Ludovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of Lennox and 1st Duke of Richmond (29 September 1574 – 16 February 1624) was a Scottish nobleman and politician. He was the son of Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox and his wife Catherine de Balsac. Stewart (or Stuart?) was involved in the Plantation of Ulster in Ireland and the colonization of Maine in New England. Richmond's Island and Cape Richmond, as well as Richmond, Maine (formerly Fort Richmond), are named for him. In 1591 he was appointed to the post of Lord High Admiral of Scotland following the disgrace of the Earl of Bothwell.
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He married, firstly, Sophia Ruthven, daughter of William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie, before June 1590.
He married, secondly, Jean Campbell, great-granddaughter of James IV of Scotland, ca. August 1598.
He married, thirdly, Frances Howard, daughter of Thomas Howard, 1st Viscount Howard of Bindon, on 16 June 1621.
His illegitimate son Sir John Stewart of Methven was married to Margaret Hamilton, daughter of Sir Claud Hamilton. Claud was son of Claud Hamilton, 1st Lord Paisley and a younger brother of James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Abercorn.[1]
In December 1583, after the death of Esmé Stewart, James VI issued instructions for the education of Ludovic. The young Duke was to remain in the king's household under the care of Mr. Gilbert Moncreiff. Ten years later, the Duke and 15 friends subscribed to a frivolous legal document swearing to abstain from wearing gold and silver trimmings for a year, and defaulters were to pay for a banquet.[2]
In the Plantation of Ulster, Ludovic Stuart, the 2nd Duke of Lennox was granted lands at Portlough in the Barony of Raphoe in County Donegal in 1608. Pynnar Survey of 1618 records the Duke of Lennox as being the chief undertaker for 2,000 acres in the Portlough area and as being represented locally by his agent Sir Aulant Aula, Knight.
The Duke of Lennox appears in the Muster Rolls of 1631 (now described as being an undertaker of 4,000 acres). This probably refers to his brother the 3rd Duke.
Stewart was involved in the colonization of Maine in New England. Richmond Island and Cape Richmond, as well as Richmond, Maine (formerly Fort Richmond), are named for him. It is probable that Newtownstewart in County Tyrone, Ireland is also named after him.
He acquired the licence to mint copper farthings.
He died in 1624, aged 49 and was interred in Westminster Abbey, London.
His English title of Duke of Richmond became extinct, but his Scottish title of Duke of Lennox passed to his brother, Esmé Stewart, 3rd Duke of Lennox.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Edward Hoby |
Custos Rotulorum of Kent 1617–1624 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Montgomery |
| Preceded by The Marquess of Buckingham |
Lord Lieutenant of Kent 1620–1624 |
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| Peerage of Scotland | ||
| Preceded by Esmé Stewart |
Duke of Lennox 1583–1624 |
Succeeded by Esmé Stewart |
| Peerage of England | ||
| New creation | Duke of Richmond 1623–1624 |
Extinct |
| Earl of Richmond 1613–1624 |
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