William Schaw, master of works and general warden

Biography

“ William Schaw and the Schaw Statutes” by Midnight Freemason Contributor. Steven L. Harrison, 33°, FMLR

William Schaw, born sometime around 1550, is best known as the Great Master of Works to James VI of Scotland. As such he was responsible for overseeing all royal castles and palaces. Having the complete trust of the King, he also served him in several other capacities, including accompanying him to Denmark to return with the new queen, Anna of Denmark.

The inscription on his tomb bears the most reliable source of his biographical information and reads:

"This humble structure of stones covers a man of excellent skill, notable probity, singular integrity of life, adorned with the greatest of virtues – William Schaw, Master of the King's Works, President of the Sacred Ceremonies, and the Queen's Chamberlain. He died 18th April, 1602.

Among the living he dwelt fifty-two years; he had traveled in France and many other Kingdoms, for the improvement of his mind; he wanted no liberal training; was most skillful in architecture; was early recommended to great persons for the singular gifts of his mind; and was not only unwearied and tireless in labours and business, but constantly active and vigorous, and was most dear to every good man who knew him. He was born to do good offices, and thereby to gain the hearts of men; now he lives eternally with God."

Family

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Schaw

William Schaw was the second son of John Schaw of Broich, and grandson of Sir James Schaw of Sauchie. Broich is now called Arngomery, a place at Kippen in Stirlingshire. The Schaw family had links to the Royal Court, principally through being keepers of the King's wine cellar. The Broich family was involved in a scandal in 1560, when John Schaw was accused of murdering the servant of another laird. William's father was denounced as a rebel and his property forfeited when he and his family failed to appear at court, but the family were soon re-instated. At this time William may have been a page at the court of Mary of Guise, as a page of that name received an outfit of black mourning cloth when Mary of Guise died. William the page would have been in Edinburgh Castle with the Regent's court during the siege of Leith, while the Master of Work, William MacDowall, was strengthening the castle's defences.[1]

His niece married Robert Mowbray, a grandson of the treasurer Robert Barton, and following his death she married James Colville of East Wemyss in 1601, which caused a family feud between Francis Mowbray, Robert's brother, and Schaw and Colville.[27] Mowbray, an erstwhile English agent, wounded Schaw with a rapier in a quarrel, was subsequently arrested for plotting against the king, and died following an escape attempt from Edinburgh Castle.[28] Another niece, Elizabeth Schaw of Broich, married John Murray of Lochmaben, a important courtier in the bedchamber, who became Earl of Annandale.

Elizabeth Shaw and James Schaw were William's executors.

References

• “ The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland's Century, 1590-1710.” By David Stevenson. Page 27. GoogleBooks John Schaw of Broich, father of William Schaw, master of works, was the younger son of James Schaw of Sauchie, died 1528.
• https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/opinion/20847829.walk-past-william-...