Sir John Wemyss of Straathardle and Wemyss,

Christian Abernethy (Saltoun), 1st wife

Helen Dunbar,

During his father’s life time he was styled Sir John Wemyss of Strathardle. He was about fifty-four years old when he succeeded his father. His first appearance on record is in May 1466 as a consenting party to the settlement of the lands of Tillybreak on his sister Grisel and her husband David Boswell. He first married in 1468, Christian, daughter of Laurence, Lord Abernethy of Saltoun. In the same year he received charter of Strathardle to he and his wife.

It was during the mid 1400s that the castle located in West Wemyss, Fifeshire, Scotland not very far from the older Macduff Castle in East Wemyss, was built by Sir John of The Wemyss, son of Sir John Wemyss. The site of the present castle of West Wemyss is such as to make it a conspicuous rival to the castle of East Wemyss, and it was probably so intended by Sir John Wemyss of Reres. The desig-nation of the castle was at first that of, "The Wemyss", and sometimes "The Manor of Wemyss." It is first called castle in the charter erecting the lands into a barony in 1511. But popularly, and even by the lairds and Earls of Wemyss themselves, the castle was rarely styled otherwise than as, "The Wemyss,” or, “The Hall of the Wemyss," though from its position and char-acter the mansion of West Wemyss has always, to all intent and purposes been a baronial castle.

The Wemyss Castle has been much added to and altered throughout the years. On the archway leading into the court of the old portion of the castle there is an antique armorial stone. A shield is carved upon it bearing quarterly four lions. Sir John Wemyss-Kessler stated in his 1996 book, The House of Wemyss:A Thousand Year History, “These are still distinct notwithstanding their antiquity”. The shield is surmounted by a helmet, on which is a crest, apparently an eagle with wings displayed. There are two letters on one side of the stone near the shield. They are both letters D of antique shape, one above the other. It is believed that these letters stand for David Wemyss of Wemyss and his son David. Surrounding the armorial stone is a broad margin in Gothic semi-circle, on which is placed the date 1421. This corroborates the conclusions which have been arrived at as to the building of the castle. But as the date is in Arabic figures and not in Roman numerals, it cannot have been placed where it now is in the year named. The figures, however1 may represent the inscription on a more ancient stone which had become defaced, and thus record a correct tradition as to the original founder of the castle. The Wemyss Coat of Arms is also carved over the magnificent fireplace in the salon where Mary Queen of Scots first met her second husband, Lord Darnley.

The older portion of the castle was built upon a spur of the rocky cliff which faces the sea a short distance to the east of the burgh of West Wemyss. It was adapted to the form of the rock, which was precipitous on two sides, east and north. On the east and north was a narrow gorge, now filled up but which in former times was not improbably occupied by the sea at high tide.

Originally the castle consisted of two stories, one of these partially sunk, in the form of an irregular rectangle, with towers at the corners surmounting the cliff. The north-west corner, near the castle entrance was built with vaulted chambers, as if to strengthen this most vulnerable part. An arched way, six feet wide and seven feet high, led into a central uncover courtyard. Access to all other parts of the castle could be obtained from the beautiful courtyard. Some of the lower chambers were hewn out of the rock, while a tunnel, also cut out of the rock, afforded a concealed passage to the foot of the cliff at the sea. From this subterranean way at the north side, entrance was had to the bottle dungeon of the castle, which was situated at the foot of the north side of the cliff, and separated from the castle. The dungeon, employed for the safe custody of criminals, was lighted by an aperture from above. It has long sense been coverted into an ice-house. In a vaulted chamber below the grand hall of the castle is the well which had been excavated in the rock to a depth of sixty two feet. In the cliffs below the castles on the Firth of Forth are two of the famous wemyss or caves in which are ancient Pictish markings on the rockface.

Toward the end of 1487, John Wemyss was created a knight, and is described as such in every later reference. He may have received this honor at the coronation of King James the Fourth, or he may have been one of those who supported that prince’s rebellion against King James the Third.

Like his father, Sir John Wemyss of Strathardle was frequently involved in litigation. One of the most important of these actions arose out of a claim made by Christian Abernethy, Lady Wemyss, to some lands in Banffshire. In November 1493, at a sheriff-court held on the Castlehill of banff, two ladies, Elizabeth Ogstoun, wife of Adam Hepburn, brother-german of Patrick, Earl of Bothwell, and Christian Abernathy, wife of Sir John Wemyss of Strathardie, appeared by their procurator, and presented two royal brieves on their behalf for claiming the lands of Ordiquhill, Inchtomo, Mesly, and Edintor, in the barony of Rothiemay, and others in the shire of Banff. Another note on Sir John tells us that one of his first recoreded acts after succeeding his father sometime between February and May 1502, was to take up the question of the claim made in the lifetime of his father by Sir Robert Livingstone of Drumry, as to the coal and salt of Wester Wemyss. Sir John was followed by his eldest son David.

Sir David Wemyss of Wemyss, Prior to 1493 - 1513

Euphemia Lundy,

Janet Gray of Gray, 2nd wife

David Wemyss succeded his father befor May 1508. He is first named, in 1493, in a charter to himself and Euphemia Lundy, his wife, of the lands of Dron and the Hill of Dron in Fifeshire. Part of these lands had been redeemed from Janet Cameron or Stewart, widow of Adam Wallace of Crago, for 430 merks. The other portion was resigned by Sir John Wemyss of Strathardle, father of the grantee. It also appears that David Wemyss rented the teinds of Wester Dron from John Ramsay of Petgorno for nine years. In 1502 he is referred to as claiming the lands of Tillybreak, and in the same year he was appointed executor to his grandfather Sir Hohn Wemyss. To aid in this consolidation, although the last purchase had not yet been made, Sir David Wemyss, who about 1510, had been created a knight, resigned his territories into the hands of King James the Fourth. It was this Sir David who obtained a charter from King James IV on August 28, 1511 placing all his lands in one barony to be called the Barony of Wemyss. The crown charter enumerates the lands to be comprehended in the barony as the lands of Wemyss-shire, Little Lun, Tillybreak, Cameron-mill, the Haugh, Duniface, Petconnochie, Wester Tarvit, Wester Dron, and Hilldron, all in the sheriffdom of Fife; the lands of Elcho and Balhepburn, the third part of Strathardle, the half lands of Ardargie, and the lands of Kinnaird, all in Perthshire, with the lands of Balhall in Forfarshire. The castle of Wemyss was assigned as the principal messuage of the new barony, and power was given to erect the Haven-town of Wemyss, the Kirkhill of Kirkmichael, Ballinkillie and Ballinald, into free burghs of barony, with all the usual privileges. The lands were to be held for paying three suits at court, and the usual casualties of marriage, ward, and relief. A few months after receiving this charter, Sir David Wemyss arranged a marriage between his eldest son, David Wemyss, and Katharine Sinclair, daughter of Henry, Lord Sinclair, pledging himself to settle on them the lands of Dron and Hill-dron, or others, so far as consistent with his own rights and those of his wife, Janet Gray. A charter to his son in implement of the latter’s marriage-contract, and the purchase from Robert Cunningham are among the latest acts recorded of Sir David Wemyss.

King James IV of Scotland sought to bring about an understanding with England by marrying Margaret Tudor and English Princess, and eventually to gain the throne of England. Sir David was loyal to James IV and followed him into battle at Fodden Field where James IV was defeated and Sir David was killed September 9, 1513.

David Wemyss of Wemyss,

Katherine Sinclair of Sinclair,

Mariota Towers of Inverleith, 2nd wife

Sir David's son was also named David. The first recorded mention of David is the marriage contract with Katharine Sinclair in 1512 that we previously noted. He succeeded his father in 1513 and completed his title to Methil and other lands in the year 1514. After his accession to his estates David Wemyss bound himself, according to a prevailing practice of the time among the lesser barons, by a bond of manrent or service, choosing for his patron the archbishop of Glasgow. At a later period the laird of Wemyss adhered to the archbishops of St. Andrews, of whom they Methil, but that see was then vacant, and James Betoun, then archbishop of Glasgow, was not only the son of a Fifeshire laird, but also chancellor of Scotland.

The chancellor’s promise of maintenance and defence was soon put to the test, as shortly after it was granted, David Wemyss paid to the royal treasury 160 pounds, 13s. 4d as part of a composition for the slaughter of a person named William Moffat. It is not indicated who William Moffat was, but a remission granted a year later to the laird of Wemyss, and thirtyfour accomplices, refers to the deed as premeditated, and requires satisfaction to be made to the parents and kinsmen of the victom.

A few years later David Wemyss engaged in a mutual bond of defence with a number of the neighbouring lairds of Fife. Probably they were led to this step by the unsettled nature of the regency during the minority of King James the Fifth. The bond is dated at Scone, February we, 1520-1 and is as follows:

At Scone, the xiii day of Februar the yeir of God a thousand ve and xxii yeris, it is apoyntit and finallie concordit amangis thir personis wnder writin, that is to say, honorabill men, David Wemis of that ilk, James Lundy of Balgony, William Forbes of Reres, knight, Jhonn Malling of Raicht, knycht, Jhonn Mowtra of Markingis, David Myrtoun of Cammo, Master Thomas Meldrum of Segie ...and sa mony otheris freindis at will subscrif this writ, in maner and effect as eftir folowis: that is to say, the saidis personis, and ilk ane of thaim, sall tak afald and trew part with otheris in all just and honest querellis, and specialie in defence of thair personis and heritage, aganis all other persoun within this realme; excep thair alliegience to the kingis grace, our lord gouernour, and our masteris and thair ourlordis: and gif thair happynnis or beis at this tyme or to cum deference or wariance amangis the persouis abufin writin, thair kin, freiudis, or seruandis, it sall be referrit to the saidis personis, or ony twa or thre of thaim chosin be otheris for the reformacioun of the sam, sa sall nocht persew other befor na jugis quhill thai be requirit to the sam: And to the obseruing and keping of the sam, the saidis personis ar oblist be the faicht and troucht of thair bodyis, the halie wangell tuichit, and for the mair securite has subscriuit this sam witht thair handis, day and plac forssid.

The notices of David Wemyss on record, like those relating to his predoccessors, chiefly refer to his lands, and not to affairs of public interest. Yet the earlist charter known to be granted by him is of some importance, as it concerns the burgh of West Wemyss. The crown charter of 1511, erecting the lands of Wemyss into a barony, gave power to consitute the haven-town of Wemyss as a burgh, under the lords of the manor. In terms of that charter, David Wemyss, in April 1515, as baron of the barony of Wemyss-shire, granted to the burgesses of his burgh the haven-town of Wemyss, bounded as described, with the port and anchorage there to be held in free burgage, with all privileges common to burghs of barony, such as choosing bailies, and holding markets and fairs. There were two such fairs held yearly, July 2nd and October 28th. Among other dues the burgesses were to pay 20 pounds Scots yearly to the laird and his heirs, who reserved to themselves free ish and entry to the prot with coals and salt. The burgesses were also obliged to give three suits at three head courts to be held yearly within the burgh. For every “bloodwit” the laird exacted fifteen shillings, and for each fine eight shillings Scots, as stated on an Old copy charter dated April 29, 1515 found in the Wemyss Charter-chest.

About the same time a dispute arose between the laird and Sir John Dingwall, provost of Trinity College Church in Edinburgh, and vicar of the parish church of Wemyss, respecting the teinds belonging to the provost as vicar. Besides the laird, various other parishioners, fishermen of Easter Wemyss and Buckhaven, were parties in the action. All the steps of the proceedings are not recorded, but at one stage the vicar received a severe check from the ecclesiastical judges in the case. He had interposed in the action an appeal to the court of Rome, a step of which the Scottish kings and the patriotic clergy were extremely jealous, many Acts of Parliament being directed against the practice. For this offence, or contumacy, as the judges termed it, they gave sentence in favour of David Wemyss and his co-litigants, absolving them from the conclusions of the appeal, which they declared the vicar had wickedly and unjustly inter po s ed. The sentence was anounced during high mass in the church of Wemyss, in presence of the parishioners, and in the following August the vicar was excommunicated, doubtless for disobedience.

The dispute was eventually settled by arbitration, four of the arbiters being ecclesiastics, with Henry Wemyss, bishop of Galloway, at their head, the fifth being Mr. Adam Otterburn, the king’s advocate. The parties having met, the first act of the arbiters was to order them to abide in amity together, to shake hands, to forgive each to the other the rancour of their hearts, and to pass “in extars,” or arm-in-arm together, which was done in presence of the court. This ceremony over, the arbiters proceeded to enact that Sir John Dingwall, the vicar, should receive no hindrance in collecting and leading to his “kirklands of Wemyss” the teind sheaves of Wester Wemyss for the year 1528. The value of the teinds for 1528 was to be noted, and to form a standard for those of 1526, for which the vicar had obtained decree, being the sum objected to by David Wemyss as exorbitant. The award then referred to the levying the teind-coals, salts, and fish, due to the vica, who, with his farmers and tenants were to enjoy freedom for their cattle within the laird’s bounds as formerly. The laird was acquitted of any share in the spoliation of the teinds for the years 1526, 1527, and 1528, but as the country folks on his lands had appropriated the vicar’s dues, from them David Wemyss was to enforce restitution. The arbiters advised the vicar to yield up the offerings due to him from the Lady Chapel of Wemyss, because the parish church of Wemyss was being built or repaired by Sir Patrick Jackson, the chaplain there. Among other things it was ordained that all appeals to Rome should cease, that the parties should pay thir own taxed expenses, and that the vicar should give teinding of corn, etc., to the laird, according to the common law, that the stock of corn might not perish or be lost in default of teinding.

A few months later, probebly as one result of this decision, the vicar formally craved permission from David Wemyss for the tenants of Kirkland of East Wemyss to take turf and heather from the estate of Wemyss for building their houses and other necessaries. This requesst the laird granted, for that time only, with the proviso that the grant should not prejudice him or his heirs in future. A similar request was made in the same year by David Abercromby of Cameron. The latter came to the laird at the chapel of Wemyss, and begged of him that for the sake of kinship and good neighbourhood, he would permit him to pasture his cattle sometimes on the moor west of Cameron, called Wemyss moor, and to cast and lead fuel and turf therefrom. David Wemyss acceded to the request in a friendly spirit, guarding his rights by a protest that no title to the pasturage should be founded on this grant, which was during his good pleasure only. He futrher required an acknowledgment from Abercromby that neither he nor any other possessor of Cameron had any right to the privileges desired, save by the goodwill of the laird of Wemyss, dated June 18, 1529. Abercromby exercised the privilege for some years, but in 1536 he came again to David Wemyss and complained that one of the tenants of David Wemyss had interfered with his casting peat on the moor, and had taken a spade from his servants while so engaed. He then “exhortit and prayit” the laird of Wemyss to continue to him the privilege of pasturage and casting peats. This secon request was likewise granted for friendship’s sake, but also because it was supported by James Lundy of Balgonie, then at Wemyss, the laird taking the same precautions as before. Notwithstanding these, however, Abercromby, at a later date, abused the tolerance given to him, and the matter became a subject of dispute in the next generation. David Wemyss also, in 1533, gave similar tolerance to John Gaw of the Maw, which likewise gave rise to disputes at a later period.

David Wemyss appears to have taken little part in public affairs. It is believed that he took part in one of the raids made by King James the Fifth and Archibald, Earl of Angus, on the Border thieves in 1527, -- the first attack on the Armstrongs, -- when a force of six thousand men was mustered in support of the royal authority. The laird’s neighbour, Sir John Melville of Raith, was present at the raid, and in recording his own retrun from the king’s service on the Borders, mentions as his companions the laird of Wemyss and Lundy of Balgonie. They had quietly gone, “as gud Cristine men suld do.” to hear mass in Kinghorn Church, when an attack was made uponthe party by the Moutrays of Seafield. Two years later, in 1529, the laird was exemipted from a like service by a letter permitting him to stay at home, provided he sent his brother and household to join the king, who was meditating antoher chastisement of the Border clans. Another royal licence was given a year or two later for a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. John of Amiens in France, dated January 9, 1530-1. Other royal letters addressed to the laird, in succeding years, included a summons in 1536 to accompany the king from Stirling to the Borders, and in 1538, an exemption from attendance on any ordinary courts, as he was then in waiting on the royal person. On this ocasion, the king was either actually celebrating his marriage with Mary of Guise at St. Andrews, or on the eve of setting out with his bride on his progress through Fife towards the capital. In the previous year David Wemyss had recieved a summons from the council to greet King James and his first wife, Magdalen of France, and take part in the marriage rejoicings--rejoicings which were, unhappily, soon turned to mourning by the decline and speedy death of the young queen.

David Wemyss was marred twice. His first wife was Katharine Sinclair, daughter of Henry, Lord Sinclair, by whom he had apparently two sons. His second wife was Mariota Towers, daughter of Sir John Towers of Inverleith, their marriage contract being dated March 7, 1526. By her he also had issue. She survived her husband and marrid secondly, Mr. Bernard Hamilton of Bogwood, by whom she had a least on son, James Hamilton. Under a contract with Sir John Wemyss, her step-son, she received yearly 100 merks. In 1582 her son, David Wemyss of Dron, acted as her surety that she would pay the tax for the bridge of Perth, to which she ovjected, because she was oppressivly taxed by the collectors of the revenue. She resided at Methil, and was still alive on August 28, 1588, being then described as “Auld Lady Wemyss.”

David Wemyss, in 1534, was engaged in arranging the marriage of his eldest son and heir, John Wemyss, to Margaret Otterburn, eldest daughter of Mr. Adam Otterburn, the king’s advocate, and providing a suitable settlement for them. During the succeeding years of his life he had occasional trouble about the marches of his lands, particularly those of Elcho and Kinnaird. Among the latest acts of David Wemyss were his providing, in 1542. David Wemyss, his son by Mariot Towers, in the lands of Strathardle and others, while about the same time he resigned his lands of Methil and others for the purpose of securing his wife in the conjuct fee of these lands. A year or two later, about May 1544, David Wemyss died without making a will, and was succeeded by his eldest son John, who was also appointed his father’s executor-dative.

Sir John Wemyss of the ilk, 1513-1572

Margaret Otterburn of Redhall,

Janet Trail of Blebo, 2nd wife

Another John succeeded David in 1544. Sir John Wemyss of that ilk, the eldest son of David Wemyss and Katherine, was probably born in the year 1513. During his father’s lifetime he married Margaret, eldest daughter of Sir Adam Otterburn of Redhall, a statesman of some note in the reign of King James the fifth, and provost of the city of Edinburgh in the year 1534 when Sir David Wemyss and Sir Adam Otterburn arranged the marriage in order to cement more closely the love and friendship which had existed between their families. John Wemyss and Margaret Otterburn were married before October 20, 1534. On that day the laird of Wemyss, who had agreed to give to his son and daughter-in-law “such honest conjunct feftment as was given to his father or grandfather.” made resignation in their favour for this purpose, of his lands of Tillybreak in Fifeshire, and Balball in Forfarshire, and the grantees are mentioned as spouses in the document. They recieved a crown charter of these lands in the following month of April.

On the death of his father in May 1544, John Wemyss became laird of Wemyss, and was appointed by Cardinal Beaton executor-dative to his father. He was duly served heir to him in his several lands, and he was also served heir to his paternal aunt, Elizabeth Wemyss, whose executor he became.

When John Wemyss became laird of that ilk, the country was already involved in the troubles which lasted during the minority of Queen Mary. This Sir John, know as the Laird of Wemyss, acted a distinguished part in the events of his time and was known as a military man. In the month of May 1544 he was with the Earl of Glencairn at Glasgow, in arms against the Governor Arran, and shared his leader’s defeat. From the date of the battle of Glasgow Moor, John Wemyss never appeared on the side of the English party or in sympathy with their aspirations. His conduct in this respect may also have arisen from the fact that the chief adviser the governor had, after reversing his early policy, was Cardinal David Beaton, archbiship of St. Andrews and primate of Scotland, who was the laird’s feudal superior in certain lands. Partly for this reason, partly also from political considerations, Wemyss granted to the cardinal his bond of manrent, and received in return from that prelate a bond of maintenance. Thus, with his kin, friends, and servants, the laird became bound to defend the person, the honour, and the possessions of the cardinal in all causes, receiving in return protection and counsel in all his lawful affairs.

In Novemeber 1544 two rival parliaments met in Scotland, one convened by the queen-regent at Stirling, and the other at Edinburgh by the Governor Arran. The laird of Wemyss was present at and took part in the work of the parlement at Edinburgh as stated in Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. ii, page 446. He was also frequently summoned to military service with the governor. In October 1545, he was required to appear at Dumfries within a few days,`”with ane gude and substantious company” of his ”kin, freindis and seruandis,” for the recovery of the castle of Carlaverock from the English, “and to do the office of ane trew noble barroun of this realme.” Exactly a year later he was again summoned by the governor to attend at St. Andrews with all his friends and people he could raise, and with all the small artillery he had, and powder and carriages for the same, to resist an intended attempt by the English to relieve the castle of St. Andrews, which was then being held out against Arran by the slayers of Cardinal Beaton, Ibid page 7. A third requisition, in July 1547, hurried the laird and his followers to the Borders to repel an English invasion; but when he reached the camp at Peebles, he obtained a dispenstion allowing a number of his retainers to remain at Wemyss for the defence of the castle and homestead in case of their being attacked.

On August 3, Wemyss Castle was honoured by a visit from the queen-dowager. She was at Wemyss and the opportunity was taken by th laird to obtain certain grants on behalf of his relatives. These were letters of legitimation for his natural brother, James Wemyss, which were confirmed by a later document granted at Edinburgh, in which not only James, but another natural brother, Patrick, three sons of the laird himself, John Wemyss, a son of his brother Robert, and William, son of a deceased William Wemyss, were similarly legitimate.

Some other concessions were obtained by the laird of Wemyss from the queen-regent about the same time. One of these grants was a gift of the echeated estate and movables of his neighbour, David Abercromby of Cameron, who had absented himself from the espedition under the Earls of Argyll and Arran for the recapture of Broughty Castle from the English in the end of 1547. The gift, which was made at Dundee on December 4, 1547, shows that the laird was present on the occasion, and he now craved the escheat as a reward. Another gift the laird obtained from the queen-regent doubled upon a transaction of his own. With a view to the marriage of his eldest son and heir to Margaret Kirkcaldy, caughter of the laird of Grange, a neighbouring Fifeshire baron, he had sold, for some temporary accommodations, to the laird of Grange, for 1000 merks, the right of his son’s marriage. Kirkealdy was forfeited for complicity in the death of Cardinal Beaton, and the queen-r egent bestowed upon the laird of Wemyss the right of his son’s marriage, with the sum of 500 merks, which he had received as part payment of the price of it from Kirkcaldy. At the same time letters were directed to the sheriff of Fife to cognosce upon the mariage contract by which means it was taken possession of by the Crown, and returned to the laird.

The Laird of Wemyss took part in the battle of Pinkie on September 10, 1547. He was taken prisonior on the field but liberated soon after. It was in 1548 that he distinguished himself by repulsing a body of English soldiers who tried to obtain a footing in Fife by landing at St. Monans. As the war continued he was required by letter from the queen to remain upon the south coasts of Fife for resisting the English. In connection with this commission the laird greatly distinguished himself in the valiant repulse of a large body of English soldiers as they attemped to land on the Fifeshire coast.

Bishop Lesley, in Lesley’s History of Scotland, states that the laird of Wemyss, being somewhat sickly, had returned from the camp to Wemyss Castle, and descrying the approach of the English fleet, caused such watch to be kept day and night that no attempt to land could be made without detection. The laird himself, however, wa the first to observe such an attempt. The very night the English admiral, Lord Clinton, proposed to land his troops, the laird came down before daylight to examine the watch, and seeing lights and commotion among the English vessels, divined their intention, and took means to prevent it. He aroused the men in and about St. Monans, who did not muster above sixscore, and stationing the greater part of them at the most efective points of resistance at that place, he with the remainder proceeded two miles along the coast to make closer ovservation of the proceedings. Satisfied from what he saw and heard that the English were about to attempt a landing, he returned to St. Monans, and drew up his men in order to await their approach. As soon as day dawned, the English came and were received with a fight of arrows, which was followed by a sharp engagement at close quarters. Then, by pre-arrangement, Wemyss and his men retired behind some trenches in which they kindled a collection of ferns, straw, and other materials, making a great smoke, under cover of which they fired upon the invaders with three small pieces of artillery which they had with them. The men in the trenches then re-formed, and with shouts and yells bore furiously down upon the English, who at the same time were assailed in flank by the shouts and cries of another company. The smoke prevented them seeing that the second body was but a heterogeneous mass of non-combatants, men, women, and children, appointed by the laird to play a little ruse de guerre. But it answered the purpose effectually. The Englishmen, thus taken as they supposed in front and flank, turned and fled to their ships pursued by the Scots, who slew them even as they struggled in th water, so that of a thousand who landed, not three hundred returned to the fleet and Lord Clinton himself esc ap e d with difficulty. When he did reach his ship he at once gave orders to set sail. So great was the effect o f this repulse, adds Lesley, that during the rest of the war no further attempt was made to land in Fife. (pages 213-215) In Buchanan’s account the chief part in the frey is given to James Stewart, brother of Queen M a ry. In yet a third account found in Tyler’s History of Scotland, vol. iv. p. 419, he said, “the English invaders were encountered and defeated with great slaughter by the laird of Wemyss, assi s ted by the Lord James, who, on the first intelligence of danger, had mustered the strength of Fife, and here first gave a proof of that cool and determined character which afterwards raised him to such a height of power.” It is probebly more than a mere coincidence that a pinnace, which was sunk at St. Monans about the time of this engagement, was, when recovered, gifted by Patrick, Earl of Bothwell, admiral of Scotland, with all its artillery and fittings, to the laird of Wemyss.

After her appointment as regent, the queen-dowager attempted to impose a tax upon the people of Scotland for the purpose of employing a standing army of foreign mercenaries for the defence of the kingdom. This measure was obnoxious tot he whole nation, but as none of the nobles would risk initiating opposition to the regent, the lesser barons assembled in the Abbey Church of Holyrood at Edinburgh to the number of three hundred. They despatched two of their number to signify their disapprobation of the proposal, and to remonstrate. The two commissioners were the laird of Wemyss and James Sandilands of Calder, whom Lesley represents as two of the most ancient barons, while Keith extols their great prudence and moderation.

In presence of the queen-regent and her council these commissioners most humbly but firmly represented and requested that no alteration should be made on the ancient custom, laws, and liberties of the realm, by imposing such a taxation and for such a purpose. Their forefathers and predecessors, they said, had defended the country many hundred years valiantly with their own hands, for which cause principally they had received their lands and livings from prince, to serve him with their own persons in the wars. Besides, they were perfectly convinced that no one had pwer to alter the nature of their holdings, or to dispense with them, or to discharge them of that service, especially during the minority of their prince and sovereign. In that respect the king had been at all times called King of Scots rather in reference to men than to money or the substance of the country. Moreover, they added, the present inhabitants of the realm were of as good courage and hardihood, and as able and valiant to defend it as their forefathers in times past and therefore they would fight with their own hands and defend their country with their own bodies. They would not trust hired men to defend faithfully their liberties, wives, children, lands and possessions. There was not sufficient substance to spare in the land to sustain the nuber of idle men that would be required for the defence of the borders. Finally, they affirmed that if the proposal were carred out, the lords, barons, and gentlemen of the country, would fall into such idleness and unskilfulness in arms through disuse that they would become an easy prey to any nation that chose to invade the realm. This remonstrance had the desired effect, and the proposal was immediatly receded from. (Lesley’s History of Scotland, pp. 254,255 and Keith’s History, p. 70)

The laird’s warlike spirit was tempered and restrained by severe bodily infirmities, increased by frequent campaignings. He was troubled with catarrbs, to which he was greatly subject, and also afflicted with the gravel. He was summoned, in 1557 to proceed on military sevice to Fala-moor, but his physicians warning him that his life was in peril if he caught cold. For the same reason of bodily weakness, the laird obtained about this time from the archbishop of St. Andrews a licence to eat flesh, eggs, cheese, butter, etc. during Lent and other fasting times, and in the privilege his wife, Janet Trail, and his brother David, were included.

The queen-regent seems to have laid a special value on the assistance and counsel of the laird, for beesides his sevices in the field, she frequently required his attendance as a privy councillor. More especially was this the case as the Reformation crisis approached, for in the conflict between the queen-regent and the lords of the congregation he took part with her. The lords demanded that he should subscribe the covenant, seeing he was, “ane of the principale baronis of the cuntre,” or else be accounted by them an enemy to the commonwealth, and they were quite willing that he should be exempt from field service, provide he sent his son and servants. But the laird preferred the other side, although his brother David took part with the lords of the congregation for this purpose, if the queen-regent’s letter of dispensation thereanent is to be believed, “thatt be his lawbors [he] may saiff the said Johne, his freindis and possessiouns fra the violence of the saidis conspiratouris.” To ensure his further steadfastness, the laird of Wemyss received from Queen Mary a commission dated January 9, 1559-60 appointing him as her lieutenant of the counties of Fife, Kinross and Clackmannan, in order to conduct measures there against the Reformers.

The laird, however, got little opportunity to do anything and on the death of the queen-regent in June 1560, peace ensued. The Reformation in 1560 also isolated the mainly Catholic Highlands and there was widespread discord between Protestants and Catholics else where in the world.

Sir John Wemyss, as already stated, lived during the days of Mary, Queen of Scots (1542 - 1587), and was loyal to this beautiful but ill-fated Queen, as he had been her mother. While researching the family at the Minnesota Genealogical Socity Library, in St. Paul Minnesota I stumbled across a small tatter book with no markings on the cover or spine. The worn pinkinsh red book cover opened to aged yellow pages published by Harper & Brothers, Franklin Square, New York in 1856. It was the Histrory of Mary Queen of Scots by Jacob Abbott. Within that small treasure I found the following information and detailed description on the Wemyss castle in which Mary, Queen of Scots had visited.

She became Queen of Scots at one week of age on the death of her father, married the Dauphin of France at age 16, and was Queen of France for a short time until the King died in 1560. She then returned to her kingdom, Scotland as reigning Queen. She visited the Laird of Wemyss at Wemyss Castle in February 1564 - 1565 where she met and courted her future husband, Lord Darnley. Mary went to Wemyss Castle, and made arrangements to have Darnley come and visit her there.

Wemyss Castle is situated in a most romantic and beautiful spot on the sea-shore, on the northern side of the Firth of Forth. Edinburgh is upon the southern side of the Firth, and is in full view from the windows of the castle, with Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat on the left of the city. Wemyss Castle was, at this time, the residence of Murray, Mary's brother. Mary's visit to it was an event which attracted a great deal of attention. The people flocked into the neighborhood and provisions and accommodations of every kind rose enormously in price. Everyone was eager to get a glimpse of the beautiful queen. Besides, they knew that Lord Darnley was expected, and the rumor that he was seriously thought of as her future husband had been widely circulated, and had awaken, of course, a universal desire to see him.... To this day every fisher boy along the coast can point out the tower in the castle in which Queen Mary's chamber was situated.

A memorial of this visit still remained at Wemyss Castle in 1888, in the form of a sculptured medallion of the head of Queen Mary, which was insrted in the front wall of the castle to commemeorat the event.

Another account of Wemyss Castle refers to it as a magnificent mansion that stands near the burgh of West Wemyss, on the summit of a cliff rising abruptly from rocky shore of the firth, and commanding an extensive view of the sea, and of the adjacent country, which abounds with picturesque and romantic scenery. The woods and plantations on the demesne surrounding the castle are also described as simply beautifully situated. It is said to occupy a picturesque and commanding position on the summit of a cliff about forty feet in height, the base of which at flood tide is covered by the waters of the Forth. Sir William Fraser wrote of the castle as being a large, magnificent, and comfortable building, with its surroundings of rock, wood, and water scenery afording the eye a picture of rare and charming beauty. “The whole forms a most delightful romantic spot, the sight of which could not but amply compensate the admirer of the picturesque, even although he had gone a journey of twenty or thirty miles for the sole purpose of visiting this terrestrial paradise,” written by the Rev. John McLachlan of the Perish of Wemyss, in Statistical Account, 1845 vol. ix. p. 303.

Sir John was also at the battle of Langside in May 1568, and took part in that conflict. Also during Sir John’s time, Wemyss Castle was used as a place of safe-keeping for some prominent Borderers. It was common of the time to take prominent hostages and distribute them over the country by the government for the good behaviour of the rest of their clan and kin. Sir John was required in 1555 to entertain George Davidson in this capacity, and four Elliots and four Armstrongs were all placed in 1569 under his care by the Regent Murray. Under the regency of James, Earl of Morton, Sir John Wemyss supported the cause of Queen Mary against King James, her son, and declared for Kirkcaldy of Grange, her champion. In consequence of this he was charged to enter his person in ward, but Bannatyne’s Memorials tell us, he died before the command could be obeyed. page 218 He died at Easter or Wemyss Elcho, on the banks of the Tay, in tge ebd if January 1571-2.

As was already mentioned, Sir John married Margaret Otterburn, the eldest daughter of the then provost of Edinburgh in 1534. For reasons which are not stated, he instituted proceedings and procured a divorce from her in 1556. He married his second wife, before February 21, 1557-8, Janet, daughter of Alexander Trail of Blebo, and widow of John Ramsay of Ardbekie, who was killed a Pinkie. She is called Lady of Lumbeny in a charter by her son, James Ramsay of Ardbekie, to his sister Elizabeth, and her husband, John Bonar, of the lands of Culle in feufarm, in which their mother and the laird of Wemyss were concerned.

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