General Notes

REFN: 4531AN
REFN: P4532
James Hamilton (3rd Earl of Arran)
c.1537 - 1609
Political pawn and soldier. Eldest son of the 2nd Earl of Arran and Duke
of Châtelherault, w ho was Regent to the young Mary, Queen of Scots.
Hamilton was held prisoner b y his father's enemies, first in St. Andrews
(1543) and then in France (1548- 59). While there he became Commander of
the Scots Guards in that country (155 0-7).
Hamilton became a pawn in his father's attempts to gain the Crown of
S cotland for himself, being promised first as a husband for Elizabeth of
Engla nd to seal an Anglo-Scottish Alliance and then later for Mary, to
secure the Hamilton succession to the throne.
All of this had a terrible effect on Hamilt on's mental heath and he was
judged insane in 1562 and confined until his dea th. He is thought to be
buried in St. Bride's kirkyard at Lamlash on the Isle of Arran. Having no
heirs, his titles passed to his younger brother John, wh o became 1st
Marquess of Hamilton.