Sir John Gordon, 1st Baronet, of Haddo facts for kids

Sir John Gordon, 1st Baronet (born 1610 – died 19 July 1644) was a Scottish nobleman who supported King Charles I. He was known as a Royalist, meaning he was loyal to the King during a time of big changes and conflicts in Scotland, England, and Ireland. These conflicts are now called the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Sir John was recognized for his bravery in battles against a group called the Covenanters. He was made a special knight, a baronet, for his service to the King.

However, his loyalty to the King led to serious trouble with the Covenanters. He was eventually forced to give up his home, Kellie, and was later put on trial. Sir John Gordon was then executed in Edinburgh for going against the Scottish government at the time.

John was the son of George Gordon and Margaret Bannerman. His father, George, passed away before John's grandfather. So, when his grandfather died in November 1624, John inherited the family lands, including Haddo and Methlick.

Fighting for the King

In 1639, King Charles I appointed Sir John Gordon as second-in-command of the forces raised to fight against the Covenanters. The Covenanters were a group of Scots who had signed a national agreement, or "Covenant," to protect their Presbyterian church and its independence from the King's control.

Sir John played an important part in a small battle at Turriff on 14 May 1639. In this fight, the King's forces managed to scatter a gathering of the Covenanters. For his actions and loyalty, Sir John was given the title of baronet on 13 August 1642. A baronet is a special title, like a knight, that is passed down through the family. This honor made him even more disliked by the Covenanters.

After a peace agreement was signed on 20 June, Sir John went to meet the King. When the Marquess of Huntly raised an army for the King that same year, Sir John joined him again. Both Sir John and the Marquess were officially cut off from the church by the General Assembly in April. This was a serious punishment at the time.

Capture and Trial

Because Sir John Gordon continued to oppose the Covenanters, the Scottish government issued orders for his arrest in November 1643. In January 1644, the sheriff of Aberdeen went to Sir John's home, Kellie Castle, with a large force to capture him. However, Sir John had already escaped.

He joined the Marquess of Huntly again to support the King. Both men were officially removed from the church by the General Assembly on 16 April 1644. When the Marquess's forces had to retreat, Sir John tried to defend Kellie Castle against a powerful army led by the Marquess of Argyll.

Sir John was promised fair terms if he surrendered by his cousin, Earl Marischal, who was with Argyll's army. Believing his cousin, Sir John surrendered on 8 May 1644. However, Argyll did not keep the promise. He released most of Sir John's soldiers but held Sir John and a few officers. Argyll's forces also took many things from Kellie Castle, which upset Earl Marischal.

Sir John Gordon was taken to Edinburgh and held prisoner in a part of St. Giles' Cathedral. This part of the church became known as "Haddo's Hole" because of his imprisonment there. He was put on trial for serious charges against the government. These charges were for his actions in 1639 and for keeping an army against the Covenanters. Sir John argued that his actions at Turriff had been forgiven under a peace treaty. He also said he had the King's permission for everything he did. However, his arguments did not help him. He was found guilty and executed at the Mercat Cross in Edinburgh on 19 July 1644.

Sir John's Family

Sir John Gordon married Mary Forbes in 1630. They had several children together:

• Sir John Gordon, 2nd Baronet, of Haddo (born around 1632, died 1665)
• Patrick Gordon (born between 1633 and 1636)
• George Gordon, 1st Earl of Aberdeen (1637–1720)
• Charles Gordon (born around 1638)
• James Gordon of Saphak (born around 1639, died around 1683)
• Janet Gordon (born around 1644)
• Jean Gordon