John Lyon, Lord of Glamis facts for kids
Sir John Lyon, Thane of Glamis, born around 1340, was an important Scottish official. He served as the Chamberlain of Scotland from 1377 until his death in 1382. A Chamberlain was like a chief financial officer for the king, managing the royal money and lands. Sir John Lyon became Thane of Glamis because of his marriage. A Thane was a powerful local lord in Scotland.
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Who Was Sir John Lyon?
Sir John Lyon came from a family with French roots. His family name, Lyon, came from the French name "de Leonne." His father, also named Sir John Lyon, was a powerful landowner in areas like Perthshire and Aberdeenshire. Many people believe that Sir John Lyon is the founder of Clan Lyon, a famous Scottish clan.
Sir John Lyon's Important Jobs
Sir John Lyon began working for the Scottish king, King David II, before 1368. His first job was to check the financial records of the royal household.
When King Robert II became king, Sir John Lyon was given even more important roles:
- He became the Keeper of the Privy Seal. This meant he was in charge of the king's special seal used on important documents.
- Around 1375, he became the Keeper of Edinburgh Castle, a very important fortress.
- In 1377, he was made Lord Chamberlain. This was a top job, overseeing the king's finances and property. He held both the castle keeper and Chamberlain roles until he died.
Sir John also started to buy many properties from 1367 onwards. In 1372, he gained the important lands of Glamis from his future father-in-law. He was made a knight before 1377, showing his high status.
How Sir John Lyon Died
Sir John Lyon died on 4 November 1382. He was killed during an argument with Sir James Lindsay of Crawford. Sir James was the king's nephew. This sad event happened near Menmuir in Angus.
Sir John Lyon's Family
Around 1376, Sir John Lyon married Princess Johanna (also known as Jean). She was the daughter of King Robert II. Princess Johanna had been married before. After Sir John Lyon died, she married again.
Sir John Lyon and Princess Johanna had one child, who was also named Sir John Lyon.
Years later, Sir John Lyon's grandson, Patrick Lyon, became the first Lord Glamis in 1445. Much later, in 1606, another family member, Patrick, the 9th Lord Glamis, was given the title of Earl of Kinghorne. This shows how important and powerful the Lyon family became over time.
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