Robert Melville, 1st Lord Melville facts for kids

Robert Melville, 1st Lord Melville (around 1527–1621) was an important Scottish diplomat and government official. He was also the uncle of the poet Elizabeth Melville.

Family and Early Life

Robert Melville was also known as Sir Robert Melville of Murdocairnie. He was the second son of Sir John Melville of Raith in Fife. His mother was Helen Napier of Merchiston.

Robert had a younger brother, Sir James Melville of Halhill, who wrote a well-known book about politics. Another brother, Andrew Melville of Garvock, worked for Mary, Queen of Scots in Scotland.

Robert Melville married three times. His first wife was Katherine Adamson. His second wife was Mary Leslie, whose father was Andrew Leslie, the Earl of Rothes. His third wife was Jean Stewart, daughter of Robert Stewart, the Earl of Orkney. Robert's son with Katherine Adamson, Robert Melville, 2nd Lord Melville, became his heir.

Working for the Queen and King

Robert Melville was a key figure during a time of big changes in Scotland.

Early Diplomatic Work

During the Scottish Reformation, a period when Scotland changed its main religion, Robert Melville supported the Protestant group known as the Lords of the Congregation.

Even so, Mary, Queen of Scots sent him to England as a diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in another country. Melville did not agree with Mary's marriage to Henry, Lord Darnley. He joined a rebellion called the Chaseabout Raid. He was sent to Elizabeth I of England to speak for the rebel lords.

Mary later forgave him. She sent him back to the English court as her diplomat once more.

After David Rizzio's Murder

Mary expelled the English diplomat Thomas Randolph. Queen Elizabeth then ordered Melville to return to Scotland on March 15, 1566.

When he arrived in Edinburgh, he reported back to Elizabeth and her chief advisor, Cecil. He told them about what happened after the murder of David Rizzio, Mary's private secretary. He also brought letters from the Earl of Bothwell.

Supporting Mary and James VI

When Mary was captured at the Battle of Carberry Hill, Melville took Elizabeth's letters to her at Lochleven Castle. He then brought Mary's requests to her supporters.

On the day James VI of Scotland was crowned king, Melville wrote to Elizabeth. He said her ambassador, Nicolas Throckmorton, had helped calm things down and save Mary's life. Melville worked for Regent Moray, who ruled Scotland while James VI was a child. He helped arrange loans of money using Mary's jewels as a guarantee.

However, Melville later supported Mary at the Battle of Langside in 1568. After Mary fled to England, he brought her jewels, clothes, and horses at Bolton Castle.

He then joined his nephew William Kirkcaldy of Grange, who held Edinburgh Castle for Mary. After a long siege of the castle, Melville was imprisoned at Holyroodhouse and at Lethington Castle (now Lennoxlove).

Later Career and Royal Service

In 1582, Robert Melville was allowed to return to public life. He became the Treasurer-Depute in the Scottish government.

In 1587, he was sent to England with William Keith of Delny and the Master of Gray. Their mission was to ask for Mary, Queen of Scots' life to be spared. Some people said their speeches did not help Mary's cause.

In the late 1580s, King James VI asked Melville to help the printer Robert Waldegrave, who was having problems in England. Melville was a high-ranking official when James VI sailed to meet Anne of Denmark, his future wife. On May 11, 1590, Melville hosted the Danish Admiral Peder Munk at Rossend Castle. Munk was traveling to Falkland Palace to officially receive Anne of Denmark's "morning gift" (a gift of property given to a wife by her husband the morning after their wedding).

In August 1592, the royal court was at Dalkeith Palace. Margaret Winstar, a Danish servant of Queen Anne, helped her boyfriend, the rebel John Wemyss of Logie, escape from the palace. King James VI was very angry. He held a meeting and sent the Earl of Morton and Melville to the queen. They were to demand that she send Winstar back to Denmark. The queen refused to speak to them.

In July 1593, Melville was an ambassador in London and met with Elizabeth I of England. His job was to collect £4,000 that Elizabeth gave to James VI each year. He also asked for 34 elm trees for the king's garden. Elizabeth later complained that Melville had spent half of the money in London for the king, instead of bringing it all back to Scotland. In 1594, he became a judge, known as Lord Murdocairnie.

Melville was also involved in the politics surrounding Queen Anne of Denmark. In July 1595, James VI came to Holyrood Palace from Stirling Castle. He had received a letter from Melville saying the queen was ill, based on what the Mistress of Ochiltree and other ladies said. There was some doubt about the queen's illness because people suspected a plot. In August 1595, Queen Anne visited Melville's house on her way to Perth.

In 1616, he was given the title Lord Melville of Monimail.

Robert Melville died in 1621.

Painted Ceiling at Rossend Castle

During the 1590s, Robert Melville's apartment at Rossend Castle had a beautiful painted ceiling. This ceiling is now on display at the National Museum of Scotland.