Walter Scott, 4th of Buccleuch
Encyclopedia
Walter Scott, 4th Baron of Buccleuch (1549-1574) was head of the Border
family of Scott
and, despite his youth, played a prominent part in the turbulent politics of 16th century Scotland.
(who was murdered on 4 October 1552, having been pre-deceased by his son). His mother was Grisel, second daughter of John Betoun of Creich.
On 24 March 1566, Queen Mary appointed him captain of Newark Castle, Selkirkshire
, whereupon he supported her with a force of over 3,000 men. In January 1570 (in reliance upon the distraction likely to be caused by the assassination of the Regent Moray
, of which he had advance knowledge), he engaged in depredations on the English side of the Border
. By way of retaliation the English, under the Earl of Sussex
and Lord Scrope
, destroyed his stronghold at Branxholme Castle
. Scott rebuilt the castle in the following year.
He was a principal leader of the raid to Stirling
on 4 September 1571, when an attempt was made to seize the Regent Lennox
, who was slain by one of the Hamiltons during the mêlée. Buccleuch, who had interposed to save the Regent Morton
, his kinsman, whom the Hamiltons intended also to have slain, was during the retreat taken prisoner by Morton, and was for some time confined in Doune Castle
in Menteith
.
Scott died at Branxholme on 17 April 1574.
. (She survived him and married secondly Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell
.) They had three children:
Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland...
family of Scott
Clan Scott
Clan Scott is a Scottish clan. Clan Scott is not a Highland clan but Lowland, from the Borders region of Scotland. Families and clans from this area prefer to be known as Borderers instead of Lowlanders.-Origins:...
and, despite his youth, played a prominent part in the turbulent politics of 16th century Scotland.
Origin
Scott was the eldest son of Sir William Scott of Kirkurd, Younger of Buccleuch (died 1552), who was himself the son of Walter Scott, 3rd of BuccleuchWalter Scott of Branxholme and Buccleuch
Sir Walter Scott, 1st of Branxholme, 3rd of Buccleuch , known as "Wicked Wat", was a nobleman of the Scottish Borders and the chief of Clan Scott who briefly served as Warden of the Middle March. He was an "inveterate English hater" active in the wars known as The Rough Wooing and a noted Border...
(who was murdered on 4 October 1552, having been pre-deceased by his son). His mother was Grisel, second daughter of John Betoun of Creich.
Career
Scott succeeded his grandfather at the age of only three. His uncle, Walter Scott of Goldielands, a natural half-brother of his father, led the Scotts during his minority.On 24 March 1566, Queen Mary appointed him captain of Newark Castle, Selkirkshire
Newark Castle, Selkirkshire
Newark Castle is a large, ruined tower house standing in the grounds of Bowhill House, in the valley of the Yarrow Water three miles west of Selkirk in the Scottish Borders. In addition to the keep, sections of a gatehouse and wall survive....
, whereupon he supported her with a force of over 3,000 men. In January 1570 (in reliance upon the distraction likely to be caused by the assassination of the Regent Moray
James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray
James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray , a member of the House of Stewart as the illegitimate son of King James V, was Regent of Scotland for his nephew, the infant King James VI of Scotland, from 1567 until his assassination in 1570...
, of which he had advance knowledge), he engaged in depredations on the English side of the Border
Anglo-Scottish border
The Anglo-Scottish border is the official border and mark of entry between Scotland and England. It runs for 154 km between the River Tweed on the east coast and the Solway Firth in the west. It is Scotland's only land border...
. By way of retaliation the English, under the Earl of Sussex
Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex
Thomas Radclyffe 3rd Earl of Sussex was Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland during the Tudor period of English history, and a leading courtier during the reign of Elizabeth I.- Family:...
and Lord Scrope
Henry Scrope, 9th Baron Scrope of Bolton
Sir Henry Scrope, 9th Baron Scrope of Bolton, KG was the son and heir of John Scrope, 8th Baron Scrope of Bolton and Catherine Clifford, daughter of Henry Clifford, Earl of Cumberland....
, destroyed his stronghold at Branxholme Castle
Branxholme Castle
Branxholme Castle is a five-storey tower at Branxholme, about 3 miles south-west of Hawick in the Borders region of Scotland.- History :The present castle is land owned by the Clan Scott since 1420. The Earl of Northumberland burned the first castle in 1532. The next held out against the English...
. Scott rebuilt the castle in the following year.
He was a principal leader of the raid to Stirling
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
on 4 September 1571, when an attempt was made to seize the Regent Lennox
Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox
Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox was the 4th Earl of Lennox, and leader of the Catholic nobility in Scotland. He was the son of John Stewart, 3rd Earl of Lennox. His grandson was James VI of Scotland....
, who was slain by one of the Hamiltons during the mêlée. Buccleuch, who had interposed to save the Regent Morton
James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton
James Douglas, jure uxoris 4th Earl of Morton was the last of the four regents of Scotland during the minority of King James VI. He was in some ways the most successful of the four, since he did manage to win the civil war which had been dragging on with the supporters of the exiled Mary, Queen of...
, his kinsman, whom the Hamiltons intended also to have slain, was during the retreat taken prisoner by Morton, and was for some time confined in Doune Castle
Doune Castle
Doune Castle is a medieval stronghold near the village of Doune, in the Stirling district of central Scotland. The castle is sited on a wooded bend where the Ardoch Burn flows into the River Teith. It lies north-west of Stirling, where the Teith flows into the River Forth...
in Menteith
Menteith
Menteith or Monteith , a district of south Perthshire, Scotland, roughly comprises the territory between the Teith and the Forth. The region is named for the river Teith, but the exact sense is unclear, early forms including Meneted, Maneteth and Meneteth.First recorded as the Mormaerdom of...
.
Scott died at Branxholme on 17 April 1574.
Family
Scott married Margaret Douglas, daughter of David Douglas, 7th Earl of AngusDavid Douglas, 7th Earl of Angus
David Douglas, 7th Earl of Angus was the son of George Douglas of Pittendreich and Elizabeth Douglas of the Pittendriech family.David married Elizabeth Hamilton, daughter of John Hamilton of Samuelston, sometimes called 'Clydesdale John,' who was a brother of Regent Arran...
. (She survived him and married secondly Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell
Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell
Francis Stewart, Earl Bothwell , was Commendator of Kelso Abbey and Coldingham Priory, a Privy Counsellor and Lord High Admiral of Scotland. Like his stepfather, Archibald Douglas, Parson of Douglas, he was a notorious conspirator, who died in disgrace...
.) They had three children:
- Walter ScottWalter Scott, 1st Lord Scott of BuccleuchWalter Scott, 5th of Buccleuch, 1st Baron Scott of Buccleuch was a Scottish nobleman and famous border reiver, known as the “Bold Buccleuch” and leader of Kinmont Willie’s Raid...
, later 1st Lord Scott of BuccleuchDuke of BuccleuchThe title Duke of Buccleuch , formerly also spelt Duke of Buccleugh, was created in the Peerage of Scotland on 20 April 1663 for the Duke of Monmouth, who was the eldest illegitimate son of Charles II of Scotland, England, and Ireland and who had married Anne Scott, 4th Countess of Buccleuch.Anne... - Margaret (sometimes, though doubtfully, said to be married to Robert Scott of Thirlestane)
- Mary, who married William Elliott of Lariston