George Home (Comptroller of Scotland) facts for kids

Sir George Home of Wedderburn (1552 – 1616) was an important person in the Scottish government. He worked for James VI of Scotland, who later became King of both Scotland and England. George Home was in charge of the country's money for a short time.

George Home's Life and Work

George Home was born in 1552 at Elphinstone Castle. His parents were Mariota Johnston and David Home of Wedderburn Castle. He went to school at Dunbar Grammar School.

George started his career working for the Scottish government. He joined the household of a powerful leader called Regent Morton. A regent is someone who rules a country when the king or queen is too young.

After Regent Morton lost his power, George Home was put in prison. He was held for six months because he had supported Morton. Later, he was also imprisoned in Doune Castle after an event called the 'Raid of Stirling' in 1584.

Important Roles in Government

Even after being imprisoned, George Home returned to important roles. He became the Warden of the East Marches. This job meant he was in charge of keeping peace and order along the border between Scotland and England.

From 1597 to 1597, he was the Comptroller of the Scottish Exchequer. This meant he managed the King's money and the country's finances. He was also the Master of the Royal Household, overseeing the King's home and staff.

George Home found it hard to manage the money for King James VI and his wife, Anne of Denmark. He even lost his job as Comptroller. However, he was given some money back later.

Hobbies and Family Life

George Home enjoyed hobbies like hawking and falconry. These are sports where trained birds of prey hunt small animals. He even built a new house called "Handaxewood" in the Lammermuirs just for his hobby.

In 1578, George married Jean Haldane of Gleneagles. They had one son and six daughters together.

George Home's Legacy

George Home is remembered for something important he said. His younger brother, David Hume of Godscroft, wrote about it. George Home argued with Regent Morton to give back the lands of Alexander Home, 1st Earl of Home. Alexander's father had supported Mary, Queen of Scots, and his family had lost their property.

Regent Morton said that helping Alexander Home would actually hurt George Home's own interests. But George explained his strong loyalty to the young leader of his family. He said:

"the Lord Hume was his chief, and he could not see his house ruined; if they were unkinde he could not do withall, that would be their own fault; this he thought himself bound to do, and for his own part whatsoever their carriage were to him, he would do his duty to them; if his chief should turne him out at the fronte-doore, he would come in again the back-doore."

This means George felt it was his duty to help his family's leader, no matter what. He believed in strong family loyalty.

With help from the Erskine brothers, who were relatives of George Home's wife, the Earl of Home got his lands back. Historians like Gordon Donaldson have used George Home's words as a great example of how important family loyalty was in the Scottish borders back then.

See also

• Home baronets