Alexander Home, 1st Earl of Home facts for kids
Alexander Home, 1st Earl of Home (born around 1566, died 5 April 1619) was an important Scottish nobleman. He was also known as the 6th Lord Home. He held a powerful position called the Lord Warden-general of all the March, which meant he was in charge of protecting the border between Scotland and England.
Contents
Life and Times
Early Years
Alexander Home was born about 1566. His father was Alexander Home, 5th Lord Home. When his father died in 1575, young Alexander was looked after by Andrew Home. The important castle of Home was first managed by his father's widow.
Later, in 1579, it was decided that Lord Home and his guardian would keep control of the castle. In 1582, Alexander Home became the warden of the east marches. This role gave him special power to hold courts and keep order in his area.
The Home family often had disagreements with another powerful border family, the Hepburns. The head of the Hepburns was the Earl of Bothwell. This old rivalry might have been why Alexander Home's father sided against Mary, Queen of Scots when she was close to Bothwell. This rivalry also caused many arguments between Alexander Home and Bothwell.
In 1584, it was suggested that Alexander Home marry Marie Stewart, the young daughter of the Duke of Lennox, who was a favorite of King James VI.
Joining the Ruthven Raid
Alexander Home was one of the noblemen who signed an agreement that led to the Raid of Ruthven. This was an event where some nobles took control of King James VI. In 1583, Home had a big fight with Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell, in Edinburgh. Both were put in prison. Home was held in Tantallon Castle for a while before being moved to Edinburgh Castle.
Against the Regent Arran
Even though he had a rivalry with Bothwell, Home later worked with him. They planned to bring back some banished lords and remove Regent Arran from power. Home and Bothwell made Kelso Castle their meeting place for their supporters. After Arran lost power, King James VI forgave Home.
In 1587, some church leaders complained to the king that Home was a "Papist" (a Catholic) and had been given important positions. At a parliament meeting that year, Home had a quarrel with Lord Fleming about voting order. Home challenged Fleming to a duel, but people in Edinburgh stopped them. The king later helped them make peace.
Rivalry with Bothwell Continues
After Arran's fall, the old rivalry between Home and Bothwell started again. In 1589, when King James sailed to Denmark to bring Princess Anne to Scotland, he told Home and Bothwell to stay peaceful.
However, Home later helped Bothwell when Bothwell fell out of favor with the king. In 1591, Home helped the Duke of Lennox attack someone on Edinburgh's High Street. He was sent away from court for a short time. After Bothwell escaped from Edinburgh Castle, he dined with Home. Because Home openly joined Bothwell, the king ordered Home to be pursued. But soon after, Home was reported to have become an enemy of Bothwell.
In 1592, Home offered his support against Bothwell. As a reward, he received the Priory of Coldingham. However, he then argued with Sir Robert Ker of Cessford, who had also been given land for his support.
Religious Beliefs and the Kirk
In November 1592, a group of ministers asked the king to remove Home from his company because he was a Catholic. The king agreed to investigate. In 1593, Home appeared before the church leaders in Edinburgh. He said he was a Catholic and wanted to discuss his beliefs.
Home remained close to the king. In September 1593, the church leaders in Fife officially removed Home from the church (excommunicated him). However, Home stayed with the king. In December, he signed a statement of faith for the Edinburgh ministers. In May 1594, he promised to follow Protestantism and was allowed back into the church.
In August 1594, Home took part in a special event at Stirling Castle. This event celebrated the baptism of Prince Henry. Home dressed in a Turkish costume for a tournament.
Some Catholic leaders still saw Lord Home and Alexander Seton as important people who could influence the king. They hoped King James VI might become the future king of England.
Chasing Bothwell
In March 1594, Home was given the job of chasing Bothwell. There was a small fight near Arthur's Seat, but Home's men were pushed back by Bothwell's soldiers. After Bothwell was banished, his lands were divided. Home received Coldingham Priory.
In March 1596, King James VI visited Dunglass Castle for hunting. The king's presence near Berwick-upon-Tweed worried the English soldiers there.
In 1596, an English report listed reasons to suspect King James VI was secretly Catholic. It mentioned that known Catholics like William Schaw, Alexander Seton, and Home were given important jobs in the king's household. Home was one of the nobles who helped the financial officers in November 1596. He was also with the king during a disturbance in Edinburgh in December.
Later Life
In May 1598, Home had a serious disagreement with William Lauder. This caused problems for King James VI, who wanted to forgive Home.
In April 1599, Home traveled abroad for his health. He gave up his job as warden of the east marches. In 1600, he was called to appear before the king at Falkland Palace, and he obeyed. In 1601, church authorities tried to watch over Home and other former Catholics more closely, but Home was out of the country.
In 1603, Home was part of the group that went with King James to England. This happened when James became King of England. The king even stayed a night at Home's Dunglass Castle. In London, Home went with the French ambassador to Greenwich Palace. On 7 July, the king made him a special officer in charge of the three marches. He also became a privy councillor in England. On 4 March 1605, he was given the titles Earl of Home and Lord Dunglass.
In 1606, Home was again suspected of being a Catholic and possibly involved in the Gunpowder Plot. He was ordered to stay in Edinburgh.
When King James decided to visit Scotland in 1617, Home and his followers were told to meet the king. They were to escort him to Dunglass Castle and then to Pencraig.
Alexander, Earl of Home, passed away in London on 5 April 1619.
Family Life
In March 1586, Alexander Home married Christian, who was the daughter of William Douglas, 6th Earl of Morton. She had been married before. Christian and Alexander did not have any children who survived. Records show that she bought textiles for her gowns from an Edinburgh merchant in 1589 and 1590.
Lord Home and Christian had some disagreements. An English diplomat wrote that they separated in October 1595. Christian took household items from Dunglass Castle to a house in Fife.
His second wife was Mary Dudley Sutton. She was the eldest daughter of Edward Sutton, 5th Baron Dudley. They got married in London on 11 July 1605. Their children included:
- James Home, 2nd Earl of Home
- Margaret Home, who married James Stuart, 4th Earl of Moray
- Anne Home, who married John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale.
After Alexander Home died, his widow, Mary Countess of Home, built Moray House in Edinburgh.
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