Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie

ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS OF KILSPINDIE

Called Greysteel by James V, King of Scots; Provost of Edinburgh, 1519 and 1526; Lord High Treasurer of Scotland 1526-28

Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie, called 'Graysteel' by King James V. He is said to be the son of Katherine Stirling, but dates forbid this, and his brother Gavin in his will refers to him as brother german. He was old enough to witness charters in 1509 and 1510. He was Provost of Edinburgh in 1519, and again in 1526. He was also Treasurer of Scotland for two years, until September 1528, when the great Douglas faction collapsed at that time owing to the escape of the King, and he, along with his nephews, Archibald, sixth Earl of Angus, and George Douglas of Pittendriech were forfeited and banished the kingdom. He went to England, and then to France, but tired of exile, and returned to Scotland hoping to gain the King's favour. In this he was unsuccessful, and again retired to France, where he died about 1535, or before 1536. He married about 1515 Isabel Hoppar, who is said to have been 'a rich widow,' and to have 'totally ordered her husband'. By her, who survived him, he had a son Archibald, who succeeded to Kilspindie when his father's forfeiture was recalled in 1543. He appears to have left descendants, but no male representative of the Kilspindie branch is now known to exist. The Scots Peerage I: 185-6

Evidence from the National Records of Scotland

                   1

15 October 1526 - 29 August 1527: Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie, Treasurer. National Records of Scotland, Exchequer Records: Accounts of the Treasurer, reference E21/22

                   2

29 May 1527: Extract from the Register of the Privy Seal of a precept for a charter of apprising to Archibald Douglas, provost of Edinburgh of the lands of Woodhill, the lands of Little Fordell and one part of the lands occupied by John Robissoun, lying in the barony of Roberton, within the sheriffdom of Ayr which had belonged to Hugh, Earl of Eglinton. Dated at Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Montgomerie Family, Earls of Eglinton, reference GD3/1/1/56/1

                    3

30 June 1527: Charter by Andrew Murray, son and heir of deceased Mr John Murray, Lord of Blackbarony, and Lord Superior of the lands of Eist-louch [Eastloch], with consent of his dearest mother and curator Elizabeth Hopper and Sir Archibald Douglas, Theasurer of the King, now her husband, of 1/2 of Est Louch to John Ray (Rae). Signed by the said Andrew Murray and having the seals of himself and his mother entire. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Viscounts and Barons of Elibank, reference GD32/4/1

Note: Elizabeth Hoppar is Isabel Hoppar.

                   4

July 1527: Feu charter by George bishop of Dunkeld to Archibald Douglas, provost of Edinburgh, Isabel Hoppar, his spouse, and Archibald Douglas, their son, of Manis of Crawmond [Cramond], with island of Crawmond and rabbit-warrens therein, and burgh maills 'firmas burgales' and annualrents of town of Crawmond, in barony of Abirlady [Aberlady] and limits of Nethir Crawmond; also making said Archibald and his son bailies of town of Crawmond. Signed by bishop. National Records of Scotland, Writs of Inglis of Cramond, Midlothian, reference GD243/23/3

                   5

26 July 1527: Charter of confirmation of GD3/1/1/48/3 by King James V under his Great Seal. Witnesses: Gavin, archbishop of Glasgow, Gavin, bishop of Aberdeen, clerk register, Henry, bishop of Galloway and of the royal chapel at Stirling, Archibald, Earl of Angus, Lord Douglas, James, Earl of Arran, Lord Hamilton, Colin, Earl of Argyll, Lord Campbell and Lorne, Patrick prior of the metropolitan church of St Andrews, William, abbot of the monastery of Holyrood near Edinburgh, Archibald Douglas, provost of Edinburgh, treasurer, Master Thomas Erskine of Hattoun, secretary amd James Coluille of Uchiltree, comptroller and director of chancery. Dated at Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Montgomerie Family, Earls of Eglinton, reference GD3/1/1/48/4

                   6

1 September 1527: Letters of Gift by James V. to Adam Boyd, his servitor, of ward, relief and non-entry of lands held by deceased John Kennedy of Giletre of Gilbert, Earl of Cassillis, following on resignation of the same by Archibald Douglas of Kilspindy, His Majesty's Treasurer, and Isobel Hoppar, his spouse. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Montgomerie Family, Earls of Eglinton, reference GD25/2/50

                   7

1 September 1527: Instrument of Resignation by Archibald Douglas, His Majesty's Treasurer, and Isobel Hoppar, his spouse, donators, of ward, non-entry and relief belonging to deceased Gilbert, Earl of Cassillis, of lands pertaining to John Kennedy of Giletre. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Kennedy Family, Earls of Cassillis (Ailsa Muniments), reference GD25/2/51

                   8

5 September 1528: Charter granted by King James V in favour of his beloved cousin and councillor Hugh, Earl of Eglinton for his good and faithful service done to him and to be done to the King and his heirs of the said lands which had pertained to Archibald Douglas, formerly of Kilspinday and were then in the King's hands as his escheat by reason of the forfeiture lawfully led against the said Archibald for certain great treasons and crimes of lese majesty committed by him and of which he had been convicted in parliament; to hold of the King as Stewart of Scotland for service used and wont before the said forfeiture. Witnesses: Gavin, archbishop of Glasgow, chancellor, George, bishop of Dunkeld, Gavin, bishop of Aberdeen, clerk register, James, Earl of Arran, Lord Hamilton, Colin, Earl of Argyll, Lord Campbell and Lorne, Hugh, Earl of Eglinton, Lord Montgomery (he thus witnesses a charter in his own favour), Patrick, prior of the metropolitan church of St Andrews, Alexander, abbot of the monastery of Cambuskynneth, Thomas Erskine of Haltoun, secretary, James Coluille of Uchiltree, comptroller and director of chancery. Dated at Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Montgomerie Family, Earls of Eglinton, reference GD3/1/1/56/2

                   9

28 September 1531: Instrument narrating that Alexander Napier of Merchiston made declaration that, as a minor, he had 'ex sinistra machinatione' of certain of his relatives, received the sum of 1,200 merks Scots from Archibald Douglas, Isobella Hopper, his spouse, and Agnes Murray, latter's daughter, in prospect of marriage to be made between him and said Agnes. This was set out in an indenture between James, Bishop of Dunblane, Janet Chisholm, spouse of Ninian Seton of Tullibody, kt, said Ninian for his interest and said Alexander, on one part, and saids Archibald, Isobella and Agnes, on other part, 18 June 1525, by virtue of which discharge was also granted for said sum. Napier had not received this sum in fact (which was to have been set out on marriage of Janet Napier, his sister german, whom failing another of his sisters), and now annulled it and his acquittance for the sum. In like manner he annulled a further clause in the indenture, which stated that he was to discharge Ninian Seton and Janet, his spouse, of all intromissions with goods, rents and duties from his lands up to making of the marriage. These clauses were to his great loss and were made without consent of one of his tutors and curators. Further, he protested that he would take action against any persons for the fermes, money and goods mentioned above at a suitable time. Witnesses: Andrew Murray of Blackbarony; Master William Blackstock; Master Thomas Slimon; sir William Macdowall; and sir Thomas Cairnie, chaplains. Notary: James Denniston, priest of St Andrews diocese. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Napier Family, reference GD430/189

                  10

18 July 1536: Discharge by Isobel Hopper relict of Archibald Douglas of Kilspindy to William Abbot of Crossragwell of the sum of 100 merks money of Scotland, in full of a greater sum promised by the Abbot to her husband, for the duties of ward and relief of the ward lands belonging to the Earl of Cassillis, and that conform to obligation by the Abbot to her husband dated at Edinburgh 20th Decemb. 1527. Dated at Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Kennedy Family, Earls of Cassillis (Ailsa Muniments), reference GD25/1/340

                  11

31 January 1537: Extract decree of lords of council in summons for reduction of an indenture raised by Alexander Napier of Merchiston against Ninian Seton of Tullibody, kt, Janet Chisholm, his spouse, Janet Napier, Alexander's sister german, Andrew Bruce of Powfoulis, her spouse, William, Bishop of Dunblane, Archibald Douglas, sometime of Kilspindie, and Isobella Hopper, his spouse. The cause is continued until 20 February next, when parties are to produce their evidence. Extracted by Master James Foulis of Colinton, Clerk of Rolls, Register and Council. On paper, watermarked. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Napier Family, reference GD430/197

                  12

27 September 1537: Discharge by William Abbot of Crossragwell to Gilbert Earl of Cassillis his nephew, bearing the Abbot having right to the ward, relief and nonentry duties of the lands both property and tenandry which belonged to the deceased Gilbert Earl of Cassillis his brother, by Disposition thereof granted to him the Abbot, by the deceased Archibald Douglas of Kilspindy, who again had the same by Gift of our Sovereign lord, And subsuming that having received from the Earl his nephew, son and heir of the deceased Earl, full payment of the mails, farms, profits and duties, of the baronies of Cassillis and Dalrymple, of all years and terms bygone, since the decease of the late Earl, therefore discharges the said Gilbert now Earl of Cassillis, his heirs and executors thereof. Witnesses - Sir George Davidson, Mr George Kennedy Vicar of Holywood and Thomas Corry of Kelwood. Dated at Edinburgh. National Records of Scotland, Papers of the Kennedy Family, Earls of Cassillis (Ailsa Muniments), reference GD25/1/382

                  13

14 March 1540-41: Letters of Protection by James V. following upon his remission to James Sandelandis of Caltor Knight, for inter-communion with and providing Victuals to the deceased Archibald Douglas of Kilspindy and his servants the King's traitors and rebels,- and for taking two horses from the said Archibald. [Fragment of great seal appended par simple queue]. National Records of Scotland, Papers of Lord Torphichen, reference GD119/198

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Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Mar 5 2021, 5:43:37 UTC