Patrick Hepburn, 1st Lord Hailes facts for kids
Sir Patrick Hepburn of Dunsyre (died 1483) was an important Scottish noble. He was the lord of Hailes and its castle in East Lothian. He also became a Lord of Parliament, which meant he was a key figure in the Scottish government.
Contents
Sir Patrick Hepburn: A Scottish Noble
His Family and Early Days
Sir Patrick Hepburn was the son of Sir Adam Hepburn of Hailes. His mother was Janet, the daughter of William Borthwick. On June 29, 1444, he received an official document from William Douglas, 8th Earl of Douglas. This document gave him certain lands in the area of Dunsyre, Lanarkshire. Because of this, he was known as "of Dunsyre" until he became Lord Hailes. An official paper from July 20, 1456, mentions Patrick Hepburn, Lord Hailes. His brothers, William and George, were witnesses to this document.
A Time at Dunbar Castle
Before his father passed away in 1446, Patrick took control of Dunbar Castle. He did this without official permission. Joan Beaufort, the Queen Mother of Scotland, lived there for some time while he held the castle. However, after she died on July 15, 1445, he left the castle. On December 19, 1450, he received an official grant of land. This grant was for the lands of Little Lamberton in Berwickshire.
Becoming Lord of Hailes
On December 20, 1451, Sir Patrick received an important official grant from the King. This grant gave him the Lordship of Hailes and other lands. His family had inherited these lands from the Earls of March. The Earls of March had held them directly from the King. The grant also included lands in Berwick, which had been taken away from George II, Earl of March. All these lands were then made into an independent barony called the feudal barony of Hailes. Between October 1452 and June 1453, he was officially made a Lord of Parliament. From then on, he was known as Lord Hailes.
Helping Keep the Peace
Patrick Hepburn played an important role in keeping peace with England. He was one of the people who helped maintain peace agreements (truces) in 1449, 1451-1457, and 1459. He was also confirmed as the local law enforcer (Sheriff) of Berwickshire on May 20, 1452. Either he or his grandson, who had the same name, was the last Scottish person in charge of Berwick Castle in 1482. This lasted for less than a year.
His Children and Legacy
Patrick Hepburn married Ellen Wallace, the daughter of Thomas Wallace. They had six sons and three daughters. His grandson Patrick later became the first Earl of Bothwell. This grandson succeeded him as Lord of Hailes because his eldest son, Adam, died before him. One of his sons, John, helped establish Saint Leonards College in Saint Andrews. His daughter, Helen Hepburn, married John Somerville, 3rd Lord Somerville, and they had children.
See also
- List of Provosts of Edinburgh
