William Sempill, 2nd Lord Sempill facts for kids
William Sempill, the 2nd Lord Sempill, was an important Scottish noble who lived in the 1500s. He was also the Sheriff of Renfrewshire, which meant he was in charge of law and order in that area. He passed away in 1552.
Contents
Early Life and Becoming a Lord
William Sempill was the son of John Sempill, 1st Lord Sempill. His mother was Margaret Colville. Sadly, William's father was killed in a big battle called Flodden in 1513. At that time, William was still too young to take on his father's title. He officially became the Lord Sempill in 1515.
Challenges and Conflicts
William Sempill lived in a time when powerful families often had disagreements, sometimes called "feuds." Following his father's path, William continued a long-standing conflict with the Earl of Glencairn and the Cunningham family.
In 1523, a powerful leader named the Duke of Albany came back to Scotland. He was the governor, which meant he was in charge of the country. He asked Lord Sempill for oxen (strong animals like cows) to help move new cannons that had arrived from France.
Later, in 1527, William Sempill and another noble, the Earl of Cassillis, faced some trouble. In 1540, William had to pay a large sum of money, £66-13s-4d, to the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland. This payment was like a fine or a way to make up for something that had happened involving him and his friends.
William Sempill's Family Life
William Sempill was married three times and had several children.
First Marriage
His first wife was Lady Margaret Montgomery. She was the eldest daughter of Hugh Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Eglinton. Lady Margaret was a descendant of Robert II of Scotland, a Scottish king. This means that William and Margaret's children were connected to many Scottish kings, including Robert II, and even to Anglo-Saxon kings through an earlier royal marriage. Their marriage was remembered with special stone carvings at Castle Semple Collegiate Church.
William and Lady Margaret's oldest son was Robert. Robert worked at the court of James V of Scotland, the king at the time. In 1534, Robert became an adult.
Other children from this marriage included:
- David Sempill of Craiginfeoch
- Helen Sempill, who married Allan, Lord Cathcart. Lord Cathcart was killed in a battle called Pinkie.
- Marion Sempill, who married Stirling of Keir.
Later Marriages
William's second wife was Elizabeth Arnot.
His third wife was Mariota, also known as Marion Montgomery. She was the daughter of John Montgomerie of Hessilhead. Marion had been married before, and her oldest son from that marriage, John Crawfurd, was killed at the battle of Pinkie in 1547. After William Sempill passed away, Marion married John Campbell of Skipnish. Their daughter, Jean, was an ancestor of the Marquis of Bute, another important noble family.
