Robert Boyd, 5th Lord Boyd facts for kids

Robert Boyd, 5th Lord Boyd (born around 1517 – died January 3, 1590) was an important Scottish nobleman and a key figure in the royal court. He played a big part in Scottish history for over 30 years.

Early Life and Family Connections

Robert was the only son of Robert, 4th Lord Boyd. He was born around 1517. His first official role was in 1534, when he became a local official (Bailie and Chamberlain) in Kilmarnock, taking over from his father. In 1545, he officially gained control of the Lordship of Kilmarnock after his father stepped down.

During Robert's time, a long-standing family rivalry between the Boyd and Montgomerie families, which had been going on since 1484, finally ended. This was a big deal for peace in the area.

In 1563, Hugh Montgomerie, 4th Earl of Eglinton, and Robert, Lord Boyd, made a special agreement to defend each other. This showed how the two families were now working together. Later, in 1576, Robert's daughter, Gelis Boyd, married Hugh Montgomerie, who later became the 4th Earl of Eglinton. This marriage further strengthened the ties between the families.

Robert also had a younger son, Colonel David Boyd, who moved to Northern Ireland in 1609. He received land there, including Ballymacarret and Stranmore (now Stormount) in Belfast.

Robert Boyd's Political Journey

Robert Boyd first joined the Scottish Parliament in 1558. He became a strong supporter of the Lords of the Congregation, a group of Scottish nobles who wanted to reform the church and reduce French influence in Scotland.

In 1559, he joined them in their conflict against Mary of Guise, who was the Queen-Regent of Scotland at the time. In 1560, he signed the Treaty of Berwick. This agreement meant that Queen Elizabeth I of England would send help to the Scottish reformers to remove the French forces. He also signed a promise to support the "reformation of religion."

Robert Boyd was involved in the attack on Leith in 1560 and later signed a document confirming the Treaty of Berwick. He also signed the "Book of Discipline of the Kirk" in 1561, which was an important document for the new Protestant church in Scotland.

Supporting Mary, Queen of Scots

After Queen Mary married Lord Darnley, Robert Boyd's political views changed. He was accused of treason in 1565 but was pardoned by King Henry (Lord Darnley) in 1566.

He then became a strong supporter of Queen Mary. He was part of the jury that found Bothwell innocent in 1567, shortly before Bothwell married Queen Mary. Robert Boyd became a Privy Councillor, a trusted advisor to the Queen.

He worked hard to help Queen Mary get released from prison and restored to her throne. When Mary escaped from Lochleven Castle in 1568, he joined her with his sons and a large group of supporters. He fought for her at the Battle of Langside in May 1568. After Mary's defeat, he returned home and handed over his castles as ordered. He even wrote to the Duke of Alva, a Spanish general, asking for help for Mary.

In 1568, Boyd was chosen to be one of the people to represent Queen Mary at a meeting in York. He later went to London as one of her Commissioners. Queen Mary trusted him greatly, even sending him a diamond as a sign of her affection.

Changing Sides and Later Roles

Robert Boyd was suspected of being involved in the death of James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray in 1570. He continued to support Queen Mary for some time, even when others were giving up hope.

However, in 1571, seeing the difficulties in Scotland and Queen Mary being held in England, he made an agreement with other powerful nobles to serve the young King James VI. He was then made a Privy Councillor and received a pardon for his past actions.

In 1573, he signed the Articles of Pacification, which helped bring peace after the Civil War in Scotland. He was also appointed as a judge to handle claims for goods lost during the war. He served as Provost of Glasgow from 1574 to 1577 and was an Extraordinary Lord of Session (a judge) in the highest court.

In 1574, he gained control of important legal offices in Glasgow. He briefly lost his positions but was reappointed as a Privy Councillor and judge in 1578. He was also part of a group of noblemen chosen by the King to help bring peace to the country.

In 1575, he was part of a group tasked with finding and arresting Lords John and Claude Hamilton, who were accused of serious crimes.

Robert Boyd was involved in the Raid of Ruthven, a plot to take control of King James VI. When the plot failed, he had to leave Scotland and went to France. King James later called him back with a very kind letter in 1586. He returned to Scotland and was again appointed as a judge. He also helped negotiate an important alliance treaty with England in 1586.

In his final years, he continued to serve the King. In 1588, he helped raise money for the King's marriage. In 1589, he was part of a group enforcing laws against Jesuits. When the King left for Norway, Robert Boyd was made one of the Wardens of the Marches, responsible for border security, and given a seat on the Council.

Robert Boyd died on January 3, 1590, at the age of 72. He was buried in Kilmarnock. Historians describe him as a very important figure in Scottish history, known for being both a strong supporter of Queen Mary and a Protestant with English sympathies.

Family Life

Robert Boyd worked hard to keep good relationships with his neighbors and other families. He ended an old family feud with the Mures by paying them money in 1589.

In 1535, Lord Boyd married his cousin, Margaret Colquhoun. Through this marriage, the Boyd family gained many new lands and estates. Margaret outlived him and died in 1601. She was buried in Glasgow.

Robert and Margaret had several children:

• Thomas, Lord Boyd, who inherited his father's title.
• Robert of Badenheath, who fought for Queen Mary at the Battle of Langside. He later became a guardian for his nephew, Hugh Montgomerie, 5th Earl of Eglinton.
• Margaret, who married John Cuningham of Cuninghamhead.
• Helen, who received land as part of an agreement between her father and Hugh Montgomerie of Hesilliead.
• Eqidia or Giles, who married Hugh Montgomerie, who later became the 4th Earl of Eglinton. They were both very young when they married.
• Agnes, who married Sir John Colquhoun of Luss.
• Christian, who married Sir James Hamilton of Evandale and Libbertoun.
• Elisabeth, who married Sir John Cunningham of Drumquhassill.

Robert Boyd also had two natural sons:

• Bishop Andrew Boyd of Argyll.
• Colonel David Boyd of Tourgill, who received official recognition and land grants.