Patrick Hepburn, 1st Earl of Bothwell

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Patrick Hepburn, 1st Earl of Bothwell (d. October 18, 1508) was the son of Adam Hepburn, Master of Hailes. Under his territorial designation of Sir Patrick Hepburne of Dunsyre, Knight, he was Sheriff of Berwickshire on 15 June 1480. He succeeded his grandfather Sir Patrick Hepburn as the 2nd Lord Hailes in (1482/1483).

He was one of the Conservators of a truce with England on 20 September 1484 but was one of the leaders of the Confederate Lords who rebelled against King James III, and he led the van against the royal array at the battle of Sauchieburn, 11 July 1488. Birrel seems to have believed that he was one of those responsible for the murder of King James after the battle.

Under the new reign of James IV he rose to great power and held many offices: included Master of the King's Household, custodian of Edinburgh Castle and Sheriff Principal of Edinburgh and Haddington, whilst his son and heir Adam was made Master of the Royal Stables. Patrick Hepburn was further appointed Great Admiral of the Kingdom on September 10, 1488.

On the 13 October 1488 he had a Crown charter of the lordships of Crichtoun and Bothwell, in the King's hands by reason of the forfeiture of John Ramsay, formerly Lord Bothwell. On the 17th of the same month the lordship of Bothwell was erected into and earldom in his favour, and he was belted Earl of Bothwell in full Parliament. On 6th March 1492 he had a charter of the lands and lordship of Liddesdale, with Hermitage Castle, etc., upon the resignation of Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus, the latter getting the lordship of Bothwell [but not the Earldom] which Patrick resigned. He was Captain of Dumbarton castle on 1st April 1495.

He was one of the plenipotentiaries sent to conclude the treaty for the marriage of King James IV with Princess Margaret Tudor of England in October 1501, and he stood proxy for the King at the ceremony of betrothal on 25 January 1502.

Married twice: (1) before Feb. 1481, Janet or Joanna (d. before 21 Feb 1491) daughter of James Douglas of Dalkeith, 1st Earl of Morton by his spouse, Princess Joanna Stewart. The had one daughter, Joanna, married to George 3rd Lord Seton (who fell at Flodden). (2)by contract dated 21 February 1491, Margaret, daughter of George Gordon, Earl of Huntley. They had four notable sons and a daughter.

Bothwell's eldest son by his second marriage, Adam succeeded him as the next Earl of Bothwell.

[edit] References

• The Royal Families of England, Scotland, and Wales, with their Descendants, &c., by Messrs, John and John Bernard Burke, London, volume 1 (1848) pedigree CXXXIX, and vol.2 (1851) pedigree CLXXXVI.

• Calendar of the Laing Charters, AD854-1837 edited by the Rev.John Anderson, Edinburgh, 1889, number 140.

• The Scots Peerage by Sir James Balfour Paul, Edinburgh, 1905, 'Bothwell' p.151/2.

Preceded by: New Creation	Earl of Bothwell 1488–1508	Succeeded by: Adam Hepburn
Preceded by: Patrick Hepburn	Lord Hales 1483–1508