Alexander Stuart, 5th Earl of Moray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Moray
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Doune Castle, owned by the Earls of Moray
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| Lord High Commissioner | |
| In office 1686–1688 |
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| Monarch | James II & VII |
| Preceded by | Duke of Queensberry |
| Succeeded by | Duke of Hamilton |
| Secretary of State in Scotland | |
| In office 1680–1686 |
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| Monarch | Charles II (1680–1685) |
| Preceded by | Duke of Lauderdale |
| Succeeded by | Earl of Melfort |
| Extraordinary Lord of Session | |
| In office 1680–1681 |
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| Monarch | Charles II |
| Commissioner of the Treasury | |
| In office 1678–1679 |
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| Monarch | Charles II |
| Lord Justice General | |
| In office 1675–1676 |
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| Monarch | Charles II |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Alexander Stewart
8 May 1634 (baptised) Darnaway Castle |
| Died | 1 November 1701 (aged 67) Donibristle |
| Resting place | Dyke, Moray |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Spouse | Emilia Balfour (1646–1683) |
| Children | James, Lord Doune (1660–1685) Charles, 6th Earl (1673–1735) Francis, 7th Earl (1673–1739) John (1675–1765) Emilia (after 1706) |
| Parents | James, 4th Earl (1611–1653) Lady Margaret Home (1607–1683); |
| Residence | Darnaway Castle |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Awards | Order of the Thistle 1687 |
Alexander Stuart, 5th Earl of Moray (born 8 May 1634 – died 1 November 1701) was an important Scottish nobleman. He held high political jobs in Scotland. He served under King Charles II and his brother, King James II & VII. James II was a Catholic.
Alexander Stuart started his government work in 1676. He was helped by the Duke of Lauderdale, who was related to him by marriage. From 1681 to 1686, he played a big part in stopping groups of Presbyterians who were against the government.
When James became king in 1685, Alexander kept his job. He supported the king's religious policies. Alexander himself became Catholic in 1686. After the Glorious Revolution in 1688, he lost his government positions. He then left public life. He passed away at Donibristle on 1 November 1701.
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About Alexander Stuart's Life
Alexander Stuart was born in May 1634. He was the second son of James, 4th Earl of Moray. His mother was Lady Margaret Home (1607–1683). His older brother, James, died when he was young. So, Alexander became the Earl of Moray in 1653 after his father died.
Alexander was one of eight children. His siblings included Mary, Margaret, Francis, Henrietta, Archibald, and Anne. In 1658, he married Emilia Balfour. She was the daughter of Sir William Balfour.
Alexander and Emilia had several children. Their children were James, Lord Doune (1660–1685), Charles, 6th Earl (1673–1735), and Francis, 7th Earl (1673–1739). They also had a son named John (1675–1765) and a daughter named Emilia (died after 1706).
Alexander Stuart's Political Career
During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, Alexander's father led a group that fought against the king's supporters. His father also tried to help King Charles I get his power back. Later, he supported King Charles II in 1651.
Alexander became the Earl of Moray on 4 March 1653. This was shortly after Scotland became part of a new government called The Protectorate. After some fighting, the new government wanted peace. They offered forgiveness to many people. Alexander was one of 73 people who had to pay a fine. His fine was reduced from £3,500 to £500.
Becoming a Key Political Figure
When King Charles II returned to power in 1660, Alexander became a Privy Councillor. This meant he advised the king. He was known for being against some strict Presbyterian groups. In 1675, his uncle, the Duke of Lauderdale, made him Lord Justice General. This was a very important legal job.
He helped to make sure strict laws were followed. These laws included the death penalty for holding religious meetings outside the official church. These meetings were called Conventicles. In 1678, he also became a Commissioner of the Treasury. This meant he helped manage the country's money.
Rise to Secretary of State
In 1679, a religious leader named Archbishop Sharp was killed. Alexander helped to stop a short uprising that followed. Because of this, he was given a new job on 17 July 1680. He became an Extraordinary Lord of Session, which was another high legal position.
Soon after, the Duke of Lauderdale lost his job. He suggested Alexander take his place as Secretary of State. King James approved this. However, he wanted Alexander to share the job with others. First, he shared it with Middleton, then with Melfort.
Supporting King James II
James became king in February 1685. He had strong support in both England and Scotland. This led to a quick end of a rebellion called Argyll's Rising. However, King James wanted to give more rights to Catholics. This upset many moderate Presbyterians and Episcopalians. These groups controlled the Church of Scotland and were James's main supporters.
Because of this opposition, James had to rely on a smaller group of loyal people. In 1686, Alexander was made Lord High Commissioner to the Parliament of Scotland. His job was to get the Scottish Parliament to remove a law called the 1681 Test Act. This law made it hard for Catholics to hold public office.
Alexander had become Catholic in 1686. This was not made public until 1687. But many people suspected it. They questioned if he should even hold office. Despite threats and removing opponents from their jobs, the Scottish Parliament refused to change the laws. This forced King James to use his own power as king to make changes.
Later Life and Death
To show how important Alexander was, King James made him one of the first members of the Order of the Thistle. This new award was created in 1687 to honor the king's main supporters. After the Glorious Revolution in November 1688, Alexander lost all his government jobs. He then retired from public life.
Alexander Stuart died at Donibristle on 1 November 1701. He was buried in the church of Dyke on 24 January 1702.
