Jean Gordon, Countess of Bothwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lady Jean Gordon
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| Countess of Bothwell Countess of Sutherland |
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Miniature portrait of Jean Gordon, Countess of Bothwell, painted by an unknown artist in 1566
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| Born | 1546 Huntly Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
| Died | 14 May 1629 (aged 82–83) Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland, Scotland |
| Buried | Dornoch, Scotland |
| Noble family | Gordon |
| Spouse(s) | James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland Alexander Ogilvy of Boyne |
| Issue | Jane Gordon John Gordon, 13th Earl of Sutherland Sir Robert Gordon Mary Gordon Sir Alexander Gordon |
| Father | George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly |
| Mother | Elizabeth Keith |
Jean Gordon, Countess of Bothwell (1546 – 14 May 1629) was an important Scottish noblewoman. She was known for her intelligence and strength. Jean was married three times during her life. Her first husband was James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell. He later married Mary, Queen of Scots. Jean became the Countess of Sutherland after her second marriage.
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Jean Gordon's Early Life and Family
Jean Gordon was born in 1546 at Huntly Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Her father was George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly. He was one of the richest and most powerful landowners in the Scottish Highlands. Her mother was Elizabeth Keith.
Jean grew up with nine brothers and two sisters. Their family home, Huntly Castle, was updated in the 1550s. Her father's lands were so vast they were almost like a small kingdom. He also held an important role in the Scottish government.
In 1562, Mary, Queen of Scots traveled north. She wanted to deal with issues involving Jean's family. Jean's father faced a conflict with the Queen's half-brother, James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray. He was defeated in a battle and died suddenly.
After his death, Jean's father's titles and lands were taken by the crown. However, Jean's eldest brother, Lord Gordon, was allowed to keep his life. As a sign of the Queen's kindness, Jean, her mother, and Lord Gordon were given positions at the royal court. In 1565, Jean's brother George got back his father's titles and lands.
Jean Gordon's Marriages
Jean Gordon had three marriages during her long life. Her first two marriages were important for political reasons. Her third marriage was for love.
First Marriage: Countess of Bothwell
On 24 February 1566, Jean married James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell. Jean was a Catholic, but the wedding was a Protestant ceremony. Queen Mary approved of the marriage. She even provided special fabric for Jean's wedding dress. The wedding took place at Holyroodhouse.
Jean was described as intelligent and strong. She was good at managing her properties. She was able to keep her lands even when her husband faced difficulties later.
In 1567, Jean became very ill. Later that year, she agreed to divorce her husband. The divorce was finalized on 7 May 1567. It was based on the reason that they were related by blood and had not received a special permission for their marriage. Just eight days later, Bothwell married Mary, Queen of Scots.
After Bothwell and Queen Mary faced defeat in battle, Jean left their home, Crichton Castle. She returned to her mother at Strathbogie Castle. Bothwell's titles and lands were later taken away by law.
Second Marriage: Countess of Sutherland
Jean married again on 13 December 1573 at Huntly Castle. Her second husband was Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland. This made her the Countess of Sutherland. Alexander had been married before, but his first wife had passed away.
Jean and Alexander had seven children together:
- Jane Gordon (born 1574)
- John Gordon, 13th Earl of Sutherland (1575 – 1615)
- Alexander Gordon, who died as a baby
- Adam Gordon, who also died as a baby
- Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun, 1st Baronet (1580 – 1654)
- Mary Gordon (1582 – 1605)
- Sir Alexander Gordon of Navisdale (born 1585)
Within two years of their marriage, Jean took over running the large Sutherland estates. This was because her husband, the Earl, became ill. She managed everything from their home at Dunrobin Castle. The Earl passed away on 6 December 1594.
Third Marriage: Alexander Ogilvy
Five years later, on 10 December 1599, Jean married her third husband. He was Alexander Ogilvy of Boyne. He had been married before to Mary Beaton, one of Queen Mary's ladies-in-waiting. People believed Alexander Ogilvy was the only man Jean truly loved. Her first two marriages had been arranged for political reasons.
Lady Jean Gordon passed away on 14 May 1629 at Dunrobin Castle. She was eighty-three years old. She was buried in Dornoch. A writer named Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun described her as a "virtuous and beautiful lady." He also said she was "judicious, of excellent memory, and great understanding." He praised her for managing her affairs with "great prudence and foresight."
Jean Gordon in Art and Stories
In 1566, Jean's first husband, the Earl of Bothwell, asked an artist to paint small portraits of Jean and himself. These paintings were done using oil paints on copper.
Jean also appears as a character in a historical romance novel. It is called Immortal Queen by Elizabeth Byrd. This book tells a fictional story about the life of Mary, Queen of Scots.
An Irish actress named Maria Aitken played Jean Gordon in the 1971 movie Mary, Queen of Scots. The famous actress Vanessa Redgrave played Queen Mary in the film.
Images for kids
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Miniature portrait of Jean Gordon, Countess of Bothwell, painted by an unknown artist in 1566
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James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell (1566 portrait)
