Simon Fraser, 6th Lord Lovat facts for kids
Simon Fraser, 6th Lord Lovat (1570–1633) was an important Scottish nobleman and landowner. He was known for his connections at the royal court.
Simon Fraser was the son of Hugh Fraser, 5th Lord Lovat and Elizabeth Stewart, Countess of Arran. His mother was the daughter of John Stewart, 4th Earl of Atholl. Simon was born on April 13, 1570.
Simon Fraser's Life
Simon Fraser first married Katherine Mackenzie in 1589 in Dingwall. Sadly, she passed away in 1593 while giving birth at Beauly Priory.
In January 1595, Simon Fraser, along with the Earl of Atholl and Kenneth Mackenzie, was held at Linlithgow Palace. This was done to help bring peace to the Highland areas. By June 1595, Lord Lovat was back in the king's good favor and rode with King James VI of Scotland from Linlithgow Palace to Stirling Castle.
In April 1596, Simon Fraser married his second wife, Jean Stewart. She was the daughter of James Stewart, 1st Lord Doune and Margaret Campbell. Jean was also a lady-in-waiting to Anne of Denmark, who was the Queen. As a wedding gift, King James VI gave Jean two beautiful velvet gowns. Jean Stewart also had important rights to some lands that used to belong to the Gordon family.
A family historian from the 1600s, James Fraser, wrote about the wedding. He said that King James VI had offered Lord Lovat his pick of the ladies at court to marry. The wedding took place at Falkland Palace. After the wedding, there was a very grand celebration at Beauly. Jean Stewart and Simon Fraser had six children together.
Their family homes included the Abbot's House at Beauly Priory, Beaufort, Bunchrive (or Bunchrew), Dalcross Castle, and a place to stay in Inverness. Jean Stewart helped with building projects, like at Dalcross Castle. Wood for their homes came from the Dalcattaig woods, and stone came from Caucy quarry. James Fraser, who was the grandson of their household manager, used their old family records to write about them. He said that Simon Fraser was known for being very welcoming and generous.
In 1600, Simon Fraser attended a meeting of the Scottish parliament to discuss the Earl of Gowrie. In 1617, Simon Fraser and Jean Stewart went to Edinburgh to meet the king, and Simon again took part in parliament.
Simon Fraser passed away at Bunchrew on April 15, 1633. He was buried at Kirkhill. His son, Hugh Fraser, 7th Lord Lovat, became the next Lord Lovat.
Family Life
Simon Fraser had children with his first wife, Katherine Mackenzie:
- Hugh Fraser, who became the 7th Lord Lovat. He married his cousin, Isobella Wemyss.
- Elizabeth Fraser, who married Alexander Dunbar.
Simon Fraser and Jean Stewart had six children:
- Anna Fraser, who was named after the queen. She was born in March 1597 and died in 1603.
- Sir James Fraser of Inverallochy.
- Sir James Fraser of Brea, who was the father of James Fraser of Brea.
- Margaret Fraser, who married Robert Arbuthnott in 1617. She later married John Haldane in 1633.
- Simon Fraser, a knight.
Jean Stewart died at Bunchrew in 1622.
Simon Fraser married for a third time in 1624 to Katherine Rose of Moynes. She was the daughter of William Rose of Kilravock.
