Adam Erskine facts for kids
Adam Erskine was an important Scottish landowner and courtier. He lived during the 1500s, a time of big changes in Scotland. He was known for his role in the Scottish court and his support for young King James VI.
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Career
Adam Erskine was the son of Thomas Erskine. His family was connected to the powerful John Erskine, 5th Lord Erskine. In 1562, Adam became the Commendator of Cambuskenneth Abbey. This meant he managed the abbey's lands and money, even though he wasn't a monk.
In 1559, he bought a house in Stirling near the castle. This house is now known as Argyll's Lodging. Erskine changed the house into a large, L-shaped tower house with four floors. In 1604, Erskine sold the house to a family member.
Adam Erskine supported Regent Morton, who ruled Scotland while King James VI of Scotland was still a child. King James lived at Stirling Castle with his aunt, Annabell Murray, Countess of Mar. Adam Erskine gave the young king a hunting book called La Chasse du Loup by Jean de Clamorgan.
A struggle at Stirling Castle
In April 1578, Adam Erskine removed Alexander Erskine of Gogar from his job as keeper of Stirling Castle. An English diplomat named Robert Bowes wrote about what happened. Adam Erskine convinced his cousin, the young Earl of Mar, that he should be the one to look after King James VI.
On Sunday morning, April 27, 1578, Adam Erskine, David Erskine, Commendator of Dryburgh, and the Earl of Mar gathered at the castle gate. They pretended they were going out for a hunt. The two Commendators met Alexander Erskine, who had the castle keys. They started to argue with him about who should guard the King.
Alexander Erskine grabbed a halberd (a type of weapon) and called his servants. There was a short struggle. Then, Alexander Erskine and the Commendators went into the Great Hall to talk. The Earl of Argyll was also there with his followers, ready to fight. But in the end, they decided to let the Earl of Mar take charge. During the struggle, Alexander Erskine's oldest son was badly hurt and later died. A servant was also injured. The young king was very upset, fearing his friend Alexander Erskine had been killed.
In May 1579, Adam Erskine wrote a letter from Stirling Castle. He asked John Erskine of Dun to come to Stirling. They needed to investigate the suspicious death of the Earl of Atholl.
The Gowrie takeover
Erskine supported the Gowrie Regime in 1583. This was when the Earl of Gowrie took King James VI by force at Ruthven Castle. The King was kept away from his friends and forced to agree to certain policies for several months. These policies favored England and the Protestant Church.
After the Gowrie Regime failed, Adam Erskine lost his properties. A house he owned in Stirling was given to an artillery man named Archibald Gardiner. A payment from Cambuskenneth lands that he had given to one of his daughters was transferred to John Bog, the porter of Holyrood Palace.
Erskine was sent away from Scotland. In December 1583, he was in Berwick-upon-Tweed. He refused to accept the conditions to return home. He was in Newcastle in February 1584 and planned to travel to London.
Collector of church payments
Adam Erskine soon returned to favor with the King. He became the Collector-General of the "thirds of benefices." These were payments, like taxes, made in money or farm products. They were meant to help pay church ministers and cover the royal household's costs. In August 1584, he was pressing someone for payment.
He attended the coronation of Anne of Denmark on May 17, 1590. In January 1594, he joined the Privy Council, a group of royal advisors. In May 1594, Adam Erskine, the Commendator of Dryburgh, and William Erskine, Bishop of Glasgow, were put in charge of Prince Henry at Stirling.
An English diplomat named George Nicholson visited Stirling Castle in June 1595. He spoke with the Earl of Argyll, Mar, Mar's mother Annabell Murray, and Adam Erskine. Nicholson called Erskine an Abbot.
Adam Erskine passed away sometime before 1608.
Marriage and children
Adam Erskine married Margaret Drummond. She was the daughter of Robert Drummond of Carnock and Agnes or Margaret Kirkcaldy. Margaret was also the sister of William Kirkcaldy of Grange.
Their children included two daughters:
- Marie Erskine, who married James Erskine. He was a son of Alexander Erskine of Gogar and a younger brother of Thomas Erskine, 1st Earl of Kellie.
- Annabella Erskine, who married John Buchanan. She was the mother of the soldier George Buchanan.
