James Mitchell (Covenanter) facts for kids

James Mitchell (died 1678) was a Scottish Covenanter. He is known for trying to harm Archbishop James Sharp.

Who Was James Mitchell?

James Mitchell was a Covenanter. Covenanters were a group of Scottish Presbyterians. They believed in keeping their religious agreements, called Covenants. These agreements were about how the church should be run. Mitchell became famous for his attempt to attack Archbishop Sharp.

Early Life and Education

James Mitchell was born in Midlothian, Scotland. His parents were not well-known. He studied at Edinburgh University. He graduated on July 9, 1656. At that time, he signed two important agreements: the National Covenant and the Solemn League and Covenant.

Mitchell joined a group of Presbyterians called "remonstrators." He studied religious ideas under David Dickson. He wanted to become a minister. However, a church group in Dalkeith did not approve him. He then became a preacher, but not a full minister, near Edinburgh.

In 1661, he was suggested for a teaching job. This was either in a school or as a private tutor. He worked for a short time as a chaplain and tutor. He was later dismissed from this job. He then returned to Edinburgh. There, he met Major Weir. Weir helped him get another chaplain job. This was with a family whose lady was related to Sir Archibald Johnston of Warriston.

Joining the Covenanter Rising

In November 1666, Mitchell left his chaplain job. He went to Ayr to join a Covenanter uprising. This was a rebellion by Covenanters against the government.

On November 28, the rebels were defeated. This happened at the Battle of Pentland. Mitchell was in Edinburgh at the time. Still, he was declared a traitor on December 4, 1666. He was not included in a pardon given to other rebels in October 1667.

Travel and Return

After the defeat, Mitchell went to Flanders. He stayed there for about nine months. He met other ministers who had been sent away from Scotland. These ministers were banished for supporting Presbyterianism.

Mitchell then returned to Scotland. He came back on a Dutch ship. He brought goods to sell. Not long after coming back, he tried to attack Archbishop Sharp.

After this event, he traveled in England and Ireland. He came back to Edinburgh in 1668. He got married and opened a shop. He sold tobacco and other goods there.

The Attack on Archbishop Sharp

Mitchell believed that Archbishop Sharp was causing many problems in Scotland. He also thought Sharp was stopping him from getting a pardon. So, Mitchell decided to try and attack the Archbishop.

He was staying in a house on the Cowgate in Edinburgh. His friend, Major Weir, and Weir's sister lived there too. Mitchell knew that Bishop Sharp lived nearby.

On July 9, 1668, Mitchell found the Archbishop. Sharp was in his coach on the Royal Mile. Mitchell fired a pistol into the coach. But he did not hit Sharp. Instead, he hit Sharp's friend, Bishop Andrew Honeyman of Orkney, in the arm.

Mitchell quickly ran away. He escaped without being stopped.

Capture and Legal Problems

The Boots from Scots Worthies

In early 1674, Archbishop Sharp recognized Mitchell in the street. Sharp's brother, Sir William Sharp, helped get Mitchell to confess. The Archbishop promised that Mitchell would not be harmed if he confessed.

Mitchell was then sent to Bass Rock prison. But Archbishop Sharp pushed for him to be put on trial. Mitchell was brought before the council on February 10, 1674. He made a full confession on February 12. He did this because he was promised his life would be spared.

Mitchell was then charged in court. He was sentenced to have his right hand cut off. This was to happen at the Mercat Cross in Edinburgh.

Further Trials and Torture

In 1675, Mitchell was charged again. This time, it was for joining the Pentland Rising and for the attack on the Archbishop. He changed his mind and said he was "Not Guilty." He took back his confession.

Since there was no other proof against him, the court used a painful method. They used the "Boot" to try and make him confess again. This was a device that crushed the leg. But Mitchell refused to confess, even under this torture.

He was then sent to the Tolbooth Prison. He stayed there until 1677. Then he was moved back to Bass Rock.

On March 6, the council said they were no longer bound by any promise they made to Mitchell. On March 25, Mitchell was brought to court again. But without his confession, there was not enough evidence. So, the court stopped the trial. Mitchell was sent back to the Tolbooth. Later, he was moved to Bass Rock again. He was there with other Covenanter prisoners.

Many Covenanters did not support Mitchell's attack. They did not believe in private revenge or assassination.

On January 18, 1677, Mitchell was questioned again. He denied his confession. Another attempt was made on January 22. He still denied it, even when threatened with the "boots." On January 24, he was questioned under torture. This was about his part in the 1666 rebellion. He denied this too. He even fainted during the questioning. He was then taken back to prison.

Final Trial and Execution

In December 1677, the council ordered a new trial for Mitchell. This was for the attack on the Archbishop. The trial started on January 7, 1678. Mitchell had good lawyers, Sir George Lockhart, Lord Carnwath and John Elies.

His confession and the statements from Bishops Sharp and Honeyman were the main evidence. Much of the discussion was about the "promise of life" that Sharp had given him.

Rothes, a witness, swore he saw Mitchell sign his confession. But Rothes and the Archbishop denied that Mitchell was promised his life. Mitchell's lawyers showed a copy of a council document from 1674. This document recorded his confession under the promise of life. But the court refused to bring the original council books. Many important people testified at this trial. Mitchell was found guilty.

The next day, January 10, he was sentenced to death. He was to be hanged in the Grassmarket of Edinburgh. This was set for January 18, 1678. All his belongings were to be taken by the King.

It seems that Lauderdale, a powerful official, felt uneasy after the sentence. He wanted to get Mitchell a pardon from the King. But Archbishop Sharp insisted that Mitchell must be executed. Sharp said that showing mercy would make him vulnerable to other attacks. Mitchell was hanged on January 18, 1678.

Mitchell's son, also named James, later became a minister.

Family

James Mitchell was married. His son, James, graduated from Edinburgh University in 1698. He became a minister in Dunnotar in 1710. He died on June 26, 1734.