Margaret Knox facts for kids

Margaret Knox (born Margaret Stewart; 1547 – after 1612) was a Scottish noblewoman. She was the second wife of John Knox, a very important leader of the Scottish Reformation. They married when she was 17 years old and he was 54. This marriage made Mary, Queen of Scots upset because they got married without getting her permission first.

Margaret's Family Background

Margaret Stewart was born in Scotland in 1547. Her parents were Andrew Stewart, 2nd Lord Ochiltree, and Agnes Cunningham. Her family was strongly Protestant. They were also related to the Scottish royal family and the powerful Clan Hamilton. Margaret had three sisters and four brothers. One of her brothers was James Stewart, Earl of Arran.

Marriages and Children

First Marriage to John Knox

On March 26, 1564, Margaret married her first husband, John Knox. He was a key leader of the Scottish Reformation, which was a big change in the church in Scotland. John Knox was also a close friend of Margaret's father.

John Knox's first wife, Marjorie Bowes, had died in 1560. She left him with two young sons. Queen Mary was very critical of Margaret and John's marriage. This was because they did not get her permission to marry. Margaret was related to the Queen, so she was supposed to ask the Queen for approval before marrying.

Margaret and John Knox lived in Edinburgh on the Royal Mile. They had three daughters together:

• Martha Knox (1565–1592), who married Alexander Fairlie and had children.
• Margaret Knox (born 1567), who married Zachary Pont and had children.
• Elizabeth Knox (1570- January 1622), who married John Welsh in 1594. He was a minister in Ayr, and they had children.

Margaret helped John Knox a lot. She worked as his secretary. Later, when he became sick, she took care of him as his nurse. John Knox passed away in November 1572. After his death, the General Assembly (a church group) decided that Margaret could receive his pension for a year. This was suggested by the Regent Morton, who was ruling Scotland at the time.

Second Marriage to Sir Andrew Ker

In January 1574, Margaret married her second husband, Sir Andrew Ker of Faldonside. He was a Protestant noble. He had been part of a group of nobles who were involved in a plot in March 1566. This plot led to the death of Queen Mary's secretary, David Rizzio.

Margaret and Sir Andrew Ker had several children together. One of their sons was named John Ker, who became a minister.

Sir Andrew Ker died on December 19, 1599. Margaret did not marry again after his death. She passed away sometime after 1612.