Alexander Home, 5th Lord Home facts for kids

Alexander Home, 5th Lord Home (died 1575), was an important Scottish nobleman. He was also a Warden of the Eastern March, which meant he was in charge of protecting the Scottish border with England.

Becoming Lord Home

Alexander Home was the son of George Home, 4th Lord Home and Mariotta Haliburton. He became Lord Home after his father passed away. His father had been hurt in a fight with the English just before a big battle called Pinkie Cleugh.

His Family

In 1537, Alexander was supposed to marry a daughter of James V of Scotland. But he first married Margaret Ker of Cessford. They had a daughter named Margaret. Later, he married Agnes Gray. Their son was Alexander Home, 6th Lord Home, who also became Lord Home.

The "Rough Wooing" Conflict

Alexander was captured by the English on September 9, 1547, the day before the Battle of Pinkie. This was during a time known as the "Rough Wooing," when England tried to force Scotland to agree to a marriage between their rulers.

After Alexander was captured, his mother, Mariotta Haliburton, had to give up Hume Castle to the English. Alexander was taken to England as a prisoner. However, he returned in 1548. He quickly worked with his brother, Andrew Home, to take back Hume Castle from the English.

In 1562, Alexander sent a message to Mary, Queen of Scots. He warned her that Elizabeth I of England was preparing a large navy to help Protestants in France. The English diplomat at Mary's court, Thomas Randolph, found the warning funny. Mary, Queen of Scots, also didn't seem too worried.

Scottish Civil War and Imprisonment

At first, Alexander supported Regent Moray against Mary, Queen of Scots during the Scottish civil war. This was a time when different groups in Scotland were fighting over who should rule. Regent Moray gave Alexander the leadership of Arbroath Abbey.

In March 1569, Regent Moray went to Liddesdale to deal with people living near the border. Lord Home, along with other leaders and 4,000 men, went with him. After talks that didn't go well, Moray's forces burned many farms in Liddesdale. They left almost no houses standing.

In December 1571, Alexander Home changed sides. He joined the group loyal to Mary, Queen of Scots, who were holding Edinburgh Castle. When the castle was captured in May 1573 by an English force, Alexander was taken prisoner.

Alexander's wife, Agnes Gray, Lady Home, had loaned money to the castle's commander to help pay the soldiers. As a promise to pay her back, he gave her some valuable jewels that belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots. But Agnes had to give these jewels to the Scottish government without getting her money back.

In June 1574, Agnes Gray wrote a long letter to Queen Elizabeth of England. She wanted to make things right for anything she or her husband had done to upset the Queen. She hoped Queen Elizabeth could help her husband, who was still a prisoner.

Alexander Home, Lord Home, passed away in 1575.

His wife, Agnes Gray, later married the Master of Glamis.