Alexander Home, 3rd Lord Home facts for kids

Alexander Home, 3rd Lord Home (died 1516) was an important Scottish soldier and nobleman. He held big jobs like Chamberlain of Scotland (which was like a chief financial officer) and Warden of the Eastern March (protecting the border with England). He fought bravely at the Battle of Flodden, where his group won against part of the English army, even though the Scottish army lost the battle. After this, he didn't agree with the new ruler, John Stewart, Duke of Albany, and was later arrested and executed.

Life of Lord Home

Alexander Home was the son of Alexander Home, 2nd Lord Home. His mother was Nicholace Ker. His father was also a Great Chamberlain for James IV of Scotland.

Alexander became Lord Home, the King's Chamberlain, and the Warden of the Eastern and Middle Borders in 1506. The King officially confirmed these important roles for him in 1510. In 1507, he bought some land and the town of Gordon from the Earl of Huntly.

Raid into England

In August 1513, Lord Home led about 3,000 horsemen from the Scottish border into England. They were on their way back to Scotland with lots of goods they had taken. However, they were surprised by an English group led by William Bulmer at Milfield. Lord Home's men were defeated, losing about 1,000 soldiers and their special flag. Lord Home managed to escape, but his brother, George Home, was captured.

Battle of Flodden

Just one month later, on September 9, Lord Home's horsemen were part of the Scottish army at the famous Battle of Flodden. Lord Home and the Earl of Huntly's soldiers were at the front of the Scottish army. Even though Scotland lost the battle that day, Lord Home's men successfully defeated the right side of the English army, which was led by Edmund Howard. Lord Home survived the terrible fighting, though many of his family members died there. He tried to get back the Scottish cannons a few days later, but he wasn't successful.

Challenges with the Regent

After James IV of Scotland died at Flodden, Lord Home did not accept the rule of the new leader, Regent Albany. Even though he had first supported Albany becoming governor, a story says that when they met, the Regent made a joke about Lord Home being short. Their relationship got worse.

In August 1515, Lord Home wrote to Lord Dacre in England, saying that Albany wanted him sent away from Scotland. He hoped England would help him. Albany then captured Hume Castle in September. He ordered Lord Home to meet him at Dunglass. There, Lord Home was arrested and taken to Edinburgh Castle. His jailer was his brother-in-law, the Earl of Arran. Lord Home convinced Arran to escape with him. They then joined another rebel, the Earl of Angus, near the borders. In Glasgow, they captured supplies sent by Francis I of France and threw them into a well. Lord Home also attacked Dunbar Castle. He then captured the Chief Herald, the Lyon King of Arms, at Coldstream. He held him for ransom to get his mother back, who was a prisoner of Albany's officer, Antoine d'Arces.

After offering a pardon, Albany invited Lord Home and his brother William to Holyroodhouse. But they were arrested again. William was put in prison on the island fortress of Inchgarvie. Lord Home was accused of not doing enough to help the King at Flodden and of not stopping the English from rebuilding defenses at Norham Castle. Finally, he and William were charged with rebelling against Albany. They were both executed, and their heads were displayed on the side of Edinburgh Tolbooth as a warning.

Family Life

Lord Home married Lady Agnes Stewart. She was the daughter of James Stewart, 1st Earl of Buchan. She had been married before and owned Crichton Castle. They had one daughter:

• Janet Home, who married John Hamilton of Samuelston.

Lord Home also had several children outside of marriage:

• John Home
• Alison Home
• Isabel Home

After Lord Home's death, his brother, George Home, 4th Lord Home, eventually took over his title.

Sources

• [1] Balfour Paul, Sir J., Scots Peerage IX vols. Edinburgh 1904.