History of the Stewarts | Family Lines
If you are a Stewart Society Member please login above to view all of the items in this section. If you want general information on how to research your ancestors and some helpful links - please look in background information.
If you have a specific question you can contact our archivist.
JOHN Stewart
Prior of Coldingham
Lord John Stewart, Prior of Coldingham, natural son of JAMES V, King of Scotland, by Catherine, daughter of Sir John Carmichael married 1561, Jean Hepburn, daughter of Patrick, Third Earl of Bothwell. He died 1563.
Arms: of the Prior of Coldingham on Seal, I 560.-Scotland, debruised by a ribbon (Macdonald). [Plate II., fig. 17].
He was father of:
BOTHWELL
(1) FRANCIS STEWART, EARL OF BOTHWELL, was a favourite for some years of James VI. who appointed him Lord High Admiral of Scotland. He succeeded to his maternal uncle’s honours of Bothwell upon his forfeiture in 1581 and attempted on several occasions to capture the person of the King, firstly, at Holyrood in 1591 and then at the Raid of Leith in 1594 following which he fled abroad. He m. Margaret, daughter of David Douglas, 7th Earl of Angus, (she was widow of Sir Walter Scott, of Buccleuch, and d. in 1640), and d. in exile in 1612.
.
Arms: of Earl of Bothwell on Seal, 1565.-Scotland, debruised by a ribbon. On Seal, 1586.-1 and 4. A bend. 2 and 3. On a chevron a rose between two lions counter passant. En surtout, A lion rampant within a bordure compony . Other Seals show en surtout, Scotland.
The Arms of Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, agree with the last Seal, except the small shield en surtout, and are shown by Lindsay as-i and 4. Gold, a blue bend. 2 and 3. Red, on a silver chevron a rose between two lions counter passant red.
He had also had at least two illegitimate children-
( 2) Hercules He m. by 27 July 1587, to Marian, youngest daughter and coheiress of Patrick Whitelaw of that Ilk, (from whom he was divorced in 1592. She m. secondly William Home, King’s Stabler and younger son of
Alexander Home of Manderston). He had issue.
(3) Margaret Stewart, m. firstly, William Sinclair, third son of Olave Sinclair of Brue, and had issue; and secondly, William Bruce, 1st of Symbsiter, (he survived her and m. secondly, 14 February 1595, to Isabella, daughter of
Sir James Spens of Wolmerston ; and d. in 1630). She d. in 1608.