Alexander Ruthven
Encyclopedia
Alexander Ruthven was a Scottish
nobleman. He is most notable for his participation in the Gowrie conspiracy of 1600.
, the third son of William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie
, and his wife Dorothea Stewart. He was educated at Perth grammar school, and later at the University of Edinburgh
.
, responsible for an attempt to kidnap or murder King James
in August, 1600. He lured the king to Gowrie House, where he attempted to confine him in a corner turret while his brother distracted members of the king's retinue. However, the king was able to call for help, and both Alexander and John Ruthven were killed by members of the king's party. While opponents of the king were of the belief that James had fabricated the conspiracy to cover his eradication of the Ruthven family, most modern scholarship agrees that the brothers concocted a plot to kidnap the monarch.
on 17 November 1600. His head remained exposed in that city, while his arms and legs were taken to Perth.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
nobleman. He is most notable for his participation in the Gowrie conspiracy of 1600.
Early life
Ruthven was born in PerthPerth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
, the third son of William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie
William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie
William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie , known as The Lord Ruthven between 1566 and 1581, was a son of Patrick Ruthven, 3rd Lord Ruthven.-Life account:...
, and his wife Dorothea Stewart. He was educated at Perth grammar school, and later at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
.
Gowrie conspiracy
Ruthven was, with his brother John RuthvenJohn Ruthven, 3rd Earl of Gowrie
John Ruthven, 3rd Earl of Gowrie was a Scottish nobleman, the second son of William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie and his wife Dorothea Stewart...
, responsible for an attempt to kidnap or murder King James
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
in August, 1600. He lured the king to Gowrie House, where he attempted to confine him in a corner turret while his brother distracted members of the king's retinue. However, the king was able to call for help, and both Alexander and John Ruthven were killed by members of the king's party. While opponents of the king were of the belief that James had fabricated the conspiracy to cover his eradication of the Ruthven family, most modern scholarship agrees that the brothers concocted a plot to kidnap the monarch.
Aftermath
Following his death, Alexander was condemned for treason, and hung, drawn and quartered in EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
on 17 November 1600. His head remained exposed in that city, while his arms and legs were taken to Perth.