James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids James Hepburn |
|
|---|---|
| Duke of Orkney Marquess of Fife Earl of Bothwell |
|
Lord Bothwell in 1566
|
|
| King consort of Scotland | |
| Tenure | 15 May 1567 – 24 July 1567 |
| Born | c. 1534 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 14 April 1578 (aged 44) Dragsholm Castle, Denmark |
| Burial | Fårevejle Church, Odsherred, Denmark |
| Spouse | |
| Father | Patrick Hepburn, 3rd Earl of Bothwell |
| Mother | Agnes Sinclair |
James Hepburn, 1st Duke of Orkney and 4th Earl of Bothwell (around 1534 – 14 April 1578) was an important Scottish nobleman. He is often known as Lord Bothwell. He became the King consort of Scotland for a short time in 1567. He is most famous for being the third and last husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. Bothwell was accused of being involved in the death of Mary's second husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. He was found not guilty of this charge. His marriage to Queen Mary caused a lot of disagreement in Scotland. He later fled the country and was arrested in Norway. He spent the rest of his life in prison in Denmark.
Contents
Early Life of Lord Bothwell
James Hepburn was born around 1534. His father was Patrick Hepburn, 3rd Earl of Bothwell. His mother was Agnes Sinclair. From birth, he was called The Master of Bothwell. He took over his father's titles, becoming the Earl of Bothwell and Lord Hailes, in 1556.
Bothwell's Marriages
As the Lord High Admiral of Scotland, Lord Bothwell traveled to Copenhagen around 1559. There, he met and became close with Anna Throndsen. She was a Norwegian noblewoman. Anna traveled with Bothwell to Flanders. Later, they parted ways.
In February 1566, Bothwell married Lady Jean Gordon. Her father was the 4th Earl of Huntly. This marriage lasted just over a year. They divorced on 7 May 1567. Just eight days later, he married Mary, Queen of Scots.
Meeting Queen Mary
Lord Bothwell first met Queen Mary in France. This was in the autumn of 1560. He had left Anna Rustung in Flanders before this visit. Queen Mary and her husband, King Francis II, welcomed him. Bothwell said the Queen treated him very well. He received money and a position in the French King's Chamber.
He visited France two more times in 1561. By August, the widowed Queen Mary was returning to Scotland. Bothwell helped with some of the travel plans. This was part of his duties as a naval officer.
Supporting the Regent
Bothwell supported Mary of Guise. She was the queen dowager and Regent of Scotland. She was against the Protestant Lords of the Congregation. In October 1559, Bothwell and his followers took money from the Laird of Ormiston. This money was meant to be used against Mary of Guise.
The Protestant leader, the Duke of Châtelherault, tried to make Bothwell join them. He sent his son, the Earl of Arran, to Bothwell's home. But Bothwell remained loyal to the Regent.
At Queen Mary's Court
After the Scottish Reformation, Protestant leaders gained power. Mary, Queen of Scots, returned to Scotland. Bothwell was sometimes a difficult noble at court. He had arguments with the Earl of Arran. This caused problems for the Queen. Even though the Earl of Arran was later said to be unwell, Bothwell was put in Edinburgh Castle in 1562. He was not given a trial.
Later that year, Bothwell escaped. He went to Hermitage Castle. The Queen and Bothwell became very close. When Bothwell married Lady Jean Gordon in February 1566, Queen Mary attended the wedding.
In the summer of 1566, Bothwell was seriously injured. Queen Mary rode from Jedburgh to visit him at Hermitage Castle. This was only a few weeks after she had given birth to her son. Historians believe Mary was already planning to visit Bothwell for state matters. Her visit was not just because of his injury. The story that she rushed to his side was later spread by her enemies. They wanted to make her look bad.
The Death of Lord Darnley
On 9 February 1567, Lord Darnley, Queen Mary's second husband, died. His lodging at Kirk o'Field in Edinburgh was destroyed by an explosion. Bothwell was publicly accused of being involved in Darnley's death.
Darnley's father, the Earl of Lennox, and other family members wanted justice. The Privy Council of Scotland started a process against Bothwell on 12 April 1567. Bothwell rode to the trial with important nobles by his side. The trial lasted for several hours. Bothwell was found not guilty. Many people then believed he would marry Queen Mary.
Marriage to Queen Mary
Soon after his trial, the Parliament of Scotland officially declared Bothwell's acquittal fair. On 19 April 1567, many important nobles signed a document. It said that Mary should marry a Scottish subject. They gave this document to Bothwell.
On 24 April, Queen Mary was traveling from Linlithgow Palace to Edinburgh. Bothwell appeared with 800 men. He told her that Edinburgh was dangerous. He said he would take her to his castle at Dunbar for safety. She agreed to go with him.
On 12 May, the Queen made him Duke of Orkney and Marquess of Fife. Three days later, on 15 May, they were married. The wedding took place in the Great Hall at Holyrood Palace. It was a Protestant ceremony.
This marriage caused a big split in the country. On 16 June, nobles who were against Mary and Bothwell signed a document. It spoke out against them. A confrontation happened at Carberry Hill on 15 June. Bothwell fled from this battle. He never saw Mary again. In December that year, Bothwell's titles and lands were taken away by Parliament.
Escape and Imprisonment
After fleeing from Carberry Hill, Bothwell went to Huntly Castle and Spynie Palace. He then sailed from Aberdeen to Shetland. He was chased by Scottish ships. A storm then forced him to sail towards Norway.
Bothwell may have hoped to reach Denmark. He wanted to get help from Frederick II of Denmark to put Mary back on the throne. But he was caught off the coast of Norway. He did not have the correct papers. He was taken to the port of Bergen. This was the home of Anna Throndsen, his former partner. Anna made a complaint against Bothwell. Her powerful family supported her. Bothwell was held at Bergenhus Fortress.
King Frederick of Denmark heard that Scotland wanted Bothwell for Darnley's death. So, he decided to keep Bothwell in custody. Bothwell was sent to Copenhagen. Then he was moved to Malmöhus Castle. As time passed, King Frederick realized Mary would not become Queen again. Without Mary, Bothwell was no longer important to the King.
Bothwell's Death
Bothwell was imprisoned at Dragsholm Castle in Denmark. This castle is about 75 kilometers (47 miles) west of Copenhagen. He was kept in very harsh conditions. He died in April 1578. He was buried in a vault at Fårevejle church, near the castle.
A stone pillar where he was chained for his last ten years can still be seen. There is a circular groove in the floor around it.
In 1858, his body was dug up. It was said to be Bothwell's body. It was very well preserved and became known as "Bothwell's mummy." His family tried to have his body sent back to Scotland. But this request was not granted. The identity of the body has never been fully proven.
In 1976, a body called "Bothwell's mummy" was displayed. It was at the Edinburgh Wax Museum on the Royal Mile. It was the only non-wax item there. The museum claimed it was brought to Scotland in 1858.
See also
- Casket letters
- Gunpowder, Treason & Plot
