Robert Spottiswood facts for kids

Sir Robert Spottiswood (1596 – 20 January 1646) was an important Scottish lawyer and judge. He served as the Lord President of the Court of Session, which is Scotland's highest civil court. He was also a member of the Privy Council, a group of special advisors to King James VI of Scotland and later King Charles I of Scotland. King Charles I also appointed him as Secretary for Scotland.

Early Life and Learning

Robert Spottiswood was the second son of John Spottiswoode, who was the archbishop of St. Andrews. His mother was Rachel, the daughter of David Lindsay, a bishop.

He went to Glasgow Grammar School and then to Glasgow University in 1609. He earned his master's degree in 1613. After that, he studied at Exeter College, Oxford.

Sir Robert then traveled around Europe, especially in France, for nine years. He studied law and other subjects. His father, who was writing a history book about the church, asked Robert to find old documents. Many of these documents had been taken to France during the Reformation.

Robert was very good at this task. He found many important papers that his father used. He also discovered a very valuable old book called the Black Book of Paisley in Rome. When he returned home, King James VI was pleased with him. The King made him a privy councillor (a royal advisor) in 1622.

In 1629, Sir Robert married Bethia Morrison. They had four sons and three daughters. Bethia passed away in 1639.

His Work as a Judge

Sir Robert became a judge on the Court of Session in 1622. He was given the title Lord Newabbey. In 1626, he became a regular judge on the court.

In 1633, he was chosen to be part of a group that looked at laws and how they were used. King Charles I liked his work. When the president of the court, Sir James Skene, passed away, King Charles suggested Robert Spottiswood for the job. Robert was then chosen as the Lord President of the Court of Session. This was a very important position.

In 1634, Sir Robert was involved in the trial of Lord Balmerino. Some people later said that he was unfair in this case.

Sir Robert did not agree with the Covenanters, a group who wanted to change the church in Scotland. Because of this, he had to leave Scotland in 1638 and go to England. He stayed there until King Charles I visited Scotland again.

The Presbyterian party, who were very powerful, believed he was causing problems between the King and the people. When he appeared before the Scottish parliament in 1641, he was put in Edinburgh Castle. He was later released but had to promise to return for trial if called. The King eventually stopped the trial, and Spottiswood went back to England with King Charles I.

In 1643, King Charles I asked Sir Robert to become the Secretary of State for Scotland. In this role, Sir Robert signed important documents for the King. One of these documents made Montrose the King's special commander in Scotland.

Sir Robert traveled to Scotland to deliver this document to Montrose. He stayed with Montrose and was present at the Battle of Philiphaugh in 1645. He was captured there.

Trial and Execution

Sir Robert was taken to Glasgow and then to St. Andrews. He was put on trial by the Scottish parliament. They accused him of taking the job of Secretary without parliament's permission. They also accused him of joining Montrose against the government.

Sir Robert explained that he took the Secretary job because the King needed him to. He also said that even though he was with Montrose, he did not fight. He also said he had surrendered and was promised safety.

On 10 January 1646, his case was heard. His defense was not accepted. After a long discussion, Sir Robert Spottiswood was sentenced to death on 16 January. He was executed at the market cross in St. Andrews on 20 January 1646. He showed great bravery and calm on the scaffold. He was not allowed to speak to the crowd, but he had his speech printed and handed out beforehand.

People have different opinions about Sir Robert Spottiswood. Some saw him as a hero who was punished for being loyal to the King. Others thought he was unfair as a judge. Today, many believe he was a victim of the strong disagreements between the King and the Presbyterians.

Sir Robert's only known work is his book called 'Practicks of the Law of Scotland.' This book is a collection of legal decisions and rules. It was published by his grandson, John Spottiswood, in 1706.

Family Life

Sir Robert married Bertha Morrison in 1629. She was the eldest daughter of Sir Alexander Morison, Lord Prestongrange, who was also a judge. They had three sons:

• John: He passed away in Ireland before King Charles II of Scotland returned to the throne in 1660.
• Alexander: He inherited the family estate called Spottiswoode. His family continued to live there.
• Dr. Robert Spottiswoode: King Charles II of Scotland appointed him as a doctor for the governor and soldiers in Tangier, Morocco. Dr. Robert married Catherine Maxwell Elliott and they had one son:
  • Alexander Spotswood

Sources

• Dictionary of National Biography,1885–1900, volume 53
• Seldens of Virginia and allied families, Volume 2 (1911) by Mary Seldon Kennedy
• A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland (1852) by Sir Bernard Burke.
• Murder of Sir Robert Spottiswoode',The Spottiswoode Miscellany:A Collection of Original Papers and Tracts Illustrative Chiefly of the Civil and Ecclesiastical History of Scotland, Volume 1 (Edinburgh, 1844), pp. 201–212.