William Borthwick, 4th Lord Borthwick

WILLIAM, FOURTH LORD BORTHWICK

The Question of Identity

The Scots Peerage identifies William Borthwick, here treated, as the fifth Lord Borthwick, The Scots Peerage II: 108 but Stirnet, for good reasons explained, identifies him as the fourth Lord Borthwick. Stirnet: Borthwick 1

Evidence from the Writs at Yester House

31 March 1491: Precept from the King receiving Alexander Borthwik, Master Adam Borthuik, Master Alexander Borthuik, William Hay, James Sinclare and William Dalrumple, as attorney or attornies for Margaret Hay spouse of William Borthuik son and heir apparent of William Lord Borthuik, in all negotiations, speeches, suits and quarrels moved or to be moved by the said Margaret. At Edinburgh 31st March 3rd year of the Reign of James IV. 1491. (M). Calendar of Writs preserved at Yester House: 231

Evidence Published by the National Records of Scotland

20 Sep 1523: Charter granted by William, Lord Borthwick, in favour of his beloved son and heir apparent Arthur Borthuick, and Marjory Seytoun, his spouse and the longest liver of them two in conjunct infeftment and the heirs male lawfully procreated or to be procreated between them whom failing to the nearest and lawful heirs of the said Arthur whomsoever of the lands of Halkwood, Ovirgalcottis (Cauldcoats), Nethirgalcottis, Harschaw with the corn and waulk mills thereof, and the lands of Rydding (Redding), lying within the barony of Avondaill; to hold of Andrew, Lord Avondaill his heirs and assignees for services used and wont reserving nevertheless 50 merks Scots from the said lands to William, Lord Borthuick, for the time of the life of the said Arthur to be paid at two yearly terms Whitsunday and Martinmas in winter by equal portions Dated at his castle of Borthuik Witnesses: William Borthuik of Cruikstoun (Crookston), William Borthuik of Johnestoun, Richard Maitland of Lethingtoun and others National Records of Scotland, Lands formerly belonging to the Earls of Eglinton, reference GD3/1/10/83

Note: It is presumed that Arthur Borthwick here mentioned is Thomas Borthwick, Master of Borthwick.

Biographival Summary by Darryl Lundy's Peerage

William Borthwick, 4th Lord Borthwick [1]

• M, #137562,
• d. from 28 May 1543 to 19 February 1543/44
• Last Edited=3 Feb 2011

William Borthwick, 4th Lord Borthwick married Margaret Hay, daughter of John Hay, 1st Lord Hay of Yester and Elizabeth Cunningham, in 1491.[1],[2]

He died from 28 May 1543 to 19 February 1543/44.[1]

He was the son of Sir William Borthwick, 3rd Lord Borthwick.[1]

• He succeeded to the title of 4th Lord Borthwick [S., 1452] on 20 May 1503.[1]
• He was guardian of the infant King James V, after the Scottish defeat at Flodden in 1513.[3]
• On 7 October 1517 he sealed a peace treaty with England.[1]
• He held the office of Governor of Stirling Castle.[3]
• On 21 August 1538 he settled his lands in strict tail male, with an ultimate remainder to his heirs male whatsoever bearing the name and arms of Borthwick.[1]

He has an extensive biographical entry in the Dictionary of National Biography.[4]

Children of William Borthwick, 4th Lord Borthwick and Margaret Hay

• 1. Thomas Borthwick, Master of Borthwick1 d. bt 28 Nov 1528 - 21 Aug 1538
• 2. John Borthwick, 5th Lord Borthwick+1 d. 28 Mar 1566
• 3. Catherine Borthwick3
• 4. Janet Borthwick3
• 5. Margaret Borthwick3

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 222. Hereinafter cited as The Complete Peerage.
• 2. [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), volume 1, page 438, says she married the 3rd Lord. Hereinafter cited as Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 107th edition.
• 3. [S37] Charles Mosley, Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 107th edition, volume 1, page 438.
• 4. [S18] Matthew H.C.G., editor, Dictionary of National Biography on CD-ROM (Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press, 1995), reference "William Borthwick". Hereinafter cited as Dictionary of National Biography.