James Stewart, 1st Lord Doune facts for kids
James Stewart, who lived from 1529 to 1590, was an important Scottish nobleman and landowner. He was known as the 1st Lord Doune.
Life and Career
James Stewart was the son of Sir James Stewart of Beith. His father was the Constable of Doune Castle. Sadly, his father was killed in 1547 in a fight over a local leadership role. Mary of Guise, who was the Queen Regent of Scotland at the time, wrote to James's mother to offer support.
James Stewart followed in his father's footsteps as Constable of Doune Castle. He was also in charge of Inchcolm Abbey, and people often called him "St Colme." On 15 May 1565, when Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley was given new titles, James Stewart was one of 15 men who were made knights. He was later given the title Lord Doune on 24 November 1581.
In 1560, James was part of the Scottish Parliament during the Scottish Reformation Parliament. This was a big moment when Scotland changed its official religion. In August 1561, he was in France and wrote to Lord James, who was Mary, Queen of Scots's half-brother. He told him that Mary was determined to return to Scotland. She also asked him to tell Scottish lords that she would not accept offers for their loyalty.
James then took Mary's letters to Queen Elizabeth in England. He explained why Mary had not agreed to the Treaty of Edinburgh and confirmed that Mary was coming back to Scotland. He returned to Scotland just four days after Mary arrived, bringing a safe-conduct document from Queen Elizabeth for Mary.
In November 1561, James was sent to France again. He traveled quickly, reaching London in six days. While in London, he used ferry boats to cross the River Thames. He then went to Dover to catch a boat to France. When he returned to England in January 1562, Queen Elizabeth gave him a letter for Mary, Queen of Scots. In the letter, Elizabeth apologized for not sending her portrait because the artist was unwell. Mary, Queen of Scots later mentioned that she would send Elizabeth a special ring with a heart-shaped diamond.
Marriage and Family Connections
James Stewart married Margaret Campbell (who passed away in 1592) on 10 January 1563. She was the sister of Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll. Their wedding took place at Castle Campbell. The celebration included a special performance with courtiers and musicians dressed as shepherds. However, both Mary, Queen of Scots and her half-brother James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray became ill during the festivities.
His sister Elizabeth married Robert Crichton of Cluny. In 1568, Mary, Queen of Scots wrote to James from Bolton Castle. She asked him to write to her more often, using a secret code, and to send Crichton to her. James also had a brother named Archibald Stewart, who married Helen Acheson. Her family owned a place called Morrison's Haven near Prestongrange.
In January 1581, James's oldest son, James Stewart, married Elizabeth Stewart. She was the elder daughter of Regent Moray. Their wedding was celebrated on 31 January in Fife with a tournament where people rode horses and tried to catch a ring with their lances. James VI of Scotland even took part in this event. Two days later, the party moved to Leith. There was a water show that ended with a pretend attack on a model of a Papal Castel Sant'Angelo, which was built on boats on the water of Leith. Some of Elizabeth's relatives and her father's friends felt that Lord Doune's son was not important enough to marry her.
In June 1581, King James VI rewarded Sir James Stewart of Doune. This was for his costs in keeping the former Regent Morton as a prisoner. The reward was the unpaid rents and duties from the lands of Aberdour Castle.
Later Years
In April 1583, an English diplomat named Robert Bowes believed that King James VI had asked Lord Doune to help him leave Scotland. Lord Doune was also trying to get a Jesuit priest named William Holt released from Edinburgh Castle so he could go to France. In May 1583, Esmé Stewart, Duke of Lennox wrote to James from Paris. He asked James to look after his son Ludovic and help him get back his family's former properties in Scotland.
In February 1584, when Sir James Balfour seemed to be forgiven for his possible involvement in the death of Lord Darnley, Lord Doune spoke up. He told King James VI that the King should not ignore his father's death. King James VI replied that Doune himself had forgiven his own father's death.
In 1587, James Stewart took control of the houses of Carnock and Bannockburn. He also took a townhouse in Stirling that belonged to Robert Drummond of Carnock. These properties were taken because of a failed property deal.
James Stewart died in 1590. It was said that his widow, Margaret Campbell, Lady Doune, died in April 1592. She left a note asking the king to take action against the people who had killed her son, the Earl of Moray.
Family
James Stewart and Margaret Campbell had several children, including:
- James Stewart, 2nd Earl of Moray (died 1592). He married Elizabeth Stuart, 2nd Countess of Moray. He became the subject of a famous Scottish song called The Bonnie Earl of Moray.
- Henry or Harry Stewart, who later became Lord St Colm.
- Archibald Stewart
- John Stewart (died December 1609)
- Alexander Stewart
- Mary Stewart. She married Sir John Wemyss of Wemyss (died 1622) in 1581. Their oldest son was John Wemyss, 1st Earl of Wemyss.
- Margaret Stewart. She was planned to marry John Stewart, Master of Orkney, but she died around 1599.
- Jean Stewart (died 1 July 1622). She was a lady-in-waiting to Anne of Denmark. In 1596, she married Simon Fraser, 6th Lord Lovat.
