Andrew Stewart, 2nd Lord Ochiltree facts for kids
Andrew Stewart, 2nd Lord Ochiltree (born around 1521, died 1591), was an important Scottish nobleman. He was a strong supporter of the Scottish Reformation, a time when Scotland changed from being a Catholic country to a Protestant one. His daughter, Margaret, married the famous religious leader John Knox. Lord Ochiltree also played a part in the defeat of Mary, Queen of Scots at the Battle of Langside.
Who Was Andrew Stewart?
Andrew Stewart's father, Andrew Stewart, 2nd Lord Avondale, traded his lands and title to become Lord Ochiltree. This is how Andrew became the 2nd Lord Ochiltree.
Lord Ochiltree became a Protestant when most of Scotland was still Catholic. As more people started to resist the Catholic religion and the rule of Mary of Guise, who was the Regent of Scotland (meaning she ruled for the young Queen Mary), Ochiltree joined them. He was one of the first of the Lords of the Congregation, a group of nobles who supported the Protestant cause.
In June 1559, he marched with them to Perth and then joined others in Edinburgh. Lord Ochiltree signed important letters to Elizabeth I of England and her advisor William Cecil. These letters, written by John Knox, said their goal was to remove old religious traditions and keep Scotland free from foreign control.
In April 1560, Ochiltree signed another agreement called the "Band of the Scottish Nobility." This agreement promised to remove French soldiers from Scotland and help the English army. John Knox later wrote that Ochiltree was a man who preferred peace over fighting.
Family Life
Lord Ochiltree's daughter, Margaret, married John Knox in 1563. She was about 16 years old, and Knox was around 60. This marriage was quite a surprise to some, including the English diplomat Thomas Randolph. He noted that Margaret was related to a powerful Scottish family, the Hamiltons. After Knox died, Margaret married Andrew Kerr of Faldonsyde.
Andrew Stewart's second son, James Stewart, became a very powerful figure in the 1580s, known as the Earl of Arran. His oldest son, Andrew, known as the Master of Ochiltree, died before him in 1578.
The Master of Ochiltree's wife, Margaret Stewart, was an important person in the royal court. She was known as the Mistress of Ochiltree. At least three of her daughters became ladies-in-waiting to Anne of Denmark, who was the Queen of Scotland and wife of King James VI.
Lord Ochiltree passed away in November 1591. His grandson, Andrew, became the 3rd Lord Ochiltree. This grandson later became Andrew Stuart, 1st Baron Castle Stuart.
Andrew Stewart, 2nd Lord Ochiltree, first married Agnes Cunningham. Their children and grandchildren included:
- Andrew Stewart, the Master of Ochiltree (died 1578). He married Margaret Stewart (died 1627). She was a lady-in-waiting to Anne of Denmark and Prince Henry. Their children included:
* Andrew Stuart, 1st Baron Castle Stuart, who became the 3rd Lord Ochiltree. * Josias Stewart of Bonington. * Mary Stewart (died 1606), who was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne of Denmark. She married Roger Aston, an English favorite of King James VI. * Anne Stewart, who married Andrew Kerr, Lord of Jedburgh. * Jean Stewart, also a lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne. She married her cousin Gilbert Kennedy. Their wedding was celebrated at court. * Margaret Stewart, another lady-in-waiting to the queen. She married Sir John Stewart of Traquair in January 1596. * Martha Stewart, who married Nicholas Rutherford of Hundalee.
- James Stewart of Bothwellmuir, who became a very important official called the Lord Chancellor of Scotland and the Earl of Arran.
- William Stewart of Monkton, Ayrshire, who was a leader in the town of Ayr in 1585.
- Henry Stewart of Braidwood.
- Margaret Stewart, who married John Knox in 1564.
- Isobel Stewart, who married Sir Thomas Kennedy of Bargany.
Andrew Stewart, 2nd Lord Ochiltree, later married Margaret Cunningham. She was the daughter of Alexander Cunningham, 5th Earl of Glencairn.
Swedish Connections
It seems Andrew, 2nd Lord Ochiltree, had a son named John Stewart or Stuart with Janet Forbes. This John Stewart went to Sweden and worked for King Eric XIV. He had two sons, Andrew and John. This part of the Ochiltree family is listed in the Swedish House of Lords (Riddarhuset) under the name Stuart.
John Stuart (died 1618) married Brita Eriksdotter Soop. Their daughter, Martha Stuart (1606-1653), married a French soldier named Anton Ydron. He was killed in a battle in 1632 during the Thirty Years' War. As a widow, Martha Stuart lived on the island of Almö and often wrote letters to the Swedish leader, Axel Oxenstierna.
