 Six days later he fell on the field of Pinkie, being slain by a cannonshot from an English galley at the outset of the battle, ' with fi ve-and-twenty near by him.' 4 His brother- in-law, Robert, Master of Erskine, was also killed in this disastrous battle. Cardinal Beaton, writing in 1541, alludes to Madame d'Aubigny as having ' inaist ee ' as a second husband to the young Master of Graham,5 but the Master married Margaret, daughter of Malcolm, Lord Fleming (receipt for tocher dated 6 January 1546-47 6), who, after his death, married, secondly, Thomas, Master of Erskine, and, thirdly, John, fourth Earl of Atholl, Chancellor of Scotland (see titles Atholl and Mar for further particulars regarding her). The only issue of the Master's marriage was a posthumous son,7 V. JOHN, third Earl of Montrose, whose prominence in the family history is next to that of his grandson, the great Marquess. As early as 1566, when he was but eighteen years of age, his grandfather had put him in possession of the castle and barony of Mugdock.8 As Master of Graham he was present in the Parliament or Council at Stirling when Lord Darnley was created Duke of Albany in view of his marriage with Queen Mary, and on 1 August thereafter was in the Council at which a proclamation was issued by the King and Queen citing the Earl of Moray to appear and answer on pain of being put to the horn.9 Adhering to the reformed religion, he was a member of the General Assembly, 20 July 1567, and signed the articles then agreed to.10 He from the first espoused the cause of the Lords who acted against Queen Mary and Bothwell, being con- sulted on all important occasions, as at the opening of the 1 Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 410, 594. 2 Ibid., ii. 594. 3 Original Writ, Buchanan. 4 Patten's Account of Somerset's Exped. (reprint), 54. 6 Scot. Hist. Review, vi. 154. 6 Wigtown Writs. r Crawfurd's Officers of State, 152. 8 Original Writs, Buchanan. 9 P. C. Reg., i. 335, 347. 10 Keith's Hist., fol., 581. 232 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE famous silver casket in Edinburgh, 21 June 1567.1 ' Johne Maistir of Grahame ' is one of the parties named in the procuratory which Mary granted at Lochleven, 24 July 1567, for receiving her renunciation and demission of the Grown in favour of her son, and on the following day he was one of the signatories of the order for the delivery of the regalia in order to the coronation of the infant James vi.2 He was one of the Lords who, on the same day, refused the English ambassador, Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, liberty of access to the imprisoned Queen, and on the 29 he was present at the coronation at Stirling.3 He fought on the Regent's side at the battle of Langside on 13 May.4 In the civil war which followed, his lands of Mugdock were * spulzied ' by Argyll,5 and he himself, after vainly * dealing ' with his uncle, Lord Fleming, for the surrender of Dum- barton Castle in December 1569, was present at the capture of the castle of Doune in June 1570.6 A bond of manrent by James Stirling of Keir to John, Master of Graham, dated at Kincardine 3 November 1570,7 and other writings indi- cate that before his grandfather's death he had in a great measure relieved the latter from the burden of private as well as public affairs. The third Earl succeeded to the title during the short and troubled regency of the Earl of Lennox, and supported him and his successors Mar and Morton in their struggle with the Queen's party, being appointed a Privy Councillor at the election of the Regent Mar on 7 September 1571.8 By one of the articles of the pacification of Perth, in Feb- ruary 1572-73, the Earl, with the Lord Glamis and Sir John Wishart of Pittarrow, were appointed sole judges for * restitution of all guddis reft or spulzeit be vertew of thir troubles benorth the Water of Forth.'9 Under the firm administration of Morton he was, along with the Earl of Atholl, appointed a commissioner for holding wappinschaw- ings in the Stewartry of Strathearn 5 March 1574-75.10 William Ohisholm the younger, last Bishop of Dunblane of the old faith, having left the country and been forfeited, 1 Cal. of State Papers, ii. 731. 8 Acta Part. Scot, iii. 12. 3 Keith, ii. 424-426, 437. * Cal. of State Papers, ii. 405. 6 Orig. Sums, of Spulzie, Buchanan. 6 Cal. State Papers, iii. 21, 219. J Orig. Writ, Buchanan. 8 Acta Parl. Scot., iii. 69. 9 Hist. King James the Sext, 132. 10 Acta Parl. Scot., iii. 91. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 233 the Earl of Montrose procured the appointment of Mr. Andrew Graham as bishop, and thereafter obtained a feu- charter from the bishop and chapter of the lands of Braco, Drummawhance, Tourachan, and others in the parish of Muthill, a fair estate with which the munificence of the Earls of Strathearn had endowed the See, dated 1 and last February 1575-76.1 This imitation of Morton's own well* known policy, or some other cause, led to a coolness be- tween the Earl of Montrose and the Regent, and the Earl joined the coalition against Morton, and was present in the Convention of the Estates held at Stirling on 8 March 1577-78, when the King, in Morton's absence, by the advice of ' a greit nowmer of his nobilitie ' then * besyde his hienes,' ostensibly took the government into his own hands.2 Morton soon afterwards regained the upper hand at Stir- ling, and the Earl of Montrose, with the Bishop of Orkney and Lord Lindsay, were sent there from Edinburgh by the party in opposition to the ex-regent, and protesting against the validity of Morton's Parliament, 16 July 1579, were put in ward for a time at Stirling.3 The Earl of Montrose broke ward, and was with Argyll and others in arms against Morton until the pacification effected by Mr. Bowes, the English ambassador, in August 1578.4 He at this time took steps for obtaining the King's confirmation of his charter of Braco, in which he was successfully opposed by the ' kyndlie and native tenants' of the lands.5 The opposition thus encountered probably led to his becoming a strong partisan of the opposition to Morton, and after the latter's fall and imprisonment he was appointed commander of the levies assembled on the Borders in view of an invasion which Queen Elizabeth threatened for a time.6 When that danger passed he guarded Morton from Dumbarton to Edinburgh, and was Chancellor of the Assize which on 1 June 1581 ' condemned the ex-regent to death, for connivance at the murder of Darnley. The Earl of Montrose held aloof from the conspiracy known as the ' Raid of Ruthven ' in August 1582, and he was not present in the Parliament held at Holyrood in the fol- 1 Instrument of Sasine on Charter at Buchanan. 2 Acta Part. Scot., iii. 115 et seq. 3 P. C. Beg. iii. 8 n. * Ibid., 22 n. 6 The record of the struggle will be found in Acta Parl. Scot., iii. 165, 166. ° P. C. Reg., iii. 387, 393. ~> Acta Parl. Scot., iii. 305. 234 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTBOSE lowing October, when the acts of the conspirators were legalised.1 He supported Arran in the recovery of his influence, and was upon the Assize at Stirling which con- demned the Earl of Gowrie to death 4 May 1584.2 Out of Gowrie's forfeited estates he obtained grants of the barony of Oowgask in Strathearn and of Strathbraan, Trochrie and Glenshie and Innerchochill, in the Dunkeld district,3 but these great acquisitions did not remain long with him, the forfeiture being rescinded at the instance of Queen Elizabeth in December 1585.4 He had assented to the league with England which led up to the bloodless revolu- tion in favour of the Banished Lords, but upon their return held aloof from public affairs till May 1587.5 In the Parliament of 1587, held upon James vi. attaining his majority, the Earl of Montrose thought it necessary to protest that the act of general pacification should not be hurtful or prejudicial to him and others who were on the assizes of Morton and Gowrie. The young Earl of Gowrie, on the other hand, protested, and reserved his right of action against Montrose 'and utheris for spoliatioun of certane cornis, guids, insicht plenishing and utheris intro- mittet with be thame appertening to umqle Wm. Erie of Gowrie ' and to his wife, Dame Dorothea Stewart ' furth of ye said Erlis manis and place of Ruthven and utheris his places and maniss.' 6 In the face of these proceedings, it is somewhat singular to find a marriage taking place only six years later between Montrose's eldest son and Gowrie's eldest sister, the only son of which marriage was destined to confer an undying lustre on the former's title. When therefore the Gowrie conspiracy led to the death of the last Earl of Gowrie and the forfeiture of his estates, it was natural that Montrose, then high in the royal favour, should again participate in the division of these estates. The grant on this occasion was limited to Cowgask and Hall of Huntingtower and other parts of the barony of Ruthven, but it was provided that these were to be held blench, in distinction to the remaining forfeited estates of Gowrie, which were to be feued out for a revenue to the Grown.7 1 Ada Parl, Scot., iii. 326. 8 Ibid., 305. 3 Original Writs, Buchanan. 4 Acta Parl. Scot., iii. 399. 6 P. C. Reg., iv. xi. 6 Acta Parl. Scot., iii. 471, 472. 7 Ibid., iv. 301. 235 From the year 1584 to the close of his life the Earl was high in the confidence of his sovereign, and filled many important and onerous public offices. That he was acces- sory to the so-called ' rebellion ' of the Earls of Huntly, Errol, and Bothwell in 1589, known as * the affair of the Brig of Dee,' and was even appointed to be denounced rebel for continuing in arms,1 and was also associated with the same parties in a quasi-rebellion in October 1593,2 is hardly a qualification of this remark, as the noblemen con- cerned were all personce grata? with the young King, and their movement was really directed against the administra- tion of the Chancellor Maitland.3 The Earl of Montrose was frequently a Commissioner for holding the Parliaments of King James.4 On 12 May 1584 he was appointed an Extraordinary Lord of Session, and held that office till 9 February 1585-86 ; was again appointed 6 November 1591, the King's letter bearing that he had ' been dispossessed of the place of befoir without any guid caus or occasion,'5 and continued to hold office till 19 May 1596. He was ap- pointed High Treasurer 13 May 1584, holding that office for about a year.6 By an Act of Council, dated at Holyrood House 18 January 1598-99, he was appointed Chancellor.7 The Earl was one of the noblemen who in the year 1600 entered into * engagements ' for the furtherance of the succession of James vi. to the English throne, and promised to contribute of his * geir ' for that purpose 400 crowns.8 The death of Elizabeth and the departure of the King and his family to England led to further honours being conferred upon him. By a commission dated at Hampton Court 8 February 1604 he was, under the designation of Earl of Montrose, Lord Graham and Mugdock, empowered to re- present the royal person during the time of Parliament,9 and he accordingly presided in the Parliament which was held at Perth 3 to 11 July 1604. Being appointed Chief Commissioner for Scotland in the negotiation of the treaty initiated by the King for the union of the kingdoms, he journeyed to London upon that business, and his signature is adhibited to the Treaty of Union 6 December 1604, which 1 P. C. Reg., iv. 394. 2 Ibid., v. 98 n. 3 Ibid., iv. 403 n. * Acta Part. Scot., iii. 121, 193; iv. 191. 5 Brunton and Haig's Senators, 189. 6 Craw- furd's Officers of State, 153. 7 Second Hep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 168. 8 Napier's Memoirs of Montrose (1856), i. 3. 9 Acta Parl. Scot., iv. 259. 236 GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSB was not approved by the Parliament of either country.1 There is preserved at Buchanan Castle, along with the commission after mentioned, a letter by the King to the Lords of Session mentioning that John, Earl of Montrose, had surrendered the place and office of Chancellor, and was to~be preferred to be Commissioner-General in Scotland, and requiring them to make an Act that he may sit in the Inner House as the Duke of Lennox does.2 The commission to the Earl to be Commissioner-General or Viceroy of Scot- land ' supremus regni Scotise procurator ' is dated at Royston, ides December 1604,3 and the office so conferred appears to have been held by the Earl till his death. The Earl of Montrose, whose estates were at no part far distant from the Highland line, had his share of the incon- veniences arising from that proximity, and had frequent transactions with the restless Macgregors, ranging from a friendly ' submission ' with Sir Alister Macgregor of Glen- strae in 1586 4 to the execution of commissions of Justiciary against the clan after they had put themselves beyond the pale by the slaughter of Drummond, the King's forester of Glenartney, in 1589.5 The Earl of Montrose, in the course of his strenuous life, was concerned in several of the family feuds, for which the Scottish nobility were so unhappily distinguished in his time. The most important of these arose out of a dispute about Temple lands between the Earl's * cousin,' Mr. John Graham of Hallyards, one of the Senators of the College of Justice, and Sir James Sandilands of Slamannanmuir. On 13 February 1592-93 Sandilands, in company with the Duke of Lennox, ' purposing, as it was said, to pass to Leith to play at the goffe,' encountered Graham and a retinue of servants in Leith Wynd, and in the affray which followed, Graham was killed.6 Just two years later, on 31 January 1594-95, the Earl of Montrose, and the Master, his son, who deeply resented the death of Graham, unfortunately met with Sandilands in the High Street of Edinburgh at the 1 P. C. Reg., vii. 22, 23 n. 2 Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 168. 3 Ibid. The commission is very beautifully engraved and illuminated, and the Great Seal appended to it is enclosed in a box having the royal arms on one side and the arms of Montrose on the other. 4 Original Writ, Buchanan. 6 P. C. Reg., iv. 453, 509; vi. 101, 151,403. ° Brunton and Haig's Senators, 193 ; Rymer's Fcedera, xvi. 194. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 237 Salt Tron, both parties being well supported by friends and followers, and * fought a combat ' in which Sandilands was severely wounded, and his friend Crawford of Kerse, a relation of Hugh Campbell of Loudoun, the Sheriff of Ayr, slain.1 This affair, which is referred to in the Privy Council records as * the unhappy accident ' between the parties, caused a great sensation, ' the King being in the Tolbooth at the time,' and it led to bad blood between the Montrose and Loudoun and Crawford families, occasioning both the Earl and his son being from time to time put under caution to keep the peace.2 The third Earl of Montrose is said by Scotstarvit to have been 'altogether void of learning.' This statement of an ill-natured chronicler is perhaps not altogether in- consistent with the fact of its subject having taken part in the government of his country from the age of seventeen, nor yet with the summary of his character given to Queen Elizabeth by her agent in Scotland in the time of the Morton regency — * a gallant young gentleman, valiant, greatly allied, of great power, very well beloved, and greatly followed,' and again, ' a man of spirit and action.' s He was unable on account of ill-health to preside in the Par- liament on 3 August 1607, the Duke of Lennox taking his place.4 He died at his place of New Montrose 9 November 1608, at the age of sixty-one,5 and, presumably in virtue of his eminence as a statesman, was accorded burial in the Church of St. Giles, Edinburgh.8 He married, in his sixteenth year (contract 24 August 1563),7 his second cousin Jean, eldest daughter of David, Lord Drummond, the discharge for her tocher of 6000 merks being granted by his grandfather the second Earl.8 The Countess died in 1595, and was buried at Aberuthven.9 The children of the third Earl of Montrose were three sons and a daughter, viz. : — 1. JOHN, fourth Earl of Montrose, who succeeded him. 2. Sir William Graham of Braco, Knight and Baronet, who had a blench charter from his father of the 1 P. C. Reg,, v. 201, 211, 212, 222. 2 Ibid., v. 206, 387, 537. 3 Cal. State Papers, v. 386, 575. * P. C. Reg., vii. 425 n. 8 Ibid., viii. 190 n. 6 Napier's Memoirs, ii. 835; Nicoll's Diary, 331. 7 Original Writ, Buchanan. 8 Original Writ, Drummond Castle. 9 Miss L. Graeme, Or and Sable (1903), ' From a rare vol. now out of print.' 238 lands of Braco, Drummawhance, and others, dated in 1585, and a liferent grant from his elder brother of the lands of Killearn Ibert and Wester Oarleston in 1590.1 He was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia 28 September 1625. In 1627 he purchased from his nephew, the fifth Earl, and his curators the barony of Airthray, the incumbrances on which he had previously acquired.2 He married, first, Margaret Keith, daughter of William, Lord Keith (see title Marischal), and widow of the Laird of Ludquhairn, by whom he had no children ; and secondly, after 1609, Mary Edmonstone, daughter of Sir James Edmonstone of Duntreath, and widow of John Cunningham of Ounninghamhead, by whom he had an only son : 3 — Sir John Graham, second of Braco, served heir-general to his father 23 January 1636. Sir John married Margaret, daughter of Sir Dugald Campbell of Auchinbreck, and had by her : — Sir William. Graham, third of Braco, served heir in Braco and others 9 October 1647 ; James and Robert, who died young, without issue ; and Grizel, married to Sir James Keith of Powburn.4 Sir William Graham last mentioned mai-ried Marie Cowan, daughter of Mr. John Cowan of Tailzartoun, Provost of Stirling, and had by her two sons : — Sir James Graham., third of Braco, and John, who both died young.5 On the death of Sir James in 1689, the fourth Marquess of Mon- trose succeeded to Braco as heir-male (Airth- ray had been sold by the third baronet to Sir James Hope of Hopetoun in 1659), and obtained a discharge from Dame Grizel Keith of any claim she might have upon the succes- sion, 23 November 1692.6 3. Sir Robert Graham of Scotston, who was infeft by his father in Scotston, Wardropton, and various other lands in Kincardineshire, Porfarshire, Perth- shire, and the burgh of Auchterarder, 28 December 1590,7 and as 'filius natus minimus Joannis Oomitis 1 Original Writs, Buchanan. 2 Ibid. 3 Gen. of Ho. of Drummond, 172, corroborated by Original Writs, Buchanan ; but see Laing Charters, No. 1958 (1624), which seems to instruct a third marriage to Margaret Cockburn, widow of Alexander Home of Renton. 4 Gen. of Ho. of Drummond, ut supra, corrected by Original Writs, Buchanan. 5 Ibid. ; Greyfriars Burial Records, Scot. Hist. Soc., 260. 8 Original Writs, Buchanan. 7 Ibid. GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSB 239 de Montrose ' had a charter to himself and Anne Lindsay, his future spouse, eldest daughter of Alex- ander, Lord Spynie, of the lands of Innermay and Muckersie in Perthshire, which his father had pur- chased for him from the Earl of Atholl in 1604, dated 7 March 1607.1 Sir Robert contracted numerous debts, in satisfaction of which he conveyed Scotston and the other lands in which he was first provided to his brother the fourth Earl,2 and dying in 1617 without issue, his brother the Earl was served heir of provision to him in Innermay 7 October 1617.3 4. Lilias, married (contract dated at Kincardine, Airth, and Callander 12 and 13 January 1585-86) to John, Lord Fleming,4 afterwards first Earl of Wigton, and had issue. VI. JOHN, fourth Earl of Montrose, was born in the year 1573,5 and while yet a child was put in the fee of his father's baronies and estates by two charters under the Great Seal dated 23 May 1581. 6 These charters, in view of the general revocation executed by James vi. on his attaining majority, were ratified by the King in Parliament 1587, and, along with a charter of Braco in 1587, were again so ratified 1592.7 While fiar of Montrose the fourth Earl appears to have lived chiefly in the west country, at Mugdock and in Glasgow, where for a time he owned a house.8 As * Magister de Montrois ' he sat in the Parliament held at Perth in March 1596,9 and in the pageants connected with the Parliaments held by his father as Great Commissioner in 1604 and 1606 he carried the Great Seal.10 The part taken by the fourth Earl, when Master of Montrose, in the ' accident ' with Sir James Sandilands has been already mentioned ; but the career thus stirringly begun proved to be one of the least eventful in the family annals. On 25 September 1609 he obtained a licence from the Privy Council to go abroad, and this licence was renewed on 22 June 1613 ' because through sickness and other causes he has been unable to use the former privi- 1 Reg. Mag. Sig.,&t date. 2 Original Writ, Buchanan. 3 Ibid. * Ibid. 5 Cal. of State Papers, iv. 549. 6 Original Writ, Buchanan. 7 Acta Part. Scot, iii. 474, 592. 8 Original Writ, Buchanan. 9 Acta Part. Scot., iv. 109. 10 Napier's Memoirs, i. 7. 240 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE lege,' l but it does not appear that the journey was ever undertaken. He was present in the Parliaments of 1609 and 1617.2 Appointed a lay member of King James's Court of High Commission, which became so unpopular with Presbyterians, in 1616 he represented the King as Com- missioner at the famous General Assembly of the Kirk held at Aberdeen, and he was to have been Commissioner at the St. Andrews Assembly in the following year, but excused himself on the ground of ill-health.3 The Earl being aggrieved at the precedence granted to Hugh, Earl of Eglinton, by the decreet of ranking by the Commissioners for ranking the nobility, dated 5 March 1606, entered into two contracts with Alexander, Earl of Eglinton, the one dated 17 June 1617 and the other 27 November 1620, by which the last-mentioned Earl acknow- ledged that the precedence belonged of right to the Earl of Montrose, and therefore quitted the same in his favour, the Earl of Montrose, on the other hand, obliging himself to assist and defend the Earl of Eglinton in his rank against all other Earls postponed to him by the decreet.4 The two earldoms were both the creation of James iv., but that of Montrose was certainly the earlier in date. The Earl acquired, from Robert Graham of Auchinhowie, the lands of Auchincloich and Auchinhowie in the Lennox, and from his own brother, Sir Robert Graham, Scotston in the Mearns and Innermay in Perthshire, but the last- mentioned estate he immediately sold. He held no office of state under James vi., perhaps owing to his rela- tionship to the Ruthvens ; but Charles i., by a warrant dated at Whitehall 15 March 1626, appointed him president of the Privy Council of Scotland.5 Another mark of the new sovereign's favour was a mandate to the High Treasurer of Scotland, whereby the King, being informed that the Earl of Montrose was to put his son in the fee of his whole lands for the good service done by the Earl to the late King and himself, required the Treasurer ' to receive his said son our immediate tenant in the said lands, and give way to his infeftment, that it may be 1 P. C. Reg., viii. 363, x. 87. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., iv. 405, 524. 3 P. C. Reg., x. 437, 598 n.\ xi. 255, 270 n. 4 Second Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., App. 168. 6 Ibid. GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE 241 expede through our seals, according to this order, with all expedition.' The mandate is dated at Whitehall 14 Novem- ber 1626, but on that very day the Earl died at Kincardine.1 He was buried at Aberuthven 3 January 1627.2 The fourth Earl of Montrose married (contract dated at Dunkeld 12 December 1593) Margaret Ruthven, second daughter of William, first Earl of Gowrie,3 and by her, who predeceased him, being buried at Aberuthven on 15 April 1618,4 he had issue one son 5 and six daughters : — 1. JAMES, fifth Earl and first Marquess of Montrose, who succeeded. 2. Lilias, married (contract dated at Mugdock 30 June and 6 July 1620) to John Oolquhoun, afterwards Sir John Oolquhoun, Baronet, of Luss, and had issue.6 3. Elizabeth,7 who died in infancy. 4. Margaret, married (contract dated at Kincardine 15 April 1619) to Sir Archibald Napier of Merchiston, afterwards created Lord Napier, and had issue.8 5. Dorothea, married in April 1628 (contract dated 28 February) to Sir James Rollo, younger of Duncrub, and dying without issue, 16 May 1638, was buried in the Abbey Ohurch of Holyrood.9 6. Katherine.™ 7. Beatrix, baptized at Perth by the Bishop of Dun- blane 7 March 1615," married to David, third Lord Madderty, and had issue. The fourth Earl of Montrose had also a natural son, Sir Harry Graham, whose mother is not known, but she was probably a Perthshire lady. There has lately been dis- covered a cancelled bond of provision, dated Kincardine 21 January 1643, whereby his brother the great Marquess 1 Napier's Memoirs, i. 24. a Ibid., i. 25. 3 Original Writ, Buchanan. 4 Napier's Memoirs, i. 6. 6 It is probable that the Earl had another son who may have been called John after the Great Commissioner, and who died young. There is an old worn stone in the floor of Strathblane Church in front of the pulpit, which bears the Montrose arms and the date 1604. Mr. Guthrie Smith regards it as ' a memorial of the dead ' (Parish of Strathblane, 236); but it may have had something to do with the division of the church carried through in that year. 6 Napier's Memoirs, i. 14. 7 Test, of fourth Earl, dated at the burgh of Montrose 31 December 1612, at Buchanan. 8 Napier's Memoirs, i. 11. 9 Ibid. , i. 35. 10 For her sad history see Napier's Memoirs, i. 75-85. u Ibid., i. 7. Quaintly alluded to in an early factorial account as the ' bairn Beatrix.' VOL. VI. Q 242 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE (then Earl) of Montrose, ' for the special love and favour ' which he bore towards him, 'and for his better assist- ance in prosecuting his fortunes,' became bound to pay him the sum of 6000 merks Scots with annualrent till paid.1 That Harry Graham adopted the military profession may be interred from his being mentioned as one of the prisoners taken at the storming of Newcastle on 19 Octo- ber 1644.2 With other prisoners he was sent to Edinburgh, and kept in confinement there till released after the battle of Kilsyth, August 1645. He thereafter followed the fortunes of his illustrious brother, but escaped his tragic fate by being left behind in Orkney in 1650. In the account of the ' True Funerals ' of the great Marquess 11 May 1661 he is described as riding in the procession in complete armour, carrying on the point of a lance the colours of the house.3 No mention of him of a later date has been dis- covered. VII. JAMES, fifth Earl, and afterwards first Marquess of Montrose, the hero of one of the most brilliant campaigns in the history of warfare,4 was born in the year 1612, pro- bably in the 4 place of New Montrose,' the family mansion in Montrose burgh.5 As we have seen, the death of his father prevented his being put, with the approbation of Charles i., in the fee of the family estates ; the miscarriage of the plan was compensated in some measure by a royal gift to the young Earl of his ward and marriage. On 28 March 1627 he was served heir of his father in the lands, barony, and earldom of Old Montrose and the various other lands and baronies in the counties of Forfar, Perth, and Stirling.8 Having received his early education at Glasgow, under a pedagogue, Mr. William Forrett, who afterwards became his chamberlain or master of the household, Mon- trose matriculated at St. Leonard's College, St. Andrews, on 26 January 1627, and remained nearly three years at that university, gaining the silver arrow for archery in 1 Original Writ, Buchanan. 2 Spalding, ii. 283. 3 Napier's Memoirs, ii. 521, 562, 642, 831. 4 Ibid., and Second Rep, Hist. MSS. Com., App. 168-177 passim. 6 This house was sold by Montrose's tutors to James Scott of Logie. In the year 1638 he made an attempt to recover it by legal process, apparently without success. Original Writs recently dis- covered at Buchanan. e Original Retour, Buchanan. GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSB 243 1628.1 In both these matters he followed, at the distance of five years, Archibald, Lord Lome,2 who, by so much his senior in age, was to become, as Earl and Marquess of Argyll, his great rival and enemy. In May 1628 he had at St. Andrews a serious illness, but neither this nor his devotion to archery, golf, and field sports prevented him from there laying the foundation of the excellence in scholarship which afterwards distinguished him. His university education was terminated by his marriage at the early age of seventeen; and, in accordance with a curious condition in his marriage-contract, Kinnaird Castle, the home of his father-in-law David, Lord Carnegie, be- came his ordinary residence from 1629 to 1632. The late Earl had left a not inconsiderable heritage of debts : to clear off these, Airthray, or rather its reversion, was sold to Sir William Graham of Braco in 1627, and Scotston to Arthur Straton of Kirkside in 1630 ; and, between the years 1630 and 1632 the Earl and his curators ' for certain sums of money ' converted almost the whole of the kindly tenancies of the ancestral baronies of Mugdock and Dun- daff into feu holdings.3 We may perhaps trace the mind of the young Earl in the obligations imposed on the Stirling- shire cultivators, thus transformed into ' bonnet lairds,' to attend and wait upon the Earls of Montrose present and to come or their deputies in times of war and trouble and insurrection in the country, and at ' frayes and followings,' and also to ride and go at any time with the Earl for * help and defence of his Lordship and his friends, their honour, life, lands, goods, and geir.' The young Earl was ' furth of Scotland ' from the end of 1632 to the beginning of 1637, and so missed taking his place in the Parliament held by Charles I. in person, and at the coronation of the King, in the year 1633. From the number of charters, writs, and documents which he executed at Edinburgh between the 20 and 22 days of October 1632, including contracts of sale of Oowgask and Huntingtower,4 we may suppose the last-mentioned date to have been the eve of his departure. The statement of Saintserf,5 that he spent three years in France and Italy, perfecting his educa- 1 Proc. Soc. of Antiq. Scot., xxviii. 343. 2 Vol. i. of this work, 351. 3 Original Writs, Buchanan. 4 Ibid. 6 Quoted by Napier. 244 tion in languages and other branches of study, and in all the manly exercises then in vogue, is confirmed by a series of discharged bonds and bills drawn by him abroad, chiefly upon William Dick of Braid, merchant burgess of Edinburgh, through the latter 's * factors ' in Paris, and retired by the Earl's 'honourable friends' in Scotland having his com- mission for managing his affairs in his absence.1 These documents, which date at Paris from 10 March 1633 to 13 December 1635, also instruct that he was accompanied in his tour by a kinsman John Graham, son of Sir Robert Graham of Morphie, and as * servitor ' or secretary by Mr. John Lamy, who had been his purse-master at St. Andrews, and was afterwards minister of Maryton. They also tell us that he spent the winter of 1633-34 at Angers, doubtless attending the famous school of arms of the French monarchy in that town. The records of the English College at Rome inform us that ' on the 27th of March 1635 two Scottish Earls, Angus and Montrose, in company with other four noble gentlemen of that nation, were entertained in our refectory with all the honours due to their rank.' The autumn of 1635 was spent in Paris, and by 1 February 1636 Montrose was again at Westminster. The statement that the young Earl upon appearing at Whitehall met with a cold and forbidding reception by the King, and that this was due to an intrigue by the Mar- quess of Hamilton,2 may not be wholly untrue ; but that he hastened home on that account is incorrect, as he does not appear to have returned to Scotland and assumed for the first time the full management of his estates till the year 1637.3 He had scarcely done so, when the troubles arising from the attempt of the King and Archbishop Laud to enforce the use of the new service-book broke out, and he joined the ranks of * the supplicants ' against that measure,4 becoming a Lord of the Tables 15 November 1637. He headed the list of subscribers to the * contribu- tion ' levied by the party in February 1638,5 and was one of the most zealous supporters of the National Covenant 1 Recently discovered at Buchanan. 2 Napier, quoting Heylin's Com- mentary on L'Estrange, i. 205. 3 Original Writs, Buchanan. 4 Baillie's Letters ; Spalding's Hist, of the Troubles, passim. 5 Rothes' Relation, 80,81. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 245 in the same month, and a prominent lay member of the famous Glasgow Assembly in November. In March of the following year he had command of the forces sent to the north against the town of Aberdeen, which he obliged to take the Covenant, bringing the Marquis of Huntly and his son Lord Gordon prisoners to Edinburgh. Active re- sistance to the Covenanters being revived by Viscount Aboyne, Huntly 's second son, Montrose once more marched north, and, defeating Aboyne at the Bridge of Dee on 19 June, again occupied Aberdeen, but further hostilities were obviated by news of the pacification of Berwick 18 June 1639. The Earl of Montrose was one of the noblemen who paid their respects to the King at Berwick after the pacification. The success of the Covenanters led the more extreme members of the party, in the General Assembly and Par- liament of August 1639, when the abolition of Episcopacy decreed by the Assembly of 1638 was confirmed, to take up a position against the royal prerogative which Montrose could not accept. He did not, however, as yet break with them, and in the army which was raised to invade Eng- land had the command of two regiments, raised chiefly from his own estates in Angus and Strathearn, and largely at his own expense. He led the van of the army through the Tweed, dismounting and fording the stream on foot, and was present at the victory, such as it was, of New- burn, 28 August 1640. He retained his commission in the Scots army while it lay at Newcastle, during the protracted negotiations with the King, which commenced at Ripon on 1 October 1640, and were concluded at London in August 1641, but was frequently in Scotland. In this interval the differences between him and the ' prime Covenanters,' of whom Argyll was now the unquestioned leader, widened into an irreparable breach. Montrose had, at Oumbernauld, in August 1640, induced his cousin, the Earl of Wigton, and seventeen other noblemen, to sign with him a ' band ' which, while recognising the authority of the Covenant, obliged the subscribers to stand together in defence of religion, King, and country, menaced by the 'particular and indirect practising of a few.' Rightly or wrongly, Montrose accused Argyll of aiming at the deposition of 246 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSB the King and the dictatorship. The influence of Argyll was, however, all-powerful ; the Oumbernauld ' band,' being discovered and given up, was publicly burned by order of the Estates, January 1641 ; and Mr. John Stewart of Lady well, the witness brought forward by Montrose against Argyll, was thrown into prison, and recanting there under pressure, was executed some months later. About the time of Ladywell's confession, on 11 June 1641, Montrose, along with Lord Napier, Sir George Stirling of Keir, and Sir Archibald Stewart of Blackball, was committed a prisoner to the Oastle of Edinburgh on the allegation of a plot, the particulars of which the party in power found great difficulty in formulating, notwithstanding repeated examinations of the prisoners and a search for incriminat- ing matter in Montrose's charter-room and repositories at Kincardine, Old Montrose, and Mugdock. The King arriv- ing in Edinburgh on 14 August to hold Parliament, Montrose and his friends were served with a libel of interminable length, which in effect charged them with two inconsistent offences — corresponding with the enemy, who was the King himself, and insulting and vilifying His Majesty. The charge made against Montrose in the earlier editions of Clarendon's History, that he at this time came secretly to the King and offered to do away with Hamilton and Argyll, then acting in concert, and with Hamilton's brother Lanark, is entirely inconsistent both with the knowledge we have of Montrose's character and with his situation at the time as a state prisoner. The temporary withdrawal of Argyll, Hamilton, and Lanark from Edinburgh, upon the allegation of a conspiracy against them, commonly called 4 the Incident,' is not, it may be added, connected with Montrose's name by any contemporary account. It being impossible to prove the libel against Montrose and his friends, they were liberated in November 1641 on bail for their reappearance, but the proceedings soon after dropped. Montrose, now finally severed from the ruling party in the Government, retired to his estates, and for two years was chiefly occupied in attending to his private affairs, selling more land, and, with the generous assistance of his kins- men, borrowing money in every direction for the payment of his numerous creditors, and for the prosecution of a part GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE 247 in the Civil War, which he must now have seen was at hand.1 King Charles, two days after raising the royal standard at Nottingham on 25 October 1642, wrote to Montrose soliciting his advice and assistance, and at the same time the latter received and rejected overtures of reconciliation from Argyll and his party, the sincerity of which, accom- panied by an offer to pay his debts, may be doubted. Mon- trose, in February 1643, proceeded to Newcastle with his royalist friends Ogilvy and Aboyne, and, meeting the Queen on her arrival from Holland at Burlington, accom- panied her to York. He there proposed to her Majesty a plan to frustrate the intention of the Scots Estates to send an army to support the English Parliament by a counter demonstration in Scotland, but this proposal was defeated, it is said, by the influence of the Marquess of Hamilton, and Montrose was refused a commission from the King at that time. He returned to Scotland and again lived pri- vately, not without further advances from the Covenanting party, till the progress of events proved the futility of Hamilton's assurances of his ability to keep his country- men neutral, and the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643, always denounced by Montrose, being entered into, Leslie, now Earl of Leven, again led a Scots army across the Tweed, in support of the English Parliament, 15 January 1644. Upon this event Montrose hastened to the King at Oxford, where he was welcomed, and received a com- mission, dated 1 February, to be Lieutenant-General in Scotland under Prince Maurice, the King's nephew. In the month of March he was present at the skirmish of Bowdenhill between the Marquess of Newcastle and Leven, and in the following month, with a scanty force, entered Scotland and raised the royal standard at Dumfries, but was compelled to retreat on the approach of a Covenanting army under his old friend and fellow * bander ' the Earl of Callendar. At this juncture Montrose was created by King Charles MARQUESS OF MONTROSE, EARL OF KINCARDINE, LORD GRAHAM AND MONTDIEU. In the original warrant for the patent, under the royal sign -manual, 1 Original Writs, Buchanan. 248 GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE and countersigned by Sir Robert Spottiswoode, Oxford, 6 May 1644, the name of the new dignity was at first left blank, and the title of Marquess of Montrose only has since been inserted; but that the minor titles above enumerated were understood to be also granted is certain from the fact that the Marquess used them all, at least on occasions of particular solemnity, during the short remainder of his life. The change of * Mugdock ' into the more euphonious ' Montdieu ' was not intended to be restricted to the title — for in an inventory of writs, dated in 1650, recently discovered,1 the name ' Montdew ' is used throughout, where ' Mugdock ' occurs in the writs them- selves. It is permissible to suggest that this change, which cannot readily be ascribed to the initiative of Montrose himself, was proposed by Queen Henrietta Maria, whose influence upon his views and actions was only excelled by that of the King himself. The Marquess of Montrose now employed the force he commanded in the north of England in recapturing the castles or forts of Morpeth and Shields from the Scots, and relieving Newcastle, beleaguered by Leven ; but in the end of June he was summoned to the aid of Prince Rupert, who, however, lost the battle of Marston Moor before his arrival, 2 July 1644. It had been arranged that the Earl of Antrim was to throw a body of Irish troops into Scotland in aid of Montrose's intended operations there. Despairing of forcing a passage to these auxiliaries, as originally proposed, Montrose now formed the bold resolu- tion of making his way to them secretly, putting himself at their head, and trusting to his personal influence to raise in Scotland further forces to support them. Leaving the men he had lately commanded with Prince Rupert, and giving out that he was to join their Majesties at Oxford, he travelled northwards in the disguise of a groom, with only two companions, to the house of Tullibelton on the Tay, the residence of Patrick Graham, younger of Inchbrakie, who at once became his active adherent. Lord Antrim's Irish, only 1200 strong, who had landed in Scotland some six weeks before, under Alister Mac- donald, called MacOoll Keitache, or more commonly Ool- 1 Prefixed to a receipt by Montrose's ' friends ' to the Earl of Tullibar- dine. Original at Buchanan. GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSB 249 kitto, and were hard pushed by Argyll, were now summoned to Blair Athole, where Montrose raised the royal standard. In a district which had only four years before endured a merciless ' pacification ' by Argyll, and by the accession of his young kinsman, Lord Kilpont, eldest son of the Earl of Menteith or Airth, and others who were expected to oppose him, he was soon at the head of about 3000 men, who, how- ever, were for the most part miserably armed and furnished. A well-appointed but ill-disciplined army of 6000 horse and foot which, under Lord Elcho, marched against Montrose from Perth was attacked and routed by him with the greatest ease at Tippermuir, on Sunday, 1 September 1644, losing all its artillery, arms, and baggage. Perth immedi- ately surrendered to the victor, but Argyll approaching with a superior force, and the majority of the Highlanders deserting homewards with their plunder, Montrose found it necessary to evacuate that city. The mysterious murder of Lord Kilpont in his camp lost him that nobleman's per- sonal following, and, after a demonstration against Dundee, he marched northwards to Aberdeen, being joined on the way by the Earl of Airlie, the mortal enemy of Argyll, with a small contingent of horse. Avoiding his old battle front of the Bridge of Dee, he crossed the river at Orathes, and, descending the left bank, completely defeated the northern Covenanters after a stiff fight of two hours between ' the Oraibstone and the Justice Mills,' on Friday, 13 September. That the city was sacked in the pursuit was in a great measure the blame of the magistrates, who had refused terms and fired on Montrose's messenger, kill- ing his drummer. The career of the Marquess from this date to that of the battle of Philiphaugh, so fatal to his cause, is part of Scottish history, and need not be repeated here. It may, however, be permitted to allude to the measures adopted by his enemies against his person and estates, which are scarcely adverted to by historians, or even by his biographer, Mr. Napier. On 22 April 1644 the place of Mugdock was raided by the Laird of Buchanan by the orders of the Committee of Estates.1 On 26 April Montrose was excommunicated by the General Assembly,2 and on 1 Ada Part. Scot., vi. i. 184. 2 Wood's Douglas, ii. 241. 250 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 12 September following, a Proclamation was issued by the Estates setting a price of £20,000 Scots upon his head.1 On 11 February 1645 Decrees of Forfeiture were pro- nounced against him, followed by the public 'rending' of his coat of arms in face of Parliament.2 A commission was issued to Argyll to levy the rents of the estates of Mugdock and others in Stirlingshire, in satisfaction of a claim against the public, and a similar right over the Perthshire estates was given to the Earl of Tullibardine,3 who obtained possession of the charter-chest, the liferent of the Marchioness of Montrose in the Forfarshire lands being, however, respected. Eventually Mugdock Castle and the greater part of that barony were disponed absol- utely to Argyll, who, a few years later, conveyed them to his second son, Lord Neil Campbell, changing the name of the estate to Neilstoun. The Perthshire estates, and the reversion of those in Forfarshire, were disponed by Parlia- ment to Sir William Graham of Claverhouse, who, how- ever, truly acquired them in trust for the Marquess himself and his numerous creditors.4 After his defeat at Philiphaugh, on 13 September 1645, Montrose maintained himself and his followers for some time in arms, but the machinations of his enemies pre- vailed against him, and, exiled from Scotland by the King's command, he disembarked at Bergen in Norway, where he was well received, and spent some time in Denmark and Hamburg. In terms of his instructions from the King he made his way in the spring of 1647 to Paris to take orders from the Queen. He remained in France for more than a year, but was unable to effect anything in the King's interest. Montrose left France secretly in April 1648, rejecting a post in the French service, and made his way to Austria, and thence to Bohemia. At Prague he was received with distinction by the Emperor Ferdinand, who bestowed on him the baton of a Field-Marshal of the Empire. Furnished with a letter of recommendation to the Archduke Leopold, Governor of the Netherlands, and an authority to levy troops in the borders of Flanders, he again visited Denmark and North Germany, arriving in Brussels in the autumn of 1648. 1 Copy Proclamation at Buchanan. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., vi. i. 344. 3 Ibid., vi. ii. 210; vi. i. 586. 4 Original Writs, Buchanan. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 251 It was at Brussels in February 1649 that Montrose received the news of the execution of his royal master, and it is said that he fainted with the shock it inflicted on him, and on recovering shut himself up for two days, denying access to his most intimate friends. He then proceeded to the Hague and tendered his services to Charles n., writing to the same effect to the Queen mother, whose letters of acknowledgment have been preserved by his descendants. Prevailing for the time against the influence of the envoys to the Hague of thQ party in power in Scotland, he obtained from the young King a new commission, dated 4 March 1649, appointing him Lieutenant-Governor of Scotland and Captain-General of the Forces to be there raised or intro- duced. Montrose was also at this time on terms of familiar friendship with Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, the widowed sister of Charles i., then resident with her daughters at the Hague. The King now setting out for St. Germains, Mont- rose took leave of him at Brussels in July 1649, and, armed with letters of recommendation to the Emperor and other powers of Europe, set out on a mission to their courts with the object of raising men and supplies for a new campaign in Scotland. In fulfilment of this mission he visited Den- mark, Sweden, Poland, Courland, and many of the minor states of the Empire, but the only material assistance he appears to have obtained was from Queen Christina of Sweden, who greatly admired him, and the King of Den- mark. Montrose landed at Kirkwall from Gottenburg in the end of March 1650. The consciousness that this expedition was a forlorn hope may perhaps be traced in the motto he adopted for the occasion, inscribing it on his banners, and having it engraved for his signet, 'Nil Medium,' the same thought which prompted his famous lines : — ' He either fears his fate too much, Or his deserts are small, Who dares not put it to the touch To gain or lose it all.' The event justified the foreboding. Landing in Caithness with a few hundred foreigners and Orkneymen, he obtained no support on the mainland, and falling into an ambuscade at Corbiesdale, on the Oykell, skilfully prepared for him by Colonel Strachan, the lieutenant of David Leslie, his little 252 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE force was cut to pieces with but faint resistance, 27 April 1650. Montrose was wounded and had his horse killed under him, but he was generously remounted by his friend Lord Frendraught, and along with the young Earl of Kin- noull and two others made good his escape for the time. He was, however, arrested by MacLeod of Assynt, and was conducted from Tain, where Leslie received him, by Inverness, Forres, Elgin, Keith, Kinnaird (where he was allowed an interview with his two younger children), and Dundee, to Leith, on horseback, in the same mean habit in which he was taken, exposed by the way to the insults of a fanatical clergy. Taken to Edinburgh, he was condemned to death, and on 21 May 1650 he appeared upon the scaffold, erected in the High Street, on the east side of the Market Cross, dressed in a rich habit supplied by his friends, and with a serene and undaunted aspect addressed the people in vindication of his dying unabsolved by the Ohurch. The insults of his enemies still pursued him. The history of his exploits was attached to his neck by his executioner, but he smiled at their malice, declaring that he wore it with more pride than he had the Garter ; and when his devotions were finished, demanding if any more indignities were to be practised, he submitted calmly to an ignominious death. The sentence pronounced against him was carried out to its full extent as regards the indignities ordered to be practised upon his remains after his death. Two days after his dismembered body had been laid in a dishonoured grave at the place of common execution,1 some bold spirits, emissaries, it is said, of Lady Napier, the devoted wife of his exiled nephew, opened the grave by night, took out the heart, which they embalmed, put in * a rich box of gold,' and sent to his son in Flanders.2 After the Restoration his remains were collected and deposited in the abbey church of Holyroodhouse on 7 January 1661. There they remained till 14 May thereafter, when they were, with the greatest solemnity and magnificence, ' to 1 The common scaffold then stood to the south-east of the East Meadow of Edinburgh. Hence the old name of Preston Street, ' the Gibbet Loan.' 2 See as to the fate of this relic Napier's Memoirs, ii. 819. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 253 counterbalance ' (as a contemporary account has it) * the height of malicious invention exercised on him to the full,' carried to the Cathedral Church of St. Giles, and there in- terred at the back of the tomb of his grandfather, the Great Commissioner.1 Within the past few years, under the in- fluence, it is understood, of a remark which fell from her late Majesty Queen Victoria, upon the absence of any memorial to Montrose in the church which contains his tomb, a handsome effigy and memorial window have been erected in the aisle in St. Giles' Cathedral which has long borne his name. The first Marquess of Montrose married, at Kinnaird, 10 November 1629, Magdalen Carnegie, daughter of David, Lord Carnegie, afterwards first Earl of Southesk. Not fully in sympathy, it is said, with the political views of her illustrious husband, she, in 1644, withdrew from Kincardine to Forfarshire and lived with her two youngest children, partly at her jointure-house of Old Montrose and partly with her father at Kinnaird. In an account of the rents of Old Montrose, Maryton, and Fullerton, crops 1645, 1646, and 1647, recently discovered,2 there are various entries of deliveries of victual by * my lady's command,' including corn for her horse, and it is instructed that her ladyship was in Edinburgh after the reaping of the last-mentioned crop, 1647. In the disposition of her husband's lands by the Committee of Estates to Sir William Graham of Olaver- house, dated 21 February 1648, her liferent rights are reserved; but she seems to have died soon after, as the amounts appear to relate to her executry.3 The children of this marriage were : — 1. Jo/in, Lord Graham, born 1630. He was brought with his brother James to Perth by Sir John Graham of Braco after the battle of Tippermuir, and constantly accompanied his father thereafter, to prevent his falling into the hands of the Estates, until his death, after a short illness, at Bog of Gight (Gordon Castle), 1 At the restoration of the Chapman aisle of St. Giles' Cathedral in 1879 no trace of the remains was discovered ; St. Giles', Edinburgh, Dr. Cameron Lees, 272. 2 Original Writs, Buchanan. 3 The account of the death and burial of Lady Montrose in November 1645, accepted by Napier (ii. 615) on the authority of Burns's Diary, Maidment's Historical Frag- ments, is obviously inaccurate. 254 GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSB in February 1645. This promising youth, whose only known signature is attached to a bond executed by Montrose and his friends three days before the battle of Inverlochy,1 was buried in the churchyard of Bellie, Banffshire. 2» JAMES, second Marquess of Montrose. 3. David, baptized 8 January 1638, at Montrose, died young, not improbably in November 1641 ,2 4. Robert, produced by the Earl of Southesk before the Committee of Estates in terms of an order, 19 April 1645, and two days later appointed to be delivered by the Earl 4 to (Magdalen) Carnegie his mother, to be kept and entertained by her,' the Earl being exonered of his trust. His father, on his way to his execution, was allowed an interview with him and his sister, May 1650. When his brother the second Marquess regained his estates in 1656, Lord Robert joined him and lived in family with him at Mugdock till the year 1663. He rode along with his brother in the pageant of their father's ' funeralls ' in 1661. It is not im- probable that he latterly engaged in some foreign service, and that he died abroad in the year 1666, when various items for mourning appear in the family accounts without any corresponding mortuary charges. In any event he predeceased his brother the Marquess, Sir William Graham of Braco having the character of nearest agnate of the Marquess's heir in February 1669. 5. Jean, designed, in an assignation which she granted on 2 July 1686 of a provision in her parents' marriage- contract, ' Lady Jane Grahame, only lawful daughter procreat betwixt umquhile James, Marquess of Montrose, and umquhile Lady Magdalen Carnegy his spouse.' Her childish fortunes were linked with those of her brother Robert. Along with him she joined their brother the second Marquess at Mug- dock, and lived there in family with him till his death. She then removed with the widowed Marchioness to Glasgow, and was intrusted with the management 1 Original at Buchanan. 2 When Lady Montrose incurs an account to Alexander Caithness for light mournings. Original Writs, Buchanan. 255 of the household on a journey she took to London. In her will the Marchioness, who died in December 1672, recommends the care of her children ' while at the schools ' to their aunt Lady Jean. In her later years Lady Jean Graham resided at Nether Liff, near Dundee. In a letter to the widow of her nephew, the third Marquess of Montrose, dated 30 June 1686, she mentions 4 the present indisposition I am in,' l and she died at Liff soon after.2 VIII. JAMES, second Marquess of Montrose, was born in the year 1633, during his father's absence in France.3 As already mentioned, he was brought to his father at Perth after Tippermuir, September 1644, but he was left at school at Montrose before the battle of Aberdeen. He had no sooner become Lord Graham, by the death of his elder brother in February 1645, than he was seized by the orders of the Committee of Estates and imprisoned with his tutor in Edinburgh Castle. Petitioning to be released on account of the plague, on 7 August 1645 an order was pronounced for his delivery to the Earl of Dalhousie to be educated, Lord Carnegie being security for his good behaviour. It is said by Saintserf that he at this time nobly refused to be exchanged lest it should cost his father the benefit of a prisoner. In the account of the rents of Old Montrose above mentioned, there is allowed from the victual of crop 1646, x bolls 1 firlot corn as ' delyvered ... to my lord graime his horss.' The minutes of the General Assembly of date 4 December 1648, containing a recommendation as to the course to be taken for his college education, show that Lord Graham was then still in the power of the Estates ; but he must shortly afterwards have escaped or been allowed to go to Flanders, where he was at his father's death. After this he was, with his servants, * boarded and entertained' for two years by his cousin Captain Harry Graham, a grandson of the Rector of Killearn, who had been for some time an officer of a Scots regiment in the Dutch service, and from whom he no doubt received his 1 Original "Writs, Buchanan. 2 St. Andrews Tests, 14 July 1688. 3 Saintserf mentions him as being 'not full twelve years old' at the time of the battle of Kilsyth, August 1645. Napier's Memoirs, ii. 563 et passim. 256 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSB military education.1 Being neglected by the exiled court, he returned, in 1652, to Scotland, and obtained possession, to some extent, of his Perthshire estates.2 About the end of the following year, in response to a personal appeal by the exiled King, he joined in the ineffectual attempt of the Earl of Glencairn and General Middleton against the Common- wealth. From articles of capitulation entered into on his behalf by Sir Robert Graham of Morphie and John Graham, younger of Fintry, with General Monk, dated 23 September 1654, it would seem that he held a separate command. By these articles the Marquess, upon giving security within fourteen days to Colonel Ralph Cobbett, Governor of Dundee, for £3000, was allowed to enjoy his estates, both real and personal, so far as they had not been disposed of by the Parliament, without trouble or molestation, with liberty, within six months, to raise a regiment of 1000 foot for service abroad with any prince or state in amity with the Commonwealth of England, and to recruit once in three years.3 The Marquess was at this time almost without resources, but being generously assisted by his kinsmen and friends, he was enabled not only to buy back the castle and barony of Mugdock from the Marquess of Argyll and Lord Neil Campbell in 1655, and to settle there, when the place was made habitable (Kincardine Castle, burned by the army of the Estates in 1646, has never been restored), but also, in the following year, to purchase from David Graham of Fintry the lands of that name in Stirlingshire, which had also originally belonged to his ancestors. The tutors of John Graham of Olaverhouse (afterwards the celebrated Viscount Dundee) at the same time reconveying to him the remainder of the family estates which the deceased Sir William Graham had acquired in trust from the Com- mittee of Estates, subject to the encumbrances, the 'Mar- quess obtained a charter of his whole estates from the Lord Protector Cromwell, in which he is styled * James 1 Discharges by Captain Harie Graham 1657, and Major Harie Graham 1663, at Buchanan. See as to Captain, afterwards Colonel, Henry Graham, The Scots Brigade in Holland, 1899, i. 498 n. The suggestion that he was the same as Harry Graham, the brother of the great Marquess, is, of course, unfounded. 2 Sir Edward Nicholas to Hyde, 6 June 1652, Nicholas Papers, i. 302, and Original Writs, Buchanan. 3 Ibid. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTBOSE 257 Graham now ordinarly designed Marquess of Montrose,' dated 28 August 1656.1 The Restoration brought the change which might have been expected in the fortunes of the second Marquess of Montrose. He went to London and greeted the King, who, in part satisfaction of his father's losses, made him a grant of £10,000 sterling, payable by yearly instalments out of the customs of Glasgow, 26 September 1660.2 His Majesty further, by a patent under the Great Seal, dated at Whitehall 12 October, ratified and confirmed the patent of Charles I. and of new created the Marquess and the heirs-male of his body Marquesses of Montrose, Earls of Kincardine, Lords Graham and Mugdock, with rank and precedency from 6 May 1644. In the Parliament which sat on 1 January 1661, and which, on 8 February rescinded the forfeiture of his father, the Marquess on 16 April ob- tained a decree against Argyll for £100,664, 3s. 4d. Scots, consisting of the rents of Mugdock and other lands intro- mitted with by Argyll, the price paid to the latter for the reconveyance of Mugdock and interest on the price. In part satisfaction of the debt the lordship of Cowall, in the King's hands by the forfeiture of Argyll, was disponed to the Marquess.3 At the trial of Argyll for treason in May 1661, the Marquess of Montrose refused to vote, owning that he had too much resentment to judge in the matter.4 A few years later he redisponed Cowall to the new Earl of Argyll, restored by the King to his father's original honours.5 The second Marquess of Montrose was served heir of his father on 30 May 1665, the titles upon which he had hitherto enjoyed his estates having rested upon rescinded Acts of Parliament, and in the following year he came to an arrangement with his friends, who had settled with the numerous creditors of his father, by which the whole debts, very carefully detailed and scheduled, were paid or secured. Unfortunately, this settlement necessitated the sale of the family estates in Forfarshire, Old Montrose, and Fullerton, which now finally passed out of the family, and the con- traction of new liabilities.6 The Marquess made his re- 1 Original Writs, Buchanan. 2 Ibid. 3 Acta Parl. Scot., vii. 168, 583. 4 Burnet's Hist., i. 226. 6 Acta Parl. Scot., vii. 583. 6 Original Writs, Buchanan. VOL. VI. R 258 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE sidence at Mugdock Castle, which he enlarged and im- proved, and he there entertained the Earl of Middleton, the Commissioner, and some of the Council attending the Convention in Glasgow which has been called the ' Drunken Parliament,' October 1662. l He never held any office of state, but was appointed an Extraordinary Lord of Session 25 June 1668.2 He was, according to Wood, ' a man of honour and probity, so great a lover of justice, and so strict in the observance of his word and promise, that none was ever more worthy of the title of an honest man. To distinguish him from his great predecessor, he was known as the good Marquess, a title by which he was long affec- tionately remembered.' He died at Mugdock in February 1669, aged thirty-five, and was buried at Aberuthven on 23 April following.3 The Marquess married (contract 15 and 30 November and 2, 4, 12, and 20 December 1656) Isabella Douglas, daughter of William, ninth Earl of Morton, and widow of Robert, first Earl of Roxburghe. After her husband's death she bought from Sir Ludovick Stewart of Minto his 'great mansion ' in the Drygate of Glasgow, and made it her prin- cipal residence. The family inheritance being still much impoverished, she in May 1671 made a journey to London with her three eldest children, and presenting them at the Court, obtained for them, with the aid of the Earl and Countess of Lauderdale, substantial marks of royal favour. This excellent lady died on 16 December 1672: she was buried at Aberuthven on 23 January following/ They had issue : — 1. JAMES, third Marquess, who succeeded. 2. Charles, who, while on a tour, or series of visits, through the West of Scotland with his brother Lord Graham, contracted a painful illness, from which, after five months' suffering, he died at Glasgow on 25 Feb- ruary 1674. He was buried in Barony churchyard. 1 J. Guthrie Smith's Parish of Strathblane, 28. 2 Brunton and Haig's Senators, 393. 3 Original Writs, Buchanan. 4 Ibid. For a notice of the quaint sermon preached at her funeral by John Paterson, minister, and afterwards Bishop, of Glasgow, see Parish of Strathblane, 29. There are several letters of this lady in the Lauderdale Collection in the British Museum. She was the last Marchioness of Montrose who subscribed her maiden name in the old Scots fashion. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSB 259 3. Anna, married to Alexander, third Earl of Oallender, and had issue. She died about 14 February 1709.1 4. Jean, married (contract 10 February 1679) to Jonathan Urquhart of Oromarty. Her husband's affairs be- coming embarrassed, she returned to live with her brother, the third Marquess, and died at his house in the Oanongate about 20 February 1683. She had a son James, who was brought up with the fourth Marquess, and became a colonel in the Army.2 5. Grizell, married, before 1688, to William Cochrane of Kilmaronock, and had issue. She died 30 June 1726.3 IX. JAMES, third Marquess of Montrose, born at Glasgow 20 October 1657, received his early education there under the superintendence of Dr. Mathew Brisbane, in whose house he lived for some time, and at the University, where he matriculated in 1672.4 By warrants dated 21 May 1671 and 9 April 1679 Charles n. continued to him the grants which had been made to his father out of the customs of Glasgow in aid of the losses sustained by the family through his grandfather's loyalty. Following the example of the great Marquess he finished his education in France, the royal licence to him to go abroad being dated 8 March 1676. The accounts of Robert Graham, brother of the Laird of Braco, his guardian and companion while abroad, show that he also studied the profession of arms at Angers.6 Upon re- turning to London he appeared at court, and became so great a favourite that a report was spread that he was about ' to marry with the blood royal.' On 16 February 1678 he received a commission as captain of a troop of horse in the Duke of York's Regiment to be raised in Scot- land, and invited his kinsman Olaverhouse to be his lieu- tenant. On 26 October following the Marquess was appointed captain of the troop of Life Guards in Scotland in place of the Marquess of Atholl, Olaverhouse succeeding to the command of his original troop. As captain of Life Guards the Marquess was with the Duke of Monmouth at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge, 22 June 1679.6 1 Major Urquhart to Duke of Montrose, 5 May 1709. 2 Original Writs, Buchanan. 3 Dumbarton Register. 4 Munimenta Univ. Glasg., iii. 125. 5 Original Writs, Buchanan. 6 Napier's Dundee, ii. 17, 233, and Original Writs, Buchanan. 260 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE William, Earl of Menteith and Airth, having no children, and his estates being heavily encumbered, was at this time designing to convey the reversion of his titles of honour and estates to some member of the Graham family who would be in a situation to preserve both. It was also the wish of the Earl that the person so selected should marry his cousin Isabella, daughter of Sir James Graham, his uncle, and only near heir-male. For this position, at least for the titles and estate, there was for a time a rivalry between the Marquess of Montrose and Olaverhouse, but the former prevailed ; and on 14 February 1680 the Earl conveyed to himself in liferent and the Marquess and his heirs-male in fee not only the earldom of Menteith and barony of Drymen and the barony of Airth, but also * the stile, title of honour, and dignity of Earl of Menteith and Airth, Lord Kinpunt and Kilbryde,' under burden of the debts secured on the estates, upon which charter resigna- tion was made in the hands of the King at Newmarket 18 March 1680.1 His Majesty, however, refused to allow the conveyance of the titles to pass, and, as that of the lands of Airth was dropped, the charter, which contained also the Marquess's own estates, upon his separate resignation, was limited, as regards the conveyance by the Earl of Menteith and Airth, to the earldom of Menteith and barony of Drymen, 2 May 1680.2 This was a great disappoint- ment to the Earl, who, when the charter was ratified in Parliament on 6 September 1681, protested against the ratification.3 The Marquess did not marry the Earl's cousin, but it does not appear that his failing to do so dis- appointed the Earl so much as the lady herself and her mother/ The Marquess did not live to inherit Menteith, but he acquired by purchase from George Buchanan of that Ilk, and his creditors, in the year 1680, the barony of Buchanan,5 which is now the principal estate and seat of his successors, and for varied beauties of situation is unsurpassed, if not unrivalled, by any in Scotland. He was obliged, however, in order to settle differences arising out 1 Original Writs, Buchanan. * Reg. Mag. Sig., at date. 3 Acta ParL, Scot., viii. 257. 4 Menteith Letters, Buchanan. 6 Original Writs, Buchanan. By this purchase the Marquess regained the ancient estate of his family on Loch Lomond — the first proposal being indeed practically limited to that estate. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 261 of this transaction, to grant in feu to Buchanan of Arn- prior a fourth part of the barony, long since reacquired by the family.1 The Marquess was for a time President of the Council,2 acted as Chancellor of the Jury at the trial of the Earl of Argyll on 12 December 1681, 3 and was appointed Sheriff of Dumbarton (the hereditary title to that office in the Lennox family being then in abeyance through the death of Charles, Duke of Lennox, and the lapsing of the Dukedom to the Crown jure sanguinis) and Justiciar or Bailie of the Regalities of Lennox and Glasgow, 21 February 1682.* He resided chiefly at the Canongate, and died there of a fever, to the general regret of the royal family and the nation,5 25 April 1684, aged twenty-six. He married Christian, younger daughter and co-heiress of John, Duke of Rothes, Chancellor of Scotland (marriage articles dated 9 June 1681 6), a lady described by a contemporary as 'fair and graceful ' and of ' debonnaire temper.' 7 She survived him, and married, secondly, in May 1687, John Bruce, younger of Kinross,8 but without issue. She died at Edinburgh 21 April, and was buried 4 May, 1710. By her first husband she had an only child, X. JAMES, fourth Marquess of Montrose, born about April 1682, who was served heir-male of his father on 18 Feb- ruary 1685." The deceased Marquess had named as tutors to him his mother, the Earls of Haddington and Perth, William Hay of Drummelzier, and Sir William Bruce of Kinross, but on the death of Lord Haddington, and his mother's second marriage, the tutory was found by the Court of Session to be null, although the Marchioness and her husband offered to entertain the Marquess gratis, and at his age of ten years to give up to him 2000 merks of her jointure, 1 February 1688. This annulling of the tutory was thought to be a device of James vn. to have the Mar- quess brought up as a Roman Catholic, and Lords Harcarse and Edmonstone having voted against it, were deprived by the King 29 February.10 If it was really the design of the 1 Original Writ, Buchanan. 2 Crawf urd's Peerage, 348. 3 Fountainhall, i. :?41. * Original Writ, Buchanan. 6 Napier's Dundee, i. 333 n. ° Original Writ, Buchanan. 7 Napier's Dundee, iii. 706 n. 8 Ibid. 9 Original Retour, Buchanan. 10 Fountainhall, ii. 849 et seq. 262 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE King to have the Chancellor Perth appointed tutor-dative he did not carry it into effect. The nearest agnate of the Marquess, Sir James Graham of Braco, being under twenty- five years of age, James Graham of Orchill, the nearest agnate above that age, was served tutor-at-law 16 March 1688,1 and administered the estate till 1696, when the Marquess became of an age to choose his curators. The mansion in Glasgow being the dower-house of his mother, the youth of the Marquess was spent between that city, where he received his education, and Kinross House, his stepfather's residence. Along with a young kinsman, Mungo Graeme of Gorthie, he completed his education by making the grand tour of Europe from September 1698 to August 1700,2 and he returned home with the reputation of being one of the handsomest and most accomplished young noblemen in Scotland, uniting in his person the great qualities of the two families, Montrose and Rothes, from whom he derived his descent.3 While yet under age the Marquess received two con- siderable accessions to his estate, succeeding in 1689 to Braco by the death of Sir James Graham, of whom he was the heir-male, and in 1694 to the territorial earldom of Men- teith and barony of Drymen by the death of the Earl of Menteith. He had barely attained majority when, in 1703, he succeeded, through the skilful negotiation of his friend Mungo Graeme, who was sent to London with that object, in purchasing from the disponees of Charles, Duke of Lennox and Richmond, the estates of Lennox and Darnley, which the Duke had inherited on the death of the celebrated Frances, Duchess of Lennox, and had immediately sold.4 Mungo Graeme or ' Gorthie,' as he was generally addressed,5 from this time, and for half a century onward, had the entire charge or oversight of the affairs of the Montrose family in Scotland, leaving the Marquess more free to pursue a political career. The estate of Lennox at that 1 Inq. de Tutela, at date. 2 Original Records, Buchanan. :J Macky's Memoirs, 192. * Lennox Book, i. 125. 5 He was some ten years older than the Marquess, also succeeded his father when an infant, and was Laird of Gorthie for the long period of eighty-one years. His grandfather was one of the few kinsmen of the great Marquess who actively assisted him. On 7 January 1661 he took down the Marquess's head from Edin- burgh Tolbooth, and died the same night. GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE 263 time comprehended a very wide right of superiority in Dumbartonshire and western Stirlingshire, and the Mar- quess was required to grant a bond to Queen Anne under- taking to sell their superiorities to such of the vassals as wished to buy them at a fixed rate. In order to effect this great purchase he feued out much of his Perthshire estates, including Braco.1 He resigned the title, honour, and. dignity of Marquess of Montrose and his whole estates in the hands of the Queen for new infeftment in favour of himself in liferent, and David, Lord Graham, his son, in fee, and received a new charter, extending the Mar- quessate to heirs-female, as well as heirs-male, 5 August 1706.2 The Marquess was appointed by Queen Anne High Admiral of Scotland 23 February 1705, and President of the Council 28 February 1706. He steadily supported the Union and the Protestant succession, received a holograph letter of thanks from the Queen with promise of further recognition of his services 22 October 1706,3 and was, by a patent dated 24 April 1707, advanced to the dignities of DUKE OF MONTROSE, MARQUESS OF GRAHAM AND BUCHANAN, EARL OF KINCARDINE, VIS- COUNT OF DUNDAFF AND LORD ABERUTHVEN, MUGDOOK AND FINTRY, with remainder to the heirs- male of his body, whom failing to the heirs-male provided to the title and dignity of Marquess of Montrose by former diplomas made and granted to his predecessors.4 His Grace was one of the sixteen representatives of the Scottish Peerage chosen by the last Parliament of Scot- land on 13 February 1707, and was rechosen at the general election for the British Parliament in 1708. He was ap- pointed Keeper of the Privy Seal 19 February 1709 ; but was removed in 1713 by the Tory administration of the Earl of Oxford. On the accession of King George I. the Duke arrived in London on 10 August 1714, in order to receive the King, who by commission dated 8 October appointed him one of the principal Secretaries of State in room of the Jacobite Earl of Mar, and at the same time Keeper of the Signet. In 1 Original Writs and Records, Buchanan. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig., at date. 3 Original at Buchanan. 4 Ibid. 264 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE the first-mentioned capacity he had, along with the Lord Justice-General, the Earl of Hay, and the Justice-Clerk, Cockburn, the chief part in the civil administration of the government of Scotland during the Jacobite rising of 1715- 16. Upon the termination of the struggle he was the recipient from all quarters of appeals on behalf of the un- fortunate victims of the rising, and did much to mitigate the severity of their punishment. The first Duke of Montrose will always be remembered in connection with the notorious Rob Roy. The whole story of their connection cannot be told here, but as to the history of Rob Roy's estate and the manner of its coming into the hands of the Duke, it may be stated that Rob Roy's estate of Oraigrostan and Ardess was forfeited for his accession to the rebellion of 1715, and the Duke of Montrose acquired it in 1720 by open purchase from the Commissioners of Enquiry, and not, as has been generally asserted, by the use of legal diligence against Rob Roy.1 The Duke's services were much appreciated by George I., and he visited Hanover during one of that sovereign's resi- dences there. Re-elected a Representative Peer in 1715 and 1722, he was appointed Sheriff Principal of Stirlingshire 29 June 1716, Lord Clerk Register 6 July 1716, Keeper of the Great Seal in Scotland 13 December 1716, and Lord- Lieutenant of Dumbartonshire 17 April 1717, and was sworn a Privy Councillor at St. James's 11 October 1717. Having been in his boyhood a subscriber to the African Company (Darien Scheme), his Grace had now the somewhat un- fortunate distinction of being also a subscriber to the undertakings both of the York Buildings Company and the South Sea Company.2 Upon the accession of George n. the Duke of Montrose was again elected one of the Representative Peers 20 September 1727, and was re-appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Dumbartonshire, Sheriff-Principal of Stirling and Keeper of the Great Seal in Scotland by commission dated 24 Octo- ber 1727. He continued to be a member of the government of Sir Robert Walpole till April 1733, when, having joined 1 Original Writs, Buchanan. 2 On 1 March 1722 the Duke writes to Gorthie, ' My loss in these cursed stocks makes it ye more necessary for you to be verie exact in gathering in my rents.' GRAHAM, DUKE OP MONTROSE 265 in the opposition to that minister's unpopular Excise Bill, he was deprived of the office of Keeper of the Great Seal. In the general election of the following year the Duke and his associated Peers lost their election at Holyrood, and the Duke of Montrose, who soon after fell into indifferent health, did not again sit in Parliament. The Duke made his principal residence in Scotland at Glasgow, where in 1718-19 he built, upon the site of Sir Ludovick Stewart's house and two adjoining properties in Drygate, a large new mansion long known as ' Montrose's lodging.' Mugdock Oastle became the residence of a cadet of the family, and Buchanan was at this time little more than a country house. His Grace was in 1714 appointed to his father's office of Bailie and Justiciar of the Barony and Regality of Glasgow during pleasure, and re-appointed for life 1717, which gave him a certain interest and control in municipal politics ; and on 1 October 1714 he was elected Chancellor of the University. He died in London 7 January 1742, and was buried at Aberuthven on 12 February following. He married (contract 31 March 1702) Christian, second daughter of David, third Earl of Northesk, who survived him, and died in Edinburgh on 25 May 1744, being also buried at Aberuthven. By her he had issue : — 1. James, Lord Graham, born 7 April 1703, died 2 March 1704.1 2. David, Lord Graham, born 8 June 1705, known as Marquess of Graham after 1707, and on 23 May 1722 created a Peer of Great Britain by the titles of EARL GRAHAM and BARON GRAHAM OP BELPORD in Northumberland, with remainder to his brothers William and George. He took the oaths and his seat in the House of Lords 19 January 1727. Always a delicate youth, he died of a rapid consump- tion at Cleay House, Norfolk, his father's English country seat, 30 September 1731, and was buried at Aberuthven.2 3. Christian, born 29 October 1706, died 30 May 1711. 1 The dates of the births and deaths of the first seven children are taken from a memorandum at Buchanan. 2 Correspondence of the Duke of Montrose with Gorthie. 266 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 4. Elizabeth, born 23 April 1708, died 17 February 1711. 5. John, born 9 April 1709, died 19 March 1710.1 6. James (secimdus), born 26 March 1710, died 3 April 1711. 7. Thomas, born 7 March 1711, died 27 December 1711. 8. WILLIAM, who succeeded as second Duke of Montrose. 9. Margaret, born 5 June 1714,2 died 1 April 1729.3 10. George, born 26 September 1715.4 From his infancy of a sprightly and engaging temperament,5 Lord George Graham entered the Royal Navy as a midshipman on the Oxford 8 June 1730. Passing his examination before the Commissioners ' with applause ' he was appointed a lieutenant on 6 April 1734.6 He was posted captain 15 May 1740, and in the same year was appointed Governor of Newfoundland. He saw much active service during the War of the Austrian Succession, and Aaron Hill wrote a poem to him on his action near Ostend 24 June 1745. There is at Buchanan Castle a portrait of Lord George Graham by Hogarth about quarter size. It represents his Lordship sitting in the cabin of his ship with part of his company, and is an example of the characteristic humour of the painter.7 He is sometimes called of Dundaff, his father having conveyed to him that barony, by this time a mere superiority, with some similar subjects in Perthshire and Renfrewshire 27 February 1735.8 In the general election of 1741 he was chosen member for the county of Stirling, and he continued to represent it till his death.9 He died at Bath, unmarried, on 2 January 1747, having, by his last will and testament, dated 11 February 1744-45, bequeathed all his estate and effects to his 'dear and most honoured friend ' Lady Mary Forbes, daughter of the Earl of Granard.10 XI. WILLIAM, second Duke of Montrose, was born at 1 Buried in the New Kirk (St. Giles' Cathedral), Edinburgh. Index to Genealogical Birthbrieves, recorded in the Lyon Office (Scot. Record Soc.). - Glasgow Reg. 3 Buchanan Correspondence. * Ibid., and Accounts. 6 Duke of Montrose from London to Gorthie, 8 May 1722, ' Lord George is mighty diverting, and takes much with everybody here.' 6 The same to the same, 13 April 1734. 7 Lord George in his will describes this painting as ' My conversation piece, drawn by Mr. Hogarth.' 8 Original Writs, Buchanan. 9 Foster's Members of Parliament. 10 Original at Buchanan. GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTBOSB 267 Glasgow 27 August 1712, and in August 1723, along with his brother George, was placed under the tuition of the poet Mallet, who, in a letter to a friend, alludes to the brothers as * sprightly and hopeful boys.' His young charges made the grand tour of Europe with Mallet. Choosing the military profession, Lord William Graham was posted in Colonel Derby's company of the Guards, 16 May 1730, but he retired from the service on the death of his elder brother, whom he succeeded as Earl Graham and Baron Graham of Belford, and in the courtesy title of Marquess of Graham. He took his seat in the House of Lords 17 January 1734. On 11 July 1739, riding with a single servant from London into Hampshire, he was attacked in a bye-lane not far from the ale-house called Tumbledown Dick near Farn- borough, by two mounted highwaymen, who had that morn- ing robbed the Salisbury coach. The more formidable of the two villains rode, pistol in hand, at Lord Graham, who drew his pistol and shot him through the head. The other rogue, seeing his comrade fall, left the servant and escaped by dismounting and disappearing in a wood.1 The news- paper accounts of this adventure, which were somewhat exaggerated, created a great sensation at the time. Upon the death of his father, Duke William was served heir to his brother, the deceased Marquess of Graham, in the family estates, 7 April 1742. On 15 April 1747 he was served heir of provision to his brother Lord George Graham in Dundaff, etc. Under the Act of 20 George u. c. 43, for the abolition of heritable jurisdictions in Scotland, his Grace was allowed as compensation for the sheriffship of Dumbartonshire £3000, the regality of Montrose £1000, the regality of Menteith £200, the regality of Lennox £578, 18s. 4d., and the regality of Darnley £800— in all £5578, 18s. 4d., in full of his claim of £15,000. He adhered to the political views of his father, giving the Government, through his factors, such aid as was in his power during the Jaco- bite rising of 1745-46, when his tenantry on the Highland border were greatly oppressed ; but he did not himself take any active part in public affairs. William, Duke of Montrose, was elected Chancellor of the University of Glasgow 21 January 1742. He sold the family 1 Duke of Montrose to Gorthie, 14 July 1739. 268 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE mansion in Glasgow 1751, and a few years later added greatly to the House of Buchanan, being the first to lay out in something approaching its present scale the noble domain which surrounds it. It became his settled policy to concentrate his estate in that neighbourhood, and with this object he sold the property lands of Lennox, the whole lordship of Darnley, and lastly, in 1770, the ruined castle and remaining property lands of Kincardine, buying in place of them lands in Stirlingshire. His Grace had the mis- fortune, when yet but little past middle age, to suffer the affliction of blindness, which he bore with singular courage and patience. He resided chiefly in England, his country seat there being Petersham, and latterly Twickenham Park, where he died 23 September 1790. He was buried at Aberuthven. The Duke married, at London, on 28 October 1742, Lucy, youngest daughter of John, second Duke of Rutland, and by her, who died at London 18 June 1788, aged seventy- one, and was buried at Aberuthven, he had, besides a son who was born and died on 20 January 1745, two chil- dren : — 1. JAMES, third Duke of Montrose. 2. Lucy, born at London 28 July 1751 ; married, at London 13 June 1771, to Archibald Douglas of Douglas, after- wards created Lord Douglas, and died 13 February 1780, aged twenty-eight, leaving issue. XII. JAMES, third Duke of Montrose, born 8 September 1755 ; was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took the degree of M. A. in 1775. As Marquess of Graham he took a great interest in politics, his first essay in that direc- tion being an attempt to bring over the county of Dumbar- ton to his family interest by the only method in which that could then be attempted, viz. a conveyancing operation on a large scale. His father made over to him the dukedom of Lennox, which, notwithstanding the effect of the bond to Queen Anne, still included the superiority of perhaps the greater part of the county. Expeding a Crown charter of the dukedom, dated 3 July 1779, the Marquess assigned to friends and adherents, in liferent, the superiorities of at least thirty estates giving votes for the county by the then GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 269 existing franchise. This would have been sufficient to carry the election in favour of his candidate, the Hon. George Keith Elphinstone (afterwards Admiral Viscount Keith), but unfortunately no less than fourteen of these superiorities had been included in one charter in favour of the then Sir James Oolquhoun of Luss, who supported Lord Frederick Campbell, the candidate of the Argyll family, and successfully objected to the multiplication of superiors upon him ; and at the general election of 1780 Captain Elphinstone was defeated. Sir James Colquhoun did not, however, win all the moves in this game,1 and ultimately Captain Elphinstone obtained the seat upon a scrutiny, Lord Frederick withdrawing.2 The Marquess was himself elected to the Parliament of 1780 as one of the members for Richmond, co. York. He procured the repeal of the clause in the Acts 1746, c« 39, and 1747, c. 51, which pro- hibited the Highlanders in Scotland from wearing their national dress. In this Parliament, which brought so great a change in English party government, he attached himself to Mr. Pitt, who had been his fellow-student at Cambridge, and with him, from being a moderate Whig, adopted those conservative opinions which have ever since distinguished his family. When, in December 1783, Mr. Pitt was sent for by the King to form a government, the Marquess of Graham was appointed a Lord of the Treasury. In the general election of 1784, which resulted so triumphantly for his leader, the Marquess, leaving Richmond, where he was opposed in the Whig interest by Charles Dundas, after- wards Lord Amesbury, was returned for the pocket borough of Great Bedwin, in Wiltshire. He was appointed President of the Board of Trade, 10 June 1784, joint Postmaster- General 13 July, and joint Paymaster of the Forces (an office formerly held by Mr. Burke) 6 August. At the general election of 1790 the Marquess was again returned for Gre^it Bedwin, but the death of his father raised him to the Upper House as Earl Graham before he could take his seat. Succeeding his father in September 1790, the third Duke 1 Chiefs of Colquhoun, 5. 365 et seq., where, however, Sir William Fraser mistakes the political views which then actuated the parties respectively. 2 Irving's Dumbartonshire, vol. i. 335. 270 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE of Moutrose was, in November following, appointed Master of the Horse ; and in May 1791 he became a Com- missioner for Indian Affairs, and was sworn a Privy Coun- cillor. By a commission dated 14 January 1795 he was appointed Lord Justice-General of Scotland, and retained that ancient office till his decease, being the last layman to hold it. Upon this appointment he resigned the Mastership of the Horse. When a Whig administration took office in Feb- ruary 1806 the Duke was deprived of the Presidency of the Board of Trade and the joint Postmaster-Generalship ; but on his friends once more coming into power he was again appointed Master of the Horse. He once more resigned that office in February 1821 on being appointed Lord Chamberlain in succession to the Marquess of Hertford. He resigned the last-mentioned office in 1827. The Duke was in 1781 elected Chancellor of the Univer- sity of Glasgow in succession to his father, was LL.D. of that University and a D.C.L. of the University of Oxford. He was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Stirlingshire 1794, Colonel of the Stirlingshire Militia 1798, and Lord-Lieutenant of Dumbartonshire in 1813. He was made a Knight of the Thistle 1793, and obtained the Garter in 1812. He was ap- pointed Captain-General of the Royal Company of Archers 28 September 1824. During the height of the excesses of the French Revolution he enrolled himself as a private in the City of London Light Horse, and cheerfully underwent all the duty imposed upon him by that situation. To the last he retained a keen interest in the local politics of the three counties where his estates, as concentrated by his father, were situated, particularly those of Dumbartonshire, where the contests, now become internecine between con- flicting Conservative ambitions, were always interesting from the fact that any two of the great family interests, Montrose, Luss, and Duntreath, were generally able, by combining, to defeat the third. The Duke lived to see the system which made these contests possible swept away by the Reform Bill, but not to see a Conservative candidate returned by the popular vote, dying at London, at the age of eighty-one, on 30 December 1836. He was buried at Aber- uthven, being the last of his family to be interred there. The Duke, as Marquess of Graham, married, first, on GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 271 3 March 1785,1 Jemima Elizabeth Ashburnham, eldest daughter of John, second Earl of Ashburnham, who died at London 17 September 1786, aged twenty-five, and was buried at Aberuthven ; and, secondly, on 24 July 1790, Caroline Maria Montagu, eldest daughter of George, fourth Duke of Manchester, who survived him and died at Peters- ham, Surrey, on 26 March 1847, aged seventy-six and was buried there. The only child of his Grace's first marriage was : — 1. James, Earl of Kincardine, born 4 September 1786 ; died 29 April 1787 ; buried at Aberuthven.2 The children of the second marriage were :— 2. JAMES, fourth Duke of Montrose. 3. Montagu William, born 2 February 1807 ; a captain in the Ooldstream Guards, Member of Parliament under the old franchise for Dumbartonshire 1830 and 1831,3 and in the reformed Parliament for Grantham, and afterwards for the county of Hereford; married, 14 February 1867, Harriet Anne, widow of George Astley Charles Dashwood, second son of Sir George Dashwood, Bart., without issue, and died 21 June 1878 ; his widow died 18 April 1884. 4. Georgina Charlotte, born 3 June 1791 ;4 married, 26 July 1814, to George William, tenth Earl of Winchilsea; and died 13 February 1835, leaving issue. 5. Caroline, born 30 September 1792 ; died, unmarried, 24 March 1857. 6. Lucy, born 25 September 1793; married, 9 February 1818, to Edward, second Earl Powis; and died 16 September 1875, leaving issue. 7. Martha, born 26 January 1802 ; died young. 8. Emily, born 23 January 1805 ; married, without issue, to Edward Thomas Foley of Stoke Edith Park, county Hereford, whom she survived fifty-three years, dying 1 January 1900. XIII. JAMES, fourth Duke of Montrose, D.O.L., born at London 16 July 1799, was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. 1819. As 1 Scots Mag. 2 Parish of Strathblane, 19 n. 3 In 1830 Lord William was returned by the casting vote of the Chairman of the meeting of freeholders. 4 Scots Mag. 272 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE Marquess of Graham he was returned to Parliament as one of the members for Cambridge 1825, and represented that constituency for several years in the unreformed House of Commons, where he was a firm supporter of the Duke of Wellington's administration. Rather a practical man of business than an orator, he did not, after succeeding to the title, take a very prominent part in the proceedings of the Upper House. He, however, held office in each of the three administrations of the Earl of Derby, as Lord Steward of the Household February to December 1852, as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1858-59, and as Postmaster- General 1866-68. The Duke was sworn a Privy Councillor so early as 1821, and was at the time of his death the oldest member of the Council, with the exception of the late Lord Stratford de Redcliffe. In 1827 he was appointed honorary colonel of the Stirling, Dumbarton, Kinross, and Clackmannan Militia; in 1828 a Commissioner of the Board of Control, which office he held for three years, and in 1843 Lord- Lieutenant of Stirlingshire. On 12 March 1845 he was made a Knight of the Thistle. In 1837 he was elected Chancellor of the University of Glasgow in succession to his father. The old Place of Buchanan having been in great part destroyed by fire in the month of January 1850, the Duke erected in its stead, on a commanding site in the park, the fine edifice in Scottish baronial style now known as Buchanan Castle. The foundation-stone was laid by the late Duchess of Montrose on 22 August 1854, and the building was completed in 1857. His Grace died at Cannes in the south of France on 30 December 1874, and is buried in Christ Church burial-ground, Cannes. He married, at St. George's, Hanover Square, on 15 October 1836, Caroline Agnes, youngest daughter of John Horsley, second Lord Decies; she married, secondly, on 22 January 1876, William Stuart Stirling Orawfurd of Mil- ton, who died 23 February 1883; and, thirdly, on 26 July 1888, Marcus Henry Milner, D.S.O., who survives her. She, who was well known in the racing world, died 16 November 1894. The children of the fourth Duke of Montrose were : — GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE 273 1. James John, Marquess of Graham, born 7 February 1845, died 31 January 1846. 2. James, Marquess of Graham, born 22 June 1847, lieu- tenant and captain 1st Life Guards, retired Decem- ber 1871, died, unmarried, 3 April 1872, and is buried in the churchyard of Buchanan. 3. DOUGLAS BERESFORD MALISE RONALD, fifth Duke. 4. Agnes Caroline, born 19 April 1839, married 15 Sep- tember 1859, to John Murray of Touchadam and Pol- maise, lieutenant-colonel Grenadier Guards, and died, without leaving issue, 8 May 1873. Colonel Murray died 11 August 1903. 5. Beatrice Violet, born 13 February 1842, married, 15 December 1863, to Algernon William, second Lord Greville, and has issue. 6. Alma Imogen Leonora Carlotta, born 7 September 1854, a Lady of Grace of St. John of Jerusalem, married, 27 July 1872, to Gavin Campbell, Marquess of Breadalbane, K.T. XIV. DOUGLAS BERESFORD MALISE RONALD, fifth and present Duke of Montrose, was born at London 7 Nov- ember 1852. He was educated at Eton and in Germany ; second lieutenant Coldstream Guards 1872 ; lieutenant 5th Lancers 1876 ; retired 1878. Lieutenant-colonel Lanarkshire Yeomanry 1880-90, and colonel commandant of the 3rd battalion Princess Louise Argyll and Sutherland High- landers 1880-1902. Served in South Africa 1902 (King's medal with two clasps); A.D.O. to the King; K.T. 29 November 1879; Order of the Rising Sun of Japan 1907; Lord-Lieutenant of Stirlingshire 23 July 1885 ; Lord Clerk- Register of Scotland 30 May 1890. He married, 24 July 1876, Violet Hermione, second daughter of Sir Frederick Graham of Netherby. Her Grace was one of the four Duchesses who bore the canopy of Her Majesty at the Coronation in Westminster Abbey 9 August 1902. They have issue : — 1. James, Marquess of Graham, born 1 May 1878 at 35 Chester Square, Pimlico; lieutenant Army Service Corps 1900; served in South Africa 1900 (King's medal with three clasps). Commander of the Royal VOL. vi. s 274 GRAHAM, DUKE OF MONTROSE Naval Volunteer Reserve, Clyde Division. Assistant Private Secretary (unpaid) to Chancellor of Exchequer (Austen Chamberlain) 1905 ; C.V.O. ; D.L. Stirling- shire. Married, 14 June 1906, Mary Louise, only child ol William Alexander Louis Stephen, twelfth Duke of Hamilton, born 1 November 1884, and has issue : — (1) James Angus, Earl of Kincardine, born 2 May 1907. 2. Douglas Malise, born 14 October 1883; lieutenant Royal Field Artillery. 3. Alistair Mungo, born 12 May 1886 ; lieutenant Royal Navy. 4. Helen Violet, born 1 July 1879. 5. Hermione Emily, born 22 February 1882, married, 29 March 1906, to Donald Cameron of Locheil, captain Grenadier Guards, and has issue. CREATIONS. — Lord Graham 1445 ; Earl of Montrose 1503 ; Marquess of Montrose, Earl of Kincardine, Lord Graham and Mugdock, 6 May 1644, confirmed 12 October 1660 ; Duke of Montrose, Marquess of Graham and Buchanan, Earl of Kincardine, Viscount Dundaff, Lord Aberuthven, Mugdock, and Fintrie, 24 April 1707, in the Peerage of Scotland. Earl Graham and Baron Graham of Belford, in the county of Northumberland, 23 May 1722, in the Peerage of Great Britain. ARMS. — Quarterly : 1st and 4th, or, on a chief sable three escallops of the first, for the name of Graham ; 2nd and 3rd, argent, three roses gules barbed and seeded proper, for the title of Montrose. CREST. — An eagle, wings hovering or, preying on a stork on its back proper. SUPPORTERS. — Two storks argent, beaked and membered gules. MOTTO. — Ne oublie. [W. C. B.] MONYPENNY, LORD MONYPENNY EW families can boast of a longer connection with their ancestral lands than that of Mony penny of Pitmillie in Fife, of which stock the Lords Mony- penny were cadets. John, Prior of St. Andrews, granted the whole lands of Petmolyn to John de Monypenny which per- tained to him by heredi- tary right by reason of his ancestors.1 He was probably the John Mony- penny who appears on a roll as having done homage to Edward I. on 14 March 1295-96, and as having performed the same duty at Berwick-on-Tweed 28 August 1296.2 Thomas Monypenny of Pitmillie had a charter from Thomas Hay temp. David n. of his part of the lands of Lucharis, co. Fife.3 John Monypenny of Pitmillie had a charter in the same reign of the lands of Drumavet, in the barony of Grail,4 and another from Walter Maule of Panmure of the lands of Scryne and others in the barony of Balhousie, co. Forfar.5 Janet Monypenny had a charter of the third part of Leuchars in the same reign.' John Monypenny got, on 22 January 1335-36, a safe-conduct, having been with others sent to meet the ambassadors of the Pope and the King of France at Berwick.7 1 Reg. Prior. S. Andree, 404. 2 Col. of Does., ii. No. 730 and p. 209. s Robertson's Index, 53, 11. 4 Ibid., 59, 13. 6 Ibid., 59, 14; Beg. de Pan- mure, ii. 167. 6 Robertson's Index, 61, 12. 7 Fcedera, iv. 684. 276 MONYPENNY, LORD MONYPENNY THOMAS MONYPENNY, perhaps the son of the above, had a charter from King Robert in. to himself and Christian Keith his spouse of the third part of the barony of Leuchars.1 He witnessed an agreement between Sir Patrick Ogilvy, Sheriff of Angus, David Ogilvy of that Ilk, and Agnes Pinlay, 24 November 1427.2 He had probably two sons : — 1. John Monypenny of Pitmillie, one of the inquest on the service of Alexander Ochterlony, as heir of his father William in the lands of Kelly 24 April 1409.3 He had a son (1) Thomas, who got from his father the lands of Balbot, in the constabulary of Crail, a grant which was confirmed by the Regent Albany 16 December 1413.4 He was ancestor of the Pitmillie line of the family. 2. SIR WILLIAM, probably the second son, witnessed a charter of Sir James Douglas of Dalkeith, dated at Dalkeith 10 July 1411, confirmed 26 July 1411.5 He married, dispensation dated 10 February 1410, Mar- garet or Marjorie, only daughter of Philip Arbutlmott of that Ilk.6 By her he had a son. I. WILLIAM, who was an ambassador from Scotland to Prance in connection with the marriage in 1442 of Isabella, daughter of James I., to the Duke of Brittany's eldest son.7 On 5 December 1444 he had a safe-conduct to himself and other ambassadors going to the coronation of Margaret of Anjou, Queen of Henry vi.8 On 14 July 1447 he had another safe-conduct in which he is styled * natif d'Escoce, escuier d'escuieres ' of the King of France, to negotiate the mar- riage of Eleanor of Scotland, who afterwards married Sigis- mund, Duke of Austria, to the Dauphin of France.9 On 1 May 1450 he got, for his services to the King's sisters and father, a grant of the lands of Halls of Erth, co. Stirling, which were incorporated into a free barony under the name of the barony of Monypenny. On 16 June following he appointed his * brother ' Thomas Fleming his bailie in his 1 Robertson's Index, 141, 60. 2 Eraser's Douglas Book, iii. 62. 3 Had- dington's Coll. 4 Beg. Mag. Sig., fol. vol. 264, 23. 6 Ibid., 248, 11. 6 Vol. i. 278. 7 Exch. Rolls, v. Iviii. 8 Rot. Scotice, ii. 325. » Fcedera, xi. 179. MONYPENNY, LORD MONYPBNNY 277 new barony,1 and on 26 June he had a grant of Lethbert- scheiles, co. Stirling.2 Some time between 1451 and 1458 he received from the French King a grant of the lands of Concressault in France, perhaps on the occasion of his going to that country for the purpose of escorting home the Princess Joanna, the deaf and dumb daughter of King James i. He was, in fact, a highly trusted ambassador of the Scottish King, and was subsequently employed in missions not only to France, but to Spain, Rome, and Nor- way.3 On 7 October 1458 he had a charter, under the designation of Sir William Monypenny of Ardweny and Oonkersalte,4 of the lands of Bordland of Ratre and others, co. Aberdeen, forfeited by the deceased Hugh, Earl of Ormonde.5 These lands he resigned a month afterwards in favour of St. Salvator's College, St. Andrews. On the same date he had a charter to himself and Katherine his spouse of the dominical lands of Butteleis, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, on their own resignation, with remainder to the heirs of their bodies, whom failing, to the heirs of Marjory Stewart, grandmother of Katherine. On 9 November 1458 two charters were granted to William Monypenny of Pitmillie, one of the lands of Leuchars and Drumravok, co. Fife, and Ardweny, co. Forfar, with remain- der to himself and the heirs-male of his body, whom failing, to Sir William of Oonquersault, whom failing, to Thomas the grantee's brother, Mr. George Monypenny, James, another brother, Mr. David his uncle, or his heirs-male whatsoever : the second of Balboit, co. Fife, to himself and the heirs-male of his body, whom failing, to his brother Thomas, James, and George, then to Sir William of Oon- quersault and his own uncle David.8 On 18 September 1459, under the designation of Sir William Monypenny, Lord of Ardweny and Oonquersault, Knight, he had a charter of the lands of Balgradane and others in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.7 It must have been about this time that he was raised to the dignity of a Peer of Parliament by 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., 8 July 1450. 2 Ibid. s Eocch. Rolls, vi. lix. * It is not clear why he was called of Ardweny, as a month later William Mony- penny of Pitmillie gets a regrant of these lands on his own resignation to himself and the series of heirs mentioned below. Sir William may have had some rights of superiority over them. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig. 9 Ibid. 7 Confirmed probably in October 1571, Reg. Mag. Sig., 1424-1573, No. 1043. 278 MONYPENNY, LORD MONYPENNY the designation of LORD MONYPENNY, as it was under that title that he had, on 17 July 1464, a charter of the lands of Kirkinnon and the barony of Torscrachan in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.1 On 25 December 1466 he had a charter of the lands of Feldy, co. Perth ; 2 on 8 October 1471 another of Kirkandrews in the above-mentioned stewartry, though from a subsequent charter of 26 February following it would appear that he excambed certain lands in the lordship of Bothwell, co. Lanark, for Kirkandrews, which James, Lord Hamilton, resigned in his favour.3 On 13 September 1472 he had a charter of Easter Lecky, co. Stirling.4 Guillame, seigneur et baron bannaret de Monypenny et de Conquer- sault was an ambassador from France to England.5 He died between 24 October 1485, when he resigned the dominical lands of Buttillis and others in favour of William Lennox of Caly,6 and 4 July 1488 when his son and heir is styled Lord Monypenny. He married a lady whose name was Catherine Stewart,7 but her parentage has not been ascertained. II. ALEXANDER, second Lord Monypenny, had a Grown charter, 20 May 1483, of the lands of Leuchars and Tor- scrachane on his father's resignation, and another on 20 March 1483-84 of the same lands, along with those of Ardweny. On 4 July 1488 he appears under the designation of Lord Monypenny in a charter in which he resigned the barony of Feldy in favour of Alexander Stewart of Avon- dale. Within the next seven years he had disposed of his other lands of Ardweny, Kirkennan, and Leuchars; the last was acquired by Sir Alexander Bruce of Birgham, and is now known as Earlshall. In 1508 William Lennox of Caly sued Alexander, Lord Monypenny, for warrandice of Torscrachane.8 It is said9 that he exchanged Leuchars with Bruce for lands called Escariot in France, to which place he probably retired, and died without male issue,10 the peerage becoming extinct or dormant. 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., 1424-1573, No. 1043. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. * Ibid. 5 Fcedera, xi. 690. « Beg. Mag. Sig. 7 Acta Dom. Cone., 197. 8 Ibid., xx. 28. 9 Crawford's Peerage. 10 It is stated by the author of the Stuarts of Aubigny that he had a daughter and heiress Anne, who married, first, John Stewart of Henriestoun, Seigneur d'Oizon, fifth son of Sir John Stewart of Darnley, Earl of Lennox ; secondly, Jean de Montferrand ; and thirdly, Anthony de la Roche Chandre. Cf. vol. v. 350. MONYPENNY, LORD MONYPENNY 279 CREATION. — 1464, Lord Monypenny. ARMS (as given in Sir James Balfour's MS.).— Quarterly : 1st and 4th, or, a dolphin azure, finned gules ; 2nd and 3rd, gules, three cross crosslets fitchee issuing out of as many crescents argent. [j. B. P.] THE ANCIENT LORDS OR EARLS OF MORAY OB AY, which in the earliest historic times included the county of Ross as well as what is now called Morayshire, has been, as an earldom, so much associated with the name of Randolph that we are apt to forget that there were Earls or Mormaers of Moray long before his day. The dis- trict of Moray has im- pressed itself upon the ancient history of Scot- land more than any other province, partly from the turbulent character of its early settlers and partly because its ancient chiefs laid claim to the crown of Alban, or Scotland north of the Forth, while two of them actually sat on the throne. It therefore seems appropriate that a brief sketch of their history should here be given, the rather that much of it has been garbled by our early historians. The province as it existed when it first appears on record was in the grip, if not under the immediate government, of the Norse Earls, from Earl Sigurd Eysteinson, who died in 874, down to Thorflnn, who died in or after 1057.1 Between 1 In the Orkneyinga Saga, ed. 1873, Earl Thorflnn is said to die in 1064, but Dr. Skene (Celtic Scotland, i. 413) suggests 1057 as a not improbable date. Cf. Orkneyinga Saga, App. 204; Coll. de Rebus Albanicis, 337, 346, THE ANCIENT LORDS OB EARLS OF MORAY 281 these dates, however, we have glimpses of the native Mormaers of Moray who took advantage of changes in the holders of the Orkney earldom to resist fiercely the Norse invasion. Setting aside others who are but as shadows in the mist, there appears on record FINLAY/ Findlaec, or Finleik, an * Earl of the Scots,' who was bold enough to challenge the great Norse Earl Sigurd the Stout 2 (Hlodverson) to a battle at * Skida mire ' or Skitten in Caithness. It has been thought that Earl Finlay, who is described by the Irish Annalists as Finlay Mac- Ruari, Mormaer of Moray, and also as Ri (King) in Alban,3 desired to take advantage of Earl Sigurd's recent appoint- ment to the earldom of Orkney and to wrest some of his possessions from him. This seems probable, as Earl Sigurd secured victory chiefly by promising certain privileges to his followers, who fought so stubbornly that Finlay and his men were defeated. As a consequence Sigurd became ruler over Ross, Moray, Sutherland, and part of Caithness, thus more firmly fixing the Norse overrule in those districts. Finlay appears to have submitted to the Earl, who was killed at the battle of Clontarf in 1014.4 Finlay himself was slain by his nephews, the sons of his brother Maelbrighde, in the year 1020. Maelbrighde, also styled ' MacRuaidhri,' may have been joint ruler of Moray with his brother, and not improbably was the elder of the two, although very little is known of him. It may be he who, as Earl Mag- biod or Magbiadr, is referred to as contending with Earl Liot of Caithness at Skitten, and being defeated, but Liot, though victorious, died of his wounds.5 Findlaec is of more importance in Scottish history as the father of Macbeth, also Mormaer of Moray, of whom later. It has been suggested that Finlay's wife was Donada, second daughter of Malcolm n., King of Scots.6 The next native ruler of Moray appears to have been 1 The shadowy predecessors of Findlaec are said to be ' Ruadri ' his father, son of Donald, son of Morgan, son of Cathmail, son of Ruadri, and so on into legendary generations (Celtic Scotland, iii. 477). 2 He was Earl from 980 to 1014. 3 'Findlaec MacRuaidhri, Mormaer Moreb,' Annals of Tighernac ; Chron. Picts and Scots, 77 ; cf. 368. * Ibid., 367. 6 Flatey- jarbok • Orkneyinga Saga, App. 209. ° Scottish Kings, by Sir Archibald H. Dunbar, Bart., 17. 282 THE ANCIENT LORDS OR EARLS OF MORAY MALCOLM, son of Maelbrighde, who, after killing his uncle Findlaec, is only named again in the record of his own death, which apparently was not a violent one, in 1029,1 except that he is recorded as making a grant to the ancient Abbey of Deer.2 He is described by Tighernac as * Ri ' of Alban,3 and in his province of Moray he was probably con- joined with or succeeded by his brother, GILLECOMGAN, described as son of Maelbrighde, Mormaer of Moray, who was, with his brother, implicated in the murder of their uncle. His own fate was even more tragic, as in 1032 his residence was burned, and he and fifty of his men perished in the building.4 It has been suggested that this was the revenge taken by his cousin Macbeth, son of Finlay, for the murder of the latter. Gillecomgan married Gruoch, daughter of Boedhe, son of Kenneth, and had issue a son Lttlach, of whom hereafter. The successor of Gille- comgan was MACBBTHAD or Macbeth, who is known chiefly in the presentation of him made by the genius of Shakespeare, which will preserve his name for all time. He was born, it is supposed, about 1005, and succeeded to his father Finlay in 1020, and to his cousin in 1032. Dr. Skene thinks he was the Maelbaethe who, with another petty king and Malcolm n. of Scotland, submitted to Onut, King of England, who invaded Scotland in 1031.6 Be this as it may, Macbeth, a few years later, came into special prominence by his murder of King Duncan I., his cousin, a contemporary of his own, not the * aged Duncan,' as so often stated, on 14 August 1040.8 An early chronicler describes Macbeth as Duncan's * dux ' or the leader of his host, which probably was the fact. Duncan had tried to take possession of the northern parts of Scotland, but was resisted by another cousin, Thorflnn Sig- urdson, who had become Earl of Orkney. In short, Duncan, Macbeth, and Thorfinn had nearly equal pretensions to the kingship. It was therefore truly a family contest. Duncan marched north, being joined by the men of Moray under 1 Chron. Picts and Scots, 368. 2 Early Scottish Charters, by Sir A. C. Laurie, 2. 3 Chron. Picts and Scots, 77. * Ibid., 368. 6 Celtic Scotland, i. 395, 397. 6 Scottish Kings, 15. THE ANCIENT LORDS OR EARLS OP MORAY 283 Macbeth. Thorfinn and his army were stationed at Burg- head, and the two forces met about three and a half miles from that place in a south-westerly direction. Duncan was defeated, and, as suggested by a recent writer, he could easily by boat reach Pitgaveny, where he was murdered after the battle, and on the same day.1 Thorfinn and Mac- beth, it is suggested, then divided Duncan's kingdom be- twixt them, Thorfinn retaining the portion conquered by himself or his father, while Macbeth became * Ri ' or King of Alban, with Scone as his capital.2 It is probable that Macbeth claimed a right to the crown of Alban through his mother, as he was grandson of King Malcolm n., who died in 1034, and, as has been stated, his reign must have been acceptable to the people, for it lasted seventeen years, and one ancient chronicler,3 who calls him the ' fierce red one,' refers to him as ' fair, yellow, tall,' and speaks of his reign as a time of plenty. He and his wife gave grants to the Ouldees, and he is supposed to have visited Rome about 1050. Four years later, however, his peace was disturbed by an invasion of Scotland led by Siward, Earl of Northumbria, who was a kinsman by marriage of the late Duncan and of his son Malcolm, who now aspired to his father's throne. Siward marched both a sea and a land force into Scotland, and a battle was fought at or near Scone on 27 July 1054, which was fiercely contested by Macbeth with the aid of his Norse allies, and perhaps also of certain Normans who had taken shelter at his court. Siward is said to have been victorious, but he was unable to follow up his success, and retired again southward. Another expedition, three years later, by Malcolm, son of the murdered Duncan, was more successful, and Macbeth was slain at Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire, on 15 August 1057. He married Gruoch, daughter of Bodhe, son of Kenneth in. and widow of his cousin Gillecomgan, but by her had no issue. He was succeeded as Mormaer of Moray and King of Alban by his stepson, LULACH or Lulaigh, son of Gruoch by her first husband. The annalists style him Lulach the Simple or the Fatuous. 1 Scottish Kings, 15. 2 Celtic Scotland, i. 405. 3 St. Berchan, Chron. Picts and Scots, 102. 284 THE ANCIENT LORDS OR EARLS OP MORAY His career, however, was very brief, as he was slain 'by stratagem,' it is said, at Essie, in Strathbogie, on 17 March 1057-58, and his rival, Malcolm, became King of Scots. Lulach had issue : — 1. Melsnechtai, who appears in the Boofc of Deer as a granter of lands to that Abbey. He is said to have been expelled in 1087, while his mother, his best men, and his treasure and cattle fell into the hands of King Malcolm, and Melsnechtai escaped with difficulty. He then retired from public life, probably into a monastery, as he is recorded to have * ended his life happily ' in 1085, a euphemism for monkhood. 2. a daughter, who is recorded to have been the mother of Angus, the Earl of Moray who was killed at Stracathro in 1130. It is nowhere stated who her husband was, but it is generally maintained that his name was Eth, and recent writers have, with a fair probability, identified him with ETH or Ed, the Earl who appears in King Alexander i.'s foundation charter of Scone as ' Beth Comes.' He appears in another charter to Scone as Beth, as also in more than one charter by King David I. to Dunfermline Abbey as Ed or Head. His identity has been disputed. Dr. Skene admits that * Head may certainly have been the Earl of Moray who preceded Angus, and gave his name to the family of MacHeth,'1 but he rejects the idea that Beth and Head or Ed were the same. One of his reasons is that as the name Beth occurs in two separate writs,2 it could not have been miswritten in both, and that Beth was a different person. But it is possible, looking at the matter in the light of later research, that the later charter is the more genuine, and the name * Beth ' may have been transferred to the so-called foundation charter when it was compiled in its present form.3 Dr. Skene also suggests that Ed and Edelrad are the same, forgetting that while Ed or Head appears in charters so late as 1128, Edelrad was dead 1 Celtic Scotland, iii. 63 n. 2 Early Scottish Charters, Nos. xxxvi. xlix. 3 Ibid., pp. 279-282. If, as has been suggested, neither charter is genuine and 'Beth' is a mistake, the evidence for fEd' or 'Head' remains. THE ANCIENT LORDS OR EARLS OF MORAY 285 at least before 1107. It is not improbable therefore that the * Beth ' who appears in two Scone charters of Alex- ander i. about the year 1123 or 1124, and has the rank of Earl, is identical with the * Ed ' or ' Head ' who holds the same rank in two charters by King David I. to the Abbey of Dunfermline of dates about 1128 or a little later.1 This 'Ed,' 'Head,' or 'Heth' has been claimed as the Earl of Moray, and in recent works it has been asserted, with good show of reason, that he was the ancestor of the Clan Mackay of Sutherland, thus supporting the alleged connec- tion of that clan with Moray and Buchan.2 Eth is said to be the ancestor of Malcolm MacEth who in the time of King Malcolm iv. was made Earl of Ross, and who is believed to be the direct progenitor of the Mackays in the north.3 Eth and his wife had issue, ANGUS or Aengus, who is described as ' Ri ' or King of Moray, and son of the daughter of Lulach. The only reference to him on record is to the effect that while King David i. was at the English Court investigating a charge of treason, Angus, Earl of Moray, with a large force invaded Alban, and was defeated by the royal army under Edward the Constable. Four thousand Moray men were slain and Angus was killed, the battle taking place in 1130, at Stracathro in Forfarshire.4 By this Earl's death the ancient Celtic line of the Mormaers or Earls of Moray came to an end, though the province gave much trouble to the Kings of Scotia or Alban until Malcolm iv. took stern measures of repression.5 [J. A.] 1 Early Scottish Charters, Nos. Ixxiv. xciv. 2 Skene's Highlanders of Scotland, 2nd ed. by Dr. Macbain, 414; The Book of Mackay, by A. Mackay, i. 25. 3 Ibid. * Celtic Scotland, i. 461, 462, and authorities cited. 5 Ibid., 472, 473. RANDOLPH, EARL OF MORAY ROM Morayshire to Dum- friesshire is ' a far cry,' yet it is in the latter county that the first known an- cestor of the family of Randolph appears, as DONEGAL or Dougal of Stranith or Nithsdale. He was apparently alive at the date, about 1124, when he is named in the first charter of the territory of Annandale granted by King David I. to his friend Robert the Bruce.1 The territory was to be bounded on one side by the marches of Dunegal of Stranith, and on the other by those of Ranulph the younger, then Earl of Chester. This, which is the only recorded reference to Dunegal in his own person, suggests that he was, as com- monly accepted, the lord of the domain represented by the valley of the Nith, which extended from Dumfries upwards to Oumnock, including the baronies of Dunscore, Tibbers, Morton, Sanquhar, and Oumnock, Morton Castle, it is said, being the principal stronghold. Dunegal was evidently a native chief ruling his own district, but there is no further record of him. He had issue : — 1. RANULF or Ralph. 2. Duvenald or Donald, who appears frequently in 1 Early Scottish Charters, by Sir A. C. Laurie, No. liv. RANDOLPH, EARL OP MORAY 287 charters as a witness with his brother Ranulf.1 He seems to have held the lands of Dunscore, which were inherited by his son Edgar, and afterwards by his granddaughter Affrica, who granted a portion of them to the monks of Melrose, confirmed by King Alexander n. on 8 March 1228-29 ;2 also the territory of Dalgarnock, the church of which was granted by Edgar to the monks of Holyrood, and also to Gilbert his nephew or grandson.3 Edgar also granted the churches of Oloseburn and Morton to the Abbey of Kelso.4 Duvenald is said by Chalmers to have been killed at the battle of the Standard in 1138, but he was still alive in or after 1150,5 though he disappears from record before his brother Ranulf. Edgar had a son named Gylconell, but nothing further is known of him. 3. Gillepatrick, named as a brother of Ranulf and Donald in a charter by King William the Lion, as having possessed land in 'Glenham.'6 This charter is dated after 1165, but it is not certain that the brothers were then alive. Of Gillepatrick nothing further is known. RANULF or Randulf, son of Dunegal, appears as a wit- ness at intervals in royal charters of King David I. and Malcolm iv. until about or after 1162. Three of these writs were granted at Glasgow, Oadzow, then a royal domain, and apparently Jedburgh, in King David's time.7 In the reign of King Malcolm he was a witness to charters at Dunfermline, St. Andrews in 1160, Edinburgh and Jedburgh, the last writ being dated about the end of 1164 or beginning of 1165.8 This is his last appearance o^ record, and he has not been found as a witness to any writ of King William's reign, or after 1165.' Ranulf also appears as making grants to the Church, giving to the Abbey of Kelso certain lands in Dumfries,10 and apparently about 1160 he and his wife granted to Jedburgh about a hundred acres of land 1 Early Scottish Charters, 86, 96, 186. 2 Liber de Melros, 181-184. 8 Beg. de Holyrood, 44, 213. 4 Liber de Calchou, 274, 279. 6 Early Scottish Charters, 186. 8 Liber de Calchou, i. 16. T Early Scottish Charters, 86, 96, 152. 8 Reg. Epis. Glasguensis, i. 16. 9 Ibid., 16, 17. 10 Liber de Calchou, i. 11. 288 RANDOLPH, EARL OP MORAY in Rughchester or Rowcastle in Bedrule parish, a grant confirmed with others by King William the Lion after 1165.1 It is not certain when Ranulf died, as nothing further is recorded of him. He married a lady named Bethoc, who apparently was the owner of Rowcastle referred to above. The author of Caledonia and others have assumed that she was the Bethoc who gave name to the parish of Bethoc-rule or Bedrule, but this is a mistake, as that Bethoc was of much earlier date, and through her daughter Hextilda, Bedrule and other lands came into possession of the family of Oomyn, who held them until the time of Bruce.2 But it is possible that the later Bethoc was herself a Oomyn, and held Rowcastle as her marriage portion. Ranulf was succeeded by Thomas * son of Ranulf,' and he may also have had a daughter, married to Reginald, Lord of the Isles.3 THOMAS son of Ranulf succeeded, and appears on record only by that name.4 He does not, however, appear before 1222, in which year he was sent by King Alexander n. to King Henry HI., who bestowed upon the King of Scots the custody of the land and the heir of David Lindsay.5 The next reference to Thomas is in the year 1225, when he is named among the King's clerks.8 In 1226 he acted as clerk and attorney of Alexander n. in regard to the executry of Hugh le Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, which had been purchased by the Scottish King, whose sister had been married to the Earl's son Roger, then a minor. He seems to have conducted all the negotiations relating to the ward's estate, and also executed necessary repairs on the mills belonging thereto.7 He acted, indeed, as King Alexander's bailiff over the estate, and either as part of his fee or in his own right held lands in Norfolk and Lincoln.8 He was in Scotland with the King on 18 March 1228-29, when he witnessed a royal charter confirming a grant of Dunscore 1 Morton's Annals of Teviotdale, 58. 2 Vol. i. of this work, 505. 3 Cf. vol. v. 32. * There is no doubt that this Thomas was the grandfather of the famous Earl of Moray, but it is uncertain that he was the son of the previous Ranulf, and as he did not die till 1262, it would seem as if a generation had been missed. No evidence, however, has been found on the point. 6 Col. of Patent Rolls, Hen. in. (1216-25), 325. 6 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 406. 7 Col. Doc. Scot., i. Nos. 939-941. 8 Ibid., Nos. 915, 984, 1005, 1232. RANDOLPH, EARL OF MORAY 289 to the monks of Melrose.1 He appears also as a witness to other writs in 1231, 1236, and 1237.2 In this last year also, he is referred to as Sheriff of Dumfriesshire,3 and on 25 September same year he is named among those magnates of Scotland whom King Alexander caused to swear to keep the treaty between himself and the English King as to his hereditary rights to the three northern English counties.* His name occurs again in the confirmation of the same treaty in 1244.5 He appears as a witness to a royal charter on 28 November 1247.' He was one of the group of magnates, supporters of the Oomyn faction, who were removed from about the person of the young King Alex- ander in. of Scotland by the influence of King Henry in. in 1255,7 but he is not named as one of those who returned to power in 1257. He died in 1262, and his body was borne to Melrose, and buried there on 18 May. He married a lady named Juliana, of whom nothing is known save her Christian name, and that she was buried with her husband on the same day.8 He had issue, apparently, two sons : — 1. SIR THOMAS. 2. Sir Nicholas, son of Thomas Randolf, who was taken prisoner at Dunbar Castle April 1296, and sent to the Tower of London, where he still was in November 1297.9 Nothing further is known of him. He pro- bably died in the Tower. SIR THOMAS, son of Thomas, son of Ranulph, so designed in a charter, dated in 1266, to which he is a witness,10 when he was already a knight, and by Bower in chronicling his appointment, in 1269, as High Chamberlain.11 In 1266, also, he is named as Sheriff of Roxburgh, and still held that office in 1268-69.12 He was, as stated, appointed High Chamberlain of Scotland in 1269, as successor to Reginald Cheyne, being described as ' vir magnae mansuetudinae et sapientiae,' and held that office until about 1278.13 In 1279 he appears as one of the itinerant justices deciding pleas 1 Liber de Metros, i. 184. 2 Ibid., 185, 195, 227. 3 Ibid., 187. * CaL Doc. Scot., i. No. 1358. 6 Ibid., No. 1655. 6 Liber de Melros, i. 205. 7 Col. Doc. Scot., No. 2013. 8 Chronica de Mailros, 185. 9 Col. Doc. Scot., ii. Nos. 742, 960. 10 Liber de Melros, i. 287. " Fordun a Goodall, ii. 111. 12 Liber de Calchou, i. 158; Col. Doc. Scot., i. No. 2680. 13 Fordun a Goodall, ii. Ill ; Exch. Rolls, ii. p. cxxii. VOL. VI. T 290 RANDOLPH, EARL OF MORAY in the ward of Tynedale, then in the hands of the King of Scotland.1 In 1280 he was one of the executors of John Baliol of Bernard Oastle, and in 1290, on the death of his widow, Devorgilla Baliol, Sir Thomas was one of her executors.2 But whether this was on account of relation- ship or because of his known probity cannot be determined. He was present at the Convention at Brigham on 17 March 1289-90, which assented to the proposed marriage of the young Queen of Scotland to Prince Edward of England.3 He was also present when King John Baliol did homage to Edward, and released the latter from all obligations, and his seal, bearing on a shield three cushions, two and one, with the legend * Sigillum Thome Randolf,' is still attached to the release, of date 2 January 1292-93. 4 On the 23 February following he was witness at Dundee to a charter by the new King to John *de Insula' of the lands of Whitsome.5 In 1294 he was summoned by King Edward i. to accompany him in arms to France,6 and he appears to have been in that country as an envoy from King John in September 1296.7 He is not again on record, and may have died not long after. In any case he was dead before 1306, when his son joined Bruce. Sir Thomas Randolph is usually said to have married a sister of King Robert Bruce, and his son, the famous Earl of Moray, is declared publicly in many charters to be the King's nephew, while Barbour plainly calls him son of the King's sister.8 But though the fact appears plain, the identity of the lady is a mystery. Douglas and others refer to her as Isabel, but, as pointed out under the title OARRICK, the only sister on record of that name (who may have been born in 1272) became Queen of Norway in 1292, when, as will be seen, the future Earl of Moray was entering public life. It would seem, therefore, that the wife of Sir Thomas Randolph must have been a sister of King Robert, born to his father by an earlier marriage than that with the Countess of Carrick. Even then there are difficulties, and no record evidence of such marriage 1 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. No. 53. 2 Ibid., Nos. 171, 535; Stevenson's Hist. Doc., i. 214. 3 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 441. 4 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. Nos. 658, 660. In July 1292 he had a gift from the King of six stags from the Forest of Selkirk ; Rotuli Scotice, i. 9. 5 Rotuli Scotice, i. 22. 6 Foedera, Record ed., i. 804. 7 Stevenson's Hist. Doc., ii. 83, 94, 95. 8 The Brits, bk. ix. 1. 327. RANDOLPH, EARL OF MORAY 291 has been discovered, but the probability may be accepted when supported by the contemporaneous testimony. Their issue so far as known were : — 1. THOMAS, afterwards Earl of Moray. 2. a daughter, commonly called Isabel, married to William Murray, ancestor of the Murrays, Earls of Annandale. This marriage is proved by a charter of lands granted by Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, to his nephew, William Murray.1 I. THOMAS RANDOLPH, afterwards the famous Earl of Moray, appears on record first on 26 December 1292, as witness to King John Baliol's fealty to Edward i. He is referred to as 'Thomas Randol filius,' his father being also present.2 The date of this his first entry to public life suggests that his birth could scarcely have been later than 1278, only seven years after his grandfather's marriage to the Countess of Oarrick. He is next found present at the coronation of his uncle King Robert on 27 March 1306,3 on which occasion he was probably knighted. He is described as a newly made knight after the battle of Methven, when he was taken prisoner, being first ordered into the custody of Sir Adam Gordon, to be kept at Inverkip, then removed to Berwick, and later delivered to the Earl of Lincoln, who should answer for his body.4 A scramble was made for his lands, and Stitchel, Garlics, and Morton are named among those belonging to him craved by the English courtiers.5 His confinement led the young Randolph to submit to Edward, and he remained attached to the English cause until, some time in 1308, he was taken prisoner by Sir James Douglas. Before 16 March 1308-9 he submitted to his uncle, and was received into favour, as on that date he joined with other Scottish magnates in their letter to Philip, King of France, when he is styled Lord of the valley of Nith.8 His defection from the English interest had been already reported to Edward u., who, on 4 March 1308-9, treated Randolph's manor of Stitchel as forfeited, 1 Original in Mansfield Charter-chest; vol. i. of this work, 215. 2 Fcedera, Record ed., i. 782, 783; Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. No. 660. 3 Hailes, Annals, at date. 4 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. No. 1807; Palgrave, 355. 6 Palgrave, 304, 306, etc. 6 Acta Part. Scot., i. 459. 292 RANDOLPH, EARL OF MORAY and bestowed it on Adam Gordon, and his lands of Brox- mouth were similarly dealt with, while on 12 June 1314, a few days before Bannockburn, Edward made a grant of all Randolph's forfeited lands in Scotland to his favourite Hugh Le Despenser.1 Bannockburn cancelled all such grants, but for at least a year and a half Randolph had received a gift of lands far exceeding his southern posses- sions, and was created EARL OF MORAY, his jurisdiction as such extending from the Spey to the western sea. The creation must have taken place between 12 April 1312, when he is styled Sir Thomas Randolph,2 and 29 October same year, when he is styled Earl of Moray.3 The original charter is not known to exist, but its extent is known from a writ, dated 20 December 1324, renewing the former grant and repeating the contents.4 The bounds of his new territory began at the mouth of the Spey where it fell into the sea, and ran up that river, including Fochabers, * Rothenayk,' Rothes and Boharm, thence to the march of Badenoch, and so including all the lands of Badenoch, Kincardine-on-Spey, and Glencarnie ; then following the march of Badenoch to the boundary of Lochaber, and so including the lands of Lochaber, Mamore, Locharkaig, Glengarry, and Glenelg ; then by the march of Glenelg to the sea towards the west, and by the sea to the bounds of North Argyle which be- longed to the Earl of Ross ; and so by those marches to the marches of Ross, and by the marches of Ross to the water of Forne 5 and thence to the eastern sea. The year 1312 which saw this large accession to Randolph's property was also that in which King Robert began to win back the various towns and strongholds which had been held by the English, but so little is known of his move- ments that it cannot be stated what share Randolph took in affairs, though it was probably considerable. About this time he is said to have received a grant of the Isle of Man, for a reddendo of six ships of twenty-six oars, and 100 marks sterling to be paid at Inverness.6 Later, in 1314, he 1 Cal. Doc. Scot., iii. Nos. 76, 268, 362. 2 Reg. Nig. de Aberbrothoc, 536 ; Reg. Ho. Charters, No. 72a. 3 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 463. 4 Precept for Charter, copy in Gen. Register House; Charter following printed in Registrum Moraviense, 542. 6 Now the river Beauly. 6 It is stated by a recent writer that King Robert granted this charter on 20 December 1313 (Scot. Historical Review, iii. 405), but Randolph is not styled Lord of RANDOLPH, EARL OF MORAY 293 achieved the retaking of Edinburgh Castle, and his exploits at Bannockburn on 24 June of that year are matters of history. He accompanied Edward Bruce in his expedition to Ireland in May 1315, returning twice to Scotland and back in his service, the second time to ask King Robert's personal presence in Ireland, where he stayed with that King until their return in May 1317. Two months later it was reported to Edward n. that the Earl intended a descent on the Isle of Man and on Anglesey,1 but it is not clear that it was ever made. It is unnecessary to narrate every incident of Randolph's career, as his story is bound up with that of Scotland, but one or two points less known may be referred to. He was one of the Scottish barons who signed the letter to Pope John xxn. on 6 April 1320 vindicating the Scottish claim to independence.2 In 1323, however, he was, a fact not recognised by Barbour, despatched on a very important mission to the Pope himself at Avignon. The whole pro- ceedings are detailed at length by Lord Hailes,3 and need not be repeated here, but the result proved that Randolph was as successful in diplomacy as in battle, as he obtained from the Pope a clear recognition of Bruce's right to bear the title of King of Scots, which hitherto the Pope had denied to him. The Pope's letter to King Edward n. an- nouncing this result is dated at Avignon 13 January 1323-24.4 In September 1324 the Pope wrote declaring his hope and trust in the Earl's labours to make peace between the English and Scots, and giving him permission to visit the Holy Sepulchre.5 In the following year the Earl was again employed as an ambassador, this time to the King of France, his commission being dated 20 April 1325.' In July the Pope, to whom he had proposed another visit, wrote that he would be pleased to see him.7 Apparently an inter- view took place, and the Earl undertook some mission, as on 25 February 1325-26 the Pope wrote again, apparently expressing surprise that the Earl was still lingering in Man until some years later, when he so designs himself in a writ of 6 December 1316 (Reg. Ho. Charters, No. 83). The extant copies of the charter of the Isle of Man are dated 20 December 1324. l Cal. Doc. Scot., iii. No. 562. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 474. s Annals of Scotland (ed. 1779), ii. 111-114. * Fcedera, Record ed., ii. 541. 6 Papal Letters, ii. 239. ° Acta Parl. Scot., xii. 5, 6. 7 Papal Letters, ii. 471. 294 RANDOLPH, EARL OF MORAY France, and requesting him to return to Scotland and prosecute the business of the Roman Church with which he was charged.1 What that business was cannot now be known, unless it was the matter touched upon in a letter in September 1325, when the Earl was requested to set free the clerks who had been seized.2 The Earl doubtless took part in public affairs after his return from abroad, but little is recorded of him at this time, except his share in the famous invasion of England in the summer of 1327, when he and Sir James Douglas outwitted the English army with the young King Edward at Stanhope in Wear- dale. He also, no doubt, took part in the treaties of York and Northampton, by which the independence of Scotland was at last acknowledged. During the later years of King Robert the Bruce the Earl was much with him, and resided frequently at Oardross, where both took much interest in shipbuilding.3 He also appears to have superintended the household of the young David, Earl of Oarrick.4 In the early months of 1329 the King grew so infirm that he settled his affairs, and on 7 June of that year he died, leaving Scotland in the hands of the Earl of Moray, who became Regent in terms of the Act of Parliament of 1318.5 In that office he united stern justice with wise administration, and his doings are much praised by the Scots chroniclers. He did not, however, hold the office long, as he suffered from the malady of the stone, of which he expired at Musselburgh on 20 July 1332, while on the march to repel an expected invasion of Scotland.6 He married Isobel, daughter of Sir John Stewart of Bonkill by Margaret, heiress of Bonkill, and by her (the date of whose death is unknown, though she was still alive on 16 July 1351, when she founded and endowed, with lands purchased by herself, a chaplainry for the soul of her late husband, Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray)7 had issue two sons and two daughters : — 1. THOMAS, second Earl of Moray. 2. JOHN, third Earl of Moray. 3. Agnes, married between August 1320 and January 1 Papal Letters, ii. 476. 2 Ibid,, 467. 3 Exch. Rolls, i. 126, 127, 136. * Ibid., 141. 6 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 465. 6 Fordun a Goodall, ii. 303. T Registrum Moraviense, 208. RANDOLPH, EARL OF MORAY 295 1323-24, to Patrick, ninth Earl of Dunbar. (See that title.) She had no issue, certainly no surviving issue. 4. Isabel, married to Sir Patrick Dunbar, by whom she was the mother of George, tenth Earl of Dunbar, and John Dunbar, Earl of Moray, who is referred to later. She had other children, for whom see title Dunbar.1 II. THOMAS, second Earl of Moray, succeeded his father on 20 July 1332, but his career was very brief, as he was killed at Dupplin on 12 August of same year. What led to that conflict is matter of history, but the account of the battle given by the chroniclers serves to show that the young Earl had inherited his father's coolness and courage. Even in the surprise of an early morning attack on a sleeping camp, he was able to rally his men and check the English onset. But the rush made by the main body of the Scots overwhelmed their defenders, and a rout followed in which Moray was slain, with many others of rank. So far as known he was unmarried and left no issue. He was suc- ceeded by his brother, III. JOHN, third Earl of Moray, who had scarcely suc- ceeded to his father and brother when he took an active part against the English, and was present at the attack on Edward Baliol's force at Annan on 16 December 1332, when the usurper was driven out of the kingdom. He commanded the first division of the Scots army which marched to raise the siege of Berwick in July 1333, and was defeated at Halidon Hill. Henry de Beaumont appears to have had a grant of the earldom of Moray from Edward Baliol. In 1334 he is styled Earl of Boghan and Murref, Constable of Scotland.2 Moray was one of those who escaped from the battle, went abroad, and returned in 1334, to take his place in the defence of Scotland. He was made Regent in April 1335 jointly with Robert the High Stewart, and one of his first acts was to bring about the surrender of David, Earl of Atholl, one of the most active of the English partisans. He was present at the Parliament held at Dairsie, near Oupar in Fife, in April 1335. He 1 Vol. iii. of this work, 260. 2 Thirteenth Rep, Hist. MSS. Com., App. vi. 205. 296 RANDOLPH, EARL OF MORAY took an active part in the defeat at Edinburgh of Count Guy de Naraur, who had led an armed force into Scot- land. He courteously escorted the defeated Count to the English border, but unfortunately on his return his party were attacked and he himself taken prisoner, being sent at once to Bamborough Castle, thence by York and Nottingham to Windsor. From Windsor he was in May 1336 removed to Winchester, and in September sent from Southampton to the Tower in irons, where he was im- prisoned for some time.1 His sister, the Countess of Dunbar, corresponded with him in his confinement, and there is a story that he was brought from his prison to Dunbar Castle, while she defended it against the English, and it was threatened to kill him if she did not surrender. But the Countess only laughed, and said that in such a case she would be his heir. The Earl was certainly moved from prison to prison about the date of the siege.2 In July 1340 preparations were made for his ransom, and in the follow- ing year he went to France to negotiate with the Earl of Salisbury, then a prisoner there, for his ransom. He re- turned to ward in July 1341 and was liberated in February 1341-42, when he went to France.3 He returned apparently in the following year and made raids on the north of Eng- land, the young King David serving, it is said, as a volun- teer under him. He granted on 1 April 1346 the lands of Dovelly and the keeping of his castle of Tarnaway to John Grant,4 and his career came to an end at the battle of Neville's Cross on 17 October same year, where he com- manded the right wing of the Scottish army. He died without issue, and so far as there is evidence, his large estates were divided between his two sisters, Agnes, Countess of Dunbar and March, and Isabella, wife of Sir Patrick Dunbar, and ultimately descended to the latter's children. Although the title of Moray was limited to heirs- male, it was assumed by the Earl's brother-in-law, Patrick, Earl of Dunbar, and he and his wife held the combined titles of Dunbar, or March, and Moray, until their deaths.5 The Earl is said to have married an Isobel Stewart of the 1 Col. Doc. Scot., iii. Nos. 1171-1173; 1205, 1213. « Ibid., No. 1280. 3 Ibid., Nos. 1337-1376 passim. * The Chiefs of Grant, iii. 8, 9. 6 Vol. iii. of this work, 266, 271. RANDOLPH, EARL OF MORAY 297 Bonkill family, but this appears to be a mistake, his wife being Euphemia, daughter of Hugh, Earl of Ross, by whom he had no issue. She survived him, and married, in 1355, Robert Stewart, Earl of Strathearn, afterwards King Robert n.1 CREATION. — Earl of Moray, between 12 April and 29 October 1314. ARMS. — Argent, three cushions gules appear on the seal of Sir Thomas Randolph 1292: the first Earl and his suc- cessors bore the same coat with the addition of the royal tressure.2 [J. A.] 1 Her seal is very elaborate, showing inter alia three shields bearing (1) three lions rampant, for Ross, (2) a fess chequy, for Stewart, and (3) three cushions lozengeways within a royal tressure, for Randolph ; Macdonald's Scottish Armorial Seals, No. 2332. 2 Ibid., Nos. 2250-2256. DUNBAR, EARL OF MORAY indicated in the previ- ous notice, the earldom of Moray did not revert to the full possession of the Crown until after the death of Patrick, ninth Earl of Dunbar, in or about July 1368. On 9 March 1371-72 the earldom was re-granted to I. JOHN DUNBAR, second son of Sir Patrick Dun- bar and Isabella Ran- dolph, younger sister of John Randolph, third Earl of Moray. The new Earl was thus a grandson of the famous Randolph, but the territory was lessened by the dis- tricts of Lochaber and Badenoch, with the castle and barony of Urquhart, being deducted from the original grant, as also the gift of the great customs. The earldom was granted to John Dunbar and Marjorie Stewart, and to the longer liver of them, and their heirs, whom failing, to George Dunbar, Earl of March, and his heirs whomsoever.1 Nothing is known of John Dunbar's history before the death of King David n., except a notice on 21 June 1370 which seems to imply that he had been one of an embassy to England, apparently as ' vallet ' or squire of Sir Robert Erskine.2 After the accession of King Robert u. he and Sir Robert, with others, opposed the Earl of Douglas in his 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., i. No. 525; Ada Parl. Scot., i. 560. 2 Cal. Doc. Scot., Hi. No. 173. In 1371 he received £13, 6s. 8d. as a gift from King Robert n. ; Exch. Rolls, ii. 366. DUNBAB, EARL OF MORAY 299 claim to the crown and persuaded him to agree to the coronation of the new King.1 He swore to maintain the settlement made of the crown on the Stewart family in 1373.2 He had on 26 August 1375 a grant of the thanage of Kintore, and of other lands at a later date, in the beginning of the reign of King Robert in. He had also pensions of £100 from the customs of Elgin and Forres, and the same sum from Aberdeen. In December 1379 his merchants and retainers were accused of plundering a wrecked vessel, laden with * Skoone ' herrings (probably from ' Schoueden ' in Holland), and the owners were allowed to plunder a Flemish vessel in turn.3 He had a safe-conduct to England 15 December 1381.4 He was one of the Com- missioners named in the treaty with England and France 7 July 1384,5 and of the money brought by Sir John de Vienne from France the Earl received 1000 gold francs as his share.6 In the Parliament of April 1385 he complained of attacks and murder done on two of his vassals, a com- plaint which the Earl of Buchan was directed to inquire into, and to do justice. He was one of the Scottish nobles who took an active part against England, and a joint leader with the Earl of Douglas in the expedition which ended at Otterburn in August 1388.7 One chronicler says that the attack by Percy on the Scottish camp was so sudden that the Earl of Moray fought the greater part of the time without his helmet.8 He had a serious dispute with the Bishop of Moray, many complaints being made on both sides. The disputants appeared before the Regent Albany and others at Inverness 27 October 1389, and a decree was given settling the questions between them.9 He was present in January 1389-90 when his son undertook to defend the Bishop's territories, and on 13 August 1390 he and his brother-in-law, Alexander, Earl of Buchan, were specially forbidden to deal in any .way with the bishop's castle of Spynie.10 He was still at Elgin on 1 May 1390,11 a 1 Fordun a Goodall, ii. 382. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 549. His seal is still attached to the settlement. See facsimile. 3 Cat. Doc. Scot., iv. No. 283. 4 Fcedera, Record ed., iv. 137. 6 Ibid., vii. 434. 6 Ibid., vii. 484 n. " Acta Parl. Scot, i. 553. 8 Fordun a Goodall, ii. 405. 9 Reg. Morav., 191, 197- 200. 10 Ibid., 201-204. He was also witness to a Royal charter at Elgin on 28 September 1390; Antiq. of Aberdeen, etc., i. 499. u Familie of Innes, Spalding Club. 66, 67. 300 DUNBAR, EARL OP MORAY date which, connected with various safe-conducts to and from England, for dates running between 16 March 1389- 90 and 13 June 1391, has an important bearing on the question of his death. It is usually stated that the Earl went to England to fight a duel with Thomas Mowbray, Earl of Nottingham, Earl Marshal, whom he had chal- lenged. It is then added that he was wounded, and died at York on his way home. This story is found in a MS. Appendix to Higden's Polychronicon and in Caxton's continuation of Higden, with variations. The earlier story is that on 28 May (year not stated) the Earl of Nottingham and the Earl of Moray ran courses with sharp lances, and because the former held himself so much better than the Scottish Earl, praise was awarded to him.1 This is a simple narrative, but Caxton's is fuller and less complimentary to Moray. He says the Earl of Moray challenged the Earl Marshal to joust with sharp spears. They ran together, but not their full courses, as the Scottish Earl * was cast, bothe hors and man, and two of his ribs broken with the same fall, and so borne home in to his inne, and anon after was carried homeward in a littyer and at York he diet.' 2 The incident is said to have taken place in 1394, but this is a mistake, and the statements made as to the Earl's death are not borne out by the available evidence. The Earl received a safe-conduct on 16 March 1389-90 to fight the Earl of Nottingham, the conduct to be valid between 15 April and 20 June 1390,3 but, as indicated, he did not leave Scotland before 1 May, when he was in Elgin.4 On 30 May 1390 he had similar letters permitting passage to and fro in England, and on that day, or a few days before, having ' lately come ' to England to joust with Nottingham, he received from King Richard 200 marks sterling in money and a silver cup and ewer with gilt cover, in all, the sum of £139, lls. Id. sterling, Sir David Lindsay, Sir William Dalziel, and other Scottish knights also receiving gifts.5 On 10 June 1390 he had a safe-conduct to go on pil- grimage to the shrine of St. John of Amiens,6 while, as 1 Higden, Rolls ed., ix. App. 236, a nearly contemporary MS. 2 Ibid., viii. 535, Caxton's continuation, about 1482. 3 Rotuli Scotice, ii. 103. 4 Familie of Innes, Spalding Club, 66, 67. 6 Rotuli Scotice, 104 ; Cal. Doc. Scot., iv. Nos. 411, 412. 6 Rotuli Scotice, ii. 106. It is not clear whether the Earl DUNBAR, EARL OF MORAY 301 stated, he is referred to on 13 August and 28 September as in Scotland. On 30 December same year he was apparently again in England, and on 13 June 1391 he had another safe- conduct to go there.1 This is the last notice of him in life, and he was dead before 15 February 1391-92, when his son is styled Earl of Moray. He may have died at York, but the evidence that it was the result of wounds is insufficient. The Earl married (in terms of a dispensation dated 11 July 1370) Marjorie, a daughter of Robert, Earl of Strath- earn, afterwards King Robert II., who survived him. She married, secondly, between 1391 and 1403, Sir Alexander Keith of Grandown, as appears from a Papal indult to him and her on 24 April 1403 to choose a confessor.2 She may have been the mother of Sir Alexander's daughter Christian, who married, about 1413, Sir Patrick Ogilvy (see title Airlie), but this is not certain. Her seal shows 'a lion rampant within a royal tressure.' 3 John, Earl of Moray, and his wife Marjorie had issue : — 1. THOMAS, who succeeded. 2. Alexander, who is first named on record on 21 September 1393, when his brother Earl Thomas, acting as his procurator, acknowledged on his behalf that he had no right or title to the Maison Dieu at Elgin, except by intrusion, his father, Earl John, having occupied the place violently. The Earl therefore resigned the house in the hands of the Bishop of Moray, who restored the former Master/ Nothing more is recorded of Alexander, save that he is said to have married Matilda, the heiress of James Fraser of Frendraught, and to have had issue, JAMES DUNBAR, who became fourth Earl of Moray. 3. James, aged 14 in 1404, who had a grant of the lands of the Precentory of Moray.5 4. Euphemia, contracted, on 28 May 1408, by her brother Earl Thomas, to Alexander Gumming, ancestor of the family of Altyre.8 went to Amiens in person, as two servants of his received a safe-conduct for pilgrimage on 30 May 1390; Cal. Doc. Scot., iv. No. 412. J Rotuli Scotice, ii. 108, 110. 2 Regesta Vaticana, 323, f. 178. * Scottish Armorial Seals, No. 2569. * Reg. Morav., 130. 5 Papal Reg. Petitions, i. 626. 8 Shaw's History of Moray, 1827 ed., 475 ; Chiefs of Grant, i. pp. lii, 58. 302 DUNBAR, EARL OP MORAY II. THOMAS DUNBAR, second Earl of Moray, succeeded his father some time between 13 June 1391 and 15 February 1391-92, at which date he, as Earl of Moray, son and heir of the late John, Earl of Moray, and his mother, the Countess Marjorie, granted to Gilbert of Glencairnie the lands of the two Fochabers in exchange for Glencairnie.1 Some years later, on 26 March 1398, the Earl bought the two Fochabers from Gilbert.2 On 25 September 1394 he entered into an agreement with Alexander of the Isles, Lord of Lochaber, the latter to defend and protect the earldom and kirk-lands, at a salary of 80 merks and other emolu- ments.3 The Earl also, on 22 November 1396, granted to the burgh of Elgin a confirmation of a charter by King Alexander n.4 The Earl was also one of the principal movers in procuring peace in the north by arranging for a conflict between two rival clans, which took place at the North Inch, Perth, on 28 September 1396.5 He was also, on 27 January 1398-99, appointed one of the Council to aid David, Duke of Rothesay, in the government, when made King's lieutenant.6 He was present at the battle of Hom- ildon Hill on 14 September 1402, and was taken prisoner by the English.7 All the Peerages are silent as to his career after this date, assuming apparently that he then died, but it appears he was the captive of a certain William Lilbourne, to whom compensation was made in July 1405, when the Earl was released.8 In June 1412 he had a safe-conduct to go on pilgrimage to Amiens,9 and he was still alive at or about 3 June 1415, when it was proposed to marry his son to Eufamia, Countess of Ross,10 as will be shown later. After that date, however, it is difficult to distinguish between him and his son, the next Earl, and the date of his death is uncertain. It was probably he who granted a precept of sasine in the lands of Moy to Donald, Thane of Cawdor, on 14 August 1419,11 while it also seems probable, 1 Chiefs of Grant, iii. 13, 14. 2 Ibid., 14. 3 Reg. Morav., 354. 4 Charter at Elgin, with Earl's seal attached, showing three cushions lozengeways within a royal tressure, a label of three points in chief. Crest: On a helmet with capeline and coronet, a staghead. Supporters : Two lions sejant guardant. Legend : S. Thome de Dunbarre. Laing's Scottish Seals, i. No. 300 ; Macdonald's Scottish Armorial Seals, 801. 6 Fordun a Goodall, ii. 420. 6 Acta Parl. Scot., i. 572. 7 Cat. Doc. Scot., iv. p. 403. 8 Ibid., No. 684. 9 Ibid., No. 826. 10 Regesta Avenion., lib. 347, f. 356. 11 Thanes of Cawdor, 8. DUNBAR, EARL OF MORAY 303 for reasons to be stated later, that his son succeeded him before August 1422. This Earl Thomas married a lady named Margaret, who is named as his wife in the charter of 15 February 1391-92, already cited. What family she was of has not been clearly ascertained. It is not improbable that she was the Mar- garet, Countess of Moray, who, between 1429 and 1431, received a payment of £50 from the King,1 and who married Sir John Ogilvy of Lintrathen and Airlie (see that title), drawing her terce from the earldom of Moray until about 1471, when she died.2 The Earl had issue a son, III. THOMAS DTJNBAR, third Earl of Moray, whose name occurs first on record in May 1414, when he and his father appended their seals to a grant by John de Narn to his son John.3 He is next named on 3 June 1415, when his father was still alive. It was then proposed to marry him to Eufamia Leslie, Countess of Ross, but the proposal was not carried out. Before the Pope's commission could have reached Scotland, she had, on 15 June 1415, resigned, probably under compulsion, her earldom and lands in favour of John, Earl of Buchan, son of the Regent Albany. (See title Buchan.) He succeeded his father some time before 9 August 1422, when, as Earl of Moray, he entered into a contract with Hugh Fraser, Lord of Lovat,4 for a marriage between a son of Lovat's and his own daughter, an agree- ment which will be again referred to. A few months later, on 15 February 1422-23, the Earl released John Hay of Lochloy from a similar engagement. Hay's father had contracted him also to marry a daughter of the Earl, but the latter now freed him from the obligation.5 In the following year the Earl was chosen as one of the hostages for the ransom of King James i. (his income being valued at 1000 merks yearly), and entered into ward as such on 28 March 1424. He was exchanged on 16 July 1425, and 1 Exch. Rolls, iv. 250. 2 Ibid., vols. vi. vii. passim, per Indices, and viii. 84, 147 n. 3 Writ quoted by Mr. Alexander Sinclair in Herald and Gen- ealogist, vi. 305, but its whereabouts is not stated. * Spalding Club, Misc., v. 256, 257. 6 Thanes of Cawdor, 10 ; Family of Rose of Kilravock, 124. The Earl's seal attached shows on a shield three cushions lozenge- ways within a royal tressure ; legend, ' S. Thome de Dunbar comitis Moravie ' ; Scottish Armorial Seals, No. 802. 304 DUNBAR, EARL OF MORAY was permitted to return to Scotland.1 Nothing further has been found regarding him, and the year of his death is uncertain, though it may have been 1427, when his cousin James was released from captivity as a hostage in England. As to this Earl's marriage nothing is certainly known. As stated above, it was proposed in June 1415 he should marry Euphemia [Leslie], Countess of Ross2 suo jure, but this did not take effect, and it is said that the lady, after resigning her estates, became a nun. In August 1422 the contract with Lovat binds the latter to marry his son and heir (then an infant) to a daughter of the Earl ' gotin or to be gotin on Isobell of Innes,' who is not named as the Earl's wife; and failing such daughter, the heir of Lovat shall marry a daughter of the Earl * to be gotten betwixt him and his spousit wife,' and so on until a marriage took place.3 Macfarlane, who recites this contract, assumes that Isobell Innes was the Earl's mistress, and that his 4 spousit wife ' was alive, but this is doubtful. It seems more probable that the ' spousit wife ' and her children were yet in the future, and that the contract was somewhat of a speculative nature, as it is not clear that the Earl had any children by Isobel Innes, whether she was his wife or not. There is no valid evidence that the Earl had any issue at all. He is said indeed to have had a daughter Janet, who, it is affirmed, was married to a Eraser of Lovat. But the Wardlaw MS., which is probably the source of the statement, is so confused and incorrect at this point that it cannot be relied on.4 (See title Lovat.) The Earl was succeeded by his cousin, IV. JAMES, fourth Earl of Moray, who is always stated to be the son of Alexander Dunbar and Matilda Fraser, the heiress of James Fraser of Frendraught, though no charter evidence is adduced, not even by Macfarlane. When he succeeded his father or grandfather is not certain, but on 1 Cal. Doc. Scot., iv. Nos. 942-983 passim. 2 The Pope's Commission for a dispensation states that the parties were related in the third and fourth degrees of consanguinity by different stems (Regesta Avenion., lib. 347, f. 356. 3 It is not necessary to recite the whole contract, which may be found in the Spalding Club Misc., v. 256 ; The Priory of Beauty, Grampian Club, and the Wardlaw MS., Scot. Hist. Soc., 98, 99. 4 Wardlaw MS., Scot. Hist. Soc., 98, 105. DUNBAR, EARL OF MORAY 305 28 January 1421-22 he received, on his own resignation, a charter from Murdach, Duke of Albany, of the lands of Fren- dracht and Auchinbo, co. Aberdeen, Carnousies and Cluny, co. Banff, and Drummely, co. Kincardine, to be held to him- self and the lawful heirs of his body, whom failing, to Thomas Dunbar, Earl of Moray, and the lawful heirs of his body, whom failing, to the heirs of James, and then revert- ing to the Grown.1 In February 1423-24 he was proposed as a hostage for King James I. (his income being returned as 500 merks yearly), and he was delivered as such on 28 March 1424. Like his cousin, he was first warded at Knaresburgh Castle, whence he was transferred to York in June 1425. From York he was taken to Pontefract in February 1426-27, and finally he was exchanged for another hostage, and set free on 9 November 1427.2 It is possible the date of this release may indicate the time of his succession to the earldom of Moray. But record is almost wholly blank as to the history of the earldom during this Earl's occupancy of it and for several years after his death. He died, or was killed, on or about 10 August 1430.3 Earl James was married, but the history of his marriage or marriages is obscure. Macfarlane, the two editions of Douglas's Peerage, and Dr. George Burnett in the Exchequer Rolls, all express varying opinions, but failing any charter evidence, of which none has been discovered, the oldest testimony on the subject may be stated. Hector Boece, though not a reliable authority, seems to have known facts about the Dunbars which were overlooked by genealogists until lately discovered to be comparatively true. He wrote about 1527, and his continuation volume, printed in 1574, is closely followed by Pitscottie, who states that James Dunbar, Earl of Moray, was handfasted to Isobel Innes, daughter to the Laird of Innes, but she died before marriage. After her death the Earl married Katharine (or Janet), daughter to Alexander Seton of Gordon.4 This is a 1 Antiq. Aberdeen, etc., iii. 587. 2 Cat. Doc. Scot., iv. Nos. 942-1010 passim. 3 Beg. Mag. Sig., 20 September 1430. * Pitscottie, Scot. Text Soc., i. 64, and ii. 345. The statement about Isobel Innes is complicated by the relations proved between another Isobel Innes and Thomas, Earl of Dunbar (ante, p. 304), while Katharine (called Janet by Macfarlane and others) Seton or Gordon is not otherwise known. VOL. VI. U 306 DUNBAR, EARL OF MORAY statement which is accepted in varying forms by all later writers, and nothing has been found to disprove it. By his wife Earl James had two daughters, named together on 26 April 1442, in a royal precept, as daughters of the late James of Dunbar, Earl of Moray.1 They were : — 1. Janet, married, between 1442 and 1446, to James, second Lord Crichton. (See that title.) He died about 1454, and she married, secondly, John Suther- land, who, in a charter of 17 January 1458-59, is designed husband of Janet, Countess of Moray.2 By him she had a son Alexander, named as her son on 28 March 1488.3 She was a lady of considerable learning in those days, as she was able to sign her own name, as appears from a charter by her of 28 September 1454.4 She died between 1494 and 1506. 2. Elizabeth, called Mary by some writers and also Agnes, married, before 26 April 1442, to Archibald Douglas, who was created Earl of Moray. (See next article.) By Isabel Innes the Earl had a son Alexander, afterwards Sir Alexander Dunbar of Westfield. He died 10 March 1497-98. He inherited or obtained the lands of Oarnousie, Cluny, and others which had belonged to his father.5 He married Isobel Sutherland, eldest daughter of Alexander Sutherland of Duffus, who survived him and was still alive in 1502." He was ancestor of the Dunbars of Westfleld, Cumnock, Mochrum, Duffus, and others of the name. His wife's seal on 12 June 1502 showed, on a shield two cushions, with a star in base.7 CREATION. — Re-grant of the earldom of Moray 1371-72. ARMS. — In the Armorial de Gelre MS. in the Royal Library at Brussels, of date about 1369, the arms of the 1 Antiq. Aberdeen, etc., iii. 231. 2 Westfield Writs, Bundle i. No. 17. 3 Ibid., No. 75. Letters of Reversion by Alexander Dunbar of Westfield, Isabella Sutherland his spouse, and Janet, Countess of Moray, Lady of Frendraught, of the lands of Colmyst. 4 Antiq. A berdecn, etc., i. 524 n. 6 Cf. Reg. Mag. Sig., 12 February 1504-5. 6 Stodart's Scottish Arms, ii. 12. 7 Ibid. DUNBAR, EARL OF MORAY 307 Earls are given as argent, three cushions gules within a double tressure flory counterflory of the last. OREST (in the same MS.).— A stag's head argent, attired and collared or. The fourth Earl seems to have borne a talbot's head.1 [J. A.] 1 Scottish Armorial Seals, No. 805. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORAY FTER the death of James Dunbar, Earl of Moray, there is no mention of the earldom in any public record until 1445. Some- time before 26 April 1442, however, his younger daughter Elizabeth had married Archibald Douglas, third son of James, seventh Earl of Douglas.1 On that day the spouses had a precept for sasine in the lands of Kintore, which had been granted in 1375 and 1383 to John Dunbar, Earl of Moray,2 and had been resigned by Janet and Eliza- beth, the two co-heiresses of the earldom. They were now regranted to Archibald and Elizabeth, and to the heirs of Archibald, whom failing, to the other heirs of James, Earl of Douglas, whom failing, to the heirs of Elizabeth Dunbar.3 This peculiar entail indicates that the earldom of Moray had come under the sway of the Douglases. There is no other evidence, but Boece states that the Earl of Douglas, at this time James, long known as James Douglas of Balvany, who had large possessions in Banff and Inver- ness-shires, and others in Moray itself,4 secured for himself the ward and marriage of the younger of the two heiresses 1 The Douglas Book, i. 447 ; vol. iii. of this work, 178. 2 Exch. Bolls, vi. pref. cxxix. In 1436 the wards and rents of Kintore were granted to Alexander Seton of Gordon (Ibid. , v. 8), but no further notice of it appears. 3 The Douglas Book, i. 447. * Ibid., 437. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORAY 309 of James, last Earl of Moray.1 This is borne out by the writ of 1442, when the territory was apparently settled on Archibald Douglas, who, however, does not appear on record as EARL OF MORAY until 3 July 1445,2 having probably been created in the June Parliament of that year. He attended frequently at Court or in Parliament, and took part in affairs between 1445 and 1450, in which latter year his elder brothers went to Rome. In 1451 he is named with his brothers James, Hugh, and John in the series of charters granted to their eldest brother William, Earl of Douglas.3 After the murder of Earl William by the King in February 1451-52, Moray took his part in retaliation for his brother's fate, and ravaged Strathbogie, the country of the Earl of Huntly, who in a conflict at Dunkinty Moss, near Pitten- driech, was defeated. As a result the title of Earl of Moray was, for a time at least, bestowed upon Sir James Orichton of Frendraught, son of Chancellor Crichton. (See that title.) In August 1452 the Douglases were reconciled to the King, and the Earl of Moray is found exercising his rights as such in the following year.4 In 1455, however, as is well known, the struggle between King James n. and the Douglases reached a crisis. The Earl of Douglas had been forced to flee into England, but the Earl of Moray and his other brothers continued in arms against the King. They were met by a strong force under the Earl of Angus and completely routed at Arkinholm, near Langholm, on 1 May 1455, when Moray was slain and his head sent to the King.5 When forfeiture was pronounced against the Douglases in the Parliament of June 1455 it was charged against the Earl of Moray that he had treasonably fortified the castles of Lochindorb and Darnaway against the King. The evid- ence is doubtful, and as regards Darnaway the Earl appears to have beautified rather than fortified it. The fine hall so often ascribed to the great Randolph seems rather to have been the work of this Earl. His labours left the building unfinished, and King James n. ordered it to be 1 Pitscottie, citing Boece, Scot. Text Soc., i. 62. Boece says it was William, Earl of Douglas, but in 1442 he had not succeeded. It was, however, no doubt his influence which made his brother Earl. 2 Ada ParL Scot., ii. 59 ; cf. also Reg. Morav., 221. 3 Ada Part. Scot., ii. 68-72. * Chiefs of Grant, iii. 22, 31 August 1453. 6 The Douglas Book, i. 449. 310 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORAY completed in the same style, the hall being then roofed in.1 It was in the Forest of Darnaway that the scene of The Buke of the Hotulat was laid, written by Sir Richard Holland, Precentor of Moray, in praise of the Douglases and of Elizabeth, Countess of Moray, who is styled 'The Dow of Dunbar.' She survived her husband, was con- tracted to marry George, Lord Gordon (see title Huntly), but was divorced on the plea of consanguinity before 1459. She was married, before 1463, as his second wife, to Sir John Colquhoun of Luss. She was alive in 1472, but died some time before 17 February 1485-86, when James Douglas acknowledges himself to be the heir of his mother Elizabeth, Countess of Moray.2 He also was probably dead before 18 March 1493-94, when Janet Dunbar was served heir to her sister in certain lands in Caithness.3 The Earl and Countess had issue two children. James, already named, styled son and heir in the agreement with Lord Gordon after his father's death, and Janet, also named in same writ.4 Of her nothing further is known. [J. A.] 1 Exch. Rolls., vi. 220, 380, 483. 2 Protocol Book of James Young, Edin- burgh City Chambers. 3 The Chiefs of Colquhoun, i. 47-50; original retour in Riddell Collection, Adv. Lib. 4 Spalding Club, Misc., iv. 28. [ORICHTON, EARL OF MORA'Y. See title ORICHTON.] STEWART, EARL OF MORAY AVID STEWART, third son of King James II., after the forfeiture of the Douglases, received from his father on 12 February 1455-56 the title of EARL OF MORAY and perhaps a grant of the earldom, but he died an infant before 18 July 1457.1 II. JAMES STEWART, son of King James iv. by Janet Kennedy, daughter of John, second Lord Kennedy, born in 1500, received a Grown charter on 12 June 1501 of the lands and earldom of Moray, and the office of Sheriff, to himself and the heirs-male of his body, with the title of EARL OF MORAY.2 He spent part of his youth in France, returning from that country in 1519. He had various charters granted to him of lands in co. Elgin and elsewhere, and on 26 January 1530-31 the King, his nephew, bestowed the earldom of Orkney and Zetland upon him.3 In 1532 he was the King's Lieutenant-General for the north of Scotland. He was one of the ambassadors to France in 1535, and was made a Chevalier of the Order of St. Michael.4 He died without male heirs on 12 June 1544. He was at the age of fourteen contracted in marriage to Margaret Douglas (afterwards Countess of Lennox), daughter of Queen Margaret Tudor and Archibald, sixth 1 Exch. Rolls, vi. pp. cxxvi n, 280, 291, 355. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig., at date. 3 Ibid. * Accounts of Lord High Treasurer, vi. Pref. lix. 151, 345. 312 STEWART, EARL OF MORAY Earl of Angus, then aged nine, and a charter of Nether Loudoun and other lands in Ayrshire was on 7 December 1525 granted to the intended spouses,1 but the marriage did not take place. He married, about 24 August 1529,2 when they had a charter, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Oolin, third Earl of Argyll. (See that title.) They had a daughter, • Mart/, married to John, Master of Buchan (see that title), without issue. This Earl of Moray had two natural children — (1) John, whose mother was a Marion Stewart, and who is named in his father's will.3 In 1552 he was accused of endeavouring to possess land in the burgh of Elgin under a forged docu- ment.4 (2) Elisabeth, also named in her father's will, the marriage of the Laird of Balnageich being assigned to her.5 CREATION.— 12 June 1501. ARMS (of James Stewart). — His seal bore, quarterly : 1st and 4th, three cushions lozengeways within a royal tressure ; 2nd and 3rd, a lion rampant within a royal tres- sure debruised by a ribbon sinister.' [J. A.] 1 Reg. Mag. Sig. 2 Ibid. 3 Sixth Hep. Hist. MSS. Com., 671. * Acts and Decreets, viii. f . 29. * Sixth Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., 671. 6 Macdonald's Scottish Armorial Seals, No. 2593. STEWART, EAEL OF MORAY AMES STEWART, natural son of King James v. by Margaret Erskine, daughter of John, Earl of Mar, was born in 1531. l His career, which did so much to influence Scotland in his day, .belongs rather to the province of the his- torian than the genealo- gist, and its salient points can only be briefly summarised in a notice like the present. On April 1536 he was suf- ficiently old to be able to ride, as fifty shillings was then paid for a cover to a French saddle for him.2 On 31 August of the same year he had a charter of the lands of Tantallon and others.3 In 1538 he was made Prior in commendam of St. Andrews, was educated at the university there, paid a visit to France in 1548, and next year, on his return home, stripling though he was, he was largely instrumental in defeating an in- road of the English on the coast of Fife.4 On 7 February 1550-51 he and his brother John, Prior of Coldingham, had letters of legitimation.5 He was in Paris 1552, obtained the Priory of Macon in France and a papal dispensation to 1 The year 1533 is generally given as the date of his birth, but the Papal Bull appointing him Prior of St. Andrews in 1538 speaks of him as in his seventh year. Original in H. M.Reg. Ho., Bulls, etc., No. 61. 3 Treasurer's Accounts, vi. 280. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig. 4 Lord Herries's Memoirs, 24. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig. 314 STEWART, EARL OP MORAY hold three benefices, notwithstanding his illegitimacy, 1555. In 1558 he was appointed one of the commissioners to go to France to negotiate the marriage between his sister Mary and the Dauphin. The following year, deserting the party of the Queen-Regent, with whom he had up to this time acted, he joined the Lords of the Congregation. He was sent to France in March 1560-61 to invite Queen Mary to return home ; on her arrival in Scotland in August 1561 she did not fail to indicate her confidence in her brother. On 12 November he was given a com- mission for bringing the unruly Borders into subjection to the law, a task which he performed efficiently,1 and on 30 January 1561-62 he got a charter of the earldom of Moray,2 to himself and the heirs-male of his body, but as Huntly had had a grant of the same earldom in February 1548-49, and was not yet forfeited, though he had been deprived of his Chancellorship and of the lands of the earldom,3 the creation was not made public. On 7 February 1561-62 he was created EARL OF MAR, but resigned that earldom a few months later. On 27 October 1562 he had a commission to proceed against the ex-Chancellor, the Earl of Huntly, and the following day he completely defeated him at Corrichie.4 Huntly having died on being led captive from the field, his body was brought to Edinburgh, where sentence of forfeit- ure was pronounced against him 28 May 1563.5 Before this, however, on 10 February 1562-63 Lord James had been 'belted ' earl, probably under the title of EARL OF MORAY, LORD ABERNETHY and STRATHEARN,6 but in order to provide against any possible exception being taken to the grant of the title having been made before Huntly'sforfeiture, he got a second charter, with the same limitation as the first, on 22 January 1563-64. Again, a third charter of the earldom was granted him on his own resignation, 1 June 1566, extending the succession to heirs or assigns whatsoever. The Earl obtained a ratification in Parliament 19 April 1567 of the charter of the earldom of 22 January 1563-64, and of another of the lands of Braemar and Strathdee granted on 20 December 1564. In both these 1 P. C. Reg., i. 184, 188. 2 Moray Chart. 3 See ante, vol. iv. 535. * P. C. Reg., i. 222. 6 Cf. vol. iv. 535. 6 He is styled Comes Moravie in a charter of 12 February 1562-63 (Reg. Mag. Sig.). 315 charters, as quoted in the ratification, the remainder is only to heirs-male of his body, failing whom, the subjects were to revert to the Grown. It is difficult to understand why Moray did not get the charter of 1566, with its wider remainder, ratified, but it may be noted that in the preamble of the ratification itself it is narrated that the Queen, by the charter of January 1563-64 granted to her ' derrest brother James, Erie of Murray, Lord Abernethye, etc.' the lands and earldom of Moray, ' as at mair lenth is contenit in the said infeftment . . . maid to the said Erie, his airis and assig- nais thairupoune.' l Similar language is used regarding the other charter. It is not easy to see how the words of the ratification and of the charters themselves can be recon- ciled ; but meanwhile they did not invalidate the charter of 1566. Failing in his attempt to prevent the marriage of his sister with Darnley, he was denounced rebel 7 August 1565,2 and retired to England shortly after ; he was, how- ever, pardoned the following year, and returned to Scot- land the day following the murder of Riccio, to which nevertheless he was a consenting party. While not directly associated with the assassination of Darnley there is little doubt that he was party to the plot, but before the mar- riage of Mary with Bothwell he left Scotland for France. In the momentous events which took place in Scotland during Moray's stay in France he had no part ; and it was not until Mary had, on 24 July 1567, signed her deed of demission, resigning the Crown in favour of her son and appointing Moray Regent,3 that he returned to Scotland. He had an affecting and trying interview with his sister at Lochleven on 15 August ; at her urgent request he reluc- tantly agreed to assume the Regency, and on 22 August was formally installed in that office. His conduct in the events which followed, the escape of Queen Mary from Lochleven, her defeat at Langside, and her flight to Eng- land has been variously criticised ; ambitious, reticent, and self-controlled, his true character has remained a subject of debate with historians. What he might have done for his country had he been spared to continue his rule it is 1 Ada Parl. Scot., ii. 553-557. 2 P. C. Reg., i. 349. 3 Acta Parl. Scot., Hi. 11 ; P. C. Reg., i. 339. 316 STEWART, EARL OF MORAY impossible to say, as his career was suddenly brought to an end by his assassination at Linlithgow by James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh 21 January 1569-70. His body was taken to Holyrood, and thence, on 14 February, carried to St. Giles', where it was interred in the south aisle. The funeral sermon was preached by Knox to a crowded congregation, and his epitaph by George Buchanan can still be seen on the brass above his restored tomb. 'Jacobo Stovarto, Moraviae comiti, Scotiae proregi, viro setatis suse longe optimo, ab inimicis omnis memoriae deterrimis, ex insidiis extincto, ceu patri communi, patria moerens posuit.' 1 Moray had, in January 1549-50, been contracted in mar- riage to Christina, Countess of Buchan in her own right, then a mere infant. The marriage, however, was never completed, and he married, following his ' hartis inclina- tion,' at Holyrood on 10 February 1561-62, Agnes Keith, eldest daughter of William, Earl Marischal.2 The ceremony was performed by Knox in St. Giles' church. She survived her husband, and was married, secondly, between May 1571 and 26 February 1571-72, to Colin Campbell, sixth Earl of Argyll, and died 16 July 1588.3 By her the Earl of Moray had issue three daughters : — 1. ELIZABETH, Countess of Moray in her own right. She was served heir to her father 10 September 1588." 2. Annabel, died young, before November 1572.5 3. Margaret, posthumous,6 married (contract 22 and 28 April and 27 June 1584),7 to Francis, ninth Earl of Erroll. She died s.p. before January 1586-87. II. JAMES STEWART, who became Earl of Moray in virtue of his marriage with Elizabeth, the eldest of the sisters above mentioned, was born before 1568, being the eldest son of Sir James Stewart, created Lord Doune in 1581. 8 He is described as being 'of very tall stature,'9 and no 1 Lees' St. Giles', 263. 2 Cf. his spirited letter to his mother of 9 October 1562, referring indignantly to her treatment of the young heiress of Buchan (Reg. Honoris de Morton, i. 9, 10). 3 Cf. vol. i. 345. * Moray Chart. b Seventh Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., 655 ; Acts and Decreets, xlviii. 120. 6 Sixth Rep. Hist. MSS. Com., 655. 7 Reg. of Deeds, xxvi. 225. 8 The statement that Sir Ensor Doone, the outlaw of Exmoor, was a twin brother of the ' bonnie Earl ' is entirely mythical. The ' Doones,' how- ever, are now believed to have been of Scottish descent (Lorna Doone, etc., 1908, by H. Snowden Ward); cf. vol. iii. 189. 9 Estimate of the Scottish Nobility. STEWART, EARL OF MORAY 317 doubt his handsome appearance and social accomplishments procured him the epithet of the 'bonnie Earl,' by which he has been known to posterity. In 1580 he obtained a gift of the ward and marriage of the two daughters of the Regent Moray, and in the same year married the elder, assuming jure uxoris the title of Earl of Moray. He and his wife had a pension of £500 per annum from the King,1 and he served on commissions for executing the Acts against the Spanish Armada and the Jesuits.2 Towards the end of 1590, his relations with Huntly, his rival in the north, had become extremely strained. The two Earls were bound over to keep the peace.3 Moray appears to have absented himself from Court, and to have retired to the south of Scotland. On the ostensible ground that he had been in communication with Bothwell, or at least a sympathiser with him, Huntly received a commission for his capture. Trusting to a promise of receiving the King's pardon, which had been conveyed to him by Lord Ochiltree, Moray had taken up his quarters at Donibristle, near Aberdour, in Fife. There, on the night of 7 February 1591-92, when he was alone in the house, with exception of Dunbar, Sheriff of Moray, and a few servants, he was attacked by Huntly and his followers. The house was set on fire, and Dunbar in rushing out was instantly killed. Moray himself suc- ceeded in reaching the seashore, and might have escaped had not a silken tassel on his cap caught fire and betrayed him to the enemy. He was slaughtered under circum- stances of extreme barbarity, and the news which reached Edinburgh next day excited the utmost popular indignation.4 The tale of the murder has often been told, and its memory is enshrined in a ballad which is still one of the best known of its class.5 He was under twenty-five years of age at the time of his death.6 On the day following the murder the bodies of Dunbar and the Earl were brought over by the latter's mother to Leith, with a view to their being buried in the Regent's tomb : as a matter of fact, they lay long unburied, an incentive to revenge. Not only so, but Lady Moray had her son's portrait, as he lay with his handsome 1 P. C. Reg., Hi. 450. z Ibid., iv. 307, 466. 3 Ibid., 597. * Ibid., 725 n. 5 Cf. Maidment's Scottish Ballads, i. 237. 6 Estimate of Scottish Nobility. 318 STEWART, EARL OF MORAY features slashed by his assassins, painted and presented to the King.1 But only one of Huntly's followers suffered for the outrage ; that nobleman himself, after a short deten- tion in ward, was liberated, and no further proceedings were taken. The King earned himself much unpopularity in connection with the incident ; he was supposed to be not altogether free from complicity in the crime, and one version of the ballad states that jealousy of Moray's favour with the Queen influenced the conduct of James in the matter. By his wife Elizabeth, Countess of Moray, who died three months before him, 18 November 1591, the Earl had issue : — 1. JAMES, third Earl. 2. Francis, one of the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber to King Charles, created a Knight of the Bath on 2 June 1610. He is stated to have been a member of Sir Walter Raleigh's Club at the 'Mermaid,' London.2 3. Margaret, who was naturalised in England on the accession of King James. She was married, first, as his second wife, in September 1603, to Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham, the celebrated admiral. He was then about sixty-seven, and it was said that his marriage with this young lady * set his wisdom many degrees back in the repute of the world.' 3 He survived the marriage many years, and died 14 Decem- ber 1624, aged eighty-eight. His widow was married, secondly, to William, Lord Monson of Castlemaine, who, as he was born in 1607, must have been much younger than she was. She died at Oovent Garden 4 August 1639,. and was buried at Chelsea. She had issue by both husbands. 4. Elizabeth, married to John Abernethy, eighth Lord Saltoun. Charter to her as bis future wife, 5 April 1605.4 She died before 30 December 1608,5 having had no issue by her husband. 5. Grizel, married (contract 18 December 1611 6) to Sir Robert Innes of that Ilk, and had issue. 1 It is said that this picture is still in existence. J Wood's Fasti Oxon., i. 824. 3 Osborn's Queen Elizabeth, 80. 4 Banff Sasines, Secretary's Register, iii. 14. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 14 February 1609. 6 Ibid., 2 February 1629. STEWART, EARL OF MORAY 319 III. JAMBS, third Earl of Moray, was but a very young man at the time of his father's death. Within a few months of that event the King's letter was procured, super- seding all actions against him as heir to his father or mother for two years, which was ratified by Parliament ; l at the same time a ratification was made to him of the charter to his grandfather, Sir James Stewart, first Lord Doune, and his wife, Margaret Campbell, of the lordship of Doune, dated 6 January 1587.2 On 16 February 1597-98 he and his tutors and curators were charged to inter the body of his father, which had till then remained unburied.3 On 5 March 1601 he was denounced rebel for failing to com- pear when summoned before the Privy Council.4 At this time he was still a minor, and was under age indeed till at least 5 March 1602, when a charter was granted by him with consent of his curators, Lord St. Oolm, Sir Robert Orichton of Cluny, and Paul Doig of Dunrobin.5 The feud between him and his father's murderer, Huntly, was natur- ally bitter, and he was also at feud with the Earl of Argyll, who was donator of the ward of the earldom. The King took much pains to reconcile the parties, and at last it was, nominally at least, accomplished on 23 February 1603,' and a decreet arbitral was pronounced by the King on the matter 3 May 1604. For some reason which is not now explainable, it seems to have been felt that the position of the title was not on a satisfactory basis, so shortly after the Earl came of age he got, on 11 August 1607, a Parlia- mentary ratification of various charters which had been granted to his ancestors, and among them the charter of the earldom which had been granted to his grandfather the Regent on 1 June 1566, extending the remainder to heirs whatsoever.7 He sat as member of the Privy Council for the first time 15 October 1607.8 Following the ratification above mentioned he had, on 17 April 1611, a charter of novodamus of the lands and earldom of Moray to himself and the heirs-male of his body, whom failing, to his brother, Sir Francis Stewart, and similar heirs, whom failing, to his own nearest lawful heirs and assigns whomsoever.9 He 1 Acta Parl. Scot., iv. 629. 2 Ibid. 3 P. C. Reg., v. 445. « Ibid., vi. 220. * Reg. Mag. Sig., 2 June 1603. 6 Calderwood, vi. 205. 7 Acta Parl. Scot., iv. 381. 8 P. C. Reg., vii. 447. 9 Reg. Mag. Sig. 320 STEWART, EARL OF MORAY was one of the commissioners against the Olan Gregor and for the trial of three resetters in Elgin and Porres.1 He had charters of the lands of Fintray and others 16 July 1618 ; a confirmation of a charter of Harperlands and others in the county of Elgin, 24 February 1620, and a charter of the lordship of St. Oolm (to which he had succeeded on the death of his cousin James, the second holder of that title), 26 February 1620, and one of Oambusbeg and the patronage of the Precentory of Moray 6 March 1624.2 On 8 March 1626 he was nominated one of the Council in Scotland of King Charles i., and on 24 of the same month was made the King's Justiciar in Forres, Nairn, Elgin, Inverness, Aberdeen, and Banff.3 He died at Darnaway 6 August 1638, and was buried next day at the church of Dyke with- out any pomp. The Earl married, by arrangement of the King in an endeavour to heal the feud between the two families, Anne Gordon, eldest daughter of George, first Marquess of Huntly ; contract 2 October 1607.4 By her he had issue : — 1. JAMBS, fourth Earl of Moray. 2. George, died at Edinburgh, unmarried. 3. Margaret, married, about 25 April 1640,5 against the wishes of her family, to James Grant of Freuchie. She died 18 December 1662, and was buried 30, -at Duthil. IV. JAMES, fourth Earl of Moray, was styled Lord Doune before he succeeded to the Peerage. He was served heir to his father 15 November 1638.6 He had a charter, 12 November 1641, of the Castle of Spynie,7 and was made Sheriff- Principal of Inverness 27 July 1647.8 He was a royalist, but did not take much part in the troubles of his time, though he was colonel of a regiment of horse and foot in Elgin and Nairn in 1643, and in the following year commanded the foot which were raised in the northern counties of Scotland.8 He either did not wish to connect himself too far with the fortunes of his party or possibly was of weak constitution, 1 P. C. Reg., ix. 47, 286. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig. 3 Ibid. * Ibid., 27 June 1611. 6 Eraser's Chiefs of Grant, i. 250. 6 Moray Chart. 7 Reg. Mag. Sig. 8 Ibid. g Ada Parl. Scot., vi. pt. i. 52, 79, etc. STEWART, EARL OF MORAY 321 as he was excused from attending a rendezvous in 1645.1 He died 4, and was buried 22, March 1653, when it is said he had sold a large part of his estates.2 He married (contract 18 October 1627s) Margaret, sister and ultimately co-heiress of James, Lord Home. They had, along with her sister Anne and her husband, John, Lord Maitland, a charter, 20 February 1643, of certain Home lands in security of certain sums of money owing them by the late Earl, probably as the marriage portion of his sister. She also acquired from her sister by disposition, dated 21 May 1645, to herself and her son James, Lord Doune, the house and grounds in the Canongate of Edin- burgh which had been built, or rather re-built, by the Countess of Home, and which is now known as Moray House. On 26 August 1653 the Countess of Moray resigned the subjects in favour of her eldest surviving son, who had succeeded to the Earldom.4 By his wife the Earl of Moray had issue : — 1. James, Lord Doune, died v.p. unmarried, before 14 June 1653, when his brother was served heir to him in the Canongate house and lands. 2. ALEXANDER, fifth Earl of Moray. 3. Francis of Oulalay, died unmarried. 4. John, baptized 30 January 1639.5 5. Archibald of Dunearn, in Fife, baptized 28 February 1643,8 married Anna,7 daughter of Sir John Henderson of Fordel, and had with other issue : — (1) Charles, married, first, Christina,8 daughter of Sir William Bennet of Grubbet, Bart., and, secondly, Jean, daughter of Sir Alexander Hamilton of Dalziel, with issue by both wives.9 6. Mary, married, at Moray House, Canongate, 13 May 1650, to Archibald, ninth Earl of Argyll, and died May 1668. 7. Margaret, married, after March 1653, as his third wife, to Alexander, first Lord Duffus, and died January 1667.19 8. Henriet, married, in 1662, to Sir Hugh Campbell of Oawdor. 1 Acta Part. Scot., vi. pt. i. 471. 2 Brodie's Diary, 29 ; Beg. Mag. Sig., 27 August 1652. 3 Moray Chart. 4 Ibid. 8 Canongate Reg. 6 Ibid. 7 Ibid. 8 Canongate Reg. of Proclamations, 13 February 1697. 9 Ibid., 24 August 1700. 10 Wardlaw MS., 474. VOL. VI. X 322 STEWART, EARL OF MORAY 9. Anne, baptized 4 June 1644, died young.1 10. Anne (secunda), baptized 29 March 1650,2 married (contract 15 March 1666) to David Ross of Balna- gown, and died August 1719.3 V. ALEXANDER, fifth Earl of Moray, baptized 8 May 1634,4 was served heir to his father 23 June 1653. He was, next year, fined £3500 by Cromwell,5 a sum which was ultimately reduced to £1166, 13s.6 In 1661 he had a Parliamentary ratification to himself of the charter of the earldom of Moray and of the burghs of Darna- way, Doune, and Fisherton of Pettie of 17 April 1611. It is another instance of the careless draftsmanship of these ratifications when it is found that the document states that it is a ratification of the charter of 1611 to James, Earl of Moray, ' and to the said deceast James Earle of Murrayes airs male and of tailzie mentioned in the foresaid charter.' 7 As a matter of fact no such class of heirs is mentioned in the deed itself. On 1 June 1675 he was appointed Lord Justice-General in place of the Mar- quess of Atholl; on 27 September 1678 he was nominated a Commissioner of the Treasury, and on 17 July 1680 was made an Extraordinary Lord of Session.8 On 2 November in the same year, on the downfall of the once great Duke of Lauderdale, Moray succeeded him as Secretary of State, an office which he retained till the Revolution. In 1686 he was appointed Commissioner to Parliament,9 in the hope, it is said, that he might be able to influence the fortunes of an attempt to obtain toleration for Roman Catholics. On 6 June 1687, on the creation or revival of the Order of the Thistle, he was created one of the first Knights of that Order by King James vii. At the Revolution of 1688 Moray, as a supporter of the old dynasty, was deprived of all his offices. He retired then into private life, and took no further part in the politics of the day. He resided quietly at Donibristle, where he died 1 November 1700. The Earl married Emilia, daughter of Sir William Balfour 1 Canongate Reg. 2 Ibid. 3 M. I., Fearn Abbey. * Canongate Reg. 6 Acta Parl. Scot., vi. pt. ii. 820. 6 Ibid., 846. 7 Ibid., vii. 349. 8 Brunton and Haig's Senators, 411. 9 Acta Parl. Scot., viii. 578. STEWART, EARL OF MORAY of Pitcullo, Lieutenant of the Tower of London. By her, who died 29 July 1702,1 the Earl had issue : — 1. James, Lord Doune, who died v.p. 1685, having mar- ried (contract 26 December 1677 2) Catharine, daughter of Elizabeth, Countess of Dysart in her own right (who ultimately married the Duke of Lauderdale) by her first husband, Sir Lionel Tollemache, Bart.3 She was married, secondly, after 1690, as his second wife, to John, fifteenth Earl of Sutherland, and died about 1705.4 By her Lord Doune had issue : — (1) Elizabeth, married, 3 December 1698 (post-nuptial contract dated 30 September and 29 December 1699), to Alexander Grant of Grant, with a tocher of £5000 sterling, bequeathed to her by the Duchess of Lauderdale, her grandmother.6 She died 22 April 1708, without surviving issue. (2) Emilia, married, first, to Alexander Fraser of Strichen, and, secondly, to John, nineteenth Earl of Crawford. She died 18, and was buried at Holyrood 26, February 1711.6 2. CHARLES, sixth Earl of Moray. 3. John, died s.p. 4. FRANCIS, seventh Earl of Moray. 5. Mary, died 27 October 1718, aged fifty-three, and was buried in the church of Iver, Buckinghamshire, where there is a monument to her memory, erected by her brother Charles.7 VI. CHARLES, sixth Earl of Moray, was created a Baronet in the lifetime of his father, 23 September 1681, with re- mainder to heirs-male of his body. He was served heir to his father 18 August 1730.8 He executed a deed of entail of the earldom in favour of his brother Francis and the heirs-male of his body 8 December 1730.9 He died at Donibristle 7 October 1735, aged seventy-six. He married his cousin Anne, daughter of Archibald, ninth Earl of Argyll, and widow of Richard, fourth Earl of Lauderdale. She died s.p. 18 September 1734, aged seventy-six.1 VII. FRANCIS, seventh Earl of Moray, was served heir to his brother 31 December 1735.11 He was one of those sum- 1 Scot. Hist. Soc. Misc., i. 477. 2 Moray Chart. 3 Cf. vol. iii. 403, 405. 4 Fraser's Sutherland Book, i. 324 6 Chiefs of Grant, i. 369. 6 Holyrood Burial Reg. 7 Scot. Antiquary, ix. 188. 8 Moray Chart. 9 Ibid. 10 Cf. vol. i. 368. u Moray Chart. 324 STEWART, EARL OF MORAY moned to surrender on suspicion of disaffection during the rising of 1715. He does not appear to have taken any prominent part in public affairs, but Douglas describes him as ' of great learning and honour.' He died at Donibristle 11 December 1739, aged sixty-five. He married, first, Elizabeth, only daughter of Sir John Murray of Drumcairn, brother of the fourth Viscount of Stormont, by whom he had no issue ; secondly, about 1702, Jean Elphinstone, second daughter of John, fourth Lord Balmerino, and by her, who died at Donibristle 13 May 1739, had issue : — 1. JAMES, eighth Earl of Moray. 2. John, of Pittendreich. Member of Parliament for Anstruther Easter 1741-47 ; a captain in the 54th Foot, the Earl of Loudoun's Highlanders, 8 June 1745, and was taken prisoner at the battle of Preston- pans. He afterwards entered the service of the States-General ; was lieutenant-colonel of the Earl of Drumlanrig's Regiment 3 July 1747 ; colonel in Lieut.-General Halkett's Regiment 26 November 1754 ; and colonel-commandant of Major-General Charles William Stewart's Regiment 5 May 1758 ; on the death of the last-mentioned officer he became colonel of the regiment 30 July 1760, and major- general 1 September 1772. He was allowed to retain his rank and pay in 1783, and a regiment was called by his name till 1795.1 He died, unmarried, at Musselburgh, 13 August 1796, in the eighty-eighth year of his age.2 3. Francis, who died in Germany, as lieutenant-colonel of Honeywood's Dragoons, 28 August 1760.3 He married, first, 4 January 1745, Helen, sixth daughter of Alexander, ninth Earl of Eglintoun ; she died at Edinburgh 4 January 1747, leaving one son, Francis, who died, unmarried, at Rheims, in October 1768." Colonel Stewart married, secondly, a lady whose name has not been ascertained, but who died at Hedgerley, in Buckinghamshire, 13 February 1784. They had a daughter, Jane, married, 1 November 1788, at 1 Scots Brigade in Holland, ii. 413 n. 2 Restalrig Reg. 3 Wood's Douglas's Peerage, ii. 260 ; Scots Mag. ; the latter gives September as the date of death. * Scots Mag. ; testament confirmed 21 June 1774 ; Edin. Teats. STEWART, EARL OF MORAY 325 St. Margaret's, Westminster, to Thomas Lewis Obeirne, who afterwards became Bishop of Meath. 4. Archibald, appointed captain in the Navy 20 February 1745, and died at Harley Street, London, 20 February 1795. 5. Henry, a major in the Army, died in Germany. 6. Anne, married to John Steuart of Blackball, and died at Edinburgh 17 January 1783, aged eighty. ' 7. Amelia, married (post-nuptial contract dated .15 Feb- ruary 1738) to Sir Peter Halkett of Pitflrrane, Bart., who was killed at Fort du Quesne 9 July 1755. She died at Inveresk 18 May 1781. VIII. JAMES, eighth Earl of Moray, was born about 1708, and was served heir to his father 2 April 1740.2 Not long after his succession to the Peerage he was created a Knight of the Order of the Thistle, 23 February 1741 ; and he sat in the House of Lords as a Representative Peer from 1741 till 1767. Under the Act of 1747 for abolishing heritable juris- dictions he obtained £3000 for the sheriffship of Moray and Elgin, and £1200 for the stewartry of Menteith, in all £4200, in full of his claim for £14,000. He died at Doni- bristle 5 or 6 July 1767. He married, first, December 1734, Grace, daughter of George Lockhart of Oarnwath, and widow of John, third Earl of Aboyne. She died at Darna- way 17 November 1738. The Earl married, secondly, 24 April 1740, Margaret, second daughter of David, third Earl of Wemyss. She died at Drylaw, near Edinburgh, 31 August 1779. By his first marriage the Earl had issue : — 1. FRANCIS, ninth Earl of Moray. 2. Euphemia, born 27 August 1735,3 died 3 October 1770, unmarried. By his second marriage he had : — 3. James, born 17 April 1741 ; captain 20th Foot, 24 February 1762; lieutenant-colonel Sutherland Fencible Regiment, 1793 ; deputy-governor of Fort George, 13 January 1777 ; captain North British Veteran Batta- lion, 21 April 1803. Died at Fort George 4 May 1808. 4. David, born in 1745 ; was a lieutenant in the Navy, and 1 Restalrig Reg. 2 Moray Chart. 3 Canongate Reg. 326 STEWART, EARL OF MORAY died at Budley Saltarton, Devonshire, 12 June 1784. He married Elizabeth Begg, who died in Castle Street, Edinburgh, 14 October 1799, leaving issue. IX. FRANCIS, ninth Earl of Moray, was born 11 January 1737. As a young man he completed his education by foreign travel, and seems to have made excellent use of the opportunities afforded him.1 On his succession to the title and the family estates he paid great attention to the development of the latter, and became celebrated as a tree- planter. Within two years after his succession it is said he planted at Darnaway, Doune, and Donibristle upwards of thirteen million trees, of which nearly a million and a half were oaks. The Earl sat as a Representative Peer from 1784 to 1796, and was on 4 June 1796 created BARON STUART OF CASTLE STUART in the county of Inver- ness, in the Peerage of Great Britain. He was Lord- Lieutenant of Morayshire. He died at Drumsheugh, near Edinburgh, 28 August 1810, aged seventy-three, and was buried at Donibristle. He married, at Gray, 28 June 1763, Jane, eldest daughter of John, twelfth Lord Gray, and by her, who died 19 February 1786, had issue : — 1. James, Lord Doune, born at Edinburgh, 2 March 1765, died v.p. at Bath 11 June 1776. 2. JoJm, also styled Lord Doune after his brother's death, was born at Edinburgh 11 February 1768 ; elected M.P. for Great Bedwin 1790 ; died, v.p. unmarried, at Drum- sheugh, 6 July 1791, and was buried at Donibristle. 3. FRANCIS, tenth Earl of Moray. 4. Archibald, twin with Francis, born at Edinburgh 2 February 1771 ; cornet 2nd Dragoon Guards 4 August 1790, and afterwards lieutenant-colonel of the Dor- setshire Militia. He died 30 October 1832, having married, 17 March 1793, Cornelia, youngest daughter of Edmund Morton Pleydell of Melbourne St. Andrew, co. Dorset. By her, who died 1 March 1830, he left issue : — (1) Francis Archibald, born 5 December 1793 ; died, unmarried, 14 July 1875. (2) John Morton, born 20 April 1795 ; died, unmarried, 6 July 1840. 1 Wood's Douglas's Peerage, ii. 261. STEWART, EARL OF MORAY 327 (3) James William, born 21 February 1797 ; died, unmarried, 2 December 1850. (4) Edmund Luttrell, born 21 February 1798 ; was rector of the parish of Winterborne Hough ton, co. Dorset; died 5 Novem- ber 1869, having married, 2 September 1834, Elizabeth, second daughter of the Rev. J. L. Jackson, rector of Swan- age. She died 28 March 1885, leaving issue :— i. EDMUND ARCHIBALD, fifteenth Earl, ii. FRANCIS JAMES, sixteenth Earl. iii. Morton Gray Stuart Gray, of Kinfauns Castle, co. Perth, and Gray House, co. Forfar. Born 16 April 1855. He and his sister received a Patent of Pre- cedence 10 April 1897 as son and daughter of an Earl. In 1901 he assumed the additional name and arms of Gray; married, 17 December 1890, Edith Douglas, daughter of Rear- Admiral George Palmer, and has issue : — (i) Francis Douglas, born 10 July 1892. (ii) Archibald John Morton, born 14 November 1894. (iii) James Gray, born 9 February 1897. (iv) Hermione Moray, born 13 October 1899. iv. Cornelia, married, 29 July 1873, to the Rev. William Henry Augustus Truell, of Clonmannon, co. Wick- low, and has issue. (5) Douglas Wynne, born 8 May 1801 ; died 10 December 1855, having married, 4 February 1842, Marcia, youngest daughter of Francis Fownes Luttrell. She died 13 February 1870, leaving issue a son, i. Douglas Moray, born 22 January 1843 ; died, unmarried, 26 November 1863. (6) George Gray, born 20 April 1805; in holy orders; died, un- married, 11 June 1835. 5. Charles, died unmarried. 6. Grace, married, 10 July 1789, to George Douglas of Oavers, and died March 1846. 7. Anne, died 18 April 1837, aged fifty-six.1 X. FRANCIS, tenth Earl of Moray, was born 2 February 1771. He raised an independent company of Foot, which was dis- banded in 1791. He was created a Knight of the Order of the Thistle 3 September 1827 ; was Lord-Lieutenant of the county of Elgin. He died at Darnaway Castle 12 January 1848. He married, first, at Bellevue, 26 January 1795, Lucy, second daughter and co-heir of General John Scott of Bal- comie. She died 3 August 1798. The Earl married, secondly, at Edinburgh, 7 January 1801, his cousin, Margaret 1 Bestalrig Reg. 328 STEWART, EARL OF MORAY Jane, eldest daughter of Sir Philip Ainslie of Pilton. She died 3 April 1837. By his first wife the Earl had issue : — 1. FRANCIS, eleventh Earl. 2. JOHN, twelfth Earl. By his second wife he had issue : — 3. James Stuart, born 17 January 1804 ; captain 85th Regiment of Light Infantry ; died 12 December 1840. 4. - - a son, born and died 1 April 1805. 5. ARCHIBALD GEORGE, thirteenth Earl. 6. Charles Stuart, born 23 April 1812 ; an officer in the 72nd Highlanders ; died 21 January 1847. 7. GEORGE PHILIP, fourteenth Earl. 8. Elizabeth, born 19 November 1801, died 1802. 9. Jane, born 30 November 1802, married, first, 25 January 1832, to Sir John Archibald Drummond Stewart of Grandtully, Bart., who died s.p. 20 May 1838 at Paris, and was buried at Murthly. She married, secondly, 25 August 1838, Jeremiah Lonsdale Plowden, M.D., of Brownswood, co. Wexford, who died 3 March 1887. She predeceased him, dying at Hastings 14 March 1880, aged seventy-eight. She left an only daughter Evelyn, who succeeded as Baroness Gray in 1895.1 10. Margaret Jane, born 17 September 1807, died 16 Sep- tember 1863. 11. Ann Grace, born 6 March 1809, died 11 September 1873. 12. Louisa, born May 1813, died 14 February 1864. XI. FRANCIS, eleventh Earl of Moray, was born 7 November 1795, at Valleyfield, co. Perth, and died, unmarried, at Hayes Park, Middlesex, 6 May 1859. XII. JOHN, twelfth Earl of Moray, who succeeded his brother, was born 25 January 1797 at Bruntsfield House, Edinburgh. He entered the Army in 1815, and became captain in 1825. He died, unmarried, at Doune Lodge 8 November 1867. 1 Ci vol. iv. 293. STEWART, EARL OF MORAY 329 XIII. ARCHIBALD GEORGE, thirteenth Earl of Moray, suc- ceeded his brother of the half-blood ; he was born 3 March 1810; entered the Army 1829, captain 6th West India Regiment 1839, retired as lieutenant-colonel in 1861. He died, unmarried, at Darnaway 12 February 1872. XIV. GEORGE, fourteenth Earl of Moray, succeeded his brother, being the fourth brother in succession who held the title. He was born 4 August 1814. On the death of his cousin Margaret, Baroness Gray, he succeeded to that title, and became LORD GRAY.1 He died, unmarried, at 4 York Street, London, 16 March 1895, leaving large bequests to charitable and religious objects. XV. EDMUND ARCHIBALD, fifteenth Earl of Moray, son of the Rev. Edmund Luttrell Stuart, and great-grandson of Francis, ninth Earl, succeeded his kinsman. He was born 5 November 1840 ; called to the English Bar 26 January 1867 ; in 1878 assumed the additional name and arms of Gray on succeeding to the Gray estates, but discontinued their use on succeeding to the earldom. He died s.p. 11 June 1901, having married, 6 September 1877, Anna Mary, daughter of the Rev. George J. Oollinson, vicar of St. James, Olapham. He was succeeded by his brother, XVI. FRANCIS JAMES, sixteenth Earl of Moray, born 24 November 1842. A Deputy-Lieutenant for Perthshire ; was major 1st Battalion the King's (Liverpool) Regiment, and retired as lieutenant-colonel. Assumed in 1895 the addi- tional surname and arms of Gray, but resumed that of Stuart on succeeding to the Moray title. Married, 24 June 1879, Gertrude Floyer, daughter of the Rev. Francis Smith, rector of Tarrant Rushton, co. Dorset. CREATIONS. — Earl of Moray, Lord Abernethy and Strath- earn, 30 January 1561-62; Lord St. Oolme, 7 March 1611, in the Peerage of Scotland. Baron Stuart of Castle Stuart, in the county of Inverness, 4 June 1796, in the Peerage of Great Britain. 1 Cf. vol. iv. 295. 330 STEWART, EARL OP MORAY ARMS (recorded in Lyon Register). — Quarterly : 1st and 4th, or, a lion rampant within a double tressure flory counterflory gules, surrounded with a bordure compony argent and azure ; 2nd, or, a fess chequy azure and argent, for Stewart of Doune; 3rd, or, three cushions within a double tressure flory counterflory gules. CREST. — A pelican in her nest feeding her young proper. SUPPORTERS. — Two greyhounds argent, collared gules. MOTTO. — Solus per Christum redemptorem. [j. B. P.] DOUGLAS, LORD MORDINGTOUN AMES DOUGLAS, second son of William, tenth Earl of Angus, was pro- bably born about 1591, though the exact date has not been ascertained. As a youth he was ' sub- ject to ane universal gute,' and his father begged the King, when he was permitted to go into voluntary exile in 1608, to be allowed to take his son with him in order that he might undergo a course of * the baicthis in Loren ' (Lor- raine).1 This the King at first refused to permit him to do, but ultimately, on 3 November 1608, a licence was granted to James Douglas, son of the Earl of Angus, to go abroad.2 He is styled * Provost of Abernethy ' in his father's will, which is dated, just previous to starting on his journey, 31 October 1608.3 Douglas is next heard of in a quarrel which took place between his elder brother, who had suc- ceeded to the title, and the Kers of Ferniehirst. The latter had revived a claim to hold courts of bailiary in Jedburgh Forest in name of the Earl of Angus. Such dis- turb^ ^ces arose that all parties were summoned before the Privy Council, a special charge being made against James Douglas that he sent the younger Ker a challenge to single 1 Douglas Book, iv. 191. 2 P. C. Reg., viii. 189. 3 Douglas Book, iii. 321. 332 DOUGLAS, LORD MORDINGTOUN combat. The result was that on 19 May 1612 both parties were found to have unlawfully convened their vassals to accompany them in their ' unlauchf ull and violent actionis ' ; and that Douglas had * verie undewtif ullie behavit ' in send- ing his challenge to Ker. He was, therefore committed to ward in Blackness Castle, a proceeding which seems to have had a sobering effect on him, as on 2 July he and Sir Andrew Ker, younger of Perniehirst, ' heartily embrace each other,' and promise that they will not in future send challenges to one another on any account.1 James Douglas was at first designed ' of Parkhead,' but in 1621 he resigned these lands in Douglasdale, and also Pitdriechie and Faw- syde in the Mearns, in favour of his brother the Earl.2 In 1625 he is styled of Reidsyde.3 In November 1625 he had a charter of certain lands in the barony of Dirletoun from Thomas, Earl of Kellie.4 He must have been knighted between that date and 25 April 1627, when he is associ- ated as a consenting party to a further alienation of the Dirletoun lands by the Earl of Kellie.5 He is styled Sir James Douglas of Mordingtoun in the ratification of a charter of certain lands in the barony of Callendar, granted him by the Earl of Linlithgow 2 June 1632,6 but it is stated that he had acquired Mordingtoun by 1628.7 The Callendar lands he resigned in favour of James, Lord Livingston of Almond, the youngest son of the first Earl of Linlithgow. On 23 August 1634 he had a charter of the lands of Over Mordingtoun and others, co. Berwick, on the resignation of the Earl of Morton.8 Sir William Douglas having married his cousin Ann, only daughter and heiress of Laurence, Lord Oliphant, he claimed, in right of his wife as heir-general of her father, who had died in 1630, the Peerage of Oliphant, of which Lord Oliphant had by a procuratory of resignation denuded himself, so as to favour the collateral heir-male, but of which no regrant had been made at the date of Lord Oliphant's death. The case was heard by the Court of Session in presence of King Charles I. in 1633, and is a leading case, insomuch as it settled for the time several 1 P. C. Reg., ix. 374, 400. 2 Douglas Book, ii. 409. 3 Gen. Reg. Sets., xviii. 124. 4 Confirmed 24 January 1626, Reg. Mag. Sig. 6 Ibid., 18 May 1627. 6 Ibid., 9 June 1632. 7 Douglas Book, ii. 409. 8 Reg. Mag. Sig. DOUGLAS, LORD MORDINGTOUN 333 important points of Peerage law. Especially it was held that dignities were descendable to heirs-female if not specially barred.1 But it was also held that Lord Oliphant by his resignation had effectually denuded himself of his dignities, and that they were now in the King's hands, till he should declare his pleasure therein. This His Majesty did by creat- ing the heir-male a Peer under the title of Lord Oliphant with precedence apparently only from 1633. Some years afterwards, on 13 March 1640, a Patent was issued stating that ' the stile and title of Lord Oliphant ' should be estab- lished in the person of the daughter of the last lord, and in that of her spouse and the heirs procreated between them, whom failing, to the heirs-male of her body, but that the designation hereof should be changed to Mordingtoun. It would appear, therefore, that Sir William Douglas and his wife were created LORD and LADY MORDINGTOUN, with the precedency of the ancient Oliphant creation.2 Lord Mordingtoun died 11 February 1656, having married, first, in 1624,3 as above stated, Anne, only child of Laurence, fifth Lord Oliphant. By her he had issue : — 1. WILLIAM, second Lord Mordingtoun. 2. James, born about 1638, entered at Douai College 28 April 1649, but being 'ineptus ad studia' was sent home to his parents in Scotland.4 3. Anne, married to Robert, seventh Lord Sempill. Lord Mordingtoun married, secondly, Elizabeth Hay, daughter of Francis, Earl of Erroll, and widow of Hugh, Lord Sempill.5 II. WILLIAM, second Lord Mordingtoun, baptized 27 Sep- tember 1626,6 was served heir of his father 9 July 1663.7 1 Such judgment being, as G. E. C. remarks, in flat opposition to Lord Mansfield's theory, some one hundred and fifty years later, as to the pre- sumption being in favour of heirs-male (Complete Peerage, v. 369, note 6). * The Patent is not on record, the portion of the Great Seal Register which should have contained it being lost. But in the printed abstract of the Register it is shown to have existed from the fact that the words ' Diploma Jacobi domini de Mordingtoun,' with the date 13 March 1640, appear in an index which is still extant. No mention is made of the lady's name. The limitations of the Peerage are taken from Riddell's Peerage and Consistorial Law, i. 17-20, 180, where the matter is fully discussed. 3 Perth Presbytery Record, 21 and 28 July 1624. 4 Records of Scots Colleges, New Spalding Club, 40. 5 Gen. Beg. So*., Ix. 316. c Cauongate Register. 7 Retours, Berwick, 328. 334 DOUGLAS, LORD MORDINGTOUN He sat in Parliament 1661, with the precedency of Lord Oliphant.1 He had a charter of the lands of Olaribald and others, co. Berwick, 24 August 1663.2 He obtained a pro- tection from creditors 22 February 1677, having been the thirteen months in prison.3 The date of his death has not been ascertaiaed. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh, Lord Sempill, by whom he had issue : — 1. JAMES, third Lord Mordingtoun. 2. William, born 1653, entered Douai College, with his brothers James and Francis, 4 December 1667 : ' con- victor optimae indolis, ad flguras, 11 September 1673. Olam dicessit Valencenas ad noviciatum Car- melitarum, unde postea dimissus rediit hue 7 Junii 1674, et hinc in Scotiam unde Romam profectus est ibidem in Ooll. Scotorum 1675.' 4 3. Francis, born 1655, went to Douai on the same day as his brothers : * convictor optimae indolis, ad figuras. Admissus in societatem abiit hinc 3 September 1674, ad tyrocinium Romanum, quod ingressus est 2 De- cember.' 5 4. Lewis, died at the Motes, Westminster, and was buried at Kensington 7 July 1682.6 5. Anna, married to Patrick Porterfield of Oomiston, who granted her a charter 18 November 1695.7 III. JAMES, third Lord Mordingtoun, was born in 1651, entered Douai along with his brothers 4 December 1667, and left in August 1671. He, being cautioner for his father's debt, had protections 13 February, 31 July, and 13 December 1677.8 On 2 August 1662 he had, as Master of Mording- toun, a charter of the lands of Nether Mordingtoun.9 The date of his death has not been ascertained.10 He married Agnes Seton, daughter of Alexander, first Viscount of Kingston, by whom he had one son, IV. GEORGE, fourth Lord Mordingtoun. He was the 1 Acta Part. Scot., vii. 29. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. Ix. 321. 3 Privy Council Deer eta. * Douai Diary, Scots Colleges, 46. 6 Ibid. ° Lyson. 7 Edin. Sas., liv. 380. 8 Privy Council Decreta. 9 Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. 192. 10 It is stated that George, Viscount (sic) Mordington, of the King- dom of Scotland, was lying ' in one of the worst parts of Newgate for a debt of £50,' his petition for relief being endorsed 22 April 1708 (ex inform. Hon. Vicary Gibbs). DOUGLAS, LORD MORDINGTOUN 335 author of a work against Popery entitled The Great Blessing of a Monarchical Government, etc., which was published in 1724, and dedicated to King George I. He voted at several elections of Representative Peers. He (or perhaps his wife) is said to have kept a gaming-table in London.1 He died in Oovent Garden 10 June 1741. He married, 1 April 1715, Catherine, daughter of the Rev. Robert Launder, rector of Shenley, Herts. She died in June 1741, 2 leaving issue : — 1. CHARLES. 2. MARY. 3. Campbellina. V. CHARLES, de jure fifth Lord Mordingtoun, but he never assumed the title. He was concerned in the re- bellion of 1745, was taken prisoner, and arraigned at Carlisle 11 September 1746, as Charles Douglas, Esq. He then pleaded his Peerage as heir-male of the body of the second Lord Mordingtoun, and the plea, though opposed by the Crown, seems to have been allowed, without any proof having been required as to the limitation of the dignity being, as he alleged, to the male heir. He appears to have died s.p. certainly before 1791. MARY, suo jure Baroness Mordingtoun, sister of the above, assumed the title at her brother's death, on the supposition that the limitation of the patent included heirs- female. She died 22 July 1791, having married, after 1741, William Weaver, an officer in the Horse Guards, who fought at Dettingen and Fontenoy. He died 28 April 1796, aged over eighty, at Hallow Park, co. Worcester. Since the death of the Baroness the title has not been claimed, and if the issue of the second Lord then became extinct, the Peerage is now vested in the heir of line of the only daughter of the first Lord, Anne, who was married to Robert, Lord Sempill. CREATION. — Lord Mordingtoun 13 March 1640. ARMS (as given by Douglas and contemporary Peerages). 1 Complete Peerage, v. 370, and cf . ii. 175. 2 London Mag. 336 DOUGLAS, LORD MORDINGTOUN — Quarterly: 1st and 4th, argent, a man's heart gules ensigned with an imperial crown proper, in a chief azure three mullets of the first, for Douglas ; 2nd and 3rd, gules, three crescents argent, for Oliphant. OREST. — On a cap of dignity a salamander in flames reguardant vert. SUPPORTERS. — Dexter, a savage armed with a baton and wreathed about the head and middle with laurel ; sinister, a stag collared and chained, all proper. MOTTO. — Forward . [j. B. P.] DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON Douglas.1 ORTON, a small holding in East Oalder, not the parish of Morton in Niths- dale, has given the title to this family, an offshoot at a very early date from the great House of Douglas. Archibald of Douglas, the second on record of the Lords of Douglas, who flourished between 1198 and 1239, had, it is believed, two sons, the first being William Douglas, ' Long- leg,' who was the an- cestor of the Earls of The second son, it is alleged, was ANDREW OF DOUGLAS, who is claimed as the ancestor of the Earls of Morton. It is nowhere stated that he was the son of Archibald of Douglas, but the latter received, some time before 1226, the lands of Hermiston in Midlothian and Livingston in West Lothian from Malcolm, Earl of Fife,* and as these lands are found later in the possession of Andrew, there is a strong presumption that he was the son of Archibald. He is also in a charter of 1245 by Ralph Noble, granting to David of Graham the lands of Kilpont and Illiestoun, co. Linlithgow, apparently styled brother of William Douglas, but the writ is so defaced that the fact cannot be positively asserted.3 Both brothers had then attained the rank of knighthood. They again appear to- 1 Vol. iii. of this work, 136. z Registi-um Honoris de Morton, i. pp. xxxiii, xxxiv. 3 Red Book of Menteith, ii. 209-211 and facsimiles. VOL. VI Y 338 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON gether as witnesses in a charter of 1248, granted to the monks of Dunfermline.1 Sir Andrew was present, in 1259, at the marriage-contract of his nephew Hugh Douglas with Marjorie Abernethy.2 He does not appear again on record till 1277, when he was probably dead, as his son was in possession of Hermiston. He had issue a son, WILLIAM, who succeeded. Freskin Douglas, who did homage in 1296 for lands in Linlithgowshire,8 has been assumed to be a son of Sir Andrew, but, while it is'possible, no corroborative evidence has been found. WILLIAM DOUGLAS succeeded to his father Andrew before 1277, when Hermiston was confirmed to him by King Alex- ander in.4 He was among those who attached their seals to the homage roll at Berwick on 28 August 1296 as William * fiz Andrew de Douglas ' of the county of Linlithgow, and his seal shows a mullet and legend ' s. WILL. DE DVGLAS.' 5 It is not known when he died, but he apparently left two sons : — 1. JAMES, who succeeded. 2. Andrew, who in 1351 is referred to by Sir William Douglas of Liddesdale as his uncle. He had charters of the lands of Oreswell in Lanarkshire, and David- stoun, and is named in various writs between 1330 and 1351 .• SIR JAMES DOUGLAS, styled * de Laudonia ' or of Lothian, who succeeded, does not appear on record till 2 April 1315, when he received from King Robert Bruce a grant of the lands of Kincavil and Oaldor-clere (or East Calder) in Linlithgowshire,7 at a rental of £12, 5s. 10d., later, in 1317, burdened with an annual rent of ten merks, payable to Reginald Orauford, a servant of the King, for the service of an archer in the royal army.8 Little further is recorded 1 Beg. de Dunfermelyn, 97. 2 The Douglas Book, iii. 2. 3 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 205 ; Wood's Douglas, ii. 264. * Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 8. 6 Cal. Doc. Scot., ii. 208, 556. « Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 56 ; 10, 30, 31, 55, 68, 90 ; Reg. Mag. Sig., i. 74, 196, 252. 7 Reg. Honor, de Morton, 12 ; Reg. Mag. Sig., i. No. 59. 8 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 11. This charter bears to be dated in the second year of King Robert, or 1307, but it is more probable, judging from the witnesses, and also the writ above cited, that its date is 1317 or the twelfth year. DOUGLAS, EARL OP MORTON 339 of him, and his career must have been brief, as he was dead before 20 April 1323, when his son and heir William had a release from the balance of his rent after paying the annualrent.1 He married a lady named Joan, who was still alive in 1337, when she was drawing her terce from the lands of Blackness.2 They had issue, so far as recorded, three sons : — 1. Sir William Douglas, the eldest son, known to history as the ' Knight of Liddesdale,' may have been born about 1300, and appears on record first on 20 April 1323 after his father's death. He then had possession of his father's lands and at first is usually styled son and heir of the late Sir James of * Laudonia ' or as William Douglas of Kincavil. He had also Blackness. Shortly after his succession he had a dispute with the nuns of Manuel about second teinds, which was amicably settled on 1 June 1325.3 In 1330-31 he was one of the Wardens of the Marches, and the English borderers complained of his slackness in redressing their grievances.4 He was apparently not present at the battle of Dupplin, and he escaped the defeat at Halidon Hill, as he was, on 23 March 1332-33, taken prisoner by the English near Lochmaben, and remained a captive for about two years.6 He was present at the Parliament held at Dairsie, Pifeshire, in 1335, and is praised by Pordun for his discreet behaviour there. Prom this time he was one of the most active and able upholders of the Scottish patriotic party, and specially aided the High Steward in his operations in 1339 at the siege of Perth, where he was wounded. It is possible that the grant of the lands of Bonnington, Barns, and others made to Douglas by the High Steward6 was a reward for his services at this time. He had also grants in 1339 from Duncan, Earl of Fife, of Logy- achry and others, in Perthshire, and from Patrick, Earl of Dunbar, of lands in Annandale.7 He then 1 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 22. 2 Cal. Doc. Scot., iii. No. 389. 3 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 25. * Cal. Doc. Scot., iii. No. 1033. 6 Ibid., No. 1074; Chron. de Lanercost, 272, 273. 6 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 34. This writ is not dated, but was probably granted about this time. 7 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 31, 38, 39. 340 DOUGLAS, EARL OP MORTON devoted himself to win back Teviotdale from the English, which he succeeded in doing by the year 1342, in addition to his alleged taking of Edinburgh Oastle, and his jousting with Henry of Lancaster, Earl of Derby, in December 1341.1 His successes won for him the name of the * Flower of Chivalry ' ; but he had also other rewards. On 18 July 1341, King David, then recently returned from France, bestowed on him the earldom of Atholl, for- feited by the Earl.2 The lands of Kilbucho and New- lands in Peeblesshire, resigned by John Graham, Lord of Dalkeith, were granted on 11 August 1341, and Sir William was made a knight between that date and 22 September of same year, when he received a grant of lands in Eskdale and Ewesdale, which were bestowed in full Parliament.3 These grants were followed by that of the whole barony of Dalkeith resigned by John Graham, Lord of Abercorn, on 6 January 1341-42, to which, on 19 January, were added the lands of the late Sir John Moubray.* In the following month Sir William received the territory of Liddesdale, from which he derived his name of the Knight of Liddesdale. The territory had belonged to Sir Archibald Douglas, some time Regent of Scot- land, killed at Halidon. On 14 February 1341-42, in presence of the King and General Council, the Steward asked that sasine might be given to him of Liddesdale which King David had granted to him when he was made a knight. Sir William Douglas opposed the desired sasine on the ground that the lands belonged to the late Archibald Douglas, and were in his charge as guardian of the heir. This claim was set aside on certain legal grounds, and Liddesdale was given to the Steward, only two days later, on 16 February 1341-42, to be transferred to Sir William Douglas and his heirs, in exchange for the earldom of Atholl, resigned by Douglas, who immediately afterwards is called Lord of Liddesdale.5 It would almost appear 1 Scot. Hist. Review, iv. 198 ; cf. Gal. Doc. Scot., iii. No. 1373. 2 The Chron. de Lanercost gives this grant in 1335. 3 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 43, 44. * Ibid., 44, 45. 5 Ibid., 46-48 ; Robertson's Index, 48, No. 29. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 341 that the proceedings in Parliament were a mere form under which Douglas obtained his kinsman's land to himself.1 About this time also, or later, Sir William received from his kinsman Hugh, Lord of Douglas, part of the lands of Westerkirk, the lands of Stablegorton, and the lands of Polmoody.2 The knight was now lord over a very large extent of territory, much of which he had won by his bravery, although, as indicated, some doubt rests on his ac- quisition of Liddesdale. But this seems to be the culminating point in his career, and after this date his fair fame became sadly besmirched. His jealousy and ill-treatment of Sir Alexander Ramsay are well known, but it is not so generally recognised that even at this period he was carrying on treasonable intrigue with England. He marched with King David into England, was taken captive at the battle of Durham, and was a prisoner in England until 1351, when he was set free to negotiate with certain Scottish nobles as to King David's release, but the terms offered were unacceptable, and he returned to prison.3 On 17 July 1352, however, he entered into a special com- pact with King Edward, the full details of which need not be given here, but by which he gave the English free passage through his lands at all times for the invasion of Scotland. His daughter and nearest male heir were to be given as hostages, and he was to receive possession of his estates in Liddes- dale and Annandale.4 He was immediately after- wards liberated, and the Hermitage delivered to him, but he did not live to reap his expected reward, as in August 1353, at a place then called Galsewood, now known as Williamhope in Ettrick Forest, he was slain by his kinsman and godson William, Lord of Douglas, afterwards Earl. The knight's treasonable doings were not then known, but there were many 1 Douglas Book, i. 225. 2 Ibid., 224 ; Beg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 89-93. The knight's seal, attached to a writ at Durham about this period, 8 January 1344-45, shows a shield couche, on a chief two stars ; crest on a helmet, a boar in front of a tree ; supporters, two savages. Cf. Scottish Armorial Seals, No. 724. 3 JRotuli Scotia:, i. 740, 746-748. 4 Fcedera, Record ed., iii. 246, 247. 342 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON other points which might cause a quarrel, and so he met his fate. On 3 November 1351, at Peebles, while in Scotland, on his special mission, he made what has been called his ' will,' but is really an entail of his lands made in the prospect of his having no male heir. In this con- tingency he conveyed his whole barony of Newlands and Kilbucho in Peeblesshire and his barony of Dal- keith, in Midlothian, to his nephew James, the son of his deceased brother Sir John Douglas, and to the heirs-male of his body, with remainder to William, John, Henry, and Thomas, brothers of James, and the heirs-male of their bodies successively.1 Sir William Douglas is said to have married a daughter of Sir John Graham of Dalkeith, but no corroborative evidence of the statement has been found, unless the acquisition of the lands of Dalkeith, Kilbucho, and others may be taken as proof. William's only known wife was the lady named Elizabeth, with whom, as the widow of Sir William, King Edward in. negoti- ated as to the delivery of the castle -of Hermitage to him, and her marriage with an Englishman.2 She married, in 1355, with King Edward's consent, Hugh Dacre, brother of Sir William Dacre.3 The Knight of Liddesdale left issue only one child, a daughter, Mary, who is not named in the entail quoted, but was sent to England in 1352 as a hostage for her father. On 24 June 1357, she received permission to marry Peter Tempest, a courtier of the English King,4 but apparently the marriage did not take place. About 1361 she was married to Reginald, son and heir of Sir William More of Abercorn, who divorced her before 1365. In that year a papal dispensation was granted for her marriage with Thomas Erskine, son and heir of Sir Robert Erskine. She died before 30 June 1367, in childbirth, leaving no surviving issue.5 2. SIR JOHN DOUGLAS, second son of Sir James Douglas, is said to have defended the island fortress of Lochleven against the English, but no evidence of this has been 1 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 53-55. 2 Fmdera, Record ed., iii. 263, 287. 3 Ibid., 304. He is said (Burke's Dormant, etc. Peerage, 152) to have married Ela Maxwell. * Cal. Doc. Scot., iii. No. 1637. ' See Douglas Book, 253, 254, and title Mar, vol. v. for further particulars. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 343 found. He was killed some time between 1346 and 25 January 1350, by Sir David Barclay, who himself was murdered on that date.1 He married a lady named Agnes, who has been identified as Agnes Munfode, widow of John Munfode,2 but this is not completely proved. He had issue : — (1) JAMES, who succeeded to Dalkeith. (See below.) (2) William, who was created a knight between 1351 and 1375. He appears frequently in entails and in charters and testa- ments by his brother James, and in 1371 Archibald Douglas, Lord of Galloway, gave licence to James, Lord of Dalkeith, to infef t his brother William in the lands of Borg in Galloway.3 He was still alive on 1 June 1406, when his brother names him in the foundation charter of the church of St. Nicholas of Dalkeith. The name of his wife is not known, but refer- ence is made to his sons in that writ, and to his daughters in another.4 Borg, however, reverted to the main line. (3) John, who is named in the entail of 1351, with his brothers. His name occurs among those taken prisoner at the battle of Durham, as the captive of Robert Ogle and Robert Ber- tram.6 His later career is not known, but he was dead before 26 May 1366, when his widow had a charter of the half of Strabrock and the fourth part of the earldom of Caithness, to her and her heirs-male and female by John Douglas.8 He married Mariota Chene, one of the two daughters and co-heiresses of Reginald de Chene, the third of that name. She survived him, and married, secondly, John Keith, son of Sir Edward Keith, Marischal of Scot- land, who became, through her, the ancestor of the Keiths of Strabrock, Inverugie,7 and Ludquhairn. (4) HENRY, who became the ancestor of the Douglases of Loch- leven and of the present Earl of Morton. A notice of him will be found later. (5) Thomas, named with his preceding four brothers in the entail of 1351, by Sir William Douglas of Liddesdale. The last date at which he appears is 1378, and he is not named in the testaments in 1390 and 1392, of his brother Sir James. He was certainly dead before 1 June 1406. In January 1369- 70 it was proposed that he should many Margaret, daughter of William Creswell, and be infef t in the lands of Roberton, county Lanark, but it is not certain that the mar- riage took place.8 (6) Nicholas, not named in the entail of 1351, perhaps because 1 Fordun a Goodall, ii. 348. 2 Beg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 125, 152, 524 ; cf. 46, 60. 3 Harleian MS., 6439. * Reg. Honor, de Morton, 425, 184. 5 Fcedera, Record ed., iii. 95. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., i. No. 228. There is no clear evidence that John Douglas had issue by his wife, but his successor in Strabrock was a Sir James Douglas, who was the father of Sir William Douglas, the first of Hawthornden ; and the ancestor of the family of Douglas of Hawthornden ; Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 141 ; The Melvilles, iii. 14, 15. "' Cf. Reg. Ho. Charters, No. 202. 8 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 84. 344 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON he was very young. It has been suggested that he was illegitimate, but he is named as brother in Sir James's wills and in all the entails. He was alive in 1392, but dead before 1 June 1406. He is said to have married Janet Galbraith of Gartconnell, and to be the ancestor of the family of Douglas of Mains. (7) Ellen. (8) Margaret. These daughters are named by their brother, Sir James, in founding a chaplainry in honour of his parents and uncle, on 1 August 1377, when they were both dead.1 (9) Elizabeth, named by Sir James in his wills of 1390 and 1392, and also in the writ already cited of 1 June 1406.2 She does not appear to have been married. 3. James,3 who was killed fighting bravely against the English in August 1335, when John Earl of Moray was taken prisoner.4 4. Elizabeth, said to have been married to Sir Thomas Somerville of Carnwath, is claimed as a daughter of Sir James Douglas. Sir James Douglas of Laudonia had also a natural son, Sir William, known as Sir William Douglas the elder, to distinguish him from the Knight of Liddesdale. He was placed by his brother in command of Edinburgh Oastle after it was recaptured by the Scots in 1341. He fought at the battle of Durham, was taken prisoner by William Deyn- court,5 and sent first to the Tower of London, then to Rockingham and Nottingham Castles. He was set free from chains on 16 May 1350 under parole, and he was liber- ated not long afterwards, being present when his brother made the entail of 3 November 1351, at Peebles. SIR JAMES DOUGLAS is first named in a charter dated 7 April 1351, at Dalkeith, by which his uncle, Sir William, granted to him the lands of Aberdour in Fife.8 He next occurs in the entail of 3 November 1351, already cited, made by Sir William Douglas of Liddesdale, and he is there designed nephew of the granter and son of the late Sir John Douglas, brother of Sir William. There he and four of his brothers are named in succession.7 It is not certain 1 Beg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 84 passim. 2 Ibid. 3 Douglas suggests that Henry Douglas, a prisoner in England in 1338 (Fcedera, Record ed., ii. 1037), was a fourth son, but no other reference to him is known to exist, and the point is doubtful. 4 Fordun a Goodall, ii. 319. 6 Fcedera, Record ed., iii. 95. 6 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 55. 7 Ibid., 53, 54. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 345 when he succeeded to Dalkeith and the other lands named in the entail. The grant of Aberdour was confirmed by King David n., on 20 October 1360, and was followed by others, of Garmilton Dunyng, in East Lothian, Grun- zeanton, Raehills, and others in Annandale, besides charters from Robert the High Stewart, of the lands of Keillor in Perthshire, and from Patrick, Earl of March and Moray, of Dundaff hill in Stirlingshire, all between 1360 and 1365.1 Between 1365 and 30 June 1367, he had a dispute with Thomas Erskine, younger of Erskine, about certain lands in Dumfriesshire, which had belonged to Mary Douglas, daughter of the Knight of Liddesdale. She had married Erskine in 1365, and died in childbirth, when he claimed a liferent right over her estates. This was disputed by James Douglas, who was her nearest heir, and the question was put to the arbitration of a duel in presence of King David ii. James Douglas was knighted by his kinsman, Sir Archibald, and Thomas Erskine by his father, and entering the lists they fought fiercely, and were with difficulty separated, even at the command of the King, but ultimately Erskine accepted a sum of money for his claim, and Sir James obtained his cousin's lands, being duly served heir to her on 30 June 1367.2 About the same date probably, certainly before 7 April 1370, when the deed was ratified by the King, William, Earl of Douglas, resigned any rights he had over the barony of Dalkeith. Previous to this, however, on 5 January 1368-69, Sir James received the royal permission to build, repair, or alter the castle of Dalkeith, and on 8 December 1369 he resigned the barony and castle in the hands of the King, receiving on the following day a charter in favour of him- self and the lawful heirs-male of his body, with remainder always to his nearest heirs-male having the surname of Douglas, but if these failed entirely, then the nearest heirs, male or female, were to possess the barony.3 After this he is styled in all writs Lord of Dalkeith, his former desig- nation having been Sir James Douglas, knight. From 1368 to 1371 Sir James appears on various committees of Parliament, and he did homage to King Robert II. on his 1 Reg. Honor, de Morton, 57-63. 2 Douglas Book, i. 254 ; Beg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 64 ; cf. No. 90. 3 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 69, 72, 75. 346 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON accession.1 In 1371 he was one of an important embassy to France. Between 1369 and 1372 Sir James received a large accession of territory. Between 1369 and 1370, when David n. was still alive, George, Earl of March, granted to him the castle and lands of Morton in Nithsdale.1 About the same time, though perhaps later, the Earl granted one hundred pounds of land in the Isle of Man to Sir James in view of the latter's intended marriage to the Earl's sister, or one hundred pounds of sterlings until they were inf ef t in the lands.3 On 21 November 1372 the Earl added the lands of Mordington, county Berwick, to his sister and Sir James in free marriage, and also the lands of Whittinghame in East Lothian, both confirmed by King Robert 11. on 6 December of same year.4 On 20 October 1374, by a special agreement made at Dunferm- line with the Earl of Dunbar, John Orauford of Tramprane resigned all rights he had to the barony of Morton in favour of Sir James, receiving an infeftment in the lands of Dal- garnach, county Dumfries.5 On 2 January 1374-75 he had a royal charter entailing his lands of Kincavil and Calder- Olere, county Linlithgow, Kilbucho, Newlands, and Linton- Rotherik, county Peebles, in favour of himself and of James his son by Agnes Dunbar, and the heirs-male of the body of the younger James, failing whom, to William, Henry, and Thomas, brothers of the elder James.8 Another charter of same date entailed the barony of Preston in Dumfriesshire on the same series of heirs.7 Sir James does not appear to have taken much part in public affairs, but he was much attached to the Church, and expressed his devotion in stone and mortar. In December 1372 he obtained the royal consent to found a chaplainry in the chapel of St. Nicholas of Dalkeith, and to endow it from 1 Acta Part. Scot., i. 506, 508, 534, 545. His seal, still attached to the deed of homage, shows a shield couche, on a chief two stars ; crest, on a helmet with wreath a boar passant between two trees ; supporters, two demi-savages. Legend, 'S. JACOBI DE DOUGLAS.' Cf. Scottish Armorial Seals, No. 725. 2 Reg. Honor, de Morton, 77-80. 3 Ibid., 76, 77. This grant was confirmed by King Robert u., about November 1372 (Ibid., 99, 100), and was probably made not long previously. 4 Ibid., 102-105. 6 Ibid., 106 ; cf. 113-117. In the previous January Alan Grahame, Lord of Morton, son and heir of the late Sir John Grahame, gave up his rights over Hutton-under-the-moor (Ibid., 118, 119, Reg. Honor, de Morton). 6 Ibid., 109-111. i Ibid., 111-113. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 347 the lands of Horsbruke or Horsburgh, county Peebles.1 In 1377 he further endowed another chaplainry in same place, for the souls of his father and mother and other relatives.* In December 1384 he endowed another chapel within the Castle of Dalkeith in memory of his wife, Agnes Dunbar, with special endowments and provisions for continuing the services amid the interruptions of war or necessary repairs to the castle.3 In June 1406 he crowned his previous benefactions by adding to the original fabric of the chapel of St. Nicholas and endowing six chaplainries for a provost and five other priests, by adding considerably to the previous emoluments, and erecting the whole into a col- legiate charge.4 In the later years of his life Sir James made at least two wills, which have been preserved. They are interesting as being the oldest known documents of that nature existing in Scotland, and also as showing what possessions were most valued by a Scottish Baron of the period. Jewels and relics of various kinds, some of them of great value, are given to his son and heir, with his armour, silver-plate, and all his books, including those of law and romances, except works on grammar and logic, which were bequeathed to a natural son, John Douglas of Aberdour. He makes a special pro- vision that all books borrowed by him should be returned to their owners. Other jewels are bequeathed to other friends. One remarkable provision is that for the welfare of his uncle's soul and his own, all the obligations found that were his uncle's should be burned and declared void. Whether this was because of anything treasonable in these writs may be a question. These wills contain much the same bequests and provisions, the first being dated on 30 September 1390, and the second on 19 December 1392.5 Sir James, however, survived his latest will by nearly thirty years, as he did not die till 1420, and then he suc- cumbed to a malady, called popularly 'the Quhew,' evidently the influenza, which was, we are told, very fatal that year.6 1 Reg. Honor, de Morton, 98. 2 Ibid., 124-126. 3 Ibid., 151-154. 4 Ibid., 324-328. 6 Ibid., ii. 170-176, 179-196 ; National MSS. of Scot., Hi. No. iv., where the will of 1392 is printed with facsimile and translation. 6 Fordun a Goodall, ii. 460. 348 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON Sir James Douglas married, first, Agnes Dunbar, daughter of Sir Patrick Dunbar by Isabella Randolph, and sister of George, Earl of March. (See title Dunbar.) The marriage appears to have taken place between 8 and 21 November 1372, or perhaps on the latter date.1 She came to her husband with a large dowry, not of broad lands only, though these, as already indicated, were extensive, but only a month before his death King David n. made a grant to her of six hundred merks of sterlings yearly from the customs of Aberdeen, and four hundred merks yearly from the customs of Haddington, a thousand merks in all, for her dress, personal furnishings, and other neces- saries, though it has been suggested that the annuity ceased at her marriage. Her relations with the King, and the payments made on her behalf in 1369 and 1370, have called forth the opinion that her influence as favourite was beginning to supersede that of Queen Margaret Logic, whom the King was then endeavouring to divorce.2 Agnes Dunbar or Douglas died some time before October 1378.3 Sir James married, secondly, about October 1378, Egidia Stewart or Lindsay, sister of King Robert u., and widow successively of Sir James Lindsay of Crawford and Sir Hugh Eglinton.4 She was living in 1392, when her husband made his last will, but died before June 1406, when she is referred to as deceased. By his first wife only Sir James had issue : — 1. SIR JAMES, who succeeded. 2. William, who is said to have received Mordingtoun from his father. He is named for the first time, on 22 April 1372, in his brother's marriage-contract. He is also named in his father's testaments as a legatee of 20 merks and a gold ring. On 15 July 1401 his father granted him various lands and a fishing on the Tay, in the barony of Kinnoul. He was still alive in 1406.5 3. Agnes, contracted on 15 August 1381, when quite young, to marry John Livingstone of Oallendar,8 as 1 Beg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 100, 102, 103. 2 Ibid,, 84; Exch. Rolls, ii. Pref. Ixiii, 328, 345, 357, 364. 3 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 139, 140. 4 Vol. iii. of this work, 11. fi Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 200, 201, 325. 6 Ibid., 145-147. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 349 his second wife. He was killed at Homildon in 1402, and she married, secondly, John Gordon of that Ilk, whom she also survived. She was alive in 1422, but may have died in that year.1 4. Jacoba, to whom her father bequeathed a gold circlet valued at 40 merks.2 She was contracted on 1, and married before 8, November 1388, to Sir John Hamilton of Oadzow,3 by whom she had issue. (See title Hamilton.) She survived him, and on 12 June 1410 had a dispensation to marry, as his second wife, Sir William Douglas of Drumlanrig. They are said to have been in the fourth degree of affinity, while Joanna Murray, Sir William's late wife, and Jacoba from divers stocks, and Sir John and Sir William from one stock, were in the fourth degree of consanguinity/ According to Douglas, a daughter of Sir James and his first wife is said to have married a Tweedie of Drummelzier, but as 1351 is the date assigned to the marriage in the family history of the Tweedies, it seems doubtful, and no evidence has been found. Sir James Douglas had also two natural sons, whom he names in his testaments, and a daughter : — Sir James Douglas, styled of Aberdour in his father's testaments of 1390 and 1392. On 10 July 1411 he received from his father the lands of Stanypath and Baldwinsgill, or Baddinsgill, and was then styled Sir James Douglas of Roberton.5 He was named one of his father's executors, and he appears in numerous charters. On 11 May 1413 he paid seven hundred merks for the liberation of William Douglas, grand- son of Sir James Douglas of Dalkeith,' and he was witness to a charter on 2 April 1415,7 after which he disappears from record. John Douglas, also called of Aberdour. His father named him in his testaments as the intended recipient of his books, but he predeceased his father, dying before 1406.8 1 Vol. iv. 518 ; v. 426. - Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 172, 181. 3 Ibid., i. Pref. xxxviii ; ii. 162. * Regesta Avenionensia, 333, f. 641. 5 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 206. 6 Rotuli Scotice, ii. 205. T Reg. Ho. Charters, No. 242. 8 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 172, 181, 325. 350 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON Margaret, married, before 25 October 1372, to Philip Arbuthnott of that Ilk,1 and had issue. She is usually said to be the daughter of Agnes Dunbar, but as the latter was married a month after her reputed daughter, and is constantly styled the first wife of Sir James, the conclusion seems irresistible that Margaret was a natural daughter. SIR JAMES DOUGLAS, succeeded his father as Lord of Dalkeith. He is first named in two entails dated 2 January 1374-75, providing the barony of Kincavill and others to him as son of Sir James Douglas and Agnes Dunbar, when he must have been a mere infant.2 On 22 April 1378 it was proposed that he should marry one of two daughters of John, Earl of Oarrick, afterwards King Robert HI., and on 24 March 1381-82 he received from her grandfather King Robert II. a grant of the lands of Mordington, Whitting- hame, and many others, erected into a free regality.8 He attained the dignity of knighthood between September 1390 and December 1392, when he is styled Sir James.4 He is named in various writs of no great importance up to February 1439-40, when he and his second wife had charters of the lands of Whittinghame and Morton.5 He died between that date and May 1441. It is said that this Laird of Dalkeith was made a Lord of Parliament as Lord Dalkeith, but there is no evidence of the fact, and in royal charters before and after his death he is described as James, Lord of Dalkeith, knight. The second Laird of Dalkeith married, first, Elizabeth, a younger daughter of John, Earl of Carrick, afterwards King Robert HI. The marriage was proposed in 1378, when he was to choose one of two sisters, Margaret or Elizabeth. About 24 March 1381-82 further arrange- ments were made, as appears from an imperfect charter, if the marriage did not take place then. It would appear they were married before 10 November 1387, and their eldest son was born before September 1390.6 It is not certain when she died, but Sir James married, secondly, 1 Reg. Honor, de Morton, 97, 98; cf. vol. i. 276. 2 Beg. Honor, de Morton, 110-113. 3 Ibid., 136, 148; cf. 154, 160. * Ibid., 186. 5 Reg. Mag. Sig., 13 October 1439; 28 February 1439-40. « Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 136, 148, 189, 170. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 351 before 1439, Janet, eldest daughter of Sir William Borth- wick. The marriage could not have taken place till after 2 November 1411, when a papal dispensation was issued for Janet Borthwick's marriage with Adam Hepburn of Hailes.1 She survived Sir James, and married, secondly, Sir George Crichton, afterwards Earl of Caithness,2 whom she also survived. By his first wife Sir James had issue : — 1. William, born, as indicated, before September 1390, when he is named in his grandfather's will. He was in 1405 one of the hostages who went to England for Archibald, fourth Earl of Douglas, and he seems to have remained a prisoner in England until May 1413, when his grandfather paid 700 merks for his libera- tion. He appears also to have been one of the hostages for King James I., and was still in England in 1425,3 when he probably died, as he then disappears from record, and his next brother succeeded to their father. On 9 December 1420 a dispensation was issued for his marriage with Margaret Borthwick, widow, not of Sir William Abernethy, as stated by some, but of his son William, who had been slain at Harlaw in 141 1.4 By her he had no issue. 2. JAMES, who succeeded. 3. Henry, who had a grant from his father of the lands of Borg in Galloway.5 He and his brother, after their father's death, had a serious feud about the castle and lordship of Dalkeith, which called forth the special intervention of the King in September 1442. He is sometime styled 'of Dalkeith,' and apparently claimed rights over that estate during his brother's incapacity.9 He died before 1456, when his widow drew her terce from his lands.7 He married Margaret, daughter of James Douglas, afterwards seventh Earl of Douglas, who survived him and died before 3 September 1473. They had issue three sons, Hugh, Mr. James, and JoTm. On 27 May 1474 Hugh 1 Eegesta Avenionensia, vol. 339, f. 549. 2 Vol. ii. 328-330. 3 Cal. Doc. Scot., iv. No. 707; Rotuli Scotice, ii. 205, 242, 252. * Reg. Papal Letters, vii. 170 ; Frasers of Philorth, ii. 39. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 3 September 1473. 6 Ibid., 2 January 1451-52. 7 Exch. Rolls, vi. 196, etc. 352 Douglas granted to his kinsman James, first Earl of Morton, a formal renunciation of all right he or his heirs might have to the lordship of Dalkeith, under a penalty of £30,000, if he or his heirs repudiated the engagement, excepting such rights as might fall to him by inheritance. His brothers, Mr. James and JoJm, were witnesses to the writ.1 Douglas, both editions, omits Henry in this genera- tion, and places him in the next. He also inserts an Archibald as son of this Sir James, who is said to be the ancestor of the Netherdale, Tilliquhilly, and Inchmarlo families,2 but no evidence of this Archibald has been found on record. By his second wife Sir James had issue a son : — 4. William, to whom the lands of Whittinghame and Morton were secured, although in 1474 he resigned his rights over Morton in favour of his nephew the first Earl of Morton.3 He was the ancestor of the Douglases of Whittinghame, whose principal male line ended in an heiress Elizabeth, who married Alexander, Viscount of Kingston, in 1661. She was served heir to her brother Archibald Douglas on 15 May 1662. The only one of her children who left issue married William Hay of Drummelzier, and their descendants are the lineal representatives of the Douglases of Whittinghame. (See title Kingston.) The male line of Whittinghame is represented by the Counts Douglas in Sweden, created Counts Sken- ninge and Barons of Skalby.4 JAMES DOUGLAS, the second, but eldest surviving, son, succeeded his father some time between February 1439-40 and May 1441. He appears, however, to have been con- sidered mentally deficient, or perhaps a spendthrift, as on 22 May 1441 the Government of King James n., then a minor, declared him to be incapable of managing his own affairs, and appointed James Giffard of Sheriffhall (his brother-in-law) to be his curator, to act as governor and 1 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 222-224. 2 Wood's Douglas, ii. 268. See notes pp. 343 supra and 353-354 infra. 3 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 219-221, 307, 330. * Wood's Douglas, ii. 268 ; The Scots in Sweden, by Th. A. Fischer, 120. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 353 administrator of all his lordships, castles, manors, and of all his goods, and the receiver of his rents, for the space of nineteen years, constituting Giffard also constable of the castles of Dalkeith, Aberdour, and others, with full powers of jurisdiction over the lands. Failing James Giffard from any cause, it was provided that his brothers John and William successively should take office as curator till the nineteen years should expire.1 It was no doubt the great estates in question which led to this appointment, but another view is presented by a writ issued in the King's name in September of the following year, stating that, by advice of his council, he had taken the castle and lordship of Dalkeith into his own hands because of the great and perilous strife between James of Douglas and Henry his brother, and the bloodshed, ' spuilzie, reif,' and disorders following thereon, and to prevent further evils.2 This document suggests that the Laird of Dalkeith was not really insane, but facile, and that his brother had designs on the estates, which he strenuously resisted. He seems to have been made a knight before June 1441, and he is styled Sir James Douglas by his son in 1479.3 The castle of Dalkeith appears to have been kept in repair and ammu- nition by the Crown until 1445, when the payments cease ; but if it be true, as was alleged, that the Douglas party burned the castle in 1452, it may then have been still in the hands of the Grown, though nothing is known as to the fact. James Douglas, third of Dalkeith, died between 8 September 1456, when he resigned his lands in favour of his son, and 14 March 1457-58, when his son was made Earl.4 James Douglas married Elizabeth, daughter of James Gif- ford of Sheriffhall, who was alive on 8 September 1456, and perhaps survived him, and had issue, so far as known, one son : 5 — JAMES, who succeeded, and became first Earl of Morton.6 1 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 207-209. 2 Orig. in Reg. Ho., No. 307. 3 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 210, 239. 4 Ibid., i. p. xlii ; Acta Part. Scot., ii.78. 6 This Laird of Dalkeith is usually said to have also had a daughter Beatrix, married to Sir William Hay, first Earl of Erroll, but Lady Hay was the daughter of James, seventh Earl of Douglas (vol. iii. 175, 565). 6 In a recent publication, The Book of the Irvings, 1907, by Col. J. B. Irving of Bonshaw, 185, 186, it is stated that there was another son, John, who is alleged to have married the heiress of Hawthornden Abernethy, and so VOL. VI. Z 354 DOUGLAS, EARL OP MORTON I. JAMES DOUGLAS, the fourth Lord of Dalkeith of that name, succeeded his father at some unascertained date between 8 September 1456, when his father resigned all his estates in his favour, and 14 March 1457-58, when he was raised to the Peerage as EARL OF MORTON.1 When the King's intention was indicated his step-grandmother, Janet Borthwick, objected to the new title on the ground that the barony of Morton belonged to her and her son William, but the Chancellor stated that the title was to be assumed not from Morton in Nithsdale, but from Morton in the barony of Calderclere.2 On 15 May 1459 he had a charter to himself and his wife of the lands of Balbartanes, and on 31 May 1465 of the lands of Woodfleld.3 On 30 May 1459 he resigned the lands of Whittinghame into the hands of Alexander, Duke of Albany, in favour of his uncle Sir William Douglas.4 On 30 June 1466 he entered into a con- tract with Patrick Graham, Bishop of St. Andrews, and his father and brother, for the marriage of the bishop's niece to the Earl's son John. The Grahams bound them- selves to aid the Earl to recover Whittinghame and Morton, which had been diverted from the main line.5 It has been suggested, in view of the coup made a few days later, on 10 July 1466, when Bishop Graham, who was allied with Lord Boyd and his party, secured the person of the young King James in., that this bond was made to draw Morton into the conspiracy,6 but if he did accede to it, he soon repented, as he was one of the jury who in 1469 found the Boyds to be guilty of treason.7 became the founder of the family of Douglas of Tillyquhilly about 1450. But there is no evidence on record of this John, whose mother is said to be Agnes Keith, daughter of the Earl Marischal. No alliance is known between the Morton Douglases and the Keiths before 1505 (ante, p. 43). Hawthornden had been in Douglas hands since 1386, when Sir William Douglas, son and heir of Sir James Douglas of Strabrock (see note p. 343 supra) had a lease of the lands from John Melville of that Ilk (The Mel- villes, etc., iii. 14, 15). The parentage of Sir James Douglas is not proved, but his predecessor in Strabrock was a brother of Sir James Douglas, first of Dalkeith, named John Douglas, who obtained the lands through mar- riage with an heiress, Mariota Chene, and Sir James may have been their son (Origines Parochiales, ii. 812 ; Robertson's Index, 34 ; Beg. Mag. Sig., i. No. 228, where heirs male and female are referred to). 1 Reg. Honor, de Morton, L, xlii ; Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 78. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 78. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig. * Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 333, 334. 5 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 213, 214. 6 The House of Douglas, by Sir Herbert Maxwell, i. 241. 7 Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 18fi. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 355 In 1471 the Earl had a letter from the then recently elected Pope Sixtus rv., inviting him to take part in a pro- posed expedition against the Turks, but he did not accept the call.1 On 12 January 1473-74 his uncle, Sir William Douglas of Whittinghame, resigned in the Earl's favour all his rights over the barony of Mortoun, Dumfriesshire, and on 27 May same year his kinsman, Hugh Douglas of Borg, son of his uncle Henry, resigned all his rights, except those of a possible heir-male, to the lordship of Dalkeith,2 and he thus obtained full power over all his great estates, a fact which he commemorated by benefactions to the Church. On 9 July 1474, at the instance or pious importunity of Sir John Scot, vicar of Aberdour, the Earl granted an acre of land on the north side of the road from Aberdour to King- horn on which to build a hospice of St. Martha, for the comfort of poor pilgrims to the monastery of Inchcolm, a grant which was largely augmented in 1479, and finally enlarged in 1486, in favour of four sisters of the third order of St. Francis.3 He also, in 1475, re-erected and largely endowed the collegiate church of Dalkeith, founded by his great-grandfather.4 In 1478 he made some encroachment on the King's moor, near Peebles, and had to pay a fine of £100, of which he paid £50 in money, and gave a gold chain and crucifix in pledge for the remainder.5 On 10 May 1482 there was a full reckoning between the Earl and James Giffard of Sheriffhall, when the intromissions of the latter and his father with the Dalkeith estates were honourably discharged, and James Giffard, in view of a sum of money given to him in his need, bound himself in manrent and service to the Earl.8 The Earl is named in a safe-conduct to England on 14 June 1491. 7 In his later years he had a dispute with a certain David Giffard, who accused him of detaining and destroying charters relating to David's lands. On 22 June 1493 the action was decided in favour of the Earl, who admitted that he had burned the writs, but with consent of William Giffard, the plaintiff's father.8 This appears to be the Earl's last appearance on record, and he was dead before 22 October 1493, when his son John is designed Earl of Morton.9 1 Letter, 25 August 1471, Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 217-219. 2 Ibid., 219-224. 3 Ibid., 235-243. * Ibid., 226-235. 6 Ibid., 243. 6 Ibid., 244-247. 1 Rymer's Fcedera, xii. 449. 8 Acta Auditorum, 182. 9 Ada Dom, Cone., 308. 356 DOUGLAS, EARL OP MORTON The first Earl of Morton married Joanna, third daughter of King James I. She had the misfortune to be deaf and dumb, and had been contracted on 18 October 1440 to marry James, third Earl of Angus, but he died before the marriage took place.1 She was sent to Prance in 1445, but returned in the spring of 1458,2 and the marriage took place before 15 May 1459, when a royal charter was granted to the Earl and his spouse Joanna, sister of King James ii.3 She was apparently still alive on 16 October I486.4 A monument bearing two recumbent figures, much dilapi- dated, in the chancel of Dalkeith Church, has been identi- fied as that of the first Earl of Morton and his wife.5 Of this marriage there was issue : — 1. JOHN, second Earl of Morton. 2. James, referred to as second son of the Earl, and brother of Earl John, in various writs, from 1466 up to 1480,8 but nothing further has been ascertained regarding him. 3. Janet, married before 1 February 1480-81, to Sir Patrick Hepburn of Dunsyre, afterwards first Earl of Bothwell. (See that title.) 4. Elizabeth, referred to by her father in a charter of 1479, but nothing more is certainly known regarding her. II. JOHN, second Earl of Morton, first appears on record on 30 June 1466, when he is designed son and apparent heir of James, Earl of Morton.7 He next appears in a writ ol 24 May 1474, as Sir John Douglas, knight,8 having received that dignity in the interval, perhaps at the marriage of King James in. at Holyrood, on 13 July 1469. Later in the same year, 9 July 1474, he is described as Master of Morton.9 Between that and September 1479 he was provided to the estate of Roberton, co. Lanark, as he is described as Sir 1 Vol. i. 176. 2 Exch. Rolls, vi. pp. Iv-lvii. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig. A dispen- sation was issued to them on 7 January 1463-64, on the ground that they were related in the second and third degrees of consanguinity. They were not ignorant of this, but were persuaded to marry by the late King James n. To prevent scandal, they now petitioned for a dispensation, which was granted. * Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 241. 6 The House of Douglas, by Sir Herbert Maxwell, i. 239, 240. 6 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 213-239 passim ; Reg. Mag. Sig., 27 November 1480. 7 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 213. 8 Ibid., 221. 9 Ibid., 237. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 357 John Douglas, knight, Lord of Roberton.1 On 22 June 1493 he appeared in Court to protest for his own protection in the action between his father and David Giffard,2 and on 22 October same year he is styled John, Earl of Morton, when he was called to answer a point affecting a grant of lands to Sir John Murray of Touchadam.3 Very little is recorded of this Earl, as he apparently took no great interest in public affairs. He frequently appears, however, as a litigant in matters relating to himself or his estates. In one case he obtained a renunciation of certain lands in his favour under curious circumstances. John, Lord Lindsay of the Byres, in making up his titles was retoured heir to his brother before the Sheriff of Linlith- gow, and in the list of lands the clerk of Court * reklesly ' and improperly inserted the lands of * Hawthornsyke,' which never had belonged to the Lindsays. On 17 June 1496, in presence of the Court, Lord Lindsay stated these facts and duly renounced the lands in favour of Morton, to whom they rightly belonged.4 On 20 January 1496-97 Morton protested that the marriage (without his consent) of the heiress of Medhope should not prejudice any claim he had against her as a ward.5 In another case the Earl brought a claim, on what ground is not stated, against James Lockhart of Lee, as heir of Sir Mungo, for a gold cross (or crucifix) set with garnets, four orient pearls, two sapphires and a ruby, and valued at £18, 13s. 4d. of the then current money. The claim was decided in favour of the Earl.6 A more serious affair, however, engrossed his attention in the year 1506, when his estates of Roberton (co. Lanark), Oalderclere and Mordington were claimed by the Crown on the plea that they had been alienated with- out the consent of the King as superior. The Earl disputed the claim, and produced a charter by King Robert n., erect- ing and uniting these and other lands into the barony of Dalkeith. The Lords of Council decided in Morton's favour, and he appeared before King James iv. in person, displayed the decree and besought that the lands should be 1 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 241. 2 Acta Auditorum, 182. 3 Acta Dom. Cone., 308. 4 Ibid., MS. vii. f. 13. 5 Ibid., f. 61. This not improbably gives an approximate date of the marriage of Elizabeth Martin of Medhope with Cuthbert Home (vol. iv. 451). 6 Acta Dom. Cone., viii. f. 68, 11 July 1497. 358 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON released. This was done by a special grant on 14 June 1506, under the Privy Seal, and the whole proceedings were re- corded by a notary, on 10 January 1506-7, in presence of the King and Council.1 Another dispute with the Crown took place a few years later, in February 1509-10, as to the dues payable from the Earl's lands of Kinghorn to the Bishop of Dunkeld. A charter by King David II., of 5 June 1359, was produced showing that the lands were to pay 208 bolls of wheat, the same quantity of bear, and 500 bolls of oats to the See of Dunkeld.2 The Earl was alive on 19 July 1511, when his son the Master acted as his procurator,3 but he was dead before September 1515, when his son is styled Earl.4 This Earl was, as already indicated, (p. 354) while very young, contracted to marry Elizabeth, daughter of David Graham of Fintry, brother of Bishop Graham of St. An- drews.5 But the contract was never fulfilled, and the Earl, while still Master of Morton, married Janet,' daughter of Patrick Crichton of Cranstoun-Riddell, and had issue :— 1. JAMES, third Earl of Morton. 2. Richard, referred to in an entail of the Morton estates of 22 April 1543, and again in a similar writ of 17 October 1564, where he is described as brother- german of James, Earl of Morton. He had issue two sons William and James also called in the entail.7 3. Beatrice, called also Elizabeth, married to Robert, Lord Keith, son of William, third Earl Marischal. (See that title.) 4. Agnes, married, as his second wife, to Alexander, fifth Lord Livingston. (See title Linlithgow.) III. JAMES, third Earl of Morton, is first named on record on 10 July 1505, when, as Master of Morton, he is appointed a procurator on behalf of King James iv.8 In 1508 and 1509 he was acting as bailie of the abbacy of Dunferm- line.9 He was still Master of Morton on 19 July 1511, but 1 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 256-258 ; Reg. Sec. Sig., i. No. 1282. 2 Acta Dom. Cone., xxi. £. 152. 3 Ibid., xxiii. f. 55. 4 Exch. Rolls, xiv. 106. 5 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 213, 214. 6 Cf. Reg. Mag. Sig., 22 February 1506-7. 1 Acta Parl. Scot., ii. 562-565. 8 Reg. Sec. Sig., i. No. 1110. 9 Exch. Rolls, xiii. 242. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 359 he is styled Earl of Morton in an account rendered to Exchequer between July 1514 and September 1515, contain- ing a reference to his wife's dowry.1 On 15 November 1516 he and his wife Catherine Stewart had a tack from the Grown of the lands of Buittle, co. Kirkcudbright, for nineteen years, at a yearly rent of £62, 6s. 8d., and this grant was changed to a charter of feu-farm on 17 April 1527.2 On 25 November 1531 he and the vicar of Dalkeith (Sir John Orichton, perhaps a kinsman on the mother's side) entered into an interesting agreement which shows that at an early date the Lords of Dalkeith had endeavoured to realise the great source of wealth lying underneath their lands in the shape of coal. It is narrated that the first and second Earls had incurred much expense in win- ning the coals of ' Oolden ' or Cowden, and Dalkeith, but the third Earl more than all had put forth 'sumptuous labouris, exorbitant expensis and greit diligence ' to find and obtain the precious deposit. The vicar therefore, with an eye to the main chance in the probable increase of revenue to accrue to the Church, and to encourage the Earl's per- severance, leased to him the teind coals of ' Golden ' or Cowden, and Dalkeith, along with the teind sheaves of the lands of Braidwood, for the term of the Earl's own life and that of his next successors, for which the Earl binds him- self to pay a yearly rent of forty shillings.3 This Earl also, like his father, took little part in public affairs, though apparently not from want of inclination, but on account of weak health, and a sore in one of his legs, in consideration of which he was released from all military service.4 This weakness, and the fact that he had no male issue, led to his latter years being embittered by the perse- cution of King James v., who had a greedy eye to the Earl's possessions (probably because he was a Douglas), and had no scruple in using harsh measures to make the Earl sur- render his estates. The Earl, weak and sickly as he was, was charged to pass immediately to Inverness and the north of Scotland, and there to remain in ward during the winter season, deprived of all his home comforts. Morton dreaded this fate exceedingly, but nevertheless travelled 1 Exch. Rolls, xiv. 106. 2 Beg. Sec. Sig., i. Nos. 2835, 3733. 3 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 259, 260. 4 Ibid., i. 3. 360 DOUGLAS, EARL OP MORTON northward as far as Brechin, where he halted for two days. There the King followed him and sent each day soliciting a resignation of his lands to be made, nominally in favour of his kinsman Robert Douglas of Lochleven, but really that the King might obtain possession of the lands. The Earl, weak in health and shaken by the King's persecution, at last gave way, and at Brechin, on 17 October 1540, resigned his lands as requested, which was immediately followed by a royal precept and charter of same date, and a sasine of 11 January 1540-41, securing the lands to Robert Douglas, reserving the Earl's liferent and his widow's terce.1 Nine days later, at Falkland, on 20 January 1540-41, Morton solemnly stated that he had made the resignation only under the fear of death and the dread of losing his heritage. On the same day, also at Falkland, Robert Douglas, under similar compulsion, as he explained, resigned the estates in the King's hands, under reservation of the lands of Aber- dour. King James did not long enjoy his triumph, and a few months after his death, the Earl brought an action before the Court of Session for reducing the extorted re- signation of 1540 and all that had followed. After hearing the case and witnesses, the writs executed by Morton and by Robert Douglas were, on 24 April 1543, declared to be null from the beginning on account of the pressure brought to bear on the Earl.2 Previous to this decision, however, the Earl had already assumed his freedom, and on 18 March 1542-43 had entered into an agreement with Sir George Douglas of Pittendreich that the latter should at once procure the annulment of Lochleven's infeftment, and on decree being obtained, Sir George should pay £2000 to the Earl, who should cause his daughter Elizabeth to marry James (the second) son of Sir George. If, however, the Earl and his wife had male issue James Douglas and Elizabeth were to receive 5000 merks in name of tocher.3 They were married between that date and 22 April 1543, when the Earl formally entailed all his baronies and estates upon James Douglas and Elizabeth his wife, and the longer liver of them, in conjunct fee and their lawful heirs-male ; whom failing, to David Douglas, 1 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 261-268. 2 Ibid., 281-293, where the whole story is set forth in a graphic form. 3 Ibid., 274, 275. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 361 brother of Sir George, and his heirs-male ; whom failing, to a long series of heirs-male ; whom all failing, to the heirs-male and heirs whomsoever of James Douglas, ap- parently excluding the Lochleven family altogether.1 Robert Douglas of Lochleven, however, raised a claim to the earldom, which was put to arbitration, and finally, on 30 June 1547, for a sum of 5000 merks to be paid to him, he renounced his rights in favour of James Douglas, now styled Master of Morton, with the proviso that if the lands should fall to Robert and his heirs by virtue of the above entail made to the Master of Morton, in that case and no otherwise Robert and his heirs should enjoy the lands not- withstanding this contract.2 A penalty of 1000 merks was to be incurred for failure in any payment, and on 24 January 1548-49, Margaret Brskine, widow of Robert Douglas, made a claim on Sir George Douglas for default,3 but it is not certain that the third Earl of Morton was then alive. He was certainly dead before 4 November 1550, when his successor granted a precept of clare constat to John Ooldane, son of the late John Ooldane in a husband- land in Dalkeith.4 The third Earl married, before 10 December 1507, Katherine Stewart,5 a natural daughter of King James iv. by Margaret Boyd, Bonshaw. He had with her a sum of at least £200.6 The date of her death is not certain. She was alive on 22 April 1543, but apparently she did not survive her husband. They had issue : — 1. Margaret, married, about 23 September 1532,7 to James Hamilton, second Earl of Arran, afterwards Governor of Scotland, and had issue. (See title Hamilton.) She and her husband, on 31 May and 3 October 1560, confirmed the entails of 22 April 1543 to James, fourth Earl of Morton.8 2. Beatrice, married, about 25 July 1530, to Robert, sixth Lord Maxwell. Their second son John became eighth Lord Maxwell, upon whom King James vi., in 1581, bestowed the earldom of Morton, and he held the 1 Reg. Honor, de Morton, 276-280. 2 Ibid., 296-298. 3 Ibid., 298, 299. 4 Precept, penes Sir W. Fraser's trustees ; cf. also Laing Charters, No. 580. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., at date. 8 Exch. Rolls, xiv. 106, 200. * Reg. Mag. Sig. 8 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 301, 302. 362 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON title for some years. (See infra, and title Nithsdale.) Beatrice Douglas was still alive on 31 October 1583.1 3. Elizabeth, married, as already indicated, to James Douglas, who became fourth Earl of Morton, second son of Sir George Douglas of Pittendreich, and of whom a notice follows. IV. JAMES, fourth Earl of Morton, succeeded as such some time before 4 November 1550, at which date he signed a precept of clare constat, as cited above. He was, as already stated, the second son of Sir George Douglas, styled Master of Angus, by Elizabeth Douglas, heiress of Pittendreich. He was born about 1516,2 and was therefore about twelve years of age in 1528, when his father, and his uncle the sixth Earl of Angus, were for- feited and banished from Scotland. He remained in Scot- land with or near his mother, and Godscroft tells how, all the time of his father's exile, from 1528 to 1543, young James lurked under a borrowed name, and took service with one and another friend, as a grieve or farm overseer. In this, the historian says, he acquired skill in husbandry and also habits of thrift and frugality, which stood him in good stead in dealing with the estate of Morton, and also that of his nephew and ward, the eighth Earl of Angus.3 Godscroft also states that he was some years in England, long enough to acquire the 'English tongue and tone, which he did ever thereafter much delight to use.' 4 This, however, was apparently at a later date, when he was taken prisoner in June 1548, and remained in the Tower, whence he was probably released after the treaty with England and France on 28 March and 18 April 1550.5 He had previously taken some little part in public affairs, and after his becoming a member of the Privy Council, on 14 October 1552, he came more prominently forward. In June 1557 he became tutor and guardian to his nephew Archibald, eighth Earl of Angus, administering his large estates. In that year also he openly joined the party of the Reformation, although he did not for a time 1 Book of Carlaverock, i. 220. 2 Beg. Honor, de Morton, i. 107. 3 Gods- croft, ed. 1748, 138. Sir W. Fraser doubts this story, but Sir Herbert Maxwell gives reasons for accepting it. 4 Ibid., 139. 6 Cal. Scottish Papers, i. No. 360. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 363 give them actual support, preferring to wait the course of events at his own castle of Dalkeith. After April 1560, however, he came forward as one of the Protestant leaders, and from that period his history is identified with all the most prominent events in Scotland. It need not be repeated here, as it has been given at some length by two recent writers from differing points of view.1 In the end of 1562 he was appointed Chancellor,2 and two years later, on 2 June 1564, he had a royal charter confirming his rights to the earldom and estates, a charter which was repeated on 17 October same year to him and a series of heirs, including William Douglas of Lochleven, who ultimately succeeded to the earldom.3 Besides thus safeguarding his own estate, he also in the following year arranged a contract by which the Douglas estates were secured to his nephew the young Earl of Angus.4 In 1572, after the death of the Regent Mar, Morton was chosen in his place, and ruled the country with a rough honesty until he was deposed on 8 March 1577-78. He regained power for a time, but on 29 December 1580 he was accused by Captain James Stewart of complicity in the murder of Darnley and thrown into prison. He was tried for treason on 1 June 1581, and beheaded by the Maiden on the following day. As already stated, the fourth Earl married, between 18 March and 22 April 1543, Elizabeth, youngest daughter of his predecessor. They are said to have had ten children, who died young, except three daughters, who survived their father. The Countess was on 12 July 1581 pronounced by a jury to have been insane for twenty-two years. The names of the surviving daughters are nowhere given.6 The Earl had four natural sons : — 1. James, some time Prior of Pluscardine, in Moray. He married (contract dated 18 February 1577-78) Anna, only daughter of George Home, fiar of Spott,8 and had issue. 2. Archibald, who had the lands of Pittendreich in 1 The Douglas Book, ii. 298-322 ; History of the Douglases, by Sir Herbert Maxwell. 2 P. C. Reg., i. 228. 3 Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 302-304, 305- 310; Actn Parl. Scot., ii. 562-565. 4 12 and 13 May 1565, The Douglas Book, ii. 325 ; iii. 255-262. 6 The Douglas Book, ii. 321, where authorities are given. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 24 February 1577-78. 364 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON Moray. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Alex- ander Sutherland of Duffus,1 and had issue. 3. George, who, according to Godscroft, was lame. He had a pension from the Priory of St. Andrews. 4. William, who is named in 1585 with his brothers, who were all rehabilitated by Act of Parliament in that year.2 He had been previously, in 1581, allowed to possess the lands of Mosshouses, in the barony of Melville, near Edinburgh, and he was dead before November 1605.3 SIR HENRY DOUGLAS of Lugtoun and Lochleven (see ante, p. 343) was the fourth son of Sir John Douglas of Dalkeith, by his wife Agnes Munfode. On 20 September 1369 he had from King David n. a charter of the third part of the lands of Lugtoun, co. Edinburgh.4 He had a safe- conduct, 16 May 1374, to visit Canterbury.5 On 3 January 1383-84 he had a charter of certain annualrents in the county of Peebles.8 He had a precept and confirmation of the lands of Halkerton and Esperton, held by the church of Ballentrodach, 1388.7 He was sent to England by King Robert n. to receive the oath of Richard 11. respecting a treaty with Prance, 18 June 1389. He had three charters from the King, one on 18 March 1389-90, as Sir Henry Douglas, to himself and his wife, the King's dearest niece, Margery Stewart, of the barony of Lugtoun, co. Edin- burgh, the castle of Lochleven and certain lands in the county of Kinross, and the lands of Langnewton, co. Rox- burgh.8 He died before 1393.9 He married, before 19 May 1384, Margery, widow of [Roger] Magven of that Ilk, and of Sir Alexander Lindsay of Glenesk, and daughter of Sir John Stewart of Ralstoun, half-brother to King Robert n. They had a plenary indulgence 4 April 1385.10 The descent of the family at this point is doubtful, and has been variously stated ; " but it seems 1 Vol. iii. of this work, 202. 2 Acta Parl. Scot., iii. 397; The Douglas Book, ii. 321, 322. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig., 16 June 1581 ; 13 Nov. 1605. 4 Reg. Mag. Sig., folio vol. 168. 5 Rymer's Fcedcra, vii. 37. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., fol. vol. 167. 7 Harl. MS., 6439. 8 Ibid., 1781, 4-5-6. 9 Exch. Rolls, iii. 321 ; v. 122; Reg. Honor, de Morton, i. p. xli. 10 Reg. Vat., 300, 535. 11 Wood's Douglas's Peerage, ii. 272; Eraser's Wemyss Boole, ii. 47. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 365 most probable that Sir Henry and Margery Stewart had two sons :— 1. SIR WILLIAM, who succeeded. 2. SIR HENRY, who succeeded his brother. 3. Margaret, married to Sir John Wallace of Oraigie. Sir Henry seems also to have had a natural daughter, Elene, married to John Pairlie, younger of Braid, with whom she had a charter 9 October 1381. ' SIR WILLIAM DOUGLAS of Lochleven succeeded his father, to whom he was served heir 20 December 1409, and acquired the lands of Ralstoun on the resignation of these in his favour by Sir Walter Stewart, son of Sir John Stewart of Ralstoun, and brother of Sir William's mother, Margery Stewart, in 1416.2 These lands he settled on his younger son James. It was probably he, and not, as Sir William Fraser suggests, a hitherto unknown son of the same name who accompanied the Earls of Buchan and Wigtown to France, where he in all likelihood was killed in the battles of Beauge or Fresnay le Oomte in 1421.3 He apparently married Elizabeth Lindsay, as appears from, with other evidence, a dispensation by Henry, Bishop of St. Andrews, for the marriage of William Douglas of St. Andrews diocese, and Elizabeth Lindsay of Brechin diocese, they being in the third and fourth degrees of consanguinity.4 He had issue : — 1. SIR HENRY. 2. Sir James, often styled of Lugtoun and Lochleven, but who was really of Ralstoun, which was settled on him by his father as above stated. He was one of the three Scottish knights who took part in a joust at Stirling with a similar number of knights of Bur- gundy who had come to Scotland on the occasion of the marriage of Marie of Gueldres with the King in February 1448-49.5 He was probably a supporter of the Earl of Douglas's faction, as his name occurs in an English safe-conduct obtained by the Earl, 12 May 1451, at which time the latter was intriguing with the Yorkists.6 Notwithstanding this he was 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., folio vol. 175. 2 Exch. Rolls, iv. p. cxc. 3 Wemyss Book, 47. 4 Harl. MS., 6438. 6 Asloan MS., 18-40. « Ibid., 8, 44 ; Rotuli Scotice, ii. 346. 366 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON employed by King James u. on an embassy to the French Court in 1456. l Both he and his wife were attainted for complicity in the Douglas rising,2 and they escaped to England. He married Jonet, daughter and co-heiress of Walter Fenton of Baky, and with her got the lands of Drumblate and Towie, which were forfeited in 1458.3 They had a son, Henry, designed of Kilbrony or Oulbirney in Inver- ness-shire.4 3. Alexander, mentioned 1488.5 4. Elizabeth, who was Maid-of-honour to Joanna, Queen of James I. She is famous as the heroine of the brave attempt to hinder the assassins of the King from entering the chamber at Perth on the night of 21 February 1436-37, by thrusting her arm into the staples of the door from which the bolts had been removed. She afterwards married Richard Lovel of Ballumby, with whom, on 24 August 1438, she had a charter from Alexander Lindsay, second Earl of Crawford, of the lands of Muirhouse, co. Inverness. In this charter she is styled neptis of the Earl, which shows that the commonly accepted marriage of her father to a daughter of Sir David Lindsay, first Earl of Crawford, is correct.6 HENRY DOUGLAS of Lochleven and Lugtoun appears first on record, under the latter designation, as a witness to a charter of Sir Robert Conynghame of Kilmaurs, 30 June 1425.7 He was one of the supplementary hostages for King James i., and went to England as a substitute for Norman Leslie, being styled Henry Douglas, dominus de Lochleven and Lugtoun.8 He was released 20 June 1432, and was knighted before 24 January 1440-41, when as Sir Henry Douglas of Lugtoun he witnessed a charter of the Earl of Mar.9 He had, along with his wife, a charter of the lands of Keillor, co. Perth, 7 July 1464.10 He was alive 30 January 1468-69, when he witnessed a charter of Alex- ander Leslie of Balcomie." 1 Stevenson's Letters and Papers, etc., i. 243. * Exch. Rolls, vi. 435, 514. 3 Ibid., cxxxii. 4 Reg. Mag. Sig., 12 January 1510-11. 6 Harl. MS., 6436. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., 29 October 1463. J Ibid., 28 October 1425. 8 Fcedera, x. 381,509. 9 Reg. Mag. Sig., 30 October 1444. 10 Ibid. " Ibid.,?A May 1545. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 367 His wife's name was Elizabeth Erskine, said to have been a daughter of Sir Robert Erskine of that Ilk, but of this there is no proof. They had issue : — 1. ROBERT, who succeeded. 2. Mr. David. 3. Thomas. All three sons appear as witnesses to a charter of Archibald Bawcanquell, 12 August 1494.1 ROBERT DOUGLAS of Lochleven had a charter of the lands and barony of Kinross and the castle of Lochleven, on 16 October 1463, his father's liferent and his mother's terce being reserved.2 His precept of clare constat as heir is dated 28 May 1476.3 On 2 July 1495 he had a charter of half the lands of Dalqueich, co. Kinross, and he acquired the whole of these lands from John Peebles, 19 June 1497.4 He was knighted before 14 March 1503-4, when he wit- nessed a charter as Sir Robert Douglas of Lochleven.5 He fell at Plodden 9 September 1513.6 He married, first (contract 10 April 1445), Elizabeth, daughter of David Boswell of Balmuto, with a tocher of 500 merks. He had a papal dispensation for the marriage, because they were within the fourth and fifth degrees of consanguinity.7 He married, secondly, after 1479, Isobel, only daughter of Sir John (not Andrew, as in Douglas) Sibbald of Balgony, relict of George Douglas, fourth Earl of Angus,8 and of John Oarmichael of Balmadie. She was alive in 1500, but dead in February 1502-3 ; 9 and thirdly, before 1503, Marion, daughter of Sir William Baillie of Laming- ton, and relict of John, third Lord Lindsay of the Byres.10 By his first wife only he had issue : — 1. ROBERT, who succeeded. 2. Agnes, married to Thomas Hamilton of Raploch. 3. Margaret, married, first, probably in 1484, when she had a charter from him of the lands of Laidgreen, co. Perth,11 to Sir David Stewart of Rosyth ; secondly, to 1 Beg. Mag. Sig., 8 December 1494. 2 Ibid. 3 Harl. MS. 6433. * Beg. Mag. Sig., 28 June 1498. 5 Ibid., 14 March 1503-4. 6 Scottish Antiquary, xiii. 107, quoting A eta Dom. Cone. His name does not appear in the extract from that roll in Scot. Antiq., xii. 116. 7 Macfarlane's Gen. Coll., i. 297. 8 Douglas Book, ii. 63 ; vol. iv. 564 of this work. 9 Acta Dom. Cone., ix. 205 ; xii. 184. 10 Records of Parliament, 500. " Beg. Mag. Sig., 11 February 1487-88. 368 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON Henry Mercer of Meiklour.1 They had a dispensa- tion to marry in 1496, having already had numerous children.2 SIR ROBERT DOUGLAS of Lochleven was served heir to his father 15 and 20 October 1514,3 and appears to have alienated part of the family possessions. On 4 February 1519-20 he sold to Sir Henry Balfour, rector of Loncardy, the Easter- town of Tilliochy, co. Kinross.4 On 15 October 1517 he granted the friars of St. Andrews an anuualrent of twenty merks from his lands of Keillor, and on 10 June 1519 another annualrent of five merks from Bordland.5 He married, first, Margaret, daughter of David Balfour of Burleigh;8 secondly, January 1499-1500,7 Margaret Hay, daughter of William, first Earl of Erroll, and widow successively of Alexander Fraser of Philorth and Sir Gilbert Keith of Inverugie.8 She was his wife before 1526.9 He left issue : — 1. THOMAS. 2. Henry, who, as son of Robert Douglas of Lochleven, witnessed the charter of his father of 4 February 1519-20 above mentioned. 3. Margaret, married, before 12 August 1516, to her cousin Henry Stewart, younger of Rosyth. Sir Robert had two other sons, presumably illegitimate, Robert, to whom and to Janet Ramsay, his wife, he granted the lands of Drumgarland 1515,10 and Richard, who was a macer of the Court of Session, which office continued in his descendants for five generations.11 THOMAS DOUGLAS, the eldest son, witnessed, as heir- apparent of his father, the charter of 15 October 1517 above mentioned. He died vita patris, having married Elizabeth, daughter of Archibald Boyd of Nariston, third son of Robert, first Lord Boyd.12 By her he had issue : — 1. ROBERT, who succeeded his grandfather. 2. John, parson of Newlands." 3. Henry.14 1 A eta Dom. Cone., xii. 18. * Harl. MS., 6441. 3 Ibid., 6435. * Reg. Mag. Sig., 6 March 1519-20. ° Ibid., 15 May 1522. 6 Macfarlane's Gen. Coll., ii. 297. 7 Ada Dom. Cone., ix. 14. 8 See vol. iii. 565. 9 Ibid., xxxvi. 75. 10 Harl. MS. , 6435. " Ibid. , 6437. 12 Cf . vol. v. 146, and Protocol Book of Robert Rollok, N.P., Gen. Reg- Ho., f. 2a. 13 Acts and Decreets, i. 168 14 Acta Dom. Cone, et Sess., xxv. 107. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 369 4. Margaret. In 1541 Robert Douglas of Lochleven made overtures for the marriage of William Melville, eldest son of Sir John Melville of Raith, to his sister Margaret. The consent of the King having been obtained 3 April 1541, the marriage was solemnised.1 In July 1544 Sir John Melville made a settlement on his son and his wife of the lands of Pitconmark,2 but William did not long survive, dying about 1547. His widow was alive in May 1584.3 5. Marion, married to John Lindsay of Dowhill.4 6. Elizabeth, said to have been married to Alexander Alexander of Menstrie.5 SIR ROBERT DOUGLAS of Lochleven succeeded his grand- father at all events before 20 February 1539-40, when he had a royal charter to himself as Robert Douglas of Loch- leven of the lands of Fossoway, co. Perth.6 On 17 October 1540 he had a charter of the lordship of Dalkeith and many other lands following on the resignation of James, third Earl of Morton, who had made a resignation in his favour. This resignation, however, the Court of Session held in 1542 to be a forced one, and reduced the charter, making some compromising reflections on King James v.7 On 20 January 1540-41 he had a royal charter to himself in liferent and his son William in fee of the lands and barony of Kinross, with the castle and loch of Lochleven, the burgh of Kinross being erected into a burgh of barony ; and another of the lands and baronies of Keillour, Lugtoun, and Langnewton.8 On 27 March 1546 he had, along with his wife, a charter from John Oharteris of Cuthilgurdy of the lands of Outhil- gurdy.9 He was killed at the battle of Pinkie 10 Septem- ber 1547. He married (contract 11 July 1527 10) Margaret, second daughter of John, fifth Lord Erskine, who after- wards, about 1531, became the mother, by King James v., of James Stewart, ultimately the Regent Moray. She died 5 May 1572.11 By her he had issue : — 1. WILLIAM, who succeeded. 1 Melville Book, ii. 2. 2 Reg. de Dunfermline, 562. 3 Melville Book, i. 79. 4 Acquittance for part of her tocher 1532, Harl. MS., 6435. 6 Wood's Douglas's Peerage. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig. 7 Burnett MS. ; cf. also Reg. Honor, de Morton, ii. 281-293 ; Reg. Mag. Sig., 30 May 1542 and 2 June 1564. 8 Reg. Mag. Sig. 9 Confirmed 13 May 1547, Ibid. 10 Harl. MS., No. 6435. » Ibid., No. 6441 ; cf. vol. v. 612. VOL. VI. 2 A 370 DOUGLAS, EARL OP MORTON 2. Robert, Earl of Buchan.1 3. George of Helen hill. He had a charter from James, Commendator of St. Andrews and Pittenweem, 25 April 1565, of an annual pension of 500 merks from the lands of these houses.2 As George Douglas of Helenhill he witnessed a charter of James, Oommen- dator of Mel rose, 19 June 1587,3 but he was also styled of Rumgally.4 He was knighted before 3 May 1588,5 and had a charter from his brother William of the lands of Aschescheillis, co. Peebles, in January 1588-89." During the captivity of Queen Mary in his father's castle George Douglas fell a victim to her charms, and so conspicuous was his admiration for her, that he was removed from that residence. He did not fail her, however, in her hour of need : it was he who, along with Lord Seton, met her on the mainland after her escape, and rode with her to Niddry and then to Hamilton. He was at the battle of Langside, and accompanied the Queen in her flight to England. He married, first, after 1575, Jonet, daughter of John Lindsay of Dowhill and relict of Andrew Lundie of Balgony, and of Sir William Scott of Balwearie ; 7 and secondly, after 1593, Margaret Durie, relict of William Scott of Abbotshall.8 He had issue one daughter, (1) Elizabeth, married to George Ramsay, afterwards Lord Ramsay of Dalhousie.9 Sir George had also a natural son Robert, afterwards Robert Douglas of Olattie. Popular rumour said that he was the son of Sir George by Queen Mary, but no proof has ever been adduced for the state- ment. He was the father of Robert Douglas, the famous Presbyterian divine.10 4. Euphemia, married, dispensation in 1545, they being in the third degree of consanguinity, to Patrick, sixth Lord Lindsay of the Byres. She died in June 1580.11 1 See vol. ii. 269. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig., 24 November 1565. 3 Ibid., 30 June 1587. * Laing Charters, 26 June 1584, No. 1082. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig., at date. 6 Ibid., 19 January 1591-92. r Ibid., 29 February 1583-84 ; Edin. Tests., 19 May 1598. 8 Dunfermline Regality Decreets, 1591-1610, fol. 97. 9 Cf. vol. iii. 97. 10 Reg. of Deeds, Ixvi. f. 292. " Cf. vol. v. 400 ; Edin. Tests., 13 November 1591. DOUGLAS, EARL OP MORTON 371 5. Janet, married to Sir James Oolville of Easter Wemyss.1 6. Catherine, married (contract 1557 2) to David Durie of that Ilk.3 V. SIR WILLIAM DOUGLAS of Lochleven was born 1539- 40,4 and was served heir to his father in 1555.5 He is chiefly known in history as the custodian of Queen Mary during her imprisonment in Lochleven Castle. He, his mother, and Robert his son and heir, were in 1565, charged to deliver the castle of Lochleven to the King, and to re- move from it within six hours,6 but were ultimately allowed to remain as William was * extremelie seek, in perrell of his lyffe.' 7 He was one of the many persons formally charged with the murder of Riccio.8 He had a charter of Phar- ington, co. Roxburgh, 23 October 1574.9 He subscribed a bond of manrent to the Earl of Mar 3 May 1578.10 He had the ward and marriage of the children of his brother Robert, Earl of Buchan, in 1580.11 He was one of the Ruthven Raiders,12 and for his participation in this he had to go to France in 1583,13 but was probably not long abroad, as he is designated Sheriff-Principal of Banff in 1584.14 On 5 January 1586-87 he had a confirmation, as son and heir of his deceased father, of a charter by Cardinal Beaton to the latter, in gratitude for the defence of the Church against the Lutheran heresy, of the lands of Kinnesswood and others, dated 25 June 1544, and of another by Sir Michael Donaldson, Prior of St. Serf's, of the lands of Kirkness, dated 9 October 1544.15 On the death of Archibald, Earl of Angus and Morton, in 1588, the estates and honours of Morton devolved upon Sir William, who thus became fifth EARL OP MORTON, and he had a charter on 20 June 1589 of the Castle of Dalkeith to his wife Agnes Leslie, and of the earldom of Morton to himself, with remainder to his four sons successively or any other heir-male of his body ; whom failing, to Francis Douglas of Longniddry, William Douglas of Whittinghame, William Douglas in Linton, Robert Douglas of Freertown, and the heirs-male of their bodies ; whom failing, to his own heirs-male whomsoever, 1 Of. vol. ii. 553. 2 Harl. MS., 6442. 3 Reg. Mag. Sig., I February 1577-78. 4 Harl. MS., 6442. 6 Morton Charters. 6 P. C.Reg., i. 391. J Ibid., i. 396. 8 Ibid., i. 436. 9 Reg. Mag. Sig. 10 P. O. Reg., ii. 691. " Ibid., iii. 312. n Ibid., 507. 13 Ibid., 615, 620, 652. " Ibid., 705. 16 Reg. Mag. Sig. 372 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON bearing the name and arms of Douglas; whom failing, to his heirs and assigns whatsoever. In 1594 he was appointed the King's lieutenant in the south, when His Majesty went north.1 On 22 July of the same year he had a lease of the lands of Tulloes and others, co. Forfar, which belonged to the monastery of Arbroath,2 and on 23 January 1606 he had a royal charter of the lands of Oolquhair and others in An- nandale.3 He died 27 September 1606,4 having married, in or before 1565 (contract 19 August 1554, when he was a child5), Agnes, daughter of George, fourth Earl of Rothes. They had issue : — 1. ROBERT. 2. James ; appointed Oommendator of the Abbey of Melrose in 1568.' He was dead before 15 October 1620, having married, first (contract 6 November 1587 7), Mary, daughter of Sir Thomas Ker of Fernie- hirst,8 by whom he had a son Archibald', secondly (contract 7 November 1598, registered 28 April 1599 9), Helen, daughter of William Scott of Abbots- hall, by whom he had Robert (who was of age 1624 10) Annas, Euphame, and Mary ; thirdly, in 1609, Jean, Anstruther,11 by whom he had Margaret, married to William Baillie of Hardington ; Jean, married, first, to Patrick Edmonston of Wolmet, secondly, to Porterfield of Hapland, and thirdly, to Ounning- hame of Dankeith ; 12 and Isabel.13 3. Archibald, styled third son in the entail of 1589. On 2 August 1594 he had a charter from his father of the lands of Kinnesswood and others.14 He was afterwards knighted, and was known as Sir Archibald Douglas of Kellour.15 He died in Orkney 1649.16 He married Barbara, daughter of William, seventh Lord Forbes, relict of Robert Allardyce, younger of that Ilk, and of Alexander Hay of Delgatie." His eldest son Arthur married (contract 26 and 30 June 1628 18) 1 P. C. Reg., v. 175, 179. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig. 3 Ibid. 4 P. C. Reg., vii. xvii., but Douglas gives 24 September, and the Harleian MS. 22 September. 5 Hist. Rec. of the Family of Leslie, ii. 66. 6 Liber de Metros, i. v. note. 7 Reg. of Deeds, xxviii. 137. 8 Cf. vol. v. 68. 9 Reg. of Deeds, Ixviii. f. 400. 10 Harl. MS., 6442. " Ibid. 12 Ibid. 13 Gen. Reg. of Inhibitions, 28 August 1661. 14 Reg. Mag. Sig. , 27 December 1594. 15 Ibid. , 16 July 1619. 16 Harl. MS., 6432. " Cf. vol. iv. 57. 18 Reg. of Deeds, ccccxliv., 1 October 1631. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 373 Isobel, daughter of Sir William Douglas of Stonypath, brother of Sir Archibald Douglas of Whittinghame, by which marriage he obtained the latter estate. They had a charter of it 27 September 1628.1 4. Francis, mentioned by Macfarlane, but if he existed he must have died young, as he is not amongst the sons in remainder to the Peerage. 5. George, mentioned as fourth son in the entail. As Sir George Douglas of Kirkness he appears as one of the curators of John Lyon of Aldbar in July 1609 ; z and he died before 9 December same year.3 He married, in 1597, Margaret Forrester, daughter of Thomas Forrester of Strathendry, and their issue succeeded to Kirkness in a direct line,4 till General William Douglas of Kirkness died in 1747, leaving no lawful issue, and his uncle William became heir-male of Sir George. The representation of this branch is claimed by Sir Arthur Percy Douglas of Oarr, Bart. The Earl had seven daughters, all celebrated for their beauty, and called the seven pearls of Lochleven : 5 — 6. Margaret, married (contract 17 April 1574'), when he was eighteen, to John Wemyss, son and heir of Sir David Wemyss of that Ilk. She had a charter on 18 April 1574 from John Douglas, Archbishop of St. Andrews, on the resignation of the elder Wemyss, of the lands of Methil and others, erected into a barony, to herself and her future spouse.7 She was dead before 1581, when he married again. 7. Christian, married (contract 17 February 1575-76) to Laurence, Master of Oliphant. On 7 April 1576 she had a charter from Lord Oliphant of the lands of Pitkerie and others, in the barony of Kelly, co. Fife,8 and on 12 of the same month a charter from the King in ejus pura virginitate of the lands of Galraw and others, co. Forfar, on the resignation of Lord Oliphant ; and she was married, secondly, as his first wife, 9 January 1586 (contract 2 and 14 December 1 Reg. Mag. Sig. 2 Ibid., 13 July 1610. 3 Fife Inhibitions. 4 There is a pedigree of their descendants for several generations in Harl. MS., 6442. 5 Macfarlane's Gen. Coll., ii. 299, where the word is given as 'pearches.' 6 St. Andrews Com. Deeds. 7 Wemyss Book, i. 161. 8 Con- firmed 12 April 1576, Reg. Mag. Sig. 374 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 1585 '), to Alexander, first Earl of Home, from whom she had a charter of the barony of Dunglas 18 July 1586.2 She was alive in August 1591, but was dead before 1607, when Lord Hume married again. 8. Mart/, married, in 1582, as his second wife, to Walter, Lord Ogilvy of Deskford.3 9. Euphemia, married, in 1586, as his second wife, to Thomas Lyon of Baldukie, Master of Glamis, Lord High Treasurer.4 10. Agnes, married, as his first wife,5 24 July 1592, to Archibald, seventh Earl of Argyll, and died 3 May 1607.6 11. Elisabeth, married, as his third wife, before 10 July 1590, to Francis, ninth Earl of Erroll. Her father was severely reprimanded by the King for giving his daughter in marriage to the Earl of Erroll, not only without the King's consent, but contrary to his express prohibition.7 12. Jean (omitted by Douglas, but given by Macfarlane), died unmarried. ROBERT DOUGLAS, the eldest son, had a charter from the King on the resignation of his father of the lands and baronies of Kinross, Kellour, Lugtoun, and Langnewton, 26 July 1565.8 He and his brother-in-law, the Master of Oliphant, had licence to travel abroad for three years, 24 December 1584.' From this journey they never returned : whether they were drowned at sea, or were captured by pirates, or met their death on land, is not certain; but they disappeared in some way which has never been explained. There was a petition presented to Queen Eliza- beth, about 1600, for an expedition for the relief of the Master of Oliphant and Master of Morton, reported to have been made slaves by the Turks, and to, be now detained in captivity in the town of Algiers, on the coast of Barbary.10 1 Beg. of Deeds, xxviii. 246b, 346b. 2 Confirmed 29 November 1586, Beg. Mag. Sig. 3 Macfarlane's Gen. Coll., ii. 300; cf. vol. iv. 26. 4 Macfarlane, ut sup. ; Beg. Mag. Sig., 1 November 1589 ; Crawfurd's Lives, 393. 6 Laing Charters, 1492; P. C. Beg., vi. 79; Harl. MS., 6442. 6 Cf. vol. i. 349. 7 P. C. Beg., iv. 506. 8 Beg. Mag. Sig. 9 Beg. Sec. Sig., li. 160, 161. 10 Calendar of State Papers connected with Scotland, 1509-1603, i. 431. The date of the Petition is there given as December 1582, but this must be a mistake, as the travellers did not start till the very end of 1584. It DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 375 Robert Douglas married (contract 19 March 1582-83 *) Jean Lyon, second daughter of John, eighth Lord Glamis. She was married, secondly, as his third wife (contract 29 July 1587), to Archibald, eighth Earl of Angus. He died the fol- lowing year; and she was married, thirdly, before April 1593, to Alexander Lindsay, created Lord Spynie. By his wife Robert Douglas had a son : — VI. WILLIAM, sixth Earl of Morton. He was served heir to his father 3 July 1605, and to his grandfather 4 November 1606. He was one of the ablest and most distinguished of the holders of the title. He was in high favour at Court, and was a devoted servant both of King James vi. and Charles I., receiving many marks of the royal favour. He had charters of the lands of Oolquhair and others, which had belonged to the Abbey of Melrose, and which were now erected into the barony of Dunfedling on 24 March 1613, but these he immediately resigned into the King's hands in favour of Walter, Lord Scott of Buc- cleuch : 2 of the lands and barony of Segy and others, 9 October 1616 : 3 of the baronies of Aberdalgy, Dupplin, and Gask, and many other lands, with a grant to himself in liferent and his son Robert in fee of Hedderwick, Olassie- deuglie, and others, 6 December 1625 : 4 of Blairf orth and others, co. Perth, 7 February 1628 :5 of Schireffhall, co. Edinburgh, 3 November 1632 : 6 of the two Killennoquhyes and Haltoun, co. Kinross, 30 November 1633 :7 and of Cullendrane, Maw, and Fossoway, in the same county, 1 August 1634.8 He had also, on 16 March 1638, a very com- prehensive charter of the lands, earldom, and barony of Morton, with all his other lands. Aberdour was at the same time erected into a burgh of barony, and his title was altered to EARL OF MORTON AND LORD ABER- DOUR.9 In 1607 he had a great dispute as to the title with John, Lord Maxwell, whose father had been created Earl of Morton in 1581 after the attainder of his uncle the Regent Morton. The attainder, however, having been reversed 29 may be noted also that Robert Douglas was never actually Master of Morton, as his father did not succeed to the title till 1588, long after his disappearance. 1 Acts and Decreets, xciii. 304. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig., 1 April 1613. s Ibid. * Ibid. 5 Ibid. 6 Ibid. 7 Ibid. 8 Ibid. 9 Ibid. 376 DOUGLAS, EARL OP MORTON January 1585-86, the earldom reverted to the heir of entail. Lord Maxwell appears to have been extremely discontented about the matter, and in consequence of having sent a challenge to the Earl, was denounced rebel,1 the Earl him- self becoming bound not to send or receive any challenge to or from Maxwell. The King and Privy Council inter- fered strenuously in the matter, and Maxwell was ulti- mately committed to prison. (See title Nithsdale.) William, Earl of Morton, had licence to travel in France, Germany, or Italy for three years on 16 January 1617, but he did not immediately avail himself of the permission, as the King paid him a visit at Dalkeith from 11 to 14 June 1617.2 The visit must have been a very elaborate one, as His Majesty's luggage took eighty carts and two hundred and forty horses to transport. He was admitted to the Privy Council 15 November 1621, 3 and a few days later was made one of the inner cabinet of that body. He attended the funeral of King James vi. 7 May 1625.4 He commanded a Scottish regiment of 2000 men sent to Prance to assist the Duke of Buckingham in his expedition for the relief of Rochelle,5 and he was with that commander in August 1627. After the surrender of Rochelle, Morton's regiment returned to Scotland, and was placed in garrison, the command being transferred from the Earl to Sir George Hay/ On 8 July 1630 he was appointed Lord High Treasurer of Scotland,7 an office which he resigned six years afterwards. He was installed as Knight of the Garter 21 April 1634, and ap- pointed Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard in 1635. On 22 June 1639 he was one of those who accompanied the Lyon King of Arms to the Scots camp at Duns Law to witness the publication of the King's proclamation.8 He was with King Charles when he visited Edinburgh in 1641, and went with him to the Parliament. He was, however, not allowed admittance, on the ground that he had not signed the Covenant.9 This disqualification was got over by his signing it on 18 August.10 On 20 September he was nominated for the Chancellorship by the King, but this gave rise to a heated debate, the Earl of Argyll especially vehe- 1 P. C. Beg., vii. 425. 2 Ibid., xi. p. xxvi. 3 Ibid., xii. 590. * Ibid., 2nd ser., i. 33 n. 5 Ibid., ii. p. xi. 6 Ibid., Hi. 124. 7 Ibid., 594. 8 Balfour's Annals, ii. 329. 9 Ibid., iv. 44. 10 Ibid., 45. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 377 mently objecting to the appointment in respect that such a position would shelter him from his creditors, that he was a ' contemptuous rebel,' and often at the horn, that he had deserted his country in her greatest need, and that he was ' decreptit and unable.' l Morton replied with moderation, and enumerated many kindly acts he had done to Argyll, but ultimately, evidently seeing the general opinion of the house was against him, he begged His Majesty to withdraw his nomination. This was accordingly done, but the Earl was again admitted to the Privy Council 18 November 1641. 2 In the political troubles which ensued Morton proved himself a devoted friend to the King. He was one of the richest men of his day in Scotland, and he did not hesitate to spend his means freely in the royal cause. This compelled him to sell to the Scotts of Buccleuch his great property of Dalkeith, from which, it is said, he drew an annual rental of £100,000 Scots. On that account he got, on 15 June 1643, a royal charter of the earldom of Orkney and lordship of Zetland, to be redeemable by the Crown on payment of £30,000 sterling.3 It was provided that he should furnish the King with hawks, or pay to the royal falconers for their expenses in taking them £235, 13s. 4d. Scots. He had a ratification of these lands in Parliament 27 July 1644, and by charter 4 November 1646. When the King came to the Scottish army at New- castle in 1646 the Earl went to wait on him, but he after- wards retired to his castle at Kirkwall, where he died 7 August 1648.4 He married, in April 1604 5 (contract 5, 12, 20, 22, 24, and 28 March 1604 6), Ann, eldest daughter of George, fifth Earl Marischal. She did not survive her hus- band long, dying 30 May of the same year. They are both interred in St. Magnus Cathedral. By her the Earl had issue : — 1. ROBERT, seventh Earl of Morton. 2. JAMES, ninth Earl of Morton. 3. William, died in France 1643.7 4. John, who was killed fighting under Montrose when the latter was defeated at Carbisdale 27 April 1650.8 1 Balfour's Annals, iv. 69. 2 P. C. Beg., 2nd ser., vii. 142. 3 Beg. Mag. Sig. 4 Cat. of Scots Earls, L. O. MS. Balfour (Annals, iv. 396) says March 1649. 5 Aberdeen Reg. 6 Beg. of Deeds, cii. 31 March 1604. 7 Cat. of Scots Earls, L. O. MS. 8 Ibid. 378 DOUGLAS, EARL OP MORTON 5. George, also fought under Montrose's banner, and was wounded in one of his victorious engagements. He is said to have afterwards entered the service of the States of Holland, where he died ' in a considerable post.' l A George Douglas is mentioned as a cap- tain in the regiment of Friesland Infantry in 1655, but no other record of his service has been found.2 6. Ann, married (contract 7 September 1622) to George, second Earl of Kinnoull, and died in 1667.3 7. Margaret, born 1610, married, 6 or 7 August 1626, to her cousin Archibald, Marquess of Argyll, and died 13 March 1678.4 8. Mary, married (contract 29 March, 2 April, and 9 November 1632) to Charles, second Earl of Dunferm- line, and died 1659.5 9. Jean, married (contract 13 July 1640) to James, third Earl of Home.6 She was living in 1683. 10. Isabel, married, first, after 1643, as his third wife, to Robert Ker, first Earl of Roxburghe ; he died 18 January 1650 in his eightieth year, and she was married, secondly, to James Graham, second Marquess of Montrose, who was about sixty years younger than her late husband. VII. ROBERT, seventh Earl of Morton of the Douglas line, had a charter to himself as Lord Dalkeith of some acres in Kinross, 3 November 1632.7 He was served heir to his father 29 March 1649,8 and died at Kirkwall 12 November of the same year. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Edward Villiers of Brokesby, and sister of William, second Viscount Grandison. She died in December 1654. By her he had issue : — 1. WILLIAM, eighth Earl of Morton. 2. Robert, who was a lieutenant of gensdarmes in France, Master of the Horse to Henrietta, Duchess of Orleans, and lieutenant in the Horse Guards of Charles n. He died s.p. 1661. 9 3. Anne, married, in April 1654, William, seventh Earl Marischal. 1 Cat. of Scots Earls, L. O. MS. 2 Scots Brigade in Holland, i. 495. 3 Cf. vol. v. 224. 4 Vol. i. 359. 5 Vol. iii. 374. 6 Vol. iv. 478. J Reg. Mag. Sig. 8 Retours, Kinross, 14. 9 Wood's Douglas's Peerage. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 379 4. Margaret, married at Perth, 24 July 1662, to Sir James Macdonald of Slate, Baronet.1 VIII. WILLIAM, eighth Earl of Morton, had a new grant in 1662 of the islands of Orkney and Zetland, but as his grandfather had spent a large proportion of his fortune on the support of the royalist cause, he himself was in em- barrassed circumstances, and the grant was taken in the name of his cousin, Viscount Grandison, in trust for the Morton family. In 1669 Parliament ratified a decree of the Court of Session, acting on the instance of the Lord Advo- cate, reducing the original disposition of the islands of Orkney and Zetland of 1643 and the confirmation of 1662. The narrative related that 'importunity prevailing with his Majestic and his royal father, their goodness and inclination to gratify their subjects, they have been in- duced to give away and part with so great a jewel of the Crown.'2 This iniquitous Act, one of the most disgraceful ever passed by the Scots Parliament, not only caused grave loss, if not absolute ruin, to the Morton family, but involved other creditors who had lent the Earl money on the security of lands, of which he had a valid title from the Crown. Sir Andrew Dick of Craighouse, for instance, lost 100,274 merks, which he had lent on an apparently absolutely safe investment.3 On 9 September 1672 the Earl of Morton renounced his right to the style and designation of Lord Dalkeith, in favour of James, Duke of Buccleuch and Mon- mouth, a deed which was ratified by Parliament the same year.4 A large portion of the Kinross-shire lands which belonged to the Earl were also parted with to Sir William Bruce of Balcaskie at this time.5 The Earl died in 1681, having married at Holyroodhouse, 12 June 1662, Grizel, eldest daughter of John, first Earl of Middleton. By her, who died March 1666, he had issue one son, Charles, born 7, baptized 10, February 1663.6 He died v.p. IX. JAMES, ninth Earl of Morton, succeeded his nephew. He was previously known as Sir James Douglas of Smith- 1 Lament's Diary. 2 ActaParl. Scot., vii. 377. 3 Ibid., ix. 465. 4 Ibid., viii. 102. 6 Ibid., 239. 6 Aberdour Parl. Reg. 380 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON field, having been knighted 3 September 1635, by the Earl of Lindsay on board the royal ship the Marie Honor, for his gallant behaviour. He was a gentleman of the Privy Chamber to King Charles i. He died 25 August 1686.1 He married Ann, daughter and co-heir to Sir James Hay, third Baronet of Smithfield. She was buried 17 February 1700.2 By her he had issue :— 1. Charles, Lord Aberdour, drowned at sea on his passage to Holland : he was unmarried. 2. JAMBS, tenth Earl of Morton. 3. ROBERT, eleventh Earl of Morton. 4. William, died s.p. 5. GEORGE, twelfth Earl of Morton. 6. a daughter, who died unmarried. X. JAMES, tenth Earl of Morton, proved himself a man of considerable ability and energy. He was a strong sup- porter of the Revolution of 1688 and of the Hanoverian Government. He was a Privy Councillor and one of the commissioners for the Union, of which he was strongly in favour. It was probably owing to his exertions in this cause that he at last succeeded in getting the Act of 1669 repealed, and the islands of Orkney and Zetland again granted to him, with a reversion to the Crown, as before, on payment of £30,000. He died unmarried 7, and was buried at Holyrood 14, December 1715.3 XI. ROBERT, eleventh Earl of Morton, succeeded his brother. He is described as ' a man of parts, honour, and probity,' though he once found himself in the dock at the Old Bailey : he was however acquitted, ' the prosecution being looked on as malicious.' 4 He died at Edinburgh, un- married, 22, and was buried at Holyrood 30, January 1730.5 XII. GEORGE, twelfth Earl of Morton, was born in 1662. In 1685 he got into trouble by slaying a footman of the laird of Chatto, in a quarrel about a dog.8 He entered 1 This is the date given by Macfarlane for the death of his predecessor, but it evidently refers to this Earl. 2 Funeral entry, Lyon Office 3 Holyrood Reg. ; funeral entry, Lyon Office, where the date of death is given as the 10th. * Luttrell's Diary, v. 431. 6 Holyrood Reg., which gives, erroneously, 30 December as date of burial ; funeral entry, Lyon Office 6 P. C. Dec., 29 June 1685. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 381 the army and attained the rank of colonel. He sat for Kirkwall in the last Parliament of Scotland, 1702-7, sup- porting the Union. He was elected member for the Lin- lithgow Burghs in two Parliaments, 1708-13, and 1715-22 ; he represented Orkney and Shetland in the Parliaments of 1713-15, 1722-27, and from 1727 till he succeeded to the earldom in 1730. He was a Representative Peer for Scotland 1730-34, and Vice-Admiral of Scotland 1733-38. He died 4 January 1738,1 and was buried in Greyfriars, Edinburgh. He married, first, a daughter of Alexander Muirhead of Linhouse, co. Edinburgh ; and secondly, be- fore 1702, Frances, daughter of William Adderley of Halstow, co. Kent. By his first wife he had issue a son who died in infancy : by his second he had issue : — 1. JAMES, thirteenth Earl of Morton. 2. William, died young. 3. Robert, of St. Olla, sat in Parliament for Orkney and Shetland, 1730-34 and 1734-41. He served as a volun- teer in the Army 1735, got a company in the 3rd Foot Guards May 1740, and was appointed A.D.O. to the King, with the rank of colonel, in 1743. Having escorted Marechal Belleisle as a prisoner from the Continent to England, he returned to the war, and was killed at Fontenoy, 30 April 1745. He was unmarried. XIII. JAMBS, thirteenth Earl of Morton, was born about 1702. Succeeding his father in 1738, he was in the same year created a Knight of the Order of the Thistle. He was elected a representative Peer for Scotland 12 May 1739, and continued as such till his death. In 1742 he succeeded in getting an Act of Parliament making the grant of Orkney and Shetland absolute to himself and his heirs, without power of redemption by the Grown. He appears to have found the management of this northern property more trouble than it was worth, and in 1766 he sold it for £63,000 (more than double the sum for which the Grown might have redeemed it a few years previously) to Sir Laurence Dundas, ancestor of the Earls of Zetland. He 1 Funeral entry, Lyon Office. 382 had, before that, in 1747, under the Act for abolishing herit- able jurisdictions, obtained £7147 for the office of Steward and Justiciar of Orkney and Zetland, besides £93 for the regality of Aberdour. In 1746, while travelling in France, he, his wife and child, along with the Countess's sister, were imprisoned in the Bastile for three months, from some cause which has never been explained. After three months they were liberated, and they returned to England in May 1747. He was appointed Lord Clerk Register in 1760, an office which he held till 1767. He was also a Trustee of the British Museum, and it is no small testimony to his scien- tific attainments and general ability that he was elected, 27 March 1764, President of the Royal Society. He held this office till his death, which occurred at Ohiswick 12 October 1768. He married, first, before 1731, Agatha, daughter and heiress of James Halyburton of Pitcur. She died in the Oanongate, Edinburgh, 12 December 1748, and was buried at Aberdour. He married, secondly, 31 July 1755, Bridget, eldest daughter of Sir John Heathcote, second Baronet of Normanton, co. Rutland, who survived him thirty-seven years, dying 2 March 1805, at London, aged eighty-two years. By his first wife the Earl had issue : — 1. Charles, born 7 April 1731, died young. 2. SHOLTO CHARLES, fourteenth Earl of Morton. 3. James, born 6 Octoberl734, died at Westminster School, 9 August 1746, aged twelve.1 4. George, born 19 September 1738,2 died young. 5. Robert, died young. 6. Frances, died at Aberdour, 9 May 1739, in her sixth year. 7. Mary, married 14 May 1774, as his second wife, to Charles, fourth Earl of Aboyne, and died 25 December 1816.3 By his second wife the Earl had issue : — 8. John, born 1 July 1756. Lieutenant 1st Foot Guards, 26 June 1778, and captain, with the rank of lieu- tenant-colonel, 26 June 1786. He died 1 May 1818, having married, 4 October 1784, Frances, born 11 June 1762, daughter of Edward Lascelles of Hare- 1 Scots Mag. 2 Canongate Reg. 3 Cf. vol. i. 105. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 383 wood, afterwards Earl of Harewood. She died 31 March 1817, leaving issue : — (1) GEORGE SHOLTO, who succeeded as sixteenth Earl. (2) Edwin, twin with George, died in infancy. (3) Charles, born 10 March 1790 ; styled of Earl's Gift, co. Tyrone, and rector of Donagheady. He had (with his brothers and sisters) a Patent of Precedence as an Earl's son, 23 August 1835. He died 28 January 1857, having married, first, 2 March 1816, Isabella Gore, daughter of Arthur, second Earl of Arran. She died 30 November 1838, leaving issue ; and he married, secondly, 28 December 1852, Agnes Julia, fourth daughter of Captain John S. Rich of Woodlands, co. Limerick. She survived him, and was married, secondly, in 1862 to Colonel Wills Crofts Gason. (4) Edward Gordon, born 20 June 1800 ; created, 3 August 1866, Baron Penrhyn of Llandegai, co. Carnarvon ; died 31 March 1886, having married, first, 6 August 1833, Juliana Isabella Mary, daughter and co-heir of George Hay Dawkins- Pennant of Penrhyn Castle, and took by royal licence, 12 January 1811, the name of Pennant after Douglas. She died 25 April 1842, and he married, secondly, 26 January 1846, Mary Louisa, second daughter of Henry Fitzroy, fifth Duke of Grafton. (5) Arthur James, captain Royal Navy, born 13 January 1802, died unmarried, 14 August 1864. (6) Frances, born 10 January 1786 ; married, 21 April 1804, to the Hon. Major-General Sir William Stewart, G.C.B., second son of John, seventh Earl of Galloway.1 She died 6 August 1833. (7) Anne, born June 1787, died in infancy. (8) Harriet, born 8 June 1792 ; married, 25 November 1809, to James, Viscount Hamilton, eldest son of John James, first Marquess of Abercorn. He died 27 May 1814, and she was married, secondly, 8 July 1815, to George, fourth Earl of Aberdeen, and died 26 August 1833. 2 (9) Charlotte, born 11 July 1793, died 13 July 1840. (10) Emily, twin with Charlotte, died in 1815. (11) Emma Elizabeth, born 8 October 1794 ; married, 10 July 1827, to William Hamilton Ash of Ashbrook, co. Londonderry, and died 2 February 1857. (12) Caroline, married, 31 December 1819, William Augustus Fox Lane, and died 7 November 1873. 9. Bridget, born 3 May 1758, married the Hon. William Henry Bouverie, second son of William, first Earl of Radnor, and died in 1842. XIV. SHOLTO CHARLES, fourteenth Earl of Morton, was born at Edinburgh 1732. In 1759 he, as Lord Aberdour, raised a corps of light dragoons, of which he was captain commandant 10 October of that year. He was one of the Lords of Police from 1760 till his death, which took place 1 Cf. vol. iv. 168. 2 Vol. i. 67, 95. 384 DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON at Taormina, Sicily, 25 September 1774. He married, 19 November 1758, at Edinburgh, Katharine, fourth daughter and co-heir of John Hamilton, second son of Thomas, sixth Earl of Haddington. She, who was born December 1736, died 25 April 1823. They had issue :— 1. GEORGE, fifteenth Earl of Morton. 2. Hamilton Douglas Halyburton of Pitcur. In 1765, on the death of Colonel James Halyburton of Pitcur, that estate devolved, in terms of the entail, on the second son of Lord Aberdour, who thereupon assumed the additional name of Halyburton. He was born 10 October 1763, and entered the Navy at an early age. His short career was a promising one, but was early terminated. He was first lieutenant on board H.M.S. Assistance, which was sent to superintend the evacuation of New York in December 1783. On the 30 of that month he was sent in command of a boat with twelve junior officers and one bluejacket in pursuit of some men who had deserted with one of the ship's boats. The weather was bad, however, and disaster overtook the boat of which Douglas Halyburton had charge. She was discovered on New Year's Day 1784 lying on the mudbanks of the New Jersey shore, and the bodies of her unfortunate crew, who had perished from exposure and cold, were found near her. They were carefully buried in a brick vault at Sandy Hook, and in 1908, in the course of some ex- cavations, their remains and other relics of the disaster were brought to light. There is a mural inscription in the sacristy of Trinity Church, New York, to the memory of Halyburton and his companions, narrat- ing the circumstances and date of their death.1 XV. GEORGE, fifteenth Earl of Morton, was born 3 April 1761, and sat as one of the Representative Peers of Scotland from 1784 tiU 1790. On 11 August 1791 he was created BARON DOUGLAS OF LOOHLEVEN, in the Peerage of Great Britain. He was Chamberlain of the Household to the Queen-Consort 1792-1818 ; invested as a Knight of the Order of the Thistle 26 July 1797 ; Lord High Commissioner to the Church of Scotland 1820-24; Lord- 1 Ex inform. J. M. Bulloch. DOUGLAS, EARL OF MORTON 385 Lieutenant of Fifeshire 1808-24, and of Midlothian from 1824 till his death. He was a Vice-President of the Royal Society, F.S.A., etc. He died, 17 July 1827, at Dalmahoy, near Edinburgh, having married, 13 August 1814, Susan Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Sir Francis Yarde-Buller, Bart., and sister of John, first Baron Ohurston. She married, secondly, 17 September 1831, Edward Godfrey of Old Hall, Suffolk, and died there 23 July 1849, aged fifty- six. The Earl had by her no issue, and the barony of Douglas of Lochleven became extinct. XVI. GEORGE SHOLTO, sixteenth Earl of Morton, suc- ceeded his cousin, being the eldest son of John Douglas, sixth son (but eldest with surviving issue) of James, thir- teenth Earl. He was born 23 December 1789, and was in the Diplomatic Service from 1811 till 1825, being Secretary of the legation at Stockholm, Florence, and Berlin succes- sively. He sat as a Representative Peer from 1830 till his death. He was a Lord-in-waiting 1841-49, and from Feb- ruary till December 1852; lieutenant-colonel of the Mid- lothian Yeomanry Cavalry 1843-44. He died in London 31 March 1858, having married, 3 July 1817, at Berlin, Frances Theodora, daughter of the Right Hon. Sir George Henry Rose, G.O.H., and sister of Hugh Henry, Baron Strath- nairn. She, who was born 31 August 1798, died 12 July 1879. They had issue :— 1. SHOLTO JOHN, seventeenth Earl of Morton. 2. George Henry, born 5 October 1821 ; an admiral R.N. ; died 19 June 1905, having married, 18 July 1850, Charlotte Martha, daughter of Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.O.B., with issue. 3. Henry, in holy orders ; born 17 December 1822 ; rector of Hanbury, Worcester, 1855-77, and vicar of St. Paul's, Worcester, 1877-1904 ; died 4 October 1907, having married, 7 June 1855, Mary, daughter of George, Earl of Haddington. She died 29 March 1904. They had issue one daughter. 4. Edward William, born 19 October 1825. Married, first, 16 July 1857, Augusta Anne, youngest daughter of the Right Hon. George Bankes. She died s.p. 6 May 1880, and he married, secondly, 27 April 1881, Evelyn Anne Trefusis, daughter of Charles Rodolph, VOL. vi. 2 B 386 nineteenth Lord Clinton. They had issue one daughter. 5. Arthur Gascoigne, in holy orders; born 5 January 1827 ; Bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church of the diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney 1883-1905; died 19 July 1905, having married, 17 April 1855, Anna Maria Harriet, youngest daughter of Richard Richards of Oaerynwch, co. Merioneth. They had issue four sons and two daughters. 6. Frances Harriet, married, 10 September 1838, to William Thomas Spencer, sixth Earl Fitzwilliam, K.G., and died at Coollatin Park 15 June 1895, leaving issue. 7. Ellen Susan Anne, V.A., married 15 July 1851, to the Hon. and Rev. Douglas Hamilton Gordon, third son of George, fourth Earl of Aberdeen, with issue. 8. Harriet Bridget Emily, died, unmarried, 25 March 1832. 9. Alice Louisa, married, 26 June 1862, to the Right Rev. Alexander Ewing, D.C.L., Bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church of the diocese of Argyll and the Isles. 10. Gertrude Jane, married, 6 October 1860, to the Hon. Mark George Kerr Rolle, second son of Charles Rodolph, nineteenth Lord Clinton, with issue. 11. Agnes Charlotte, married, 9 August 1883, to Major- General Sir Owen Tudor Burne, G.C.I. E., etc. She died s.p. 7 July 1907. XVII. SHOLTO JOHN, seventeenth Earl of Morton, born at Berlin 13 April 1818 ; lieutenant llth Hussars 1843-44 ; lieutenant-colonel of the Midlothian Yeomanry Cavalry 1844-53, and colonel-commandant 1853-72. He sat as a Representative Peer from 1859 till his death, which occurred 24 December 1884. He married, first, 24 January 1844, Helen, daughter of James Watson of Saughton. She died 17 December 1850, and he married, secondly, 7 July 1853, Alice Anne Caroline, daughter of John George Lambton, first Earl of Durham. She, who was born 16 April 1831, died s.p. 15 January 1907. By his first wife the Earl had :— XVIII. SHOLTO GEORGE WATSON, eighteenth Earl of Morton, born 5 November 1844; a Representative Peer since 1886; married, 25 July 1877, Helen Geraldine Maria (born 12 December 1852), fourth daughter of Charles DOUGLAS, EARL OP MORTON 387 Frederick Ashley Oooper Ponsonby, second Baron de Mauley of Oanford. They have issue : — 1. SHOLTO CHARLES, Lord Aberdour, captain Leicester- shire Imperial Yeomanry ; born 4 December 1878 ; married, 7 June 1905, Minnie Christina Brenda, daughter of Admiral Sir John Hay, and has issue : — (1) Sholto Charles John Hay, born 12 April 1907. 2. Charles William Sholto, born 19 July 1881 ; late lieu- tenant 4th Battalion Oxfordshire Light Infantry. 3. Archibald Roderick Sholto, born 11 September 1883 ; late lieutenant Leicestershire Imperial Yeomanry ; married, 22 October 1907, "Winona Constance de Maraisville, daughter of Colonel Walter Ansell Peake, D.S.O., of Borough-on-the-Hill, Melton Mowbray. Has issue : — (1) Roderick Walter Sholto, born 16 July 1908. 4. William Sholto, born 11 June 1886. 5. Ronald John Sholto, born 22 April 1890. CREATIONS.— 14 March 1457-58, Earl of Morton in the Peerage of Scotland: 11 August 1791, Baron Douglas of Lochleven in the Peerage of Great Britain (extinct). ARMS (recorded in the Lyon Register). — Quarterly : 1st and 4th, argent, a man's heart gules ensigned with an imperial crown proper, for Douglas; 2nd and 3rd, argent, three piles issuing from the chief gules and in chief two mullets of the field, for Douglas of Lochleven. CREST. — A wild boar proper sticking in the cleft of an oak tree, fructed vert, with a lock holding the clefts of the tree together, azure. SUPPORTERS. — Two savages wreathed about the head and middle with laurel, holding a club downwards in the exterior hands. MOTTO. — Lock Sicker. [J. A.] [J. B. P.] [DOUGLAS, EARL OP ANGUS AND MORTON. See title ANGUS.] MAXWELL, EARL OF MORTON PTEB the death of the fourth Earl of Morton his next living heir of entail was his nephew Archibald, Earl of Angus, but he also fell under the King's displeasure, and by a bold stroke another nephew for a time obtained the title. This was John, eighth Lord Maxwell, second son of Beatrix Douglas, second daughter of James, third Earl of Morton, by her husband Robert, sixth Lord Max- well. Lord Maxwell, however, gained the earldom by un- fair means. He first, before his uncle was tried, entered into an agreement with the King's powerful favourite, Esme, Earl of Lennox, that in the event of Morton's for- feiture they should divide his estates, Lennox to have Dalkeith, Aberdour, and Oaldercleir, and Maxwell the remainder. Maxwell then sat as one of the jury which condemned Morton, and as a reward obtained his stipulated share of the late Regent's estates on 5 June 1581, though he did not take his place in Parliament as Earl until 24 October of that year, when apparently his creation as EARL OF MORTON took place.1 This grant, so far as the estates were concerned, was rescinded on 29 January 1585-86," and the lands were restored to Archibald, Earl 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., at date ; Acta Parl. Scot., iii. 195 ; cf. P. C. Reg., xii. 393. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig., at date. MAXWELL, EARL OF MORTON 389 of Angus, the nearest heir of line and tailzie of the late Regent. But the title of Morton is not dealt with in the royal letter of restoration, and Maxwell and his descen- dants continued to have a right to it until 29 August 1620, when Robert, then Lord Maxwell, was created Earl of Nithsdale, with precedence from October 1581, it being then declared that the Act restoring the earldom of Morton to the Douglases should not prejudice the title of Earl of Morton bestowed on John, Lord Maxwell, in October 1581.1 The Earl's career and his successors in the title will be found stated under the title of Nithsdale. CREATION.— Earl of Morton, 1581. ARMS (as borne on the Earl's seal2). — Quarterly: 1st, a saltire ; 2nd, an eagle with two heads displayed ; 3rd, three urcheons ; 4th, a cross : over all, on an escutcheon of pre- tence, a chief charged with two mullets. In the additions to Sir David Lindsay's MS. the following coat is given, which is also on another seal of the Earl : — Quarterly : 1st, argent, on a chief gules two mullets of the first ; 2nd, or, a double-headed eagle displayed sable, beaked and membered gules ; 3rd, three urcheons sable ; 4th, gules, a cross or ; on an escutcheon of pretence argent a saltire sable. CREST.— A stag or, attired azure, couchant before a holly tree proper. SUPPORTERS. — Two stags proper attired azure, gorged with ducal coronets and chained or. MOTTO. — I byde ye fair. [J. A.] 1 P. C. Reg., xii. 392-394. 2 Carlaverock Book, i. 299. NAIRN, LORD NAIRN AIBN as a surname occurs in Scotland as early as the fifteenth century, if not sooner; and the Nairns of Sandfurd (now absurdly corrupted to St. Fort) on the E'if e shore of the Firth of Tay, appear to have been the leading family of the name. The early descent, however, of the branch which ulti- mately was raised to the ranks of the Scottish Peerage is obscure, and the first ancestor who can be traced with cer- tainty is John Nairn, who, with Margaret Oliphant his spouse, had a charter 7 December 1511 from George, Bishop of Dunkeld, of the lands of Mukkersy in the barony of Dunkeld, which he had on lease from the Bishop for £10 and forty-eight salmon yearly. John was dead at the time of the confirmation of this charter, 8 February 1540-41. l He was probably father of GEORGE NAIRN of Mukkersy, who was on a jury 17 March 1544-45.2 He witnessed a charter of William, Lord Oichton of Sanquhar, 6 July 1553.3 His wife's name is not known, but he had a son, GEORGE NAIRN of Mukkersy, who witnessed, along with 1 Beg. Mag. Sig. &ig., 20 July 1565. 2 Acta Dom. Cone, et Seas., xxiii. 87. 3 Reg. Mag. NAIRN, LORD NAIRN 391 his father, the charter above mentioned. He died February 1592-93,1 having married (but not as his first wife, whose name has not been ascertained), contract 29 April 1558,2 Elizabeth or Isobel Davidson, relict of Adam Ramsay and of Finlay Anderson, burgesses of Perth. She was his wife February 1562-63,3 but was dead before 3 November 1564.4 They had issue : — 1. JOHN, who succeeded. 2. George. 3. William, burgess of Dunkeld.5 4. Robert. 5. Alexander. 6. James. 7. Thomas. 8. Isobel. JOHN NAIRN of Mukkersy, named in a deed with his father in 1566,8 styled brother-german and heir of the late William Nairn, burgess of Dunkeld, in a deed whereby he and Thomas and Archibald his sons, with consent of Katherine Ramsay, spouse of Archibald, and liferentrix of the lands, sold to Mr. Alexander Ireland, burgess of Perth, and Isabella Scott his wife, the ecclesiastical lands of Kinclevin and others, co. Perth, 9 October 1599.7 He had issue : — 1. George, named in his father's will : he probably died v.p. 2. THOMAS. 3. Archibald, who married, as above stated, Katherine Ramsay. He was dead before 2 April 1627, when she, as his widow, had a charter from Sir George Hay of Innernytie, and his father Sir George Hay, the Chan- cellor, to herself in liferent and her son John Nairn, writer in Edinburgh, in fee, of the east half of the dominical lands of Kinclevin.8 4. Alexander, who witnessed the deed of 9 October 1599 above mentioned. 5. Helen, named in her father's will. 1 Edin. Tests. 2 Reg, of Deeds, Hi. 57. 3 Acts and Decreets, xxv. 442. 4 Edin. Com. Decreets. ° Reg. Mag. Sig., 21 November 1599. 6 Acts and Decreets, xxxviii. 88. 7 Reg. Mag. Sig., 21 November 1599. 8 Confirmed 5 June 1627, Reg. Mag. Sig. 392 NAIRN, LORD NAIRN 6. Margaret, married (contract 28 August 1578) to William Gray, portioner of Lynedoch. Her father was a party to the contract, and a charter in imple- ment thereof was witnessed by Thomas, his son and heir.1 THOMAS NAIRN of Mukkersy had a charter of sale 14 May 1605 from Christina Ross, one of the heirs-portioners of her father, John Ross of Ochtergavin, for herself and her younger sister Elizabeth, of the mains of Ochtergavin, to himself and his wife.2 He was on an assize of lands apprised by Mr. Robert Nairn, advocate, 21 November 1608.3 He died after 1612, having married Elizabeth Fyfe, mentioned in the charter of 1605 above quoted. They had issue :— 1. George, who witnessed charters of 28 June 1610 and 25 November 1611 as * apparent of Mukkersy.' * He probably died vita patris. 2. ROBERT. ROBERT NAIRN, the second son, was admitted advocate 22 May 1605. On 3 May 1609 he had a charter of the barony of Garden, belonging to Sir James Forrester, on which he had lent £3000,5 but he was one of many creditors. Under the designation of Mr. Robert Nairn of Bannockburn, advocate, he had a charter 4 June 1612, of the mains of Ochtergavin and others, which had fallen to the King by their alienation as above mentioned without his consent, being held from him by the service of ward.6 As Mr. Robert Nairn, advocate, of Mukkersy, he had a royal charter, 19 July 1621, of the lands of Rogartoun, Blackball, and others, which were incorporated into the barony of Strathurd.7 On 18 July 1635, as Mr. Robert Nairn of Strathurd, he had a charter of Easter Greenyards and others, co. Stirling.8 He died February 1652, having married Catherine, daughter of Sir John Preston of Penicuik, Lord President of the Court of Session. They had issue :— 1. ROBERT of Strathurd, of whom afterwards. 2. John, who succeeded to Mukkersy ; admitted advocate 1 Reg. Mag. Sig., 30 November 1582. 2 Confirmed 5 June 1605, Ibid. 3 Ibid., 3 May 1609. 4 Ibid., 10 May and 27 July 1611. 6 Ibid. 6 Ibid. " Ibid. 8 Ibid. NAIRN, LORD NAIRN 393 6 July 1647,1 was Sheriff-depute of Perth in December 1657.2 He married, 25 February 1647, Barbara Oant,3 daughter of Mr. John Cant of Morton.4 They had two daughters : — (1) Margaret, married, about 1690, to Alexander Carnegie of Kinfauna, fourth son of David, second Earl of Northesk.6 (2) Jean, who was, along with her sister, served heir to her father in the lands of Beuchills 30 April 1675.6 Her sister . was served heir to her 11 May 1683. 7 3. Alexander of Greenyards, born 10 September 1630 ; admitted advocate 22 November 1656; re-admitted 5 June 1661 ;8 died in January 1684." He married Buphame Baston, who survived him, and died May 1686.10 They had, with other issue :— (1) Alexander, entered the fourth class in the University of Glasgow 1 March 1693 ; n served heir to his father in Easter Greenyards 7 June 1699. 12 4. James, born 6 December 1631. 5. William, said to have been a captain in the service of King Charles u. ; killed at the battle of Worcester 1651. 6. Agnes, married to William Blair of Tarsappie. 7. Elizabeth, born 6 April 1635, married to Sir David Falconer of Newton, Lord President of the Court of Session, and was buried in Greyfriars 20 January 1676.13 I. ROBERT NAIRN, the eldest son, was admitted a member of the Faculty of Advocates 20 February 1644. He was with the Royalist forces at the battle of Alyth 27 August 1651, and was with many noblemen and gentlemen taken prisoner by Monck's cavalry.14 He was taken to London, and committed to the Tower, where he remained till the Restoration. On 19 January 1661 he was appointed one of the Senators of the College of Justice, receiving at the same time the honour of knighthood.15 On 11 January 1671 he was appointed one of the Lords Commissioners of 1 Faculty List. 2 Reg. Mag. Sig., 1 January 1658. 3 Edin. Marriage Reg. 4 Edin. Tests. 5 Carnegies, Earls of Southesk, ii. 429. 6 Retours, Perth, 873. 7 Retours, Gen., 6477. 8 Faculty List. 9 Retours. 10 Stirling Tests. 11 Munim. Univ. Glasg., iii. 153. 12 Retours, Stirling, 343. 13 Greyfriars Reg. 14 Scotland and the Commonwealth, 9. 16 Brunton and Haig's Senators, 372. 394 NAIRN, LORD NAIRN Justiciary. By patent, dated at Whitehall 27 January 1681, he was created LORD NAIRN, with a special re- mainder, failing heirs-male of his body, to Lord George Murray, youngest son of the Marquess of Atholl, or fail- ing him, to any other son who should be the husband of Margaret, his only child, and the heirs-male of their bodies, and failing such heirs-male, ' to the eldest daughter or heir- female to be procreated between them without division,' such heirs succeeding to his estates. Wodrow tells a story about Lord Nairn being one of the judges at the trial of the Earl of Argyll in December 1681, being very old and infirm, had to retire to bed, and afterwards being carried into Court when he voted in a semi-comatose con- dition for the relevancy of the indictment, but there does not seem to be any corroborative authority for the state- ment. Whatever may have been Nairn's state of health at the trial, he cannot have been a very aged man. He died 30 May 1683. He married, in or before 1669, Margaret, daughter of Patrick Graham of Inchbraco ; she was buried 3 May 1704.1 They had issue :— 1. A child, born 16 December 1669,2 buried in Greyfriars 24 March 1670.3 2. Margaret. She was contracted in marriage 15 July 1676, when she was three years of age, to George, youngest son of John, Marquess of Atholl. As above mentioned, the patent of the Nairn Peerage was originally in his favour, but in consequence of his bad health the contract was annulled, and a new one drawn up in 1690, substituting the fourth son William in his place. He died 21 November 1691.4 The marriage of Margaret to his brother took place in February 1690, and the succession to the title accordingly opened under the specific remainder above mentioned to II. LORD WILLIAM MURRAY. He was born about 1664, and served in the Navy. He was admitted to Parliament 22 April 1690, not without some objection on the ground that he was not Lord George mentioned in the patent,5 and took the oath of allegiance.6 In 1693 he was fined £1200 for 1 Funeral entry in Lyon Office. 2 Greyfriars Burial Reg. 3 Edin. Reg. * See ante, i. 477. 6 Acta Parl. Scot,, ix. 110. 6 Ibid. NAIRN, LORD NAIRN 395 absence from Parliament, but was afterwards excused attendance on the ground of indisposition.1 He took part in the rising of 1715, was taken prisoner at Preston 14 November 1715, and was, together with his son the Master of Nairn, committed to the Tower 8 December. At the trial of Nairn and other Scottish lords who had also been indicted for high treason, a trial which lasted from 18 January to 19 March 1716, he was convicted and sentenced to be executed. Great efforts were made by the friends of the condemned noblemen to obtain a relaxa- tion of their sentence, and it is said that besides Lady Nithsdale, whose efforts on behalf of her husband are a well-known story, Lady Nairn also personally importuned the King for pardon.2 He was ultimately pardoned, or at least the carrying out of his sentence was suspended till his life was protected by the Indemnity of 1717. In 1716 an Act of Parliament was passed to enable the King to make provision for Lady Nairn and her children out of her for- feited paternal estate. On 24 June 1721 the titular King James in. created him Earl of Nairn and Viscount Stanley. He died 3 February 1726, having married, as above mentioned, Margaret Nairn, who died 14 November 1747.3 They had issue : — 1. JOHN. 2. Robert, also an ardent Jacobite, engaged in the rebellion of 1745, and fell at the battle of Culloden 16 April 1746. He married, 16 August 1720, Jean, daughter and heiress of Sir Laurence Mercer of Aldie, and assumed her name. By her, who died 1 December 1749, he had issue : — (1) James, died s.p. 1758. (2) William, a colonel in the Army, died 19 January 1790, having married, 3 April 1762, Margaret, daughter and heiress of William Murray of Pitkaithley, leaving three daughters : — i. Jean, married, 10 April 1787, as his first wife, to George Keith Elphinstone, Viscount Keith,4 and died 12 December 1789, leaving a daughter : — (i) MABGARET, who was born in London 12 June 1788, and succeeded in 1823 to her father's titles of Baron Keith of Stonehaven Mari- schal, in the Peerage of Ireland of 1797, and 1 Ada Parl. Scot., ix. 251, 259. 2 Hill Burton's Hist., viii. 335. 3 Testa- ment confirmed 31 July 1755, Dunkeld Tests. 4 See vol. iii. 548. 396 NAIRN, LORD NAIRN Baron Keith of Banheath, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom of 1803, but not to the British Peerage of Baron Keith of Stonehaven (1801), nor to the Viscounty (1814). She also ultimately became suo jure Baroness Nairn (see below). ii. Cochrane, a daughter, died unmarried in 1801. 1 iii. Catherine, executrix of her sister Cochrane, died at Hope Park, Edinburgh, 16 January 1822.2 (3) Margaret, married, 4 April 1758, to James Robertson of Lude.3 3- William, described as of * the city of London, mariner,' 4 is said by Douglas to have been captain of the Calmar, Bast Indiaman, and to have died off St. Helena 25 March 1743, s.p. 4. James, an officer in the British Army, died at Perth 5 October 1788.5 He left a daughter, (1) Mary, married to Lieutenant Cook, R.N., and died s.p. 5. Margaret, married (contract 1 November 1712) to William, fourth Viscount of Strathallan. She was, for her active support of Prince Charles, committed prisoner to Edinburgh Castle 11 February 1746, and remained there till 22 November following, when she was liberated on bail. She died at Machany 28 May 1773, leaving issue. 6. Amelia Ann Sophia, married (contract 26 and 28 Sep- tember 1719') to Laurence Oliphant of Gask. She also figures in the Jacobite records of the time, and died at Gask 18 March 1774, leaving issue. 7. Catherine, married, in 1728, to her cousin William, third Earl of Dunmore.7 (See that title.) 8. Marjory or May, married, in March 1739,8 to Duncan Robertson of Drumachin, and died at Potterhill January 1793. 9. Charlotte, married (contract 9 and 10 June 1731 8) to John Robertson of Lude, and died at Perth 11 August 1787.10 10. Mary, died unmarried at Gask 2 March 1774. 1 Dunkeld Tests. 2 Edin. Com. 3 Scots Mag. This lady is not men- tioned in the Peerage Case. * Peerage Case. * Scots Mag. 6 Perth Sas., xx. 583. 7 See vol. iii. 387. 8 Scots Mag. 9 Perth Sas., xx. 456. 10 Scots Mag. NAIRN, LORD NAIRN 397 11. Louisa, married, 27 April 1748,1 to David Graham of Orchil, and died at Gask 5 April 1782. 12. Henrietta, died unmarried at Gask 19 August 1802, aged eighty-nine. III. JOHN, third Lord Nairn, was engaged in the rising of 1715 with his father, was a lieutenant-colonel in Lord Charles Murray's regiment, and was taken prisoner at the battle of Preston. He was committed to the Tower, and sentence of forfeiture was passed against him, but he ob- tained his personal freedom. In 1737 an Act was passed to enable him * to sue or maintain any action or suit, notwith- standing his attainder ; and to remove any disability in him, by reason of his said attainder, to take or inherit any real or personal estate that may or shall hereafter descend or come to him.2 Such clemency, however, did not pre- vent his taking an active part in the rebellion of 1745. He was in command of the second line at the battle of Prestonpans, was chosen one of the Prince's Privy Council, and was with him in his march into England. He was present at the battles of Palkirk and Oulloden ; from the latter field he escaped, and after wandering with Lord George Murray in Badenoch for some time, he escaped to the Continent. He was again attainted in 1746.3 He died at Sancerre in France 11 July 1770, aged seventy-nine. He married (contract 3 November 1712) his cousin, Katherine Murray, youngest daughter of Charles, first Earl of Dunmore. She, who was born 10 January 1692, died at Versailles 9 May 1754. They had issue :— 1. James, died s.p. 1737. 2. William, died s.p. a minor, in 1729 or 1730.4 3. JOHN, of whom afterwards. 4. Charles, an officer in the Dutch service, from which he retired and lived at Silverwells, Perthshire, where he died 8 June 1795, and was buried at Auchtergaven. 5. Robert, mentioned in his grandmother's will, but ap- parently died before its confirmation in July 1755. 6. Edward, who also must have died before 1755. ' Scots Mag. 2 11 Geo. n. cap. 56. 3 19 Geo. n. cap. 26. 4 Nairn Peerage Case. 398 NAIRN, LORD NAIRN 7. Thomas, shared the Jacobite opinions of his family, and was an officer in Lord John Drummond's regi- ment. He was taken, in October 1745, on board the Esperance on his passage to Scotland to join Prince Charles. He died at Sancerre s.p. 14 April 1777.1 8. Henry, born 1 November 1727,2 an officer in the French service. Died at Perth 1818.3 9. Margaret, died s.p. in 1729 or 1730. 10. Clementina, died s.p. at Sancerre. JOHN, who but for the attainder would have been fourth Lord Nairn, never assumed the title. He was an officer in the British Army, being captain in the 1st Royals in 1747, and ultimately a lieutenant-colonel. He died at St. Andrews 7 November 1782,4 having married, about 1756, Brabazon, daughter of Richard Wheeler of Layrath, co. Kilkenny. She died 22 April 1801. 5 They had issue :— 1. John, an officer in Eraser's 71st Regiment, died in America unmarried 1781. 2. WILLIAM. 3. Brabazon, died unmarried at Edinburgh 6 March 1783.8 IV. WILLIAM NAIRN, born at Drogheda 1757, succeeded his brother as captain-lieutenant in the 71st Regiment.7 He rose to the rank of major, and became Assistant In- spector of Barracks in Scotland. By Act of Parliament of 17 June 1824 the forfeiture of his ancestor was repealed, and he was restored to the title of Lord Nairn. He died 9 July 1830,8 having married, in June 1806, Caroline, the poetess, third daughter of Laurence Oliphant of Gask. She, who was born at Gask 16 August 1766, died there 27 October 1845, aged seventy-nine. They had issue one son, V. WILLIAM, fifth Lord Nairn, born 1808, only survived his father a few years, and died at Brussels unmarried 17 December 1837.9 The succession then opened to VI. MARGARET MERCER ELPHINSTONE, suo jure Baroness Keith of Stonehaven Marischal, in the Peerage of Ire- 1 Peerage Case. 2 Ibid. s Ibid. * St. Andrews Burial Reg. 6 St. Andrews Com. 6 Edin. Tests. 7 Peerage Case. 8 Edin. Tests. 9 Peerage Case. NAIRN, LORD NAIRN 399 land, and Baroness Keith of Banheath in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. She was the daughter of George Keith Blphinstone, Viscount Keith, by his first wife, Jean Mercer, great-granddaughter of Lord William Murray, second Lord Nairn.1 She was born in Mayfair, London, 12 June 1788. Prom a social point of view she is chiefly memorable as having been a very attached friend of Charlotte, Princess of Wales, of whose household she was a member. On the death of her father in 1823 she succeeded to his titles of Baron Keith of Stonehaven Marischal in the Peerage of Ireland of 1797, and Baron Keith of Banheath in the Peerage of the United Kingdom of 1803, but not to the British Peerage of Baron Keith of Stonehaven (1801) nor to the Viscounty (1814). On the death of her kinsman William, Lord Nairn, in 1837, she became swo jure Baroness Nairn. She died at Paris 11 November 1867, in her eightieth year, when the two baronies of Keith became extinct. She married, 20 June 1817, in Mrs. Murray of Henderland's house in Edinburgh, Auguste Charles Joseph, Count de Flahault de la Billardrie, sometime A.D.O. to Buonaparte, afterwards, under the Bourbons, Ambassador to Berne, Vienna, and the Court of St. James's, the last in 1860. ' The bride in green gloves and ribbons, and not one of her near relations to countenance her folly . . . never imagined she would marry for love.' 2 The Count finally resided in Paris as Chancellor of the Legion of Honour, and died there 2 September 1870, aged eighty-five. They had issue two daughters, of whom only the elder married. VII. EMILY JANE, born 16 May 1819 ; was married, 1 Nov- ember 1843, as his second wife, to Henry, fourth Marquess of Lansdowne. She claimed the Peerage of Nairn (her mother, being already the possessor of two baronies, having not moved in the matter) on the ground that the issue male of the grantee having failed, the title fell in terms of the patent to the eldest daughter or heir-female. The House of Lords held that the Marchioness was the * eldest daughter or heir-female ' within the meaning of the patent, 1 See ante, p. 395. 2 C. K. Sharpe to the Earl of Leven and Melville ; Melville Book, ii. 318. He afterwards says, « Never were two such happy people.' See Memoirs of the Comtesse de Boigne, ii. 132, for a somewhat different version of the story. 400 NAIRN, LORD NAIRN and accordingly adjudged the dignity to her. The fact that the patent contained the clause ' such heirs succeed- ing to the estates ' does not seem to have influenced their Lordships.1 The Marchioness of Lansdowne died 25 June 1895 at Meiklour, leaving issue : — 1. HENRY CHARLES KEITH PETTY. 2. Edmond George Petty, born 19 June 1846; created Lord Fitzmaurice of Leigh, Wilts, 9 January 1906; married, 33 November 1889, Caroline, daughter of W. J. Fitzgerald of Lichfield, Connecticut.2 3. Emily Louisa Anne, born 1855, married, 2 June 1886, the Hon. BverardC. Digby, colonel Grenadier Guards, and has issue. VIII. HENRY CHARLES KEITH PETTY FITZMAURICE, Lord Nairn in the Peerage of Scotland ; Marquess of Lansdowne, Earl Wycombe, Viscount Cain and Calnstone, and Lord Wycombe, Baron of Chipping Wycombe, in the Peerage of Great Britain ; Earl of Kerry and Earl of Shelburne, Vis- count Olanmaurice and Fitzmaurice, Baron of Kerry, Lix- naw, and Dunkeron in the Peerage of Ireland ; G.O.M.G. 1884; G.O.S.I. and G.O.I.E. 10 December 1888; K.G. 6 March 1895 ; D.O.L., LL.D., etc., born 14 January 1845 ; was Governor-General of Canada 1883-88, and of India 1888-94 ; Secretary of State for War 1895-1900 ; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs 1900-1905. Married, 8 November 1869, Maude Evelyn Hamilton, O.I., V.A., etc., daughter of James, first Duke of Abercorn, and has issue : — 1. HENRY WILLIAM EDMOND, Earl of Kerry, M.V.O., D.S.O., major, late Irish Guards ; born 14 January 1872 ; married, 16 February 1904, Elizabeth Caroline, only daughter of Edward Stanley Hope, O.B. 2. Charles George Francis, captain 1st Dragoons ; born 12 February 1874. 3. Evelyn Emily Mary, born 27 August 1870 ; married, 30 July 1892, the Right Hon. Victor Christian William Cavendish, P.O., M.P., eldest son of Lord Edward Cavendish, and has issue. 4. Beatrix Frances, born 25 March 1877; married, 16 1 Hewlett on Dignities, 211, where Lord Chancellor Cairns's judgment is given. 2 Marriage annulled 1894. NAIRN, LORD NAIRN 401 October 1897, to Henry de la Poer Beresford, K.P., Marquess of Waterford, with issue. ARMS. — The arms of the Lords Nairn were : — Parted per pale sable and argent, on a chaplet four quatrefoils counter- changed. The Marchioness of Lansdowne and Baroness Nairn re- corded the following arms in the Lyon Register in 1878. — Quarterly : 1st and 4th, ermine, on a bend azure a magnetic needle pointing to a polar star or, for Petty ; 2nd and 3rd, argent, a saltire gules and chief ermine, for Fitzmaurice ; on an escutcheon of pretence, quarterly, 1st, Nairn as above ; 2nd grand quarter counterquartered, 1st and 4th, or, on a fess gules between three crosses patee in chief of the second a mullet azure, in base three besants, for Mercer; 2nd and 3rd, argent, a chevron sable between three boars' heads erased gules, for Elphinstone ; 3rd grand quarter counter- quartered, 1st and 4th, paly of six or and sable, for Atholl ; 2nd, or, a fess chequy azure and argent, for Stewart ; 3rd, azure, three mullets argent within a double tressure flory counterflory or, for Murray; 4th grand quarter, argent, three martlets sable, on a comble azure a cross or, a franc quartier of the third charged with a sword paleways, point upwards proper. [j. B. P.] VOL. VI. 2c NAPIER, LORD NAPIER OF MERCHISTON A PIER, Le Napier, or Naper, the last the ear- liest found form of the name, appears as a sur- name at an early date both in England and Scot- land. In England it oc- curs at least as early as 1189-90 or the first year of King Richard i., when William le Naper renders an account to the great roll of the Pipe of 107s. 4d. of the old rent of Waltham in Essex.1 A Robert Naperius appears in Lincolnshire in 1205, and a Meingot Naper in Essex in same year.2 In 1234 the office of Forester of Shotover, co. Oxford, was committed by King Henry HI. to Thomas le Napier,3 and he or a person of the same name, Thomas le Naper, took service under the King to go to Gascony in 1253.4 Wood, in his edition of Douglas, quotes a reference to a John le Naper, King's hunter, who had a grant of land in Essex in 1258.5 The name still existed in England when the first of the surname is recorded in Scotland, a John Naper, who occurs as a witness to charters by Malcolm, Earl of Lennox, about 1294.' In 1296, in the rolls of homage to King Edward I., John le Naper, perhaps the last named, appears in Dum- bartonshire, another John le Naper in Peeblesshire, and a Matthew le Naper in Forfarshire,7 showing that the name 1 The Great Roll of the Pipe Ric. i. (1189-90), 1844, p. 29. * Rotuli de Oblatis and Finibus, 1835, pp. 247, 264. 3 Close Rolls (1231-34), 457. 4 Patent Rolls (1247-58), 231. 6 Wood's Douglas, ii. 281. Levenax, 22, 24 n. J Col. Doc. Scot., ii. 200, 202. 8 Cart, de of JHmjnston NAPIER, LORD NAPIER OF MEROHI8TON 403 was then distributed in Scotland. The origin of the family of Napier of Merchiston, the subject of this article, has never been clearly proved, though in 1441 Alexander Naper, who then held Merchiston, claimed cousinship or kinsman- ship with John Naper of Kilmahew, descended from the John Naper of 1294.1 There were many Napiers in the end of the fourteenth century, of which one family, the Napiers of Wrightshouses, bore the same arms as those of Kilma- hew, differing from the armorial blazons of the Napiers of Ballikinrain and Merchiston, which were identical. The first clearly ascertained progenitor of the Napiers of Mer- chiston was ALEXANDER NAPER, who was a burgess of Edinburgh, and had extensive dealings in wool between the years 1418 and 1448.2 So early as 1434 he had monetary transactions with King James i., and in security obtained a charge over the lands of Merchiston, which were then in the King's hands. There are several payments to him from the Exchequer in the years 1434, 1435 and 1438, on account of the dis- charge ; 3 and on 20 July 1435 it is said that the King is indebted to Master William Foulis, Keeper of the Privy Seal, in £44, 6s. 6d., being part of a larger sum which he had borrowed for redeeming the lands of Merchiston out of the hands of Alexander Naper.4 The lands, however, were never redeemed, probably owing to the assassination of the King at Perth 20 February 1436-37. In an account rendered at Edinburgh 18 July 1438, mention is made of the lands of Merchiston which were pledged by way of sale or donation by a charter granted to Alexander Naper, burgess of Edinburgh ; a letter of reversion of the same remaining in Edinburgh Oastle.5 Alexander Naper was one of the bailies of Edinburgh in 1427,6 and also in 1435-36. He was Provost of the Burgh 13 February and 8 March 1436-37.7 On 14 August 1441 he names John Napier of Kilmahew his cousin or kinsman, and he himself had rights over the lands of Ballikinrain.8 When the Commissioners for Scotland met the English ambassadors at the Church 1 Strathendrick, by J. Guthrie Smith, 175, 191-193. 2 Exch. Rolls, iv. 301 ; v. 218, 313. 3 Ibid., iv. 574, 623 ; v. 26, 28. * Ibid., iv. 667. * Ibid., v. 68. 6 St. Giles's Charters, 50, 60. 7 Edin. Burgh Rec., i. 254. 8 Strathen- drick, by J. Guthrie Smith, 191, 192. 404 NAPIER, LORD NAPIER OF MERCHISTON of Saint Nicholas, Newcastle, 14 August 1451, to arrange for a three years' truce between the two countries, Alexander Napere the elder (leinye) is the designation of one of the Commissioners of the King of Scots.1 He had also a safe-conduct to visit Canterbury as a pilgrim 13 September 1451 ; 2 and there is a charter of some ground near Leith, dated 13 March 1452-53, which Wood ascribes to the elder Alexander, and which has a seal attached bearing a saltire engrailed between four roses. He is stated to have died about the year 1454, and he left two sons : — 1. ALEXANDER, who succeeded him. 2. Robert, who received certain payments from the public Exchequer * for his fee ' between the years 1456 and 1462.3 ALEXANDER NAPIER is first mentioned in the records 6 September 1432, when he had a charter of an annualrent of two merks from Adam Bonkill, wherein he is designed son and heir of Alexander Napare, burgess of Edinburgh. He appears to have distinguished himself in defence of the Queen-Dowager of King James i., when she was seized and imprisoned by the Livingstons, 3 August 1439. The lands of Philde, co. Perth, were granted to him by James n., 7 March 1449-50, in recognition of his faithful services to the Queen-Mother, and in compensation of severe bodily injuries, wounds, and personal damage sustained by him on the occasion of the violent capture and incarceration of the Queen.4 Another charter of the same lands which were in the King's hands by the forfeiture of Alexander Livingston, son of Sir Alexander, was granted to Alexander Napier and Elizabeth, his wife, 9 March 1450-51 ,5 but the property appears to have reverted to the Livingston family between 1454 and 1466." On the downfall of the Livingstons, Napier was on 24 September 1449 appointed Comptroller of the Royal Household, an office previously held by Robert Livingston, in which he continued many years thereafter.7 He had a charter of lands in Fife, 24 May 1452 ; 8 was Provost of Edinburgh in 1452 until 1455, and again in 1457,9 when he rendered 1 Col. Doc. Scot., iv. 252. 2 Fcedera, xi. 302. 3 Exch. Rolls, vi. 234, 587 ; vii. 127. * Reg. Mag. Sig. 6 Ibid. 6 Ibid., 25 December 1466. 7 Exch. Bolls, v. per Index. s Beg. Mag. Sig. 9 Edin. Burgh Bee. NAPIER, LORD NAPIER OP MEROHISTON 405 accounts of the bailies of Edinburgh, 10 July 1457.1 On 18 June 1453, there were delivered to Alexander Napare, Provost of Edinburgh, by the auditors of the Exchequer, various coins of silver and gold in a ' lockfast box ' to be kept until the King wished to have them assayed.2 Amongst the records of the city of Edinburgh is a feu-charter granted by the Provost, Bailies, and community, with consent of Sir Robert Linton, chaplain of the altar of Saint Catherine in the Church of Edinburgh, setting in feu-farm to Alexander Naper of Merchistoun, the lands of Over Merchiston pertaining to the said altar, at a feu- duty of 20 marks yearly, 26 June 1456. About the same time the Pultrie lands near Edinburgh, with the hereditary office of Poulterer to the King, were acquired.3 Alexander Naper of Merchiston had a general discharge under the sign-manual and Privy Seal of all moneys received by him during the time he held the office of Comptroller, and especially of 500 marks owing by Alexander for the charter of Balbertane, co. Fife, which formerly belonged to James, Lord Dalkeith, 24 October 1456. He sat in the Parliament of 6 March 1457,4 and was one of those chosen for visiting the money. There is also a warrant to the English Chancellor, dated at Westminster 10 May 1459, for Alex- ander Naper and others, then in England, to go to Scot- land with their sixteen servants, and to return at pleasure, the permission to endure for one year.5 On the 16 of the same month, he witnessed a deed of James n. at Edin- burgh, at the abbey of the Holy Cross there ; " and he was knighted in the year 1460, probably on the occasion of the coronation of James in. Sir Alexander Naper was Comptroller of the Royal Household at 7 July 1461, when there was a discharge to him under the Privy Seal of James in., and he held the office of Vice-Admiral of Scot- land, for he is so designated in a safe-conduct to him and other ambassadors to the Court of England, 24 September 1461.7 He attended at Perth a meeting of the Exchequer, 28 May 1464,8 sat in the Parliament held at Edinburgh on 13 January 1464,9 and on 6 November in the same year 1 Exch. Bolls, vi. 313. 2 Ibid., v. 556. 3 Ibid., vi. 144. 4 Ada Parl. Scot., ii. 47. 6 Cal. Doc. Scot., iv. 1299. 6 Reg. Mag. Sig. 7 Rot. Scot., ii. 415 ; Foedera, xi. 476. 8 Exch. Rolls, vii. 229. 9 Reg. Ho. Charters, No. 377. 406 NAPIER, LORD NAPIER OF MEROHISTON had a safe-conduct to go into England.1 By a commission under the Privy Seal, 24 February 1464-65, he was appointed, with others, to search the port and haven of Leith for pre- venting the exportation of gold and silver ; he is mentioned in a charter of James in. to the Church of Saint Giles, Edinburgh, 24 February 1466-67 ; 2 and he was sent with the Lord Chancellor to negotiate the marriage between that monarch and the King of Denmark's daughter in 1468.3 In the years 1469, 1470, and 1471, Sir Alexander Naper of Merchiston was again Provost of Edinburgh.4 He was also one of the Committee appointed by Parliament 6 May 1471, with power to determine all matters that should occur for the welfare of the King and the common good of the realm ; and he had a discharge of a sum of £200 Scots of certain finance taken up by him in Bruges in Flanders, and of £100 for armour brought home -by him for the King, dated 27 January 1472-73.5 Sir Alexander had a safe-conduct to go on an embassy to Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, regarding the claims of James in. to the Duchy of Gueldres, 1 May 1473.6 The King's secret instructions to him on this occasion are still preserved, and he and his lands were to be exempt from all pleas, etc., from the day of his departure until forty days after his return, as he was going beyond seas upon the King's business. On 24 May 1473 he had a remission of the 250 marks due to the Crown as a composition for a part of the earldom of Lennox, in consideration of the long and true service done to the King and his royal progenitors by his lovite Knight and Master of the Household Alexander Napare of Merchiston. He died before 15 February 1473-74, and was buried at St. Giles's Church, Edinburgh. He married Elizabeth Lauder, probably a daughter of the Laird of Hatton,7 and had issue : — 1. JOHN, of whom below. 2. Henry, who had some lands in the barony of Leslie in Fife, and was contracted to Janet, daughter of John Ramsay of Culluthy, as appears from the said John's obligations in his favour 23 May 1476. 3. Alexander. 1 Foedera, xl. 537. a Reg. Mag. Sig. 3 Macfarlane MSS. 4 Ada Parl. Scot., ii. 93 ; Edin. B