James Hamilton of Finnart

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sir James Hamilton of Finnart (d. 1540) was a Scottish nobleman, the illegitimate son of James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran by Mary Boyd of Bonshaw. Although legitimated in 1512, while still a minor, he continued to be known as the Bastard of Arran. Being a key member of the Hamilton family, and second cousin to King James V, he became a prominent member of Scottish society.

He was appointed Steward of the Royal Household and Master of Works to King James. As Master of Works, he was responsible for restorations to the royal palaces of Linlithgow and Falkland. King James granted Hamilton with the Draffan estate in Lanarkshire, on which he built Craignethan Castle in 1530.

As guardian to the young 2nd Earl, he was for a time the most influential of the Hamilton dynasty, and one of the most powerful men in Scotland.

In 1520 Hamilton played a part in provoking the 'Clear the Causeway' fight with the Earl of Angus, in Edinburgh's High Street. Hamilton and his father managed to escape from the skirmish by stealing horses and crossing the Nor Loch. Hamilton was also the murderer of John Stewart, 3rd Earl of Lennox, who had surrendered to the Hamilton side following the battle of Linlithgow Bridge in 1526. He was involved in persecution of the Protestants, including his own cousin Patrick Hamilton, who was burnt at the stake in 1528.

In 1540 King James became convinced that Hamilton was plotting against him, although no evidence for this was presented. James Hamilton was tried for treason and executed.

He married Margaret Livingston of Easter Wemyss, and had issue:

1. James Hamilton of Crawfordjohn
2. Agnes Hamilton, who married James, 6th Lord Somerville
3. Grissel Hamilton who married Andrew Leslie, 5th Earl of Rothes

In addition, James fathered at least ten illegitimate children of his own.