Adam Bothwell facts for kids

Adam Bothwell, a Lord of Session (a type of judge), was born around 1527 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and passed away in 1593 in the same city. He was an important Scottish clergyman, judge, and politician during a very busy time in Scottish history. He held several key positions, including Bishop of Orkney (starting in 1559) and Commendator of Holyrood House (from 1570). He also served as a judge in the highest court, first as an Extraordinary Lord of Session (1563–1564) and then as an Ordinary Lord of Session (1565). He was also a member of the Privy Council of Scotland, which advised the monarch.

Bothwell played a part in major historical events. He was a commissioner for the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots to Francis, who was the future King of France. Later, he performed the marriage ceremony for Mary and the Earl of Bothwell in 1567. He also had the important role of crowning the young James VI as king in 1567. He even traveled with the Regent Moray to a significant meeting in England in 1568.

During the Scottish Reformation, a time when Scotland changed its main religion from Catholicism to Protestantism, Adam Bothwell became a Protestant. He was briefly held in Stirling Castle in 1578. He owned lands called the baronies of Alhammer (also known as Whitekirk) from 1587–1588 and Brighouse (in West Lothian) from 1592. He was buried at Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh.

Early Life and Career

Adam Bothwell was the son of Francis Bothwell, who was also a judge. He was born around 1527. People believed he was very knowledgeable in both church law and civil law.

In 1558, the position of Bishop of Orkney became available. On October 11 or 14, 1559, Bothwell officially took over the lands and income of the Orkney bishopric.

Joining the Protestant Side

A few years later, Adam Bothwell decided to support the Protestant movement during the Reformation. While some people thought he might have been more interested in personal gain than in religious reform, he was properly chosen by the church leaders in Orkney. Queen Mary herself confirmed his appointment as bishop in 1562. This shows he was part of the traditional church system before becoming Protestant.

In 1563, Queen Mary asked him to become an extraordinary (temporary) judge in the highest court, the Lord of Session. He also started to get involved in church matters. He attended important meetings of the General Assembly, which was the main governing body of the Protestant church in Scotland. At one meeting, he was asked to help revise the Book of Discipline, which was a guide for how the new church should be run.

In 1565, Bothwell was promoted to be an ordinary (permanent) Lord of Session. He continued to attend church assemblies and helped make decisions on various church issues.

Adam Bothwell and Mary, Queen of Scots

Adam Bothwell became a very well-known figure because of his role in the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots to James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell on May 15, 1567. He performed the marriage ceremony following the Protestant style at Holyrood House. Some historical reports suggest that he declared the Earl of Bothwell had repented for his past life and joined the reformed church.

Soon after, Mary gave up her throne on July 24, 1567. On July 29, at Stirling, her young son, James, was crowned King James VI. Adam Bothwell had the important duty of crowning and anointing the new king.

Challenges from the Church

In December 1567, the General Assembly of the church raised four complaints against Adam Bothwell. They said he hadn't visited the churches in his area, that he was working as a judge, that he kept a Catholic person in his company, and that he had performed the marriage between the Queen and the Earl of Bothwell.

He appeared before the assembly on December 30. He explained that he couldn't live in Orkney because of the climate and his health. He also said he didn't know the person he kept company with was Catholic. For performing the royal marriage, which went against a church rule about divorced people, the assembly temporarily stopped him from performing his duties as a minister. However, on July 10, 1568, the assembly allowed him to return to his ministry. They asked him to preach at the Chapel Royal and apologize for his part in the controversial marriage.

Later Years and Legacy

Adam Bothwell found his role as Bishop of Orkney difficult. He only visited the area twice, and on one trip, his ship was even wrecked. In 1570, he traded most of his lands and income from the Orkney bishopric with Robert Stewart, Queen Mary's half-brother. In return, he received the abbacy of Holyrood House. He explained to the church assembly that Robert Stewart had taken his lands by force, and he had to accept the Holyrood abbacy out of necessity. He kept his title as Bishop of Orkney but also became the abbot of Holyrood House.

Bothwell was present when John, Earl of Mar, was chosen as regent (a temporary ruler) in 1571. He also helped create a new church settlement in 1572, which brought some parts of the church back to how they were before the Reformation. He even helped consecrate (officially appoint) James Boyd as the archbishop of Glasgow in 1572.

In 1578, Adam Bothwell was briefly put in prison at Stirling Castle because he spoke out against the regent's actions. He was quickly released and became part of a temporary government.

Later, in 1582, the General Assembly questioned why he had stopped performing his ministry duties. He said he was about 55 years old, had a poor memory, and was often sick. He also claimed his church position didn't pay much. The assembly asked the local church leaders in Edinburgh to check his abilities and assign him to a specific church if he was fit.

Adam Bothwell's later years were peaceful. He received royal charters for the lands of Whitekirk in 1587 and Brighouse in 1592. He passed away on August 23, 1593, and was buried near the main altar of the Chapel Royal in Holyrood Abbey, next to Holyrood House.

Family Life

Adam Bothwell was married to Margaret, who was the daughter of John Murray of Touchadam. They had several children:

• John, who also became a judge and was later given the title of Lord Holyroodhouse in 1607.
• Francis, who lived in Stewarton, Peeblesshire.
• William.
• Jean, who married Sir William Sandilands of St Monans.

See Also

• Holyrood Abbey
• Mary, Queen of Scots
• Scottish Reformation