John Elphinstone, 2nd Lord Balmerino facts for kids
John Elphinstone, 2nd Lord Balmerino (died 28 February 1649) was an important Scottish nobleman, also known as an aristocrat. He became famous for a big trial in the 1630s. This trial was a key moment in the fight for religious freedom in Scotland at that time.
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Early Life and Family Home
John Elphinstone was the son of James, the 1st Lord Balmerino. His mother was Sarah, daughter of Sir John Menteith. When his father passed away in 1613, John did not immediately inherit the title. This was because his father had lost his noble status due to a legal punishment called an attainder. However, John was soon given back his noble title and rights on August 4, 1613.
In 1643, he bought a beautiful large house in Leith, near Edinburgh. This house was built in 1631. Important guests, like King Charles II, even stayed there in 1650. Sadly, this historic house was torn down in the 1950s. It was part of a big project to clear old buildings in the area.
Standing Up to the King
John Elphinstone was strongly against the religious rules that King Charles I wanted to bring to Scotland. In 1633, during a meeting of the Scottish Parliament, he showed he did not like a new law. This law would have given the king the power to decide what clothes church leaders should wear.
Most members of Parliament voted against this law. But the clerk, who recorded the votes, said the law had passed. When people questioned this, King Charles, who was there, insisted the clerk's decision was final. He said that anyone who accused the clerk of lying would face the death penalty if they couldn't prove it. Because of this serious threat, no one challenged the decision further.
The Petition and the Trial
A lawyer named William Haig, who also opposed the king's new rules, wrote a petition. A petition is a formal request, usually to a government or ruler. This petition explained their complaints and asked for changes. It used strong words, saying the new church laws were like "servitude," meaning they took away people's freedom.
King Charles refused to even look at the petition. He ordered that no one should try to create such documents again. Lord Balmerino kept a copy of this petition. He added some notes to it and showed it to a trusted helper, Dunmore. Sadly, Dunmore's friend shared the petition with someone else. This person then showed it to John Spottiswoode, who was a high-ranking church leader. Spottiswoode then told the king about it.
William Haig managed to escape to another country. But Lord Balmerino was arrested in June 1634 and sent to Edinburgh Castle. His trial began in March of the next year. He was accused of knowing who wrote the "dangerous and rebellious" petition but not telling the authorities.
Many people supported Lord Balmerino. The jury, which decides if someone is guilty, voted 8 to 7 that he was guilty. He was then sentenced to death.
A Royal Pardon
The situation was very tense. A powerful nobleman, John Stewart, 1st Earl of Traquair, spoke to King Charles. He explained that executing Lord Balmerino would be a very bad idea. Another important figure, William Laud, agreed. Because of this, King Charles pardoned Lord Balmerino.
Lord Balmerino was not executed. Instead, he was ordered to stay within six miles of his home for the rest of his life. Later, he was given complete freedom.
Later Life and Political Role
Lord Balmerino was one of the leaders who met with Lord Lorne. They decided to strongly oppose the new ways of worship the king wanted to introduce. In February 1638, he helped to update the Covenant. This was an important agreement where many Scots promised to defend their Presbyterian church.
In 1638, he worked on several committees in the Scottish Assembly. On October 3, he signed a protest to the king's representative. This protest was against attempts to make assembly members sign the 'king's covenant'. He also helped advise the Covenanters (those who signed the Covenant) to send a letter to Louis XIII of France. This letter complained about the king's "tyrannical actions."
Lord Balmerino was a strong supporter of Lord Lorne (who later became the Marquess of Argyll) against King Charles. When the Covenanters decided to fight, he gave a lot of money to support their army. On March 22, 1639, he went to Dalkeith with other leaders. They demanded that the royal palace be handed over to them. They also wanted to bring the Scottish crown, sword, and scepter to Edinburgh.
In August 1641, when the Scottish Parliament opened, the king chose Lord Balmerino to be its president. Everyone in Parliament agreed. On September 17, he was named a royal advisor by the king, and Parliament approved this. On November 17, he was chosen as an extraordinary lord of session. This was a special judge position.
As a judge, he needed a place to live near Edinburgh. In 1643, he bought a large house in Leith, Edinburgh's port town. This house became known as Balmerino House.
He joined General David Leslie when he marched into England in 1643. In July 1644, he was chosen as one of the representatives sent to England. After some difficult battles led by Argyll, the Covenanters' army command was given to Sir William Baillie. Lord Balmerino was one of the people chosen to advise him.
He passed away on February 28, 1649, from a sudden illness in his room in Edinburgh. He was buried in a family tomb near Restalrig church. However, some historical accounts say that in 1660, soldiers dug up his body while looking for lead coffins and left it in the street.
Family Life
John Elphinstone married Anne Ker. She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Ker of Ferniehirst. Anne was also the sister of Andrew and James, lords Jedburgh, and Robert Car, Earl of Somerset. They had one son named John, who became the 3rd Lord Balmerino after his father. Anne died in Balmerino House in Leith on February 15, 1650. She was buried next to her husband in Restalrig Churchyard.
Balmerino House: A Lasting Legacy
Balmerino House stood for many centuries. Over time, a Roman Catholic church and convent were built in its garden, hiding the house. The house survived until the 1950s. At that time, it was missed during a survey of the area by Edinburgh Corporation. This was because it was squeezed between other houses and the church. The house was eventually torn down along with other old buildings in the area. New council housing was built in its place.
