Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of March facts for kids
Robert Stewart (born around 1522, died March 29, 1586) was an important Scottish nobleman. He belonged to the famous Stewart family from Darnley. He held several important titles during his life, including Earl of Lennox and later Earl of March.
Robert Stewart's Titles and Roles
Robert was the second son of John Stewart, the 3rd Earl of Lennox. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of John Stewart, the 1st Earl of Atholl. Robert was also the younger brother of Matthew Stewart, the 4th Earl of Lennox.
Besides his noble titles, Robert also held important church positions. He was the Bishop of Caithness, a role confirmed by Pope Paul III in 1542. This job had previously been held by his uncle, Andrew Stewart. Robert was also the Commendator (a type of leader) of St Andrews Cathedral Priory.
When his brother Matthew, the 4th Earl of Lennox, passed away in 1571, the title of Lennox went to Matthew's grandson, King James VI. This happened because Matthew's oldest son, Lord Darnley, had died earlier in 1567. So, the Lennox title became part of the Crown.
The title was later given to Matthew's second son, Charles Stewart, in 1572. He became the 1st Earl of Lennox (of a new creation). However, Charles died in 1576 without any sons. Robert Stewart was next in line for the title. On June 16, 1578, he was made the Earl of Lennox and Lord Darnley.
In 1580, Robert gave up his Earldom of Lennox and Lordship of Darnley. These titles were then given to his nephew, Esmé Stewart, the following year. Esmé was the son of John Stewart, who was the third son of the 3rd Earl of Lennox. On March 5, 1580, Robert was given new titles: Earl of March and Lord of Dunbar. He held these titles until he died. Since he had no children who could legally inherit, these titles also went back to the Crown when he passed away.
Robert Stewart's Life and Adventures
In 1543, Robert Stewart and his brother Matthew opposed the rulers of Scotland at the time, Regent Arran and Mary of Guise. After a battle in Glasgow in April 1543, Robert traveled from Dumbarton Castle across the River Clyde to England. There, he was seen as a "pledge" or a kind of hostage for his brother Lennox.
During a war known as the Rough Wooing, Robert Stewart briefly took control of Dumbarton Castle. He held it against the Scottish government led by Regent Arran. Robert came from England in May 1546 with support from King Henry VIII. He sailed from Chester with about 20 followers. Regent Arran borrowed cannons from the Earl of Argyle and successfully surrounded the castle. It surrendered after 20 days. This siege at Dumbarton delayed Arran's actions in another important siege on the east coast of Scotland.
After these events, Robert was welcomed back in Scotland. He continued to be involved in legal disagreements with Alexander Gordon over church appointments. When the war ended in 1550, Robert, who was 28 years old, asked Regent Arran and Mary of Guise for permission to go back to university in France.
John Elder, a Scottish writer living in England, wrote a special description of the wedding of Queen Mary I of England and King Philip II of Spain. He gave this as a New Year's gift to Robert Stewart in 1555. Elder's letter was published and was addressed to his good friend Lord Robert 'Stuarde,' Bishop of Caithness.
On January 6, 1579, Lord Lennox married Elizabeth Stewart. She was the daughter of John Stewart, the 4th Earl of Atholl, and the widow of Hugh Fraser, the 5th Lord Lovat. They divorced on May 19, 1581. Elizabeth then married James Stewart, Earl of Arran, shortly after.
