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;.

GORDON Duke of GORDON.

THOUGH there are many elegant hi∣stories of this ancient and illustrious fa∣mily, written by learned and judicious anti∣quaries, yet they differ greatly as to their origin and first settlement in this island.

Some bring them from Greece to Gaul, and from thence to Scotland, at least a thousand years ago; others bring them from Italy; o∣thers from Spain, Flanders, &c.

Certain it is, there were many consider∣able families of the name of Gordon in France, long before the Norman conquest of England, whose posterity we shall have occa∣sion to mention hereafter, and whose descen∣dents are subsisting in France to this day.

The most probable conjecture therefore is, that some of these Gordons came to England with William the Conqueror, anno 1066, and to Scotland with king Malcolm Canmore, or his son king David I. for it is well known, that the ancestors of several of the best fami∣lies in this kingdom are of Norman extract, and came to Scotland with one or other of these princes.

It is also said, that in the reign of king Malcolm Canmore, a valiant knight, of the name of Gordon, came to Scotland, and was kindly received by that prince; and having killed a wild boar, which greatly infested the borders, the generous Malcolm gave him a grant of several lands in the Merse, or Ber∣wickshire, which he called Gordon, after his own sirname. He settled there, took the boar's head for his armorial bearing, in me∣mory of his having killed that monstrous ani∣mal; that he was progenitor of all the Gor∣dons in Scotland; and mention is made of Adam de Gordon the father, and Adam his son, in the reigns of the said Malcolm and David.

It is most certain the Gordons were mak∣ing no small figure in Scotland immediately after that aera; we shall therefore insist no more on the historial accounts; but proceed to deduce the descent of this great and most noble family, by unquestionable authority, from their immediate ancestor.

I. RICARDUS de GORDON, said to be grandson of the knight who killed the boar, or son of the second Adam. He was a man of considerable distinction in Scotland in the reigns of king Malcolm IV. and king William the Lion, who succeeded Malcolm, anno 1165.

He was undoubtedly proprietor of the lands and barony of Gordon, and others, in Berwickshire, which is instructed by a dona∣tion he made,

"To St. Mary's church of Kelso,* 1.1 and the monks serving God there, and to the church of St. Michael in his village of Gordon, (a bounded piece of his lands and estate of Gordon, lying contigu∣ous to the church-yard of Gordon,) in a free and perpetual alms; and grants to whatever minister they shall place in the said church of Gordon, all the ordinary privileges of pasturage, moss, muir, and other conveniencies that the inhabitants of the lands of Gordon enjoyed, &c."

This deed has no date, but by the subse∣quent confirmations, appears to have been made inter 1150 et 1160.

He died about the year 1200, and was suc∣ceeded by his son,

II. Sir THOMAS de GORDON, who, by his charter, confirms all the donations made by his father,* 1.2 to God and St. Mary's church at Kelso, and to the Monks serving God there, &c. and that in as full, free, and ample a manner as expressed in the deeds of his fa∣ther; and he is then designed Thomas de Gordon, filius Ricardi, &c.

Cotemporary with this Thomas, there flourished in France, Bertram de Gordon, who wounded with an arrow king Richard I.* 1.3 of England, before the castle of Chalons, of which he died, anno 1199.

About this time lived also Adam de Gor∣don in Scotland. This appears by a charter of confirmation, in which Richard bishop of St. Andrews confirms to the abbacy of Kelso, in a free and perpetual alms, the church of Gordon, with the whole of its parish, (viz. of Gordon and Spotiswood,) and in which he, at the desire of the abbot and monks, point∣ed out a church-yard or burial place to that parish;* 1.4 but granting liberty to the inhabi∣tants of the other half of the lands of Gor∣don, belonging to Adam de Gordon, to take their sacrament, and bury either there, or, at their pleasure, in their mother-church of Home, &c.

Richard was bishop of St. Andrews, from 1163 to 1178, so this deed must have been made within that space.

If this Adam was not a younger son of Richard, he was certainly a near relation of the family,* 1.5 seeing he possessed part of the lord∣ship of Gordon. He is a frequent witness in charters and donations to the monastery of Kelso, in the reign of king William the Lion,

and was probably grandfather of Adam, who married the heiress Alicia, &c.

Thomas died in the reign of king Alex∣ander II. and was succeeded by his son,

III. Sir THOMAS de GORDON, who, by a charter,* 1.6 confirms to the monks and abbot of Kelso, all the donations and concessions made to them by Richard de Gordon his grandfather, and Thomas his father, &c.

In two other charters granted by him, with consent of Marjory his wife, to the said ab∣bot and monks of Kelso, for the salvation of his own soul,* 1.7 and that of his wise and daugh∣ters, his ancestors and successors, &c. he con∣firms all his father's and grandfather's donati∣ons, and grants them several other privileges and possessions, in his lordship of Gordon, and commits his body to them,* 1.8 to be buried at Kelso as they shall see meet.

He also makes a donation to the religious at Coldstream, of pasturage upon the lands of Thorndyke and Gordon, tempore Alexandri II. and is then designed filius domini Thomae, militis.

This sir Thomas is mentioned in two other charters to the monastery of Kelso,* 1.9 anno 1258, in which he is designed dominus Thomas de Gordon, miles, &c.

Pontius de Gordon, of a considerable fa∣mily in Normandy, lived about this time. In a convention with king Henry III. of Eng∣land, this Pontius did homage to king Henry, pro castro et honore de castellania de Gordon, in Normandy, and for all his other castles and lands which he held of the king of France, and that he shall hold these lands in the same manner of the king of England,* 1.10 as he held them former∣ly of the king of France, for which king Hen∣ry grants him many noble privileges, anno 1263.

Sir Thomas de Gordon had no male issue, and was succeeded in his whole lands and e∣state by his daughter,

IV. ALICIA de GORDON,* 1.11 who, in many charters, is designed daughter and heiress of sir Thomas, &c.

She married her cousin Adam de Gordon, who, in the beginning of the reign of king Alexander, in a donation to the monastery of Coldstream, is designed Adam filius Adae de Gordon,* 1.12 and was probably the grandson of Adam, proprietor of part of the estate of Gor∣don, before mentioned; by which marriage the whole lordship of Gordon was now uni∣ted in one family.

This Adam mortified to the monastery of Dryburgh, a bounded piece of land, lying in his territory of Fawns, in Berwickshire, for the salvation of his own soul,* 1.13 the soul of Alicia his spouse, his ancestors and successors, &c. ante annum 1270.

When king Alexander III. sent one thou∣sand auxiliaries to king Lewis of France, to attend him in his expedition to the Holy Land, anno 1270, Adam de Gordon was one of the chief commanders, and lost his life in that enterprise, leaving issue by the said Alicia, a son,

Sir Adam, their heir.

Alicia survived her husband, which ap∣pears by her charter of confirmation to the religious in Kelso, in these words: Alicia de Gordon,* 1.14 filia et haeres quondam domini Thomae de Gordon, militis, in pura viduitate, &c. pro salute animae meae et animarum fratris mei, et Adae de Gordon quondam sponsi mei, &c. confir∣masse, &c. omnes donations, &c. a domino Ri∣cardo proavo meo, five a domino Thoma quondam avo meo, five a domino Thoma quondam patre meo, &c. to which deed her seal is appended.

V. ADAM, designed dominus de Gordon, succeeded Adam and Alicia, his father and mother, and confirms all the donations of his predecessors to the religious at Kelso.

This Adam appears to have had some pro∣perty in England, whether his own inheri∣tance, or in right of his wife, who was an English lady, cannot now be determined; but in a writ, dated at Westminster the 14th June 1287, he, as a subject of England, is ordered to meet Edmund earl of Cornwall, king Edward's lieutenant, at Glocester, in or∣der to give advice and assistance in certain great affairs of state, which should be com∣municated at meeting, but whether he obey∣ed the summons or not is uncertain.

He was always on the Baliols side, which probably proceeded both from inclination and interest, for most of his lands then held of that prince, or of the earls of March, his fast friends; but he died before king John (as he is then called) resigned the sovereign∣ty of Scotland to king Edward I.* 1.15 for Mar∣jory his wife obtained a safe conduct from king Edward to go up to England, and is then designed Uxor quondam Adae de Gordon, anno 1296.

By the said Marjory, (but of what family we know not) he left issue a son and succes∣sor,

VI. Sir ADAM de GORDON, dominus ejusdem, who was certainly one of the great∣est men of that age, being equally qualified for the cabinet and the field.

As all the Gordons in Scotland appear to be descended of this sir Adam, and as he is

variously represented by different authors, we shall endeavour to trace his conduct, step by step, from authentic documents, and submit his character to the judgment of our readers.

The first appearance he makes is, his assisting the brave sir William Wallace, then guardian of Scotland, in his expedition into Galloway, who,* 1.16 having made himself master of the castle of Wigton, gave the keeping of it to sir A∣dam, anno 1297.

About that time he acquired the lands of Glenkenns,* 1.17 &c. in Galloway, which he gave to his second son William, as will be shown hereafter.

He was afterwards appointed warden of the marches by the guardians of Scotland, in the absence of John Baliol then their king;* 1.18 for to him is intimated, as warden aforesaid, a truce concluded betwixt Scotland and England, at Dumfries, 30th October 1300.

In 1305, sir Adam, for being along with John Cummin lord of Badenoch, sometime guardian of Scotland, is fined by king Edward of England,* 1.19 then acting as over-lord of Scot∣land, in three years rent of his estate, for ad∣hering to the Baliol's party.

In 1308, sir Adam de Gordon, John de Moubray, Alexander de Abernethy, Robert de Keith, and Henry Haliburton, are sureties for the good behaviour of William bishop of St. Andrews, whose relief out of prison they had procured.

About this time sir Adam settled a difference that had long subsisted, betwixt him and the abbot and convent of Kelso, whereby he got liberty to build a chapel for the use of his fa∣mily, in any place of his parish of Gordon he should think fit:* 1.20 he then made a donation to the church of Kelso, with consent of Anabel∣la his wife, of a bounded piece of ground on his lands of Gordon, &c. and he is there de∣signed filius et haeres quondant Adae, &c. 1308.

In January 1312, David earl of Athole, sir Adam de Gordon,* 1.21 and Alexander de Aber∣nethy, are appointed plenipotentiaries by king Edward, to treat of a peace with king Robert, which at that time took no effect.

In April 1313, he, with the earl of March, were sent to England by Baliol's party,* 1.22 to en∣deavour to get some of their grievances re∣dressed.

And in November thereafter,* 1.23 he is again employed by king Edward to negociate a peace with king Robert, which was the last of his actions in favours of the Baliol party. King John died in 1314, and we find sir Adam e∣ver after, one of king Robert's firmest and most respected friends.

He obtained from Thomas Randolph, earl of Murray, a grant of the lands and barony of Stitchell,* 1.24 in Roxburgh-shire, which king Ro∣bert ratified and confirmed to him and his son William, by his charter, dated at Perth, 28th June 1315.

King Robert knowing sir Adam to be a man of great abilities, joined him in commis∣sion with sir Edward Odard de Mombuisson, to go to Rome, to manage the affair of his ex∣communication with the pope;* 1.25 and they car∣ried with them that famous letter from the nobility of Scotland to his holiness, asserting the independency of their country, anno 1320.

King Robert afterwards, in reward of his faithful services, gave a grant to him and his heirs, of the noble lordship of Strabolgie, &c. in Aberdeen-shire, then in the crown by the forfeiture of David de Strabolgie,* 1.26 earl of Athole, which was afterwards confirmed to his family, by several charters under the great seal, as will be shown hereafter.

Sir Adam fixed his residence there, and gave these lands and lordship the name of Huntly, which hath been one of the chief titles of his family ever since.

By the said Annabella his wife, he left is∣sue four sons and one daughter.

1. Sir Alexander, his heir.

2. William, to whom he gave the lands of Glenkenns in Galloway, and Stitchell in Roxburgh-shire, of whom the family of Ken∣mure, aud several others in the south of Scot∣land, are descended. Vide title viscount Kenmure.

3. John.

4. Thomas.

The last two went into the service of the church,* 1.27 and obtained letters of recommenda∣tion to the pope, from king Edward of Eng∣land, anno 1313.

His daughter Mary, was married to sir Walter Hamilton,* 1.28 ancestor of the duke of Hamilton, as appears from a charter under the great seal, anno 1319.

Sir Adam was at last killed in the service of his king and country, at the battle of Ha∣lidon-hill, anno 1333, and was succeeded by

VII. Sir ALEXANDER GORDON, now de∣signed of Huntly, a great patriot, a firm and steady friend to king David Bruce, and who had behaved gallantly at the battle of Halidon∣hill, where his father was killed, though he had the good fortune to escape.* 1.29

He attended king David in his unfortunate expedition into England, and was slain at the battle of Durham, where his royal master was taken prisoner, anno 1346.

He was succeeded by his son,

VIII. Sir JOHN GORDON of Huntly, who was also a great loyalist, and was taken priso∣ner

with king David, at the foresaid battle of Durham.* 1.30 He was not released, till the be∣ginning of 1357, and then the earl of Dou∣glas was one of his sureties, where Elizabetha uxor Johannis de Gordon, is mentioned.

He obtained from the said king David,* 1.31 a confirmation of the lands and lordship of Strath∣bogie, which had been granted by king Robert I. to his grandfather, (avo suo) dated 20th March 1358.

He died soon thereafter, leaving issue by the said Elizabeth, a son and successor.

IX. Sir JOHN GORDON of Huntly, a great warrior, and of an undaunted spirit. He with his own vassals and followers,* 1.32, routed a consi∣derable body of the English, under the com∣mand of sir John Lilburn, whom he took pri∣soner at Carram, anno 1372.

Immediately after this he surprised and took prisoner sir Thomas Musgrave,* 1.33 governor of Berwick, but released him soon thereafter.

He got a new charter from king Robert II. confirming the lands and lordship of Strath∣bogie, to him and his heirs, quas terras, Ro∣bertus illustris rex Scotiae,* 1.34 praedecessor noster, dedit quondam Adae de Gordon militi, proavo dicti Johannis, ratione forisfacturae, David de Strathbogie, &c. dated 10th July 1376, after which he was designed lord Gordon of Strathbogie or Huntly.

In the year 1378, sir John Gordon, along with the earl of Douglas came up with another considerable body of the English,* 1.35 under the command of sir Thomas Musgrave, and killed or took prisoners every man of them.

This great man lost his life with his brave general the earl of Douglas,* 1.36 at the bat∣tle of Otterburn, anno 1388.

He was succeeded by his son,

X. Sir ADAM GORDON, dominus de Gor∣don and Huntly, who was inferior to none of his brave ancestors in magnanimity and cou∣rage.

He married Elizabeth, daughter of sir Wil∣liam Keith,* 1.37 great marishal of Scotland, by whom he had only one daughter,

Elizabeth his sole heiress.

He was killed at the battle of Homildon, anno 1402, and was succeeded in his whole great and opulent estate by his daughter,

XI. ELIZABETH, who married sir Alex∣ander Seton, second son of sir William Seton of that ilk,* 1.38 ancestor of the earls of Winton, who thereupon got charters from Robert duke of Albany, governor of Scotland, of the baro∣nies of Gordon, Huntly, and many others, A∣lexandra Seton, &c.

He was afterwards designed Alexander Se∣ton, lord of Gordon and Huntly, and by the said Elizabeth, left issue two sons and one daughter.

1. Alexander, afterwards lord Gordon and earl of Huntly.

2. William, ancestor of the Setons of Meldrum, &c. in vicecom de Aberdeen.

His daughter Elizabeth, was married to A∣lexander earl of Ross.

He died before the year 1421, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XII. ALEXANDER lord Gordon, who was a man of great parts and abilities.

He was one of the commissioners appointed by the estates of the kingdom,* 1.39 to treat with the English about king James's liberty, anno 1421, and is then designed Alexander de Se∣ton dominus de Gordon. He was afterwards one of the hostages for his ransom, anno 1423.

He was appointed one of the ambassadors extraordinary,* 1.40 to treat with the English about a peace, anno 1437. They concluded a truce, anno 1438; and he was again sent to England to treat of a final peace, anno 1439.

He got a charter under the great seal,* 1.41 A∣lexandro Seton, filio et haeredi Elizabethae de Gordon, dom. de eodem, anno 1439.

This Alexander lord Gordon, grants a char∣ter to James de Forbes,* 1.42 son and heir apparent of Alexander lord Forbes, of the lands of Cor∣sindie, &c. 30th September 1444.

He married, 1st, Jean, daughter of Robert master of Keith, son and apparent heir of Wil∣liam first earl marishal, by whom he had no issue.

He married, 2dly, Giles, daughter and heir∣ess of John Hay of Tullibody, in Clackman∣nan-shire, by whom he had a son,

Sir Alexander Seton, who succeeded to his mother's estate,* 1.43 and was ancestor of the Se∣tons of Touch, and got a charter under the great seal, Alexandro fratri Georgii comitis de Huntly, &c.

He married, 3dly, Elizabeth, daughter of William lord Crichton, chancellor of Scotland, by whom he had three sons and three daugh∣ters, who all took the name of Gordon.

1. George, who became heir to his estate and honours.

2. Sir Alexander Gordon of Midmar, an∣cestor of the Gordons of Abergeldie.

3. Adam Gordon, who was dean of Caithness. 1st daughter,* 1.44 Janet, married to James Dunbar earl of Murray.

2. Elizabeth, married to William third earl marishal.

3. Christian, married to William lord Forbes.

This Alexander lord Gordon having per∣formed many great services to his country, in the minority of king James II. was by that prince created earl of Huntly, anno 1449, the honours being limited to the heirs-male of his last marriage with Elizabeth Crichton, they being obliged to carry the name and arms of Gordon, &c.

He afterwards got charters under the great seal,* 1.45 Alexandro comiti de Huntly, domino Gor∣don et Badenoch, of the lands of Strathbogic, (Huntly) Aboyne, Glentanner, Glenmuck, the lordship of Badenoch, Lochaber, Forest of Enzie, &c. in the north, with Huntly and Gordon, &c. in the shire of Berwick, inter 1451 et 1457.

He was employed in several negotiations to the court of England,* 1.46 inter 1451 et 1458.

After the commencement of the earl of Douglas's rebellion, he raised a considerable army of his own friends and vassals, for the king's assistance,* 1.47 and defeated the earl of Craw∣furd, one of the earl of Douglas's chief asso∣ciates, near Brechin, who immediately after submitted to the king, whereby the Douglas's rebellion was soon thereafter entirely crushed.

This worthy patriot died at a great age, in 1470, and was succeeded in his estate and honours by the eldest son of his last marriage.

XIII. GEORGE, second earl of Huntly, who got charters,* 1.48 under the great seal, of many lands and baronies, Georgio comiti de Huntly, &c. inter 1473, et 1476.

He was for a long time a steady friend of king James III.* 1.49 and was one of his privy council; but he afterwards joined the lords on the other side, though he was always a∣gainst every violent measure.

Upon king James IV.'s accession to the crown, he was sworn one of the privy coun∣cil, and was constituted lord lieutenant of the northern parts of Scotland beyond the river North-Esk,* 1.50 anno 1491.

He being highly esteemed, and in great favour with his majesty, was constituted lord high chancellor of Scotland, in the year 1498,* 1.51 and continued in that high office till the year 1502, that he resigned the seals, which, with the office of chancellor, were immedi∣ately given to the king's brother the duke of Ross;* 1.52 but he, in lieu thereof, had a grant of the castle, et lacum castri de Inverlochy, by a charter, under the great seal, dated in 1505.

He sat in the parliament that settled the jointure upon queen Margaret that same year.* 1.53

He married, 1st, lady Jean Stewart, daugh∣ter of king James I.* 1.54 widow of James earl of Angus, by whom he had four sons, and six daughters.

1. Alexander, his heir.

2. Sir Adam Gordon, lord of Aboyne, who married Elizabeth, countess and heiress of Suth••rland, by which marriage he became earl of Sutherland.

3. Sir William, ancestor of the Gordons of Gight, who was slain at Flowdon, anno 1513.

4. Sir James Gordon of Letterfury, admi∣ral of the king's fleet, anno 1513.

1st daughter, lady Catharine, married, 1st, to Perkin Warbeck, the pretended duke of York; 2dly, to sir Matthew Cradock in Wales, of whom the earl of Pembroke is descended.

2. Lady Janet, married, 1st, to Alexan∣der lord Lindsay, son and heir of David earl of Crawfurd; 2dly, to Patrick lord Gray.

3. Lady Mary, married to sir William Sinclair of Westerhall.

4. Lady Sophia, married to sir Gilbert Hay of Killmalloch, knight.

5. Lady Agnes, married to sir James Ogil∣vie of Finlater.

6. Lady Eleanora, married to—Crich∣ton of Innernytie.

He married, 2dly, lady Elizabeth Hay, daughter of William earl of Errol, by whom he had no issue.

He died anno 1507, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XIV. ALEXANDER, third earl of Huntly, who, in his father's lifetime, got charters, un∣der the great seal,* 1.55 of the lands of Huntly, Gordon, and many others, inter 1503 et 1508.

He was one of the guarantees of a treaty of peace with the English,* 1.56 anno 1509; and being in great favour with the king, was no∣minated one of his privy council: and in∣deed he had not a braver nor a more faith∣ful subject in his whole kingdom.

He accompanied his majesty to the fatal field of Flowdon, and though he gave his opi∣nion against fighting at that time, where so many disadvantages were obvious, yet when he found the king was determined, he yield∣ed to his majesty; and having the command of the right wing of the army, performed wonders, and drove all before him that stood in his way; but the left wing, and the main body, were not so successful, being over∣powered with numbers, and the king and the slower of the nobility being killed,* 1.57 he was at last obliged to give way, and with great dif∣ficulty made his retreat in the evening.

In the minority of king James V. he was appointed lord lieutenant of the north, be∣yond the river Forth; and in the year 1517, was joined in commisstion with the earls of

Angus, Arran, and Argyle, as governors of the young king.

He married lady Janet Stewart, daughter of John earl of Athole,* 1.58 by whom he had three sons and four daughters.

1. John, lord Gordon, his apparent heir.

2. Alexander, to whom he gave the lands of Strathdown. He was ancestor of the Gor∣dons of Clunie.

3. William, who, applying himself to the service of the church, was first chancellor of the church of Elgin, and afterwards bishop of Aberdeen.

1st daughter, lady Janet, married to Colin earl of Argyle.

2. Lady Jean, married to Patrick, fourth lord Gray.

3. Lady Isabel, married to—lord In∣nermeath.

4.—, married to—Menzies of Weem.

He died anno 1523.

XV. JOHN, lord Gordon, first son and ap∣parent heir of Alexander, third earl of Hunt∣ly, in his father's lifetime got charters under the great seal, Johanni domino Gordon,* 1.59 of the lands of Badenoch, castle of Ruthven, and many others, inter 1507 et 1510.

He married Jean,* 1.60 natural daughter of king James IV. by Margaret, daughter of John lord Drummond, by whom he had two sons,

1. George, afterwards earl of Huntly.

2. Alexander, who, by queen Mary, was appointed bishop of Galloway.

He died anno 1517.

XVI. GEORGE, eldest son of John lord Gordon, succeeded his grandfather earl Alex∣ander, anno 1523, and was fourth earl of Huntly.

He was a man of a sine genius, and excel∣lent natural parts, which were greatly improv∣ed by a liberal education and travelling.

He got charters,* 1.61 under the great seal, of a vast number of lands, lordships and baronies, inter 1530 et 1540.

In 1535, the king appointed him one of his privy council, and also constituted him one of the regency, when he went to France, in order to espouse princess Magdalene, daugh∣ter of king Francis I. The lords regents were James archbishop of St. Andrews, Gavin archbishop of Glasgow, chancellor, George earl of Huntly, William earl of Montrose, Hugh earl of Eglington, and Robert lord Maxwell, whose ample commission is fully narrated in the lives of the officers of state,* 1.62 and is dated at Stirling, 29th August 1536.

The king, upon his return, having entire confidence of the loyalty and fidelity of this earl, constituted him lieutenant of the north, and captain-general of the forces that were raised to oppose the English under the com∣mand of sir Robert Bowis, whom he pursued closely,* 1.63 defeated the whole party at Halden∣rig, and took their general prisoner.

King Henry VIII. then sent a much greater force to the borders, under the command of the duke of Norfolk; but the brave earl of Huntly, by his prudence, dextrous conduct, and frequent skirmishes, so hemmed him in, that he never durst advance two miles on this side of the Tweed.

After the death of the king, the earl of Huntly was, by act of parliament, appointed one of the lords of the privy council, to the earl of Arran, the governor; and upon the death of Cardinal Bethune,* 1.64 he was constitut∣ed lord high chancellor of Scotland: his com∣mission, and the great seal were delivered to him in open parliament on 10th June 1546.

He had a considerable command at the un∣fortunate battle of Pinkie; and though he be∣haved with the utmost conduct and resoluti∣on, was taken prisoner, and sent to England; but made his escape from Morpeth about one year thereafter, returned immediately to Scot∣land, and went directly upon the administra∣tion of the chancellor's office.

He always strenuously opposed the match betwixt queen Mary and the prince of Eng∣land,* 1.65 and accompanied the queen dowager to France, when she went to visit her daughter; was made a knight of the antient order of St. Michael by king Francis I. and upon his return, had a grant of the earldom of Murray, then in the crown, by the death of earl James, the queen's natural uncle.

When the queen dowager was made re∣gent, she gave the great seal to Monsieur Rubie, a Frenchman; which, upon queen Mary's return from France, was delivered back to the chancellor, but her Majesty was pleased to give the earldom of Murray to her natural brother the prior of St. Andrews, and created him earl of Murray; between whom and the chancellor, there was always a mor∣tal enmity.

When the queen went on an expedition to visit the northern parts of her dominions, it was alledged the earl had amind to apprehend her majesty's person, and get her out of the hands of the earl of Murray;* 1.66 he had got together about 1500 men, but the queen having been joined by some MacKenzies, Monros, Frasers, and MacIntoshes, attacked Huntly near Cor∣richie, where he was deseated, and himself kill∣ed, anno 1562.

His son, sir John, was executed the next

day at Aberdeen; another of his sons, sir A∣dam, was pardoned; but the earl's estate and honours were forfeited to the crown for trea∣son, though her majesty was pleased to re∣verse the forfeiture,* 1.67 and restore his son to the whole estates, honours, and dignities of the family, anno 1567.

By Elizabeth, daughter of Robert lord Keith, son and apparent heir of William third earl Marishal, he had issue seven sons and three daughters.

1. George, afterwards earl of Huntly.

2. Mr. James, who went into holy orders, and died at Paris, anno 1620.

3. Sir John Gordon, designed of Finlater or Deskford, who was executed as above, with∣out issue.

4. Sir Adam Gordon of Auchindoun, who died without issue, anno 1580.

5. Sir Patrick of Auchindoun, who was slain at the battle of Glenlivet, anno 1594.

6. Mr. Robert.

7. Mr. Thomas.

1st daughter, lady Margaret, married to John, eighth lord Forbes.

2. Lady Jean, married, 1st, to James earl of Bothwell; 2dly, to Alexander earl of Su∣therland; 3dly, to Alexander Ogilvie of Boyne.

3. Lady Elizabeth, married to John earl of Athole.

XVII. GEORGE, fifth earl of Huntly, was restored to all his estates, and honours of his ancestors, anno 1567, as before observed.

Though his forfeiture was not reversed in parliament till 1567,* 1.68 yet we find him in great favour with her majesty before that time, who appointed him lord high chancel∣lor of the kingdom, on 20th march 1565; which high office he held till the queen re∣signed the government;* 1.69 then the earl of Murray conferred it upon his good friend the earl of Morton.

Upon the breaking out of the civil war, he adhered to the queen's interest with great firmness and fidelity, and was appointed com∣mander in chief of all the forces raised, or to be raised in the north for her majesty's service. He soon got together a considerable body, both of horse and foot, which gave the other party a great deal of trouble; but they being strongly supported by the queen of Eng∣land, Huntly was forced to come to an ac∣commodation with the earl of Morton,* 1.70 then regent, anno 1573.

The earl after this retired to his country feat, where he lived all the rest of his days, without meddling any more in publick af∣fairs.

He married lady Anne Hamilton, daughter of James duke of Chattelherault, by whom he had a son,

George, his heir,—and a daughter,

Lady Jean, married to George earl of Caithness.

He died in May 1576, and was succeeded by his son,

XVIII. GEORGE, sixth earl of Huntly, who continuing steady in the Roman catholick re∣ligion, he, the earls of Angus, Errol, and others, were unjustly suspected to have had some correspondence with the Spaniards,* 1.71 a∣bout the time of their armado, and of course became obnoxious to the court.

The king was very sensible that these noble earls were no enemies, either to himself or the country, but were only arming in defence of their religion and estates, and was unwilling to drive them to extremities. The earl of Bothwell was then in actual rebellion; the king, therefore, in the beginning of the year 1594,* 1.72 proposed that the general assembly should order it to be intimate from the pul∣pits, that he was determined to prosecute, ac∣cording to law, the earl of Bothwell, and all his rebellious subjects, &c.

The ministers answered, and insisted, that he should first prosecute the enemies to God and religion,* 1.73 viz. the earls of Angus, Huntly, and Errol, the laird of Strathdon, and sir James Chisholm, and then prosecute the traitors and rebels against himself, &c.

There was therefore an army levied, and sent north against these earls, under the com∣mand of Archibald earl of Argyle, the king's lieutenant.* 1.74 They came to an engagement near Glenlivet; the king's troops were de∣feated, and some persons of rank killed on both sides, in October 1594

However, the earls were soon thereafter pardoned, and Huntly got so much into the king's favour, that he obtained from his ma∣jesty a grant of the dissolved abbacy of Dun∣sermline, was constituted lord lieutenant of the north, and raised to the honour of mar∣quis of Huntly,* 1.75 by patent, dated 17th April 1599.

He got charters, under the great seal, (Geor∣gio marchioni de Huntly,)* 1.76 of many lordships and baronies, inter 1608 et 1625.

He married lady Henriet Stewart, daugh∣ter of Esme duke of Lennox, by whom he had four sons and four daughters.

1. George, his heir.

2. Sir John Gordon, created viscount Mel∣gum and lord Aboyne, by king Charles I. an∣no 1627, and married lady Sophia Hay, daugh∣ter of Francis ninth earl of Errol, but died,

and was burnt in the house of Frendraught, without issue.

3. Lord Francis Gordon, who died in Ger∣many, anno 1620.

4. Lord Adam, who was laird of Auchin∣doun.

1st daughter, lady Anne, married to James earl of Murray.

2. Lady Elizabeth, married to Alexander earl of Linlithgow.

3. Lady Mary, married to William mar∣quis of Douglas.

4. Lady Jean, married to Claud Hamilton, lord Strabane, of the kingdom of Ireland.

He died anno 1636, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XIX. GEORGE, second marquis of Hunt∣ly, who was a great loyalist, and inviolably attached to the interest of the royal family.

While a young man, he was a captain of the Scotch gens d'armes to Lewis the XIII. of France; but upon the breaking out of the civil war, he returned to his native country, joined the loyalists, and was appointed lieute∣nant in the north;* 1.77 and for his steady adhe∣rence to the king, was forfeited by parliament, anno 1645.

He was excepted from pardon, 4th March 1647, and his houses of Boig of Gight and Strathbogie taken possession of,* 1.78 by order of parliament, 8th June 1648.

He was at last executed for his loyalty at Edinburgh, on 30th March 1649, having married lady Anne Campbell, daughter of Ar∣chibald, seventh earl of Argyle, by whom he had five sons and five daughters.

1. George, lord Gordon, who joined the king upon the breaking out of the civil war, and never deserted his interest, till he lost his life in his service, at the battle of Alford, anno 1645, without issue.

2. Lewis, afterwards marquis of Huntly.

3. Lord Charles, afterwards earl of A∣boyne.

4. Lord James, also a great loyalist, who, after the murder of the king, retired to France, where he died, without issue.

5. Lord Henry Gordon.

1st daughter, lady Anne, married to James earl of Perth.

2. Lady Henriet, married, 1st, to George lord Seton; 2dly, to John earl of Traquair.

3. Lady Jean, married to Thomas earl of Haddington.

4. Lady Mary.

5. Lady Catharine, died unmarried.

XX. LEWIS, or LUDOVICK, third mar∣quis of Huntly, succeeded his father in 1649.

He married Isabel, daughter of sir James Grant of that ilk, by whom he had a son,

George, his heir,—and three daugh∣ters.

1. Lady Anne, married to the count de Crolly.

2. Lady Mary, married, 1st, to Adam Urquhart of Meldrum; 2dly, to James earl of Perth, chancellor of Scotland.

3. Lady Jean, married to Charles earl of Dunfermline.

The marquis did not long survive his fa∣ther, but died anno 1653, and was succeed∣ed by his son,

XXI. GEORGE, fourth marquis of Hunt∣ly,* 1.79 who was parliamentarily restored to his whole estate, had the act of forfeiture rescind∣ed, anno 1661; and got charters, under the great seal, totius marchionatus de Huntly, &c.

He was much esteemed by,* 1.80 and in great fa∣vour with king Charles II. who created him duke of Gordon, by patent to the heirs-male of his body, dated 1st November 1684.

Upon the accession of king James VII. to the crown, he was made one of the lords of the treasury, one of his majesty's most ho∣nourable privy council, governor of the castle of Edinburgh, and one of the knights of the most antient order of the thistle.

At the revolution he held out the castle of Edinburgh for his master king James; but at last, seeing no hopes of relief, he surrender∣ed it to the troops of king William, and re∣tired to his seat in the country, where he continued to his death.

He married lady Elizabeth Howard, daugh∣ter of Henry duke of Norfolk, by lady Anne Somerset his wife, daughter of Edward mar∣quis of Worcester: by her he had issue a son,

Alexander,—and a daughter,

Lady Jean, married to James earl of Perth.

He died anno 1716, and was succeeded by his son,

XXII. ALEXANDER, second duke of Gordon. He married lady Henrietta Mordaunt, daughter of Charles earl of Peterborough and Monmouth, by whom he had ••our sons, and seven daughters.

1. Cosmo-George.

2. Lord Charles.

3. Lord Lewis, who died anno 1754.

4. Lord Adam, a colonel in the army, and member of parliament for the county of Aber∣deen.

1st daughter, lady Henriet.

2. Lady Mary.

3. Lady Anne, married to William earl of Aberdeen.

4. Lady Betty, married to Mr. Skelly, a clergyman of the church of England.

5. Lady Jean.

6. Lady Catharine, married to the honour∣able Francis Charteris of Amisfield; Esq;.

7. Lady Charlotte.

He died anno 1728, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XXIII. COSMO-GEORGE, third duke of Gordon, who was elected one of the sixteen peers to the tenth British parliament, in the year 1747.

He married lady Catharine Gordon, daugh∣ter of William earl of Aberdeen, by whom he had three sons, and three daughters.

1. Alexander, now duke of Gordon.

2. Lord William.

3. Lord George.

1st daughter, lady Susan.

2. Lady Anne.

3. Lady Catharine.

He died in August 1752, and was succeed∣ed by his eldest son,

XXIV. ALEXANDER, fourth duke of Gordon.

ARMS.

Quarterly, first, azure, three boars heads a∣razed or, for Gordon; second or, three lions heads erazed gules, for Badenoch; third or, three crescents within a double tressure gules, for Seton; fourth azure, three cinquefoils ar∣gent for Fraser.

CREST; in a marquis's coronet or, a stag's head guardant proper.

SUPPORTERS; two grey hounds argent, each gorged with a collar gules, and three buckles or.

MOTTO; Bydand.

CHIEF SEATS.

At Strathbogie in the county of Aberdeen, and Gordon-castle in Banff-shire.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chartulary of Kelso, in the Lawyer's lib∣rary, Edin. and printed in the appendix to Mr. Gor∣don's hist. of the family of Gordon.
• * 1.2

  Ibidem.
• * 1.3

  Hovedon's hi∣story, p. 791.
• * 1.4

  Chartulary of Kelso, and Gordon's ap∣pendix.
• * 1.5

  Ibid. and chartul. of Cold-stream.
• * 1.6

  Chartulary of Kelso.
• * 1.7

  Ibidem, and Gordon's ap∣pendix.
• * 1.8

  Chartulary of Coldstream.
• * 1.9

  Chartulary of Kelso.
• * 1.10

  Rymer, tom. I. p. 761.
• * 1.11

  Chartulary of Coldstream and Kelso.
• * 1.12

  Ibidem.
• * 1.13

  Chartulary of Dryburgh pe∣nes MacFar∣lane.
• * 1.14

  Chartulary of Kelso, and Gordon's ap∣pendix.
• * 1.15

  Rymer, tom, II. p. 727.
• * 1.16

  Ibidem.
• * 1.17

  Chart. in ar∣chiv. fam. de Kenmure.
• * 1.18

  Rymer.
• * 1.19

  Ibidem.
• * 1.20

  Chartulary of Kelso, and Gordon's ap∣pendix.
• * 1.21

  Rymer, tom. III. p. 300.
• * 1.22

  Ibidem.
• * 1.23

  Ibidem.
• * 1.24

  Chart. penes dom. Rober∣tum Pringle de Stitchell.
• * 1.25

  Fordun.
• * 1.26

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.27

  Rymer, tom. III, p. 396.
• * 1.28

  Chart. in ro∣tul. Rob. 1.
• * 1.29

  Abercrombie, vol. II. p. 98.
• * 1.30

  Rymer tom. VI. p. 30 & 82.
• * 1.31

  Chart. penes ducem de Gordon.
• * 1.32

  Abercrombie vol. II. p. 171
• * 1.33

  Ibid. p. 172.
• * 1.34

  Chart. in ro∣tul. Robert II.
• * 1.35

  Abercrombie vol. II. p. 178.
• * 1.36

  Gordon shist. of this family, vol. I. p. 30.
• * 1.37

  Ibid. & Craw∣furd's peer∣age.
• * 1.38

  Chart. penes ducem de Gordon, et in pub. archiv.
• * 1.39

  Rymer tom. X. p. 127, •• 327.
• * 1.40

  Ibid. p. 677 688, 702, &c.
• * 1.41

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.42

  Haddington collections.
• * 1.43

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.44

  Crawfurd's Peerage.
• * 1.45

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.46

  Rymer, tom. XI. p. 286, 297, 403, 426, &c.
• * 1.47

  Abercrombie, vol. II. p. 357.
• * 1.48

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.49

  Records of parliament, and lives of the officers of state.
• * 1.50

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.51

  Ibidem.
• * 1.52

  Ibidem.
• * 1.53

  Rymer's foed. tom. XIII. p. 92.
• * 1.54

  Lives of the officers of state, p. 57.
• * 1.55

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.56

  Rymer, tom. XIII. p. 268.
• * 1.57

  Abercromble.
• * 1.58

  Crawfurd's peerage.
• * 1.59

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.60

  Stewart's hist. of the royal fam. p. 83.
• * 1.61

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.62

  Lives of the offic. of state, page, 82.
• * 1.63

  Ibid. p. 83.
• * 1.64

  Ibidem, and records of par∣liament.
• * 1.65

  Ibidem.
• * 1.66

  Lives of the offic. of state. p. 87.
• * 1.67

  Ibidem, and records of par∣liament.
• * 1.68

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.69

  Ibid. and lives of the officers of state.
• * 1.70

  Ibid. and re∣cords of parlt.
• * 1.71

  Rymer, tom. XVI. p. 198 and 305.
• * 1.72

  Ibid. p. 247.
• * 1.73

  Ibid. p. 248.
• * 1.74

  All Scots hi∣storians.
• * 1.75

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.76

  Ibidem.
• * 1.77

  Rescinded acts of parlt.
• * 1.78

  Ibidem.
• * 1.79

  Records of parliament. & Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.80

  Ibid. haered. mase. e cor∣pore suo.