John Boswell of Balmuto facts for kids
John Boswell of Balmuto (born 1546, died 1610) was an important Scottish landowner and a helper at the royal court. He lived a long time ago, during the reigns of Mary, Queen of Scots and James VI of Scotland.
John's family owned land at Balmuto Castle in Fife. His father, David Boswell, sadly died in a battle called the battle of Pinkie in 1547. John's mother was Elizabeth Wemyss.
Mary, Queen of Scots, even visited Balmuto Castle in 1565. An English diplomat named Thomas Randolph noted that John's father was a strong Catholic. However, John and his six brothers were Protestants.
John Boswell also had a sister named Christian Boswell. She married James Melville of Halhill. Christian was the mother of a poet named Elizabeth Melville. You can find Christian's tomb in Collessie.
Becoming a Landowner
John Boswell took over the family lands in 1582. He inherited them from his grandfather. Along with the lands, he also inherited a long-standing disagreement.
This disagreement was with the Wemyss family. Part of the argument was about who had the right to fish in Loch Gelly. Even young James VI of Scotland got involved! He once said he supported the Wemyss family while playing a game at Linlithgow Palace.
Helping the King
John Boswell was quite wealthy. In September 1589, he lent 1000 merks to King James VI. This money was to help pay for the king's marriage to Anne of Denmark.
The king wrote to John on September 2 from Falkland Palace. He needed the money quickly because his future wife was arriving sooner than expected. A receipt for the money was given on September 17, 1589. It was for £666, received in Leith from John's brother, George Boswell. Anne of Denmark's journey was delayed by bad winds.
A Royal Honor
In August 1594, John Boswell was made a knight. This special honor happened at Stirling Castle. It was during the celebration for the baptism of Prince Henry, the king's son.
A carved stone at Balmuto Castle has the initials "I.B.I.S. 1594". These stand for John Boswell and his wife, Isabella Sandilands.
Family Life
John Boswell married Elizabeth or Isabella Sandilands in 1562. She was the daughter of Sir James Sandilands of Cruvie. They had several children:
- John Boswell of Balmuto: He was also made a knight in August 1594 at Stirling Castle. He married Jonet Scott.
- George Boswell of Balgonie: He lived in Balgonie in Auchterderran. He married Elizabeth Hay. She might have been the Elizabeth Hay who helped in the household of Princess Elizabeth at Linlithgow Palace.
- James Boswell of Lochgelly
- David Boswell of Craigincat: In 1594, he got into trouble for supporting a rebel named Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell. In 1610, his horse won a silver bell at a race in Dunfermline.
- Grizel Boswell: She married James Law, who became the Archbishop of Glasgow.
