John Kennedy, 5th Earl of Cassilis facts for kids

John Kennedy, 5th Earl of Cassilis (born in 1575, died on 14 November 1615), was a Scottish nobleman. He was the son of Gilbert Kennedy, 4th Earl of Cassilis and Margaret Lyon.

He became the 7th Lord Kennedy and 5th Earl of Cassilis on 14 December 1576.

In 1596, John Kennedy traveled through France and Italy. He even wrote a letter from Venice to Archibald Douglas.

He played a big part in a book called The Historie of the Kennedyis. This book, published in 1830, tells the story of a long-standing rivalry between the Cassilis and Bargany branches of the Kennedy family. This rivalry became very intense in December 1601. During a large conflict, the Earl's men seriously injured the Laird of Bargany, who was returning home. The Earl was often guided by his tutor, Thomas Kennedy of Culzean. Sadly, Thomas Kennedy of Culzean was later killed by Bargany's younger brother at Greenan Castle on 12 May 1602.

John Kennedy also held an important government job. He was the Treasurer of Scotland starting on 22 March 1598/99.

Family Life

John Kennedy married Jean Fleming on 4 November 1597. She was the widow of John Maitland, 1st Lord Maitland of Thirlestane. Before this marriage, there was a plan for him to marry a daughter of the Earl of Glencairn. However, she passed away soon after, which caused a disagreement between the two families.

In 1604, he was sent to Blackness Castle because of a serious disagreement with his wife. He asked the Privy Council many times to be released. He explained it was for "unmannerly insolence committed by him against his wife."

Sources

• Pitcairn, R., A Historical and Genealogical Account of the Principal Families of the Name of Kennedy, (Edinburgh, 1830)
• Paterson, J., History of The Counties of Ayr and Wigton: Volume 2, Carrick, (Originally published 1863 then 1871 by James Stillie, Edinburgh. Republished by Grimsay Press, Glasgow, 2003)