Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburgh

Lairds and gentlemen: A study of the landed families of the Eastern Anglo-Scottish Borders c.1540-1603 Vol 2 pp 55-8 & 118-9

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Ker,_1st_Earl_of_Roxburghe

Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe [1]

• M, #20696,
• d. 18 January 1650
• Last Edited=31 Dec 2009

Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe married, firstly, Margaret Maitland, daughter of William Maitland of Lethington and Mary Fleming, on 5 December 1587.

He married, secondly, Jane Drummond, daughter of Patrick Drummond, 3rd Lord Drummond and Lady Elizabeth Lindsay, on 10 January 1614.

He died on 18 January 1650.

He was the son of Sir William Ker of Cessford.[2]

He was created 1st Earl of Roxburghe.

Children of Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe and Margaret Maitland

• 1. Jean Ker+[3]
• 2. Lady Mary Ker+[4] d. Apr 1650
• 3. Lady Isabella Ker+[5]

Child of Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe and Jane Drummond

• 1. Henry Ker, Lord Ker+[1] d. 1 Feb 1642/43

Citations

• 1. [S6] G.E. Cokayne; with Vicary Gibbs, H.A. Doubleday, Geoffrey H. White, Duncan Warrand and Lord Howard de Walden, editors, The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant, new ed., 13 volumes in 14 (1910-1959; reprint in 6 volumes, Gloucester, U.K.: Alan Sutton Publishing, 2000), volume II, page 99. Hereinafter cited as The Complete Peerage.
• 2. [S6] Cokayne, and others, The Complete Peerage, volume II, page 98.
• 3. [S6] Cokayne, and others, The Complete Peerage, volume XII/2, page 69.
• 4. [S6] Cokayne, and others, The Complete Peerage, volume I, page 165.
• 5. [S37] Charles Mosley, editor, Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes (Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003). Hereinafter cited as Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 107th edition.

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Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe (1570? – 1650) was a Scottish nobleman. He was the eldest son of William Ker of Cessford (died 1605), and grandson of Sir Walter Ker of Cessford (d. c. 1584), who fought against Mary, Queen of Scots, both at Carberry Hill and at Langside.

He helped James VI against Bothwell. He was a member of the Privy Council of Scotland from 1599, and was created Lord Roxburghe in 1600. He accompanied King James to London in 1603.

He succeeded to his father's estates in 1606 and was created Earl of Roxburghe in 1616. He was appointed Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland in 1637.

He subscribed the King's Covenant at Holyrood in 1638, and joined the King's party in the civil war. When the King attempted to arrest five members of the House of Commons in 1642, Ker kept the door of the chamber open. He supported the "Engagement" for the King's rescue in 1648, and was consequently deprived of his office as Keeper of the Privy Seal in 1649.

He died at Floors, his residence near Kelso, on 18 January 1650.

His son Harry, Lord Ker, had died in January 1643. Consequently his titles and estates passed by special arrangement to his grandson, William Drummond (d. 1675), the youngest son of his daughter Jean and her husband John Drummond, 2nd Earl of Perth. William took the name of Ker, became 2nd Earl of Roxburghe, and married his cousin, Lord Ker's daughter Jean.

References

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Political offices

• Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland (1641–1649)
• Preceded by Thomas Hamilton
• Succeeded by John Gordon

Peerage of Scotland

• Earl of Roxburghe (1616–1650)
• Preceded by New Creation
• Succeeded by William Drummond

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In 1590 he brought about the murder of his cousin, William Ker of Ancram and Woodheid, for which his possessions were seized and he was forced to leave the country. Was invested as a Knight in 1590. In 1591 he was pardoned. Held the office of Warden Depute of the Middle March in 1593. Succeeded to the title of 1st Lord Roxburghe [Scotland] on 16 November 1600. Was Commissioner of the Scottish Exchequer in 1610. Was created 1st Lord Ker of Cessford and Caverton [Scotland] on 18 September 1616, with special remainder to his heirs male. Was created 1st Earl of Roxburghe [Scotland] on 18 September 1616, with special remainder to his heirs male. Held the office of Lord Privy Seal [Scotland] between February 1637 and 1648/49. On 31 July 1646 he obtained a regrant of his titles and estates to the heirs male of his body, and whom failing, to any heirs he might nominate. On 23 February 1647/48 he nominated as his heir (a) his grandson Sir William Drummond and his issue in tail male; (b) the three successive younger sons of his grandaughter Jean and their heirs male, provided the heir succeding should marry the eldest daughter of his son Harry, Lord Ker; (c) the daughters of Harry, Lord Ker by primogeniture; and (d) his own heirs male whatsoever. Held the office of Lord Privy Seal [Scotland] before January 1649/50.