Alexander Burnett, 4th Baron and 9th Laird of Leys

ALEXANDER BURNETT OF LEYS

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

5 November 1543: Charter by which Master Robert Hammiltoun, canon of Aberdeen and prebendary of Kincardin, confirms that he has sold the lands of Stronduff, located in the barony of Kincardin O'Neill and sheriffdom of Aberdeen, to Alexander Burnett of Leyis and his wife Jonete Hammiltoun, and to their son Andrew Burnett. The lands in question were to be held in feu ferme, in conjunct fee and liferent by Alexander and Jonete, and their son Andrew Burnett and his lawful heirs, whom failing by the lawful heirs of Andrew's brother Archibald Burnett, whom failing by John Burnett, son and heir of Alexander and Jonete. The charter was confirmed under the Great Seal of Scotland on 24 February 1543-44. RMS 1513-46: charter number 2996

                   2

5 November 1543: Charter by which Master Robert Hammiltoun, canon of Aberdeen and prebendary of Kincardin, confirms that he has sold the lands of Estir Slowy, located in the barony of Kincardin O'Neill and sheriffdom of Aberdeen, to Alexander Burnett of Leyis and his wife Jonete Hammiltoun, and their son William Burnett. The lands in question were to be held in feu ferme, in conjunct fee and liferent by Alexander and Jonete and by their son William and his lawful heirs, whom failing by Alexander Burnett, bastard son of Alexander Burnett, and his lawful heirs, whom failing by John Burnett, son and heir of Alexander Burnett of Leyis. The charter was confirmed under the Great Seal of Scotland on 24 February 1543-44. RMS 1513-46: charter number 2996

                   3

26 November 1554: Charter by John, archbishop of Saint Andrews, legatus a latere, abbot of Paisley, to Alexander Burnet of Leyis and Janet Hammiltoun, his spouse, of lands of Invery, and half lands of Kirktoun of Banquhary. National Records of Scotland, Papers from Crathes, reference RH1/4/13

Printed Evidence

Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1513-1546. Edited by James Balfour Paul, FSA. Scot., and John Maitland Thomson, MA., Advocates. (H. M. General Register House, Edinburgh, 1883), 1067 pp. including indices and errata

Genealogy

Stirnet: Burnett 01

Biographical Summary

He and his wife LadyJanet Hamilton began the construction of Crathes Castle in 1553.

In 1553, Alexander Burnet of Leys, the ninth lord of Leys began construction on Crathes Castle, which was finished by his great-grandson, another Alexander, the twelfth lord, in 1596.[23] 

Crathes remained in the ownership of the Burnett family descendants for over 350 years, until 1952 when it was given to the National Trust for Scotland as part of Scotland's heritage

In 1563 he fought for Mary, Queen of Scots, at the Battle of Corrichie.

The earliest arms for Burnett of Leys was found on a carved panel dated to some thirteen years later showing the impaled arms of Burnett and Hamilton commemorating the marriage between Alexander Burnett (1529 [very possibly born in 1500] –1574) and Janet Hamilton.[26] The arms of Burnett of Leys in 1553 used a shield, charged with three holly leaves and a hunting horn, blazoned: Argent, three holly leaves in chief vert and a hunting horn in base sable stringed Gules. The crest, a hand holding a knife shown pruning a vine had the motto: Alterius non sit qui potest esse suus (same meaning as above) or a variant: Alterius non sit qui suis esse potest (who can be his would not be another's).[27]