Andrew Leslie, 5th Earl of Rothes

Andrew Leslie, 5th Earl of Rothes (before 1541 – 1611) was a Scottish nobleman.

The Earl of Rothes
Miniature of Lord Rothes
Personal details
Born
Andrew Leslie

Before 1541
Died1611
Spouse
Grizel Hamilton
(after 1547)
ChildrenJames Leslie, Master of Rothes
Patrick Leslie, 1st Lord Lindores
Eupheme Lindsay, Lady Lindsay
Parent(s)George Leslie, 4th Earl of Rothes
Agnes Somerville
RelativesNorman Leslie (brother)
John Leslie, 6th Earl of Rothes (grandson)

Early life edit

He was the son of George Leslie, 4th Earl of Rothes, and his third wife Agnes Somerville, daughter of Sir John Somerville of Cambusnethan and Elizabeth Carmichael.[1]

He succeeded his father as 5th Earl in 1558, as his elder half-brothers Norman Leslie and William Leslie had forfeited their rights by having been implicated in the murder of Cardinal Beaton in 1546.[1]

Career edit

Leslie took an active part with the Lords of the Congregation, first against the queen-mother, Mary of Guise, when she was regent of Scotland, and afterwards against Mary, Queen of Scots in opposing her marriage with Lord Darnley, and in being part of the plot to murder David Rizzio. He was, however, one of the peers who acquitted Bothwell of Darnley's murder, and went over to the side of the queen. He fought for her at the Battle of Langside, and continued to occupy a position of some prominence in Scottish affairs until his death in 1611.[2]

Personal life edit

In 1547, Leslie married Grizel Hamilton, daughter of Sir James Hamilton of Finnart and wife Margaret Livingston of Easter Wemyss. A dispensation was required for the marriage, which cost Regent Arran £20 and he paid a dowry of £1,333 Scots.[3] Their children included:[1]

As his eldest son and heir apparent died before him, he was succeeded in his titles by James's son, and his grandson, John Leslie.[1]


References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Leslie, Andrew" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
  2. ^   One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Rothes, Earls of". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 23 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 757.
  3. ^ James Balfour Paul, Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), pp. 21, 196.

External links edit

Peerage of Scotland
Preceded by Earl of Rothes
1558–1611
Succeeded by