The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom, ... collected from the public records, and ancient chartularies of this nation, ... Illustrated with copper-plates. By Robert Douglas, Esq;.

RUTHVEN Earl of GOWRIE.

THE sirname of Ruthven is local, and was first assumed by the proprietors of the lands and barony of Ruthven in Perth∣shire, which they were in possession of, long before sirnames came to be much used in this country.

I. THORE, the immediate ancestor of this noble family, flourished in the reigns of king David I. and king Malcolm IV. who succeed∣ed David, anno 1153. He was father of

II. SWANUS, who appears to have been a man of considerable rank and distinction, in the reign of king William the Lion, and had the superiority of lands in other counties, be∣sides those of Ruthven in Perth-shire.

He made a donation to the monastery of Scoon, of part of his lands of Tubermore, in the last named county,* 1.1 pro salute animae comitis Henrici, &c. and is therein designed Swanus filius Thori, to which John bishop of Dun∣keld was a witness, who was in that see from 1177 till he died anno 1203.

He made another donation, de quodam tofio in Tubermore,* 1.2 to the monastery of Inchcolm before the year 1200.

King William confirms, to the monastery of Newbottle, a donation made by Willi∣am de Lindsay, of part of his lands of Craw∣ford in Lanark-shire, quam ipse Willielmus tenet de Swano filio Thori,* 1.3 &c. to which Da∣vid, the king's brother, Robert de Quincy, &c. are witnesses, ante 1214, in which year king William died.

He left issue two sons.

1. Alanus, his heir.

2. Walter, who is witness in a donation of Gilbert earl of Strathearn to the monaste∣ry of Scoon,* 1.4 wherein he is designed Walte∣rus filius Swani, &c. tempore Alexandri re∣gis secundi.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

III. ALANUS or ALAN, who confirmed his father's donations to the religious,* 1.5 and is therein designed Alanus filius Swani, in the beginning of the reign of king Alexander II. who succeeded to the crown, anno 1214.

He left issue two sons.

1. Sir Walter, his heir.

2. Henry,* 1.6 who is witness in the said do∣nation of Gilbert earl of Strathearn, and is designed Henricus filius Alani, &c.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

IV. Sir WALTER de RUTHVEN, who is the first of this family that assumed the sir∣name.

In a controversy with Galfride, bishop of Dunblain, about the patronage of a church in Perth-shire, Malcolmus comes de Fife,

Walterus Senescallus, justiciar. Scotiae, Walte∣rus de Ruthven,* 1.7 Laurentius de Abernethy, Malcolmus de Levenax, &c. are witnesses, anno 1239.

He confirmed his predecessors donations to the religious,* 1.8 in these words: Walterus fili∣us Alani, &c. totam terram illam quam Swa∣nus filius Thori avus meus dedit in Tubermore, &c. to which Gilbert earl of Strathearn, Ro∣bert, his son, &c. are witnesses, inter 1235 et 1240.

He married Cecily, daughter of Gilbert earl of Strathearn, then one of the most con∣siderable families in Scotland, with whom he got a large accession to his estate. This mar∣riage appears from an original charter,* 1.9 in which are these words: Walterus filius Ala∣ni uxorem duxit Ceciliam filiam Gilberti co∣mitis de Strathearn, &c.

By her he had issue a son and successor,

V. Sir WILLIAM de RUTHVEN, the first we find designed lord of that ilk.

He confirms his predecessors donations to the religious in these words:* 1.10 Willielmus de Ruthven dominus ejusd. &c. confirmasse, &c. cartam domini Walteri, filii Alani, bonae memo∣riae patris mei, &c. Deo et canonicis de Scoon, &c. anno 1260.

In two donations of William earl of Mar,* 1.11 to the priory of St. Andrews, Willielmus de Ruthven, miles, is a witness, anno 1267.

He left issue two sons.

1. Sir Walter, his heir.

2. Sir Gilbert, who, in a charter of Roger de Quincy,* 1.12 earl of Winton, is designed Gil∣bertus de Ruthven, miles, filius Willielmi, &c. anno 1262.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

VI. Sir WALTER RUTHVEN, dominus ejusd. who confirmed his predecessors donati∣ons to the religious,* 1.13 and is then designed si∣lius et haeres Willielmi, &c.

He married Cecily, daughter and co-heiress of sir William Maule,* 1.14 with whom he got part of the lands and barony of Foulis, which he afterwards resigned, anno 1262.

By her he had issue a son,

VII. Sir WILLIAM RUTHVEN, dominus ejusd.* 1.15 who succeeded him, and was one of the Scotch barons that swore sealty to king Edward I. of England, when he had over∣run Scotland, anno 1296.

He married Marjory, daughter of— Ramsay of Auchterhouse,* 1.16 by whom he had three sons.

1. Sir Walter, his heir.

2. James.

3. Robert.

These two last were killed at the battle of Duplin,* 1.17 anno 1332.

He died anno 1320, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

VIII. Sir WALTER de RUTHVEN, domi∣nus ejusd. who accompanied king David Bruce into Scotland,* 1.18 and lost his life at the battle of Durham, where his royal master was ta∣ken prisoner, anno 1346.

By Margaret Carron his wise he left a son,

IX. Sir WILLIAM, who succeeded him, and confirms the donations of his predecessors in these words: Willielmus de Ruthven do∣minus ejusd. &c. confirmasse, &c. donationem illam quam Swanus filius Thori praedecessor meus fecit,* 1.19 et Walterus filius Alani filii Swa∣ni confirmavit, &c. monasterio insulae Sti Co∣lumbi, &c. de quodam tofto apud Tubermore, &c. testibus, Mauritio de Ruthven, consanguineo meo, &c. anno 1362.

He got a safe conduct from king Edward III. to go up to England,* 1.20 anno 1363, and is then designed Willielmus de Ruthven, miles.

There is a charter of confirmation, under the great seal, upon an assedation,* 1.21 per quon∣dam Willielmum de Ruthven, &c. factam Johanni Penny, &c. dated anno 1376.

By Margaret his wife, a daughter of sir John Logie, he left issue two sons.

1. Sir William, his heir.

2. David de Ruthven,* 1.22 who got from his brother the lands of Morehall, by a charter dated 20th October 1400.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

X. Sir WILLIAM RUTHVEN, dominus ejusd. a man of good parts, and a great pa∣triot.

He was one of the Scotch nobles appoint∣ed by the estates of the nation,* 1.23 to treat with the English about king James's liberty, anno 1423, and was afterwards one of the hostages for his ransom, anno 1424.

We have not discovered whom he marri∣ed, but he left issue a son,

Sir William, his heir,—and a daugh∣ter,

Christian Ruthven, married to George Dou∣glas of Leswalt, in Galloway, by a charter from king James III.* 1.24 dated anno 1477.

He died in the reign of king James II. and was succeeded by his son,

XI. Sir WILLIAM,* 1.25 who was created a lord of parliament by king James III. 29th January 1487.

He was appointed heretable sheriss of Perth,

and got charters, under the great seal, Wil∣lielmo domino Ruthven,* 1.26 officii vicecomitatus de Perth; and of a vast number of lands and ba∣ronies, viz. the lands of Cousland, the half of Strathbrand, Glencuthil; Cowgask, Cultera∣nie, Drumdrany, Craignegaw, and many o∣thers in different counties, too numerous to be here inserted.

This lord married, 1st, Isabel, daughter of —Livingston of Saltcoats, and relict of Walter Lindsay of Beaufort, by whom he had a son,

William, master of Ruthven,—and a daughter,

Margaret,* 1.27 married, 1st, to Alexander earl of Buchan; 2dly, to John Erskine of Dun, in Forfar-shire, and was mother of the super∣intendant.

He married, 2dly, Christian, daughter of sir John Forbes of Pitsligo, by whom he had another son,

William Ruthven of Bandean, of whom the earl of Forth, the Ruthvens of Dunglas, Redcastle, &c. are descended,—and a daughter,

Elizabeth, married, 1st, to William, fifth earl of Errol; 2dly, to Ninian lord Ross.

He lived to a great age, and died in 1528.

XII. WILLIAM, master of Ruthven, eld∣est son and apparent heir of William, first lord Ruthven,* 1.28 married Jean Hepburn, daughter of the laird of Rickerton, by whom he had a son,

William, afterwards lord Ruthven.

The master accompanied king James IV. to the fatal field of Flowdon, where he lost his life with his royal master, anno 1513.

XIII. WILLIAM, second lord Ruthven, only son of the master,* 1.29 succeeded his grand∣father, anno 1528, and got charters, under the great seal, of many lands and baronies.

He was a man of parts and learning, and was made lord privy seal, anno 1547, which office he held till his death.* 1.30

He married Janet Halyburton, daughter and one of the co-heiresses of Patrick lord Ha∣lyburton of Dirleton;* 1.31 and, on account of that marriage, he quartered the arms of Haly∣burton with his own. He got with her a great accession to his estate, and by her had issue two sons, and seven daughters.

1. Patrick, his heir.

2. Alexander Ruthven of Freeland, ance∣stor of lord Ruthven of Freeland. Vide title lord Ruthven.

1st daughter, Lilias, married to David lord Drummond.

2. Catharine, married to sir Colin Camp∣bell of Glenurchie.

3. Cecilia, married to sir David Wemyss of Wemyss.

4. Barbara, married to Patrick lord Gray.

5. Janet, married to John lord Crichton of Strathurd.

6. Margaret, married to James Johnston of Elphingston, in Haddington-shire.

7. Christian, married to William Lundin of that ilk, in Fise-shire.

He died anno 1553, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XIV. PATRICK, third lord Ruthven, he∣retable sheriff of Perth, who was a man of a daring spirit; and a great promoter of the re∣formation.

He got charters, under the great seal, of many lands and baronies,* 1.32 Patricio domino Ruthven; &c. inter 1554 et 1562.

He married, 1st, Janet Douglas, natural daughter of Archibald earl of Angus, by whom he had two sons; and two daughters.

1. William, afterwards earl of Gowrie.

2. Alexander Ruthven, Esq;.

1st daughter; Jean, married,* 1.33 1st, to Henry lord Methven; 2dly, to Andrew earl of Ro∣thes.

2. Isabel, married to sir James Colvile of Easter-Wemyss.

He married,* 1.34 2dly, lady Janet Stewart, daughter of John earl of Athole, widow of Henry lord Methven, by whom he had a son,

James Ruthven, who was precentor of Dunkeld, anno 1582.

This lord had the misfortune to be accessa∣ry to the murder of David Rizio, anno 1566, which is the greatest stain upon his character; and dying in the end of that year, or begin∣ning of 1567,* 1.35 was succeeded by his eldest son,

XV. WILLIAM, fourth lord Ruthven, a man of great parts and undannted courage.

He was appointed lord high treasurer of Scotland, anno 1571, and was created earl of Gowrie 23d August 1581.

This earl, who was truly a great man, had so many and various scenes of life, that it is inconsistent with the brevity of this work to narrate them here, but shall refer our readers to the lives of the officers of state, page 383, &c. where will be found a full account of his life and actions. We shall only add, that in the minority of king James VI.* 1.36 he was char∣ged with several treasonable practices, for which he was condemned and executed, on 28th May 1584, and his estate and honours forfeited to the crown.

We shall sum up his character in the words of a learned author:

"He was a nobleman,

who in his life was much honoured, and employed in the chief offices at court;* 1.37 a man wise, but too curious, and said to have consulted with wizards, &c. He made this common regret, which many great men have done in such misfortunes, that if he had served God as faithfully as he had done the king, he had not come to that un∣timely end. His death, to the beholders, was very peaceable and quiet, &c. &c."

He married Dorothea, daughter of Henry lord Methven,* 1.38 by whom he had issue five sons, and seven daughters.

1. James.

2. John, who succeeded his brother.

3. Alexander, who was•• concerned with his brother in the attempt upon the king at Perth, as will be mentioned hereafter.

4. William, who was but a child at his brother's death, but, upon the extirpation of the family, went abroad, and became fa∣mous for his knowledge in the art of chymi∣stry.

5. Patrick, who became a doctor of phy∣sic, and was eminent in his profession. His daughter was married to Anthony Vandyke, the famous painter.

1st daughter, lady Margaret, married to John earl of Montrose, and was mother of the great marquis.

2. Lady Mary, married, 1st, to John fifth earl of Athole; 2dly, to John lord Inner∣meath, afterwards earl of Athole.

3. Lady Sophia, married to Ludovick duke of Lennox and Richmond.

4. Lady Jean, married to James eighth lord Ogilvie, and was mother of the first earl of Airly.

5. Lady Beatrix, married to sir John Home of Coldingknows.

6. Lady Isabel, married to sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar, and was mother of John viscount Kenmure.

7. Barbara, married to sir John Wemyss of Pittencrief.

XVI. JAMES, eldest son of William, first earl of Gowrie, by the king's great lenity and goodness, was restored to his father's estate and honours, and was the second earl.

He was a youth of great hopes, and of a sweet disposition; but died unmarried, anno 1588, whereby the estate and honours de∣volved upon his brother,

XVI. JOHN, third earl of Gowrie, who, with his brother Alexander, made that auda∣cious attempt upon the king's sacred person at Perth, on the memorable fifth of August 1600, when both the brothers were slain in the enterprize.

Though there are particular histories of Gowrie's conspiracy wrote by several histo∣rians, yet we have only hereto subjoined the account given by a learned author.† 1.39

All the honours and estates of the earldom

of Gowrie were forfeited and annexed to the crown, and the fifth of August in time coming ordered to be regularly observed as a day of thanksgiving, in remembrance of his maje∣sty's happy deliverance.

ARMS.

Three coats; quarterly, 1st and 4th, argent, three bars gules; 2d or, three bars gules; 3d or, on a bend azure, three lozenges of the first; all within a border or, flowered and counterflowered gules.

SUPPORTERS; two goats proper.

CREST; a goat's head caboss'd, issuing out of a crown or.

MOTTO; Facta probant.

CHIEF SEATS.

At Ruthven-Castle, (now called Hunting-tower,) in Perth-shire, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chartulary of Scoon, penes MacFarlane, p. 185.
• * 1.2

  Regist. of Inc••••colm, penes eun∣dem, p. 18.
• * 1.3

  Chartulary of Newbottle, penes eund. p. 18.
• * 1.4

  Chartulary of Scoon, p. 199.
• * 1.5

  Chartul. of Scoon and Inchcolm.
• * 1.6

  Chartulary of Scoon, p. 199.
• * 1.7

  Register of Inchcolm, p. 32.
• * 1.8

  Chartul. of Scoon and Inchcolm.
• * 1.9

  Origin. char∣ters, penes MacFarlane, v. II. p. 196.
• * 1.10

  Chartulary of Scoon.
• * 1.11

  Chartulary of St. Andrews, p. 376, & 377.
• * 1.12

  Ibid. p. 406.
• * 1.13

  Chartulary of Scoon, p. 184
• * 1.14

  Charta penes comitem de Panmure.
• * 1.15

  Prynne's col∣lect. vol. III. p. 662.
• * 1.16

  M. S. hist. of the family of Gowrie.
• * 1.17

  Ibidem.
• * 1.18

  Ibidem.
• * 1.19

  Register of Inchcolm, p. 15.
• * 1.20

  Rymer, tom. VI. p. 408.
• * 1.21

  Chart. in ar∣chiv. Robert II.
• * 1.22

  MacFarlane's collections, v. I. p. 172.
• * 1.23

  Rymer's ••ad. tom. X. pages 308, and 327.
• * 1.24

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.25

  Records of parliament.
• * 1.26

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.27

  Ibidem.
• * 1.28

  Ibidem.
• * 1.29

  Chart. in pub. archiv. inter 1530 & 1542.
• * 1.30

  Ibidem.
• * 1.31

  Ibid. and Nis∣bet.
• * 1.32

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.33

  Lives of the offic. of state.
• * 1.34

  Chart. in pub. archiv. ad an∣num 1557.
• * 1.35

  Ibidem.
• * 1.36

  BishopSpotis∣wood.
• * 1.37

  Ibidem.
• * 1.38

  Lives of the offic. of state.
• † 1.39

  No transaction in the Scotch history can be so little accounted for, as that of Gowrie's conspiracy. A reason for an attempt so horrid, is scarcely so much as hinted; and the methods used, even supposing such had been the intention, were so preposterous, that it cannot reconcile, either with the character of the two young gentlemen, or with the other circumstances of the story itself. Nature and education had joined in adorning them, especially the elder, with the most noble accomplishments: More learned than is usual among persons of their rank; more religious than is common at their age of life; generous, brave, popular: their country-men, far from thinking them capable of any atrocious crime, conceived the most sanguine hopes of their early virtues.

  This remarkable incident happened on the fifth August 1600. Historians tell us, that as the king was going out in the morning to the chace from his palace of Falkland, he was accosted by the younger of the two Ruthvens, Alexander, who, with an air of secrecy and importance, acquainted him, that the evening before, a stranger had been seized near his brother's house at Perth, and secured; and, on searching him, a vast quantity of foreign gold was found upon him. The king immediately suspecting this unknown person to be a trafficking priest, supplied with foreign coin, in order to excite new commotions in the kingdom, ordered him to be sent to Falkland; but this Mr. Ruthven strenuously opposed, and, with many arguments, urged the king to proceed to Perth, and examine into the matter himself. The king, whose curiosity was awakened by the strangeness of the affair, promised to go when the chace was over, during the whole of which Ruthven continued his importunity in so strong at manner, that, even after it was over, he would not allow the king to wait a fresh horse, but insisted on his setting out on the same he had hunted with the whole day. Mr. Ruth∣ven, too, was very desirous that the king should set out without attendants; but this he refused, and, with a train of about twenty persons, set out for Perth.

  The earl of Gowrie apprised by his brother of the king's approach, met him at a little distance from the town, and conducted him to his house: mean time no preparations for entertaining his majesty appeared; the earl seemed em∣barassed, nor did he apologize for the seanty fare with which he entertained his royal guest. The king's repast be∣ing over, his attendants were conducted by the earl to dine in another apartment. At that time Mr. Ruthven took the opportunity of whispering the king, that now he might have an opportunity of seeing the unknown person. The king desired sir Thomas Erskine to go with him; but Mr. Ruthven would not consent: he then conducted the king by a narrow stair-case, through several apartments, all of which he locked behind him, till at last he came to a small room, where, instead of a fettered criminal, as the king expected, he found a man standing compleately armed, with a sword and dagger at his side. Ruthven, upon his entrance, snatched the dagger from the man's side, and addressing the king, spoke to him of his father's execution; that he was now his prisoner, and at his mercy; but added, that if he would be quiet, and make no noise, his life should be in safety. He then delivered back the man the dagger, told him to take care of the king, and at same time binding the king with an oath not to make any noise or disturbance during his absence, he returned to acquaint his brother with what he had done.

  Mean while the king's attendants, impatient at his not appearing, inquired at Gowrie what had become of him: at that instant one of Gowrie's domestics entered the room, and acquainted them, that the king had just mounted his horse, and rode off for Falkland; on which all of them immediately left the house, and called for their horses. At this time Mr. Ruthven had returned to the king, and told him, that now he behoved to die, and at same time offer∣ed to bind his hands. Unarmed as the king was, he would not submit to such an indignity, but closing with Mr. Ruthven, a fierce struggle ensued; during which the man in armour stood by trembling, dismaid, and motionless, without offering the least assistance to his master, or violence to the king.

  In the scuffle the king had pulled Mr. Ruthven near a window, part of which was open, and, putting out his head, called out, with a wild affrighted voice, Treason! Murder! His attendants knew the voice, and observing a hand at the window, collaring the king, they immediately rushed up stairs to his assistance. The greater number took the principal stair-case, but found all the doors fast, which while they were attempting to force open, sir John Ramsay entered by a back stair, and seeing Mr. Ruthven struggling with the king, drew his dagger, plunged it twice into his body, then pulled him from the king, and threw him down stairs, where he was met by sir Thomas Erskine, and sir Hugh Herries, who, with their daggers, dispatched him; Mr. Ruthven calling out with his last breath, alas! alas! I am not to blame. During this scuffle the man in armour, who had been concealed in the apartment, made his escape unknown.

  There were now in the apartment with the king, Ramsay, Erskine, and Herries, and one Wilson a footman, who en∣tered the room along with them. Before they had time to congratulate the king on his narrow escape, the earl came up the same back-stair, and rushed in with a sword in each hand, attended by seven servants, compleatly armed, threat∣ening them all with immediate death. Notwithstanding the inequality of the numbers, the three gentlemen immedi∣ately attacked the earl, and sir John Ramsay having run him through the heart, his followers immediately fled.

  The king's attendants, who were endeavouring to force a passage from the other stair-case, were now let in, and, with transports of joy, congratulated the king on his deliverance; and he falling on his knees, with his attendants a∣round him, offered thanks to God for his wonderful preservation.

  The danger however was not quite over: the inhabitants of Perth hearing of the death of the earl, their beloved provost and patron, surrounded the house, and vowed vengeance against the king; but the magistrates being admitted into the king's presence, and acquainted with the fact, they, by their influence, by degrees appeased the multitudes, who soon after dispersed. The king then returned to Falkland, having left the care of the dead bodies of the earl and his brother to the magistrates.

  Such is the story handed down to us by many writers; but all of them are at a loss to account for the motives of a conduct so contrary to the known character of these two brothers, whose gentle and peaceable dispositions made them idolized by all who knew them.

  Three of Gowrie's servants were afterwards hanged at Perth, for being concerned in the attempt; but from them no light could be drawn into this intricate affair; and the man who was concealed in the study, and who, upon promise of pardon, had revealed himself, and proved to be the earl's steward, was as much a stranger to his master's design as the rest; and though placed in the study, by the earl's immediate command, he did not even know for what end that station was assigned him; the truth of which seems strongly to appear from his behaviour to the king while alone in the apartment with him; and when, instead of appearing to have a design upon his life or liberty, he stood motion∣less, trembling and affrighted; in short, altogether unfit for so horrid an office.