Robert Barton of Over Barnton facts for kids
Robert Barton (died 1540) was an important Scottish person who owned land, traded goods, sailed ships, and worked in politics. He helped James V of Scotland as the kingdom's financial manager (called the Comptroller), in charge of making coins (the Master of the Mint), and as the main money keeper (the Lord High Treasurer).
A Life at Sea: Sailor and Shipowner
Robert Barton was the son of a famous sailor named John Barton. In July 1497, Robert helped Perkin Warbeck leave Scotland on a ship called the Cuckoo.
His main job was to export goods from Scotland to Flanders (a region in modern-day Belgium). He also imported items into Scotland. For example, he bought blue damask cloth and wood for the ceiling of the chapel at Holyroodhouse for James IV of Scotland in 1504.
In February 1506, King James IV paid Robert for buying a ship in France. This ship was likely the Lion. Robert's crew and ship were hired by the king in July 1506. Robert also went to Dumbarton to help build another ship there.
The Barton brothers had a special permission called a letter of Marque. This permission, first given to their father in 1485, allowed them to legally capture Portuguese ships in Scotland.
By 1507, Robert was rich enough to buy the Barnton estate from William Dundas. In 1511, his brother Andrew Barton was captured and killed by the English. John Barton, another relative, died in 1513 after taking ships to France. In 1519, one of Robert's ships, the Black Barque, was captured by Spanish sailors. The crew was left on the English coast near Yarmouth.
In 1524, Robert and David Falconer agreed to help Christian II of Denmark with a special group of ships. Even in February 1536, Christian III of Denmark asked James V for the help of his famous captains, Robert Barton and Robert Fogo. By this time, Robert was quite old.
Working for the King: Royal Finances
Robert Barton was well-educated. He also had a career working for the Scottish kings as a financial officer. He was the Comptroller from 1516 to 1525. In 1529, he held three important jobs: treasurer, comptroller, and master of the mint.
In 1524, an English diplomat named Thomas Magnus noticed that Robert was a special friend of Margaret Tudor, the Queen Mother. Magnus believed a letter he saw, which seemed to be from Margaret's rival, John Stewart, Duke of Albany, giving Barton instructions about Dunbar Castle, was fake. In English letters, Robert's name was often written as "Hob a Barton."
In 1532, Robert had to pay the wages of a royal gunner, Henry Borthwick, who had died. Henry was killed during the attack on Tantallon Castle. Robert paid his wages to his children. Barton was the treasurer again in 1534.
In 1536, King James V planned for Robert to go with him on a trip to France. The King gave Robert special protection from any legal problems while they were away. James wrote that Robert was "of gret age, febill, and waik in persoune" (meaning very old, weak, and frail).
Robert Barton passed away in 1540. King James V had confirmed that Robert owned several estates. In April 1538, the King even created a special area called a "free-barony" for Over Barnton. The King explained this gift by saying:
"His great services to the navy in time of war for the defense of Scots people and merchants against the English and other pirates, sometimes costing him a lot of money, and other good things he did for his father and for himself when he was young, as a comptroller and treasurer."
Robert's first wife was Elizabeth Jameson. Their oldest son was John Barton of Duddingston. John married Janet Littill. Robert's second wife was Elizabeth Crawford.
His other sons included James and Harry. They received money from the king in 1541 to help them get an education to become clergy. Robert's heir, another son named Robert (from Elizabeth Crawford), changed his name to Moubray. He did this when he married Barbara Moubray of Barnebougall in 1527, as she was an heiress. A daughter, Margaret, married John Sandilands of Calder.
