Andrew Stuart, 1st Baron Castle Stuart facts for kids
Andrew Stewart, 1st Baron Castle Stuart (1560–1629) was an important Scottish nobleman. He was a soldier and worked for King James VI and I. He also played a big role in the Ulster Plantation, which was a plan to settle Scottish and English people in Ireland. He gave up his old title, "Lord Ochiltree," and became "Baron Castle Stuart."
Contents
Andrew Stewart's Life Story
Andrew Stewart was known as a nobleman with a good background and strong military skills. He was the only son of Andrew Stewart (who died in 1578), the Master of Ochiltree. His mother was Margaret, daughter of Henry Stewart, 2nd Lord Methven.
He became the 3rd Lord Ochiltree after his grandfather died in 1591. He inherited lands in Galloway and Strathclyde, Scotland.
His Military and Court Roles
Andrew Stewart became a General in the Artillery. He was also in charge of the artillery at Edinburgh Castle. On January 12, 1587, he was given an important job at the royal court. He became a Gentleman of the Bedchamber to King James VI and I.
In August 1592, the King sent him on a mission. He was to raid the House of Row in Liddesdale. The goal was to catch people making fake money. He found some fake coins and tools, but the main person making them got away.
In 1597, he was a leader in the West March of Scotland. This was an area near the border with England. King James VI gave him Torthorwald Castle. This castle had belonged to James Douglas, who had killed Andrew Stewart's uncle.
Helping the Queen
In 1598, King James VI asked for 3,000 merks (a type of coin). This money was to get back jewels belonging to the queen. Andrew Stewart used the money to pay off a loan and get two of the queen's jewels back.
Work in the Western Isles
In 1608, the King sent him to the Western Isles of Scotland. His job was to stop fighting between different groups. He was ordered to destroy ships like lymphads and galleys that belonged to rebellious people. He was successful in this mission.
Settling in Ireland
The King did not have money to pay Andrew Stewart for his military service. So, in 1609, the King offered him land instead. He received 3,000 acres of land in County Tyrone, Ireland. This land included areas around Castlestewart and Roughan.
Andrew Stewart became one of the main 'planters' or 'undertakers' in the Ulster Plantation. This was a plan to settle Scottish and English people in Ireland. In 1611, he moved to these lands. He built houses, farmed the land, and constructed Roughan Castle. He also provided homes and jobs for the local people. He lived in a place called Irry, which his family later renamed Stuart Hall.
Becoming Baron Castle Stewart
In 1615, Andrew Stewart needed to raise money. With the King's permission, he sold his old title, the Barony of Ochiltree. He sold it to his cousin, Sir James Stuart.
As a reward, King James VI and I gave him a new title in 1619. He became Baron Castle Stewart in the Peerage of Ireland. This meant he was a nobleman in Ireland.
His Family
In 1587, Andrew Stewart married Margaret, who was the daughter of Sir John Kennedy. They had five children together:
- Sir Andrew Stewart (1590-1639), who became the 2nd Baron Castle Stewart.
- John Stewart (died 1685), who became the 5th Baron Castle Stewart. He never married.
- Robert Stewart, of Irry (1598-1662), who lived in County Tyrone. He is the ancestor of the later Earls of Castle Stewart.
- Margaret Stewart, who married George Crawford.
- Maria Stewart, who married John Kennedy.
- Anna Stewart, who never married.
Mary Kennedy, Lady Ochiltree, helped raise Princess Elizabeth at Linlithgow Palace.
Andrew Stewart is the ancestor of the Earls of Castle Stewart. This line comes through his third son, Robert Stewart.
