James Hope of Hopetoun facts for kids
Sir James Hope of Hopetoun (1614–1661) was an important Scottish lawyer, businessman, and politician. He was known for his work in lead mining and for serving in the Scottish government during a time of big changes.
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Early Life and Education
James Hope was born in Scotland on July 12, 1614. He was the sixth son of Sir Thomas Hope of Craighall. From February 1636 to October 1637, James traveled to France to study law.
Career as a Lawyer and Businessman
After getting married in 1638, James Hope became very interested in the lead mines located on his land at Leadhills. This business became a major source of his wealth.
In 1642, James was given an important job. He became the general of the "cunzie-house." This role meant he was in charge of the mint, where coins were made. He also had power to handle legal cases related to money and other matters.
Later, in 1643, his brother, Sir Thomas Hope, passed away. Friends tried to get James to take his brother's place as a judge. However, a new law prevented anyone who had supported a certain agreement with England from holding office. This stopped James from becoming a judge at that time.
Travels and Political Involvement
In 1646, James Hope visited The Hague in the Netherlands. He met Elizabeth of Bohemia and her family. He also explored famous palaces like the Huis Honselaarsdijk.
By 1649, James was chosen to be a judge, known as an "ordinary lord of session." In both 1649 and 1650, he served in the Scottish parliament. He represented the county of Stirling. He was also part of several important government groups. These groups worked on public money and updating the laws.
Challenges and Later Years
James Hope was involved in major events during the Scottish Civil War. He was one of the people sent to speak with Montrose when Montrose was captured. In 1650, James was put in charge of a group that interviewed people involved in the conflict.
After King Charles I was executed, many Scottish people wanted to bring back the monarchy. James Hope suggested a different path. He voted against raising an army to fight Oliver Cromwell. This decision caused disagreements with powerful figures like Argyll.
In 1651, James was not allowed to leave the country. He was later restricted to his country estate. This happened because he encouraged his brother to suggest that King Charles II might need to give up some land to Cromwell to save the rest.
However, when Cromwell's forces won, James Hope was freed. In 1652, he was appointed to a group that managed justice in Scotland. He also joined the English Council of State in 1653. He represented Scotland in the English parliament that same year.
In 1654, James became a commissioner for selling lands that had been taken by the government. But later that year, he was removed from his justice role. This was because Cromwell was unhappy with how James acted during a parliament meeting.
James Hope was reappointed to his justice role in March 1660. In 1661, he traveled to Holland for his lead mining business. While there, he caught a serious illness. He died two days after returning to Scotland, on November 23, 1661. He was buried in the church of Cramond in Edinburgh. A monument was built to remember him.
Business Ventures
James Hope's personal writings show he was very interested in minerals, metalwork, and making things. A lot of his money came from the lead mines at Leadhills. These mines were part of his wife's property.
He also helped settle disagreements between different groups of craftsmen in Edinburgh. In 1647, he was involved in a plan to build a glass factory at Prestonpans. This project, however, was not successful. James believed that the factory would make too much glass for people to buy. He even gave King Charles II a piece of Scottish gold. James was also interested in gypsum plaster, which was found near Kelso.
Family Life
James Hope was married twice. His first wife was Anna Foulis. They had seven sons and four daughters. His second wife was Lady Mary Keith. With her, he had two sons and one daughter. After James passed away, his second wife married Sir Archibald Murray.
James Hope's oldest son who survived him was John. Sadly, John died in a shipwreck in 1682. James's grandson, Charles, later became the first Earl of Hopetoun.
