Scotland
Document signed by James, 3rd Earl of Arran, and John, Lord Hamilton (later the 1st Marquess of Hamilton), c.1575
£303
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 8 February 2023 at 10:00 GMT
Description
deed on vellum (25 x 31.5cm), recording an agreement between 'James Erle of Arrane' and 'our derest brother Johnne Lord Hamiltonn', relating to a vicarage, mentioning inter alia 'the vicarage of Kilmorie in Arrane', signed at foot 'James' and 'J Hamilton', red wax seals of both attached, John, Lord Hamilton's seal with chips to edges and hairline crack. Together with 11 other deeds and indentures on vellum or paper, including a 17th-century deed in Latin signed by William, Earl of Glencairn. And an 18th-century memorandum book
Footnote
Note:
James Hamilton (1537/8-1609) became the third earl of Arran in 1550 following the elevation of his father, regent of Scotland, to the French dukedom of Châtelherault in return for agreeing to the marriage of Mary Queen of Scots and the future François II of France. On François's death in 1560 'Arran rejoiced in the thought that he could now marry her himself' (ODNB), an idea also favoured by Elizabeth, who had herself rejected him as a suitor a short time before. After Mary's return to Scotland, Arran's obsession became a common talking point, and rumours circulated that he planned to kidnap her. It became clear to observers that Arran was losing his mind, and after four years imprisonment at Edinburgh castle he was kept in seclusion with his mother at Craignethan. He forfeited the earldom to a relation in 1581. 'His younger brother John Hamilton was treated as head of the house of Hamilton after their father's death in 1575, but Arran's signature, pathetically wavering and disjointed, was still required on family charters' (idem). John Hamilton was created Marquess of Hamilton in 1599.