William Graham, 5th Earl of Menteith facts for kids
William Graham, 5th Earl of Menteith (born around 1555 – died about 1578), was an important Scottish nobleman in the 1500s. He held the title of Earl of Menteith, which was a high rank in Scotland.
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Who Was William Graham?
William Graham became the 5th Earl of Menteith after his father, John Graham, the 4th Earl, passed away in 1565. At that time, William was still quite young. He was not yet old enough to be considered an adult in the eyes of the law. This meant he couldn't fully control his own lands or make big decisions.
Even though he was young, everyone knew him as the Earl of Menteith. The crown, which means the king or queen, officially held the earldom for a while. This was common when a young noble inherited a title.
Becoming the Earl
William officially received his earldom from the crown in November 1571. This event helps us guess when he was born. It's likely he was born around November 1555.
William's Family Life
William Graham married a woman named Margaret Douglas. Together, they had three children:
- John Graham, who later became the 6th Earl of Menteith. He took over the title after his father.
- George Graham, another son.
- Helen Graham, their daughter.
What Happened to William's Family?
About ten days before William Graham passed away, he made a will. In this will, he asked that his son John be looked after by George Buchanan. George Buchanan was William's brother-in-law.
Years later, in February 1588, William's wife, Margaret Douglas, faced some trouble. She was kept in her own home, called Kelwood. People who were against her claimed she had given them a special paper, like a lease, for the house.
