Robert Balfour, 5th Lord Balfour of Burleigh facts for kids

Robert Balfour, 5th Lord Balfour of Burleigh (died 1757) was a Jacobite from the Burleigh family in Kinross-shire. He is remembered for a difficult event in his youth and his involvement in a Scottish rebellion.

Early Life and a Difficult Promise

When Robert Balfour was young, he fell in love with a woman. His family did not approve of this relationship. To try and make him forget her, they sent him to travel abroad.

Before he left, Robert made a very serious and unwise promise to the woman. He told her that if she married someone else while he was away, he would harm her husband. Despite this threat, the woman did marry a schoolteacher named Henry Stenhouse in Inverkeithing. She even told Mr. Stenhouse about Robert's promise beforehand.

The Incident and Its Aftermath

When Robert Balfour returned home, he immediately asked about the woman. He learned that she had married. On April 9, 1707, he rode to the school in Inverkeithing. He called Mr. Stenhouse outside and seriously injured him. Mr. Stenhouse passed away twelve days later.

Robert Balfour was later put on trial for what happened. He argued that he had not intended to cause such harm. He said the injury was meant only to frighten or correct Mr. Stenhouse. However, the court found him responsible. He faced very serious consequences for his actions.

Just a few days before his sentence was to be carried out, Robert Balfour managed to escape. He switched clothes with his sister, who looked a lot like him, and got out of the Edinburgh Tolbooth prison. After his escape, he hid for some time near his home in Burleigh. People say he even hid inside a hollow ash tree, which was later called "Burleigh's Hole."

Role in the 1715 Rebellion

In 1713, after his father passed away, Robert Balfour inherited the title of Lord Balfour of Burleigh. He became involved in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. This was a time when many people in Scotland supported the return of the Stuart family to the throne.

Because of his part in the rebellion, the British Parliament took action against him. His title and all his family's lands were taken away by the crown. This meant he lost his noble status and his property.

Later Life and Legacy

The writer Daniel Defoe wrote about Robert Balfour's story in his 1724 book, Tour thro' the Whole Island of Great Britain. Defoe mentioned that the sad story was widely discussed in England at the time.

Robert Balfour passed away in 1757 without any children. He was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh. Many years later, in 1869, the decision to take away his title was reversed. This allowed Alexander Bruce, 6th Lord Balfour of Burleigh to become the next Lord Balfour of Burleigh.