Huntly Castle
Castle Huntly, or Castle Lyon as it was known for a time must surely be one of the most imposing strongholds of all the Scottish Castles built in the lofty tower and jamb style of the fifteenth century of local sandstone it radiated endurance and continuity. Today when viewed from the east it portrays the simplistic Georgian elegance of a fine country house with elegant gardens and sweeping driveways through mature parklands, but from the west it retains its full Fifteenth century baronial austerity. It is
located approximately seven miles west of Dundee in the Carse of Gowrie, Perth and Kinross, close to
the shore of the Firth of Tay, and can be seen from the main road linking
Dundee and Perth.
Throughout its history it has seen extensive renovation, (not always for the better), and has provided a safe haven for many generations, being continuously occupied throughout its 550 years’ existence. For almost all of its history, the castle and its surrounding estate has been in private ownership, each owner contributing their own intriguing story. It is this story which has sustained Castle Huntly, and to a large degree influenced the economy of the area, from the marshy wilderness of a flood plain, to the rich highly cultivated farmland of today which forms the Carse of Gowrie.
The Grays (1452 -1614)
The family held high position both politically and socially. Through the unruly and troubled 15th and 16th century they distinguished themselves in service to their monarch and country. Descendants of a Norman — French family who settled in Chillingham in Northumberland they first came to the fore as followers of Prince David on his return to Scotland. He was later to be crowned King David I in 1124. The family received a grant of land at Browfeld in Roxburghshire where Andrew Gray, second son of Baron Gray of Chillingham settled in 1214. Service to the crown continued to be a feature of the family with the grandson of Andrew Gray of Browfield, also called Andrew, joining in the War of Independence in 1306 under the standard of Robert the Bruce in 1306, here he distinguished himself in the capture of Edinburgh Castle in 1312 being the second person to enter.
In recognition of the services rendered by Andrew Gray, Bruce bestowed on him by charter dated February 12th. 1315, the whole lands and tenements belonging to Sir Edmund Hastings, an English Knight, comprising the Barony of Longforgan, the lands of Craigie, Pitcarroch, Carniston and Milntoun. There is some suggestion that Edmund Hastings was of the same family as Lord John Hastings, which students of history will recollect as being one of the candidates for the throne of Scotland to appear before Edward I at Norham in 1291 and if so the actions of Bruce are understandable.
Although there is no record of Andrew Gray or any of his descendants permanently settling in the area of the Carse for the next hundred years, there is evidence of their presence in the area from the number of marriages contracted with families in the area. The lands would most likely have been managed from Browfield or the newly acquired estates at Broxmouth on the East coast not far from Dunbar. Indeed it was from the House of Yester, a neighbouring property to Broxmouth that Andrew took his bride, Ada Gifford.
Their son, David succeeded Andrew, taking the title Sir David Gray of Browfield and Broxmouth. They had issue: David, who succeeded his father with the title of Sir David Gray of Brownfield and Broxmouth who died in 1356, leaving sons, John and Thomas. It was John who succeeded his father, and acquired more lands at Cragie under charter from King David II on the 8th. September of that year. John had two sons, the elder also John died in England before his father without leaving issue leaving the title to the younger son Patrick in 1376.
Sir Patrick and his wife Margaret had seven children. While it was Andrew who inherited the estates in 1421 there is clear evidence to indicate that the family were of some status among the Scottish aristocracy. Daughters Margaret married Sir William Hay of Errol, Elizabeth married Andrew Moncur of that ilk and Marion married Lindsay of Crawford.
Andrew was to marry twice. His first wife was Janet, daughter and heir of Sir Roger de Mortimer of Fowlis of which he inherited on her death. His second wife with whom he had five children was Elizabeth daughter of Sir Walter Buchanan of that ilk.
On his death in 1445 he was succeeded by his eldest son, also called Andrew. Andrew who was born about 1390 played an important part in the Royal household. From 1424 to 1427 he was a hostage in England for his monarch, James I. While still Master of Gray he was dispatched to the Court of France in 1436 as a Commissioner to arrange the marriage of Margaret, the daughter of James I, to the Dauphin. He was also to serve James II as ambassador in peace negotiations with England.
The growing status of the Gray family was again to be evidenced by the marriage of Andrew to Elizabeth on 31st August 1418, daughter of Sir John Wemyss and heiress of Sir Andrew Rankine of Inchmartine and in 1444 Andrew was to be made a Lord of Parliament, taking the title of First Lord Gray of Fowlis.
In 1452 he was to be made Master of the Household, and, also in that year was granted a Licence from James II obtaining leave to build a fortalice in any part of his possessions of Fowlis (which had been inherited through his mother) or Longforgund (which had been in the possession of the family since 1315). The fortunes of the family had grown to incorporate much of the carseland, leaving the castle at Fowlis too small for the family and expanding retinue, to administer what was becoming an important and strategic part of Scotland.
Andrew’s eldest son, Patrick was to predecease his father in 1464 and it was to his son Andrew that the title, lands and newly constructed Castle Huntly was to succeed in 1470. The young Andrew, following in his grandfather’s footsteps was also to distinguish himself in affairs of the state. In 1488 he became a Lord of the Privy Council and High Sheriff of Angus then in 1489 was appointed Justice General of Scotland North of the Forth, with His career culminating in 1506 with the title of Justice General of Scotland.
High office created its distractions, and although the Second Lord Gray was close to James III, he was active in the plot to dethrone him and align with England under the nominal rule of Albany. However, when the young Prince James advanced his standard against his father at the Battle of Sauchieburn, where James III fell, Lord Gray was leader of the second line. Although there are no dispatches of Lord Gray at Flodden his second son, Robert died there.
Throughout its history it has seen extensive renovation, (not always for the better), and has provided a safe haven for many generations, being continuously occupied throughout its 550 years’ existence. For almost all of its history, the castle and its surrounding estate has been in private ownership, each owner contributing their own intriguing story. It is this story which has sustained Castle Huntly, and to a large degree influenced the economy of the area, from the marshy wilderness of a flood plain, to the rich highly cultivated farmland of today which forms the Carse of Gowrie.
The Grays (1452 -1614)
The family held high position both politically and socially. Through the unruly and troubled 15th and 16th century they distinguished themselves in service to their monarch and country. Descendants of a Norman — French family who settled in Chillingham in Northumberland they first came to the fore as followers of Prince David on his return to Scotland. He was later to be crowned King David I in 1124. The family received a grant of land at Browfeld in Roxburghshire where Andrew Gray, second son of Baron Gray of Chillingham settled in 1214. Service to the crown continued to be a feature of the family with the grandson of Andrew Gray of Browfield, also called Andrew, joining in the War of Independence in 1306 under the standard of Robert the Bruce in 1306, here he distinguished himself in the capture of Edinburgh Castle in 1312 being the second person to enter.
In recognition of the services rendered by Andrew Gray, Bruce bestowed on him by charter dated February 12th. 1315, the whole lands and tenements belonging to Sir Edmund Hastings, an English Knight, comprising the Barony of Longforgan, the lands of Craigie, Pitcarroch, Carniston and Milntoun. There is some suggestion that Edmund Hastings was of the same family as Lord John Hastings, which students of history will recollect as being one of the candidates for the throne of Scotland to appear before Edward I at Norham in 1291 and if so the actions of Bruce are understandable.
Although there is no record of Andrew Gray or any of his descendants permanently settling in the area of the Carse for the next hundred years, there is evidence of their presence in the area from the number of marriages contracted with families in the area. The lands would most likely have been managed from Browfield or the newly acquired estates at Broxmouth on the East coast not far from Dunbar. Indeed it was from the House of Yester, a neighbouring property to Broxmouth that Andrew took his bride, Ada Gifford.
Their son, David succeeded Andrew, taking the title Sir David Gray of Browfield and Broxmouth. They had issue: David, who succeeded his father with the title of Sir David Gray of Brownfield and Broxmouth who died in 1356, leaving sons, John and Thomas. It was John who succeeded his father, and acquired more lands at Cragie under charter from King David II on the 8th. September of that year. John had two sons, the elder also John died in England before his father without leaving issue leaving the title to the younger son Patrick in 1376.
Sir Patrick and his wife Margaret had seven children. While it was Andrew who inherited the estates in 1421 there is clear evidence to indicate that the family were of some status among the Scottish aristocracy. Daughters Margaret married Sir William Hay of Errol, Elizabeth married Andrew Moncur of that ilk and Marion married Lindsay of Crawford.
Andrew was to marry twice. His first wife was Janet, daughter and heir of Sir Roger de Mortimer of Fowlis of which he inherited on her death. His second wife with whom he had five children was Elizabeth daughter of Sir Walter Buchanan of that ilk.
On his death in 1445 he was succeeded by his eldest son, also called Andrew. Andrew who was born about 1390 played an important part in the Royal household. From 1424 to 1427 he was a hostage in England for his monarch, James I. While still Master of Gray he was dispatched to the Court of France in 1436 as a Commissioner to arrange the marriage of Margaret, the daughter of James I, to the Dauphin. He was also to serve James II as ambassador in peace negotiations with England.
The growing status of the Gray family was again to be evidenced by the marriage of Andrew to Elizabeth on 31st August 1418, daughter of Sir John Wemyss and heiress of Sir Andrew Rankine of Inchmartine and in 1444 Andrew was to be made a Lord of Parliament, taking the title of First Lord Gray of Fowlis.
In 1452 he was to be made Master of the Household, and, also in that year was granted a Licence from James II obtaining leave to build a fortalice in any part of his possessions of Fowlis (which had been inherited through his mother) or Longforgund (which had been in the possession of the family since 1315). The fortunes of the family had grown to incorporate much of the carseland, leaving the castle at Fowlis too small for the family and expanding retinue, to administer what was becoming an important and strategic part of Scotland.
Andrew’s eldest son, Patrick was to predecease his father in 1464 and it was to his son Andrew that the title, lands and newly constructed Castle Huntly was to succeed in 1470. The young Andrew, following in his grandfather’s footsteps was also to distinguish himself in affairs of the state. In 1488 he became a Lord of the Privy Council and High Sheriff of Angus then in 1489 was appointed Justice General of Scotland North of the Forth, with His career culminating in 1506 with the title of Justice General of Scotland.
High office created its distractions, and although the Second Lord Gray was close to James III, he was active in the plot to dethrone him and align with England under the nominal rule of Albany. However, when the young Prince James advanced his standard against his father at the Battle of Sauchieburn, where James III fell, Lord Gray was leader of the second line. Although there are no dispatches of Lord Gray at Flodden his second son, Robert died there.
With Castle Huntly completed by the Second Lord Gray, he could turn his sights to further consolidation of his lands along the Carse. An exchange with the Earl of Angus of the lands round the old fort at Broughty for Browfield in Roxburghshire cemented Andrew’s strategic position. He commenced to erect Broughty on the site of the old fort. This new castle at Port-on-Craig was to be of a very similar tower and jamb style to Castle Huntly but was strategically placed to hold a commanding position controlling the vital artery along the River Tay.
Compared with his immediate predecessor and his successor, the 3rd Lord Gray, Patrick, did not live in the public view. None the less, he extended the family seat by securing, under a Charter from James V., lands and baronies of Longforgound, Fowlis and Dundee with the castles of Huntly and Bruchty Craig and numerous other possessions in Forfarshire. He was twice married and by his first wife, Janet, daughter of the Second Earl of Huntly, had three daughters who each married a landed proprietor. Margaret, the eldest, married Sir William Keith of Inverurie; Marjorie married Patrick Ogilvie of Inchmartine; Isobel strengthened the family connection with Lundie by marrying Sir John Campbell of that place.
As there was no male heir, the title and estates on the death of the 3rd Lord in 1541, passed to his nephew, Patrick son and heir of Sir Gilbert Gray of Buttergask who received a charter in the following year from James V. Amongst the lands bestowed on him was a portion of the heritage of Lord Glamis, whose mother was executed for witchcraft on the Castle Hill of Edinburgh, and who was then imprisoned as a traitor and conspirator against the King. It is a curious twist of fate that the lands of Glamis bestowed on the Fourth Lord of Grey would one day return, back to the original line.
Before entering on his inheritance this Patrick was taken prisoner at the "Rout of the Solway" in 1542 and had to pay a heavy ransom to his captors. He next figures at a skirmish at Perth in 1544. John Charteris had been nominated to the office of Provost of Perth but on the advice of Cardinal Beaton the citizens of Perth would not hear of the nomination and with Lord Ruthven at their head, prevented Charteris from entering the town. Charteris being allied to Gray through marriage appealed to him for armed assistance. The attack on the town was a failure and Gray was arrested in Dundee by order of the Regent and was committed to Blackness Castle for a period. In return for this, Gray held aloof during the invasion of 1547 and would not joint the forces of the Regent. After the battle of Pinkie he was charged with having surrendered Broughty Castle to the English, from where they were able to erect a fort on Balgillo Hill. He was accused of treason and confined to Edinburgh Castle but he was not convicted and after a short duration was released. He had many similar adventures and was frequently in trouble through wavering between the English Party and the Scottish Crown. He married Marion on the 21st. September 1537, daughter of Lord Ogilvie of Cortachy and had six sons and seven daughters. Those particularly relevant to the history of the Carse were Patrick his heir; James who succeeded to Buttergask; and another Patrick who became Sir Patrick Gray of Invergowrie.
Patrick 5th Lord Gray, born 1538, held the title and lands from 1582 to 1609. Though his fame in public affairs is overshadowed by the activities of his son the famous "Master of Gray" he served twice as a Lord of Session and was a close friend of Queen Mary. After the death of the Dauphin it was to Lord Gray that she first wrote of her intention to return to Scotland. His marriage to Barbara daughter of William, Lord Ruthven resulted in ten children, the most noteworthy being, Patrick the heir and "Master of Gray".
The best known and most infamous member of the family was Patrick 6th Lord Gray, who as the notorious Master of Gray occupied a conspicuous place in the history of his time. As Lord Gray he held the title and lands for only three years from 1608 to 1611 and despite his chequered career, died in obscurity.
He was without doubt, the most interesting and yet the least commendable of the whole family. E.A. Urquhart noted of him that, "Scottish historians portray him in colours so odious that to find his parallel as a master of unprincipled statecraft we must search among the Machiavellian politicians of Italy ".
He was educated at St Andrews University but left there on his sixteenth birthday. Sent abroad by his father in order to extend his education and knowledge of foreign affairs, he travelled in France, Spain and Italy. Being a handsome youth with polished manners and a pleasant address he soon gained entrance to the highest circles. He lightly shook off his Protestantism at the French Court and associated himself with the Scottish Catholics in Paris. Utilising all his resources of charm to the full, he wormed his way into the confidence of the Duke of Guise, who was conducting a close correspondence with Mary Queen of Scots, then a captive in England. Young Gray was engaged by Guise in this delicate service whereby his name became favourably known to the unfortunate Queen.
While on the Continent, Gray who had developed an aptitude for intrigue, realised that he might profit by disclosing the secrets of Mary of Guise to their enemies and travelled back to Scotland, to be welcomed by the Earl of Arran, then the royal favourite. The Master of Gray, with his courtly accomplishment and wide experience of life soon made himself a close favourite of the young King. He was made a gentleman of the Bedchamber, Master of the King’s Wardrobe and a Privy Councillor and, in 1584 Commendator of Dunfermline Abbey.
Arran becoming jealous and suspicious of him, suggested that Gray should be sent as Ambassador to England, and so got him out of the way leaving Arran free to plot his own nefarious schemes. The young Master was thereby brought into contact with Queen Elizabeth, and as an unscrupulous opportunist soon saw where his own advantage lay. It was not long before he had an opportunity of conveying to her ears, his knowledge of the plotting that was going on by Queen Mary and Guise, unscrupulously stating that he did so by desire of the King of Scots. He urged that Elizabeth should get rid of Mary, while at the same time, acting the part of an agent provocateur, he made contact with Mary and posed as her friend.
After the execution of Queen Mary a great outcry broke out over the country. In the highly charged state of public feeling a scapegoat had to be found. The Master of Gray was exposed, arrested and brought to trial in the Castle of Edinburgh in May 1587. He was indicted of treason under six charges in which no mention was made of his dealing with Queen Elizabeth. He was condemned to death but through the advocacy of his relative the Earl of Huntly sentence was never carried out. He was banished from the country and divested of all offices held by him.
His term of banishment was short, for in 1589 he obtained permission from the King to return home for a time, but while he appeared at Court he did not regain any position or influence and he again withdrew to the Continent. While abroad in this latter period he carried on a correspondence with the King — preserved for us in the Moray Papers — with a view to reinstatement in the Royal favour. In the course of this correspondence he made pecuniary claims against the King. These claims were finally adjusted by Commissioners appointed for the purpose, who in 1606 found that £19,983 Scots was due by His Majesty and an order for payment was made accordingly. Royal favour continued to rest on him, for on his next return to Scotland, he was connected in several more despicable actions, but in all cases he managed to obtain a pardon from the King.
An incident very typical of his activities took place in 1599 when Lord Balmerino President of the Court of Session wrote to the Pope on behalf of his cousin, Sir Edward Drummond, requesting the elevation to the Cardinalate their kinsman, the Bishop of Vaison and containing complimentary references to his Holiness. This letter Balmerino managed to shuffle among other papers for the King’s signature, and the King ignorant of its contents innocently signed it. The Master of Gray, who was at that time in Rome, managed to get a copy of the letter and sent it to Queen Elizabeth, who at once reproached King James with conduct unworthy of a Protestant Prince. The King denied all knowledge of the letter and declared it to be a forgery by his enemies.
We come to one of the Master’s final and meanest acts which suggest he did not restrict his avarice to his public life. In the year 1607, one year before his death. Lord Gray, then a very old man made complaint to the King of his son’s behaviour. His Majesty wrote to the Council in Scotland — "Patrick Lord Gray is havelie complenit to him against his sone the Maister of Gray for not only having brought his wife and familie into the said Lord’s hoose, consumed thairby all that mean portion that he had reservit for his awne use and intromissed with his maillis, fermes and duties, but also preising verie unnaturallie to accelerat his faderis grey hams to the grave with sorrow, by removal of all the auld servandis in no way gevis the auld man ony contentment". By His Majesty’s instructions the Lords of Council directed a commission to the Commendator of Holyrude House to repair to Lord Gray’s house and make enquiry. The Commendatore gave the Master fifteen days to clear out and restore all rents, for the intromission with which he had no warrant, under pain of the charge of Rebellion.
In 1575 he had married Elizabeth Lyon daughter of Lord Glamis but with no heir divorced her on 21st. May 1585. A second marriage took place to Mary Stewart daughter of the Earl of Orkney on 25th. November 1585. By this second wife he had, Andrew his heir and six daughters all of whom continued the family tradition of marrying well.
Periodically, previous to Andrew the seventh Lord of Gray’s succession, various portions of the estates had been disposed of, to raise funds in order to provide dowries for the many daughters and to clear heavy debts on the estate. Possibly for this reason and no doubt to escape the distress of his father’s notoriety, he chose a military career and became heavily engaged in the French wars. This was to be the last chapter the Lords Gray would feature in the Castle Huntly tale, but there is an interesting postscript. In addition to the disposal of Castle Huntly for 40,000 marks to the first Earl of Kinghorn, Andrew sold the Heritable Sheriffship of Forfarshire to Charles I for 50,000 marks which were never paid.
Compared with his immediate predecessor and his successor, the 3rd Lord Gray, Patrick, did not live in the public view. None the less, he extended the family seat by securing, under a Charter from James V., lands and baronies of Longforgound, Fowlis and Dundee with the castles of Huntly and Bruchty Craig and numerous other possessions in Forfarshire. He was twice married and by his first wife, Janet, daughter of the Second Earl of Huntly, had three daughters who each married a landed proprietor. Margaret, the eldest, married Sir William Keith of Inverurie; Marjorie married Patrick Ogilvie of Inchmartine; Isobel strengthened the family connection with Lundie by marrying Sir John Campbell of that place.
As there was no male heir, the title and estates on the death of the 3rd Lord in 1541, passed to his nephew, Patrick son and heir of Sir Gilbert Gray of Buttergask who received a charter in the following year from James V. Amongst the lands bestowed on him was a portion of the heritage of Lord Glamis, whose mother was executed for witchcraft on the Castle Hill of Edinburgh, and who was then imprisoned as a traitor and conspirator against the King. It is a curious twist of fate that the lands of Glamis bestowed on the Fourth Lord of Grey would one day return, back to the original line.
Before entering on his inheritance this Patrick was taken prisoner at the "Rout of the Solway" in 1542 and had to pay a heavy ransom to his captors. He next figures at a skirmish at Perth in 1544. John Charteris had been nominated to the office of Provost of Perth but on the advice of Cardinal Beaton the citizens of Perth would not hear of the nomination and with Lord Ruthven at their head, prevented Charteris from entering the town. Charteris being allied to Gray through marriage appealed to him for armed assistance. The attack on the town was a failure and Gray was arrested in Dundee by order of the Regent and was committed to Blackness Castle for a period. In return for this, Gray held aloof during the invasion of 1547 and would not joint the forces of the Regent. After the battle of Pinkie he was charged with having surrendered Broughty Castle to the English, from where they were able to erect a fort on Balgillo Hill. He was accused of treason and confined to Edinburgh Castle but he was not convicted and after a short duration was released. He had many similar adventures and was frequently in trouble through wavering between the English Party and the Scottish Crown. He married Marion on the 21st. September 1537, daughter of Lord Ogilvie of Cortachy and had six sons and seven daughters. Those particularly relevant to the history of the Carse were Patrick his heir; James who succeeded to Buttergask; and another Patrick who became Sir Patrick Gray of Invergowrie.
Patrick 5th Lord Gray, born 1538, held the title and lands from 1582 to 1609. Though his fame in public affairs is overshadowed by the activities of his son the famous "Master of Gray" he served twice as a Lord of Session and was a close friend of Queen Mary. After the death of the Dauphin it was to Lord Gray that she first wrote of her intention to return to Scotland. His marriage to Barbara daughter of William, Lord Ruthven resulted in ten children, the most noteworthy being, Patrick the heir and "Master of Gray".
The best known and most infamous member of the family was Patrick 6th Lord Gray, who as the notorious Master of Gray occupied a conspicuous place in the history of his time. As Lord Gray he held the title and lands for only three years from 1608 to 1611 and despite his chequered career, died in obscurity.
He was without doubt, the most interesting and yet the least commendable of the whole family. E.A. Urquhart noted of him that, "Scottish historians portray him in colours so odious that to find his parallel as a master of unprincipled statecraft we must search among the Machiavellian politicians of Italy ".
He was educated at St Andrews University but left there on his sixteenth birthday. Sent abroad by his father in order to extend his education and knowledge of foreign affairs, he travelled in France, Spain and Italy. Being a handsome youth with polished manners and a pleasant address he soon gained entrance to the highest circles. He lightly shook off his Protestantism at the French Court and associated himself with the Scottish Catholics in Paris. Utilising all his resources of charm to the full, he wormed his way into the confidence of the Duke of Guise, who was conducting a close correspondence with Mary Queen of Scots, then a captive in England. Young Gray was engaged by Guise in this delicate service whereby his name became favourably known to the unfortunate Queen.
While on the Continent, Gray who had developed an aptitude for intrigue, realised that he might profit by disclosing the secrets of Mary of Guise to their enemies and travelled back to Scotland, to be welcomed by the Earl of Arran, then the royal favourite. The Master of Gray, with his courtly accomplishment and wide experience of life soon made himself a close favourite of the young King. He was made a gentleman of the Bedchamber, Master of the King’s Wardrobe and a Privy Councillor and, in 1584 Commendator of Dunfermline Abbey.
Arran becoming jealous and suspicious of him, suggested that Gray should be sent as Ambassador to England, and so got him out of the way leaving Arran free to plot his own nefarious schemes. The young Master was thereby brought into contact with Queen Elizabeth, and as an unscrupulous opportunist soon saw where his own advantage lay. It was not long before he had an opportunity of conveying to her ears, his knowledge of the plotting that was going on by Queen Mary and Guise, unscrupulously stating that he did so by desire of the King of Scots. He urged that Elizabeth should get rid of Mary, while at the same time, acting the part of an agent provocateur, he made contact with Mary and posed as her friend.
After the execution of Queen Mary a great outcry broke out over the country. In the highly charged state of public feeling a scapegoat had to be found. The Master of Gray was exposed, arrested and brought to trial in the Castle of Edinburgh in May 1587. He was indicted of treason under six charges in which no mention was made of his dealing with Queen Elizabeth. He was condemned to death but through the advocacy of his relative the Earl of Huntly sentence was never carried out. He was banished from the country and divested of all offices held by him.
His term of banishment was short, for in 1589 he obtained permission from the King to return home for a time, but while he appeared at Court he did not regain any position or influence and he again withdrew to the Continent. While abroad in this latter period he carried on a correspondence with the King — preserved for us in the Moray Papers — with a view to reinstatement in the Royal favour. In the course of this correspondence he made pecuniary claims against the King. These claims were finally adjusted by Commissioners appointed for the purpose, who in 1606 found that £19,983 Scots was due by His Majesty and an order for payment was made accordingly. Royal favour continued to rest on him, for on his next return to Scotland, he was connected in several more despicable actions, but in all cases he managed to obtain a pardon from the King.
An incident very typical of his activities took place in 1599 when Lord Balmerino President of the Court of Session wrote to the Pope on behalf of his cousin, Sir Edward Drummond, requesting the elevation to the Cardinalate their kinsman, the Bishop of Vaison and containing complimentary references to his Holiness. This letter Balmerino managed to shuffle among other papers for the King’s signature, and the King ignorant of its contents innocently signed it. The Master of Gray, who was at that time in Rome, managed to get a copy of the letter and sent it to Queen Elizabeth, who at once reproached King James with conduct unworthy of a Protestant Prince. The King denied all knowledge of the letter and declared it to be a forgery by his enemies.
We come to one of the Master’s final and meanest acts which suggest he did not restrict his avarice to his public life. In the year 1607, one year before his death. Lord Gray, then a very old man made complaint to the King of his son’s behaviour. His Majesty wrote to the Council in Scotland — "Patrick Lord Gray is havelie complenit to him against his sone the Maister of Gray for not only having brought his wife and familie into the said Lord’s hoose, consumed thairby all that mean portion that he had reservit for his awne use and intromissed with his maillis, fermes and duties, but also preising verie unnaturallie to accelerat his faderis grey hams to the grave with sorrow, by removal of all the auld servandis in no way gevis the auld man ony contentment". By His Majesty’s instructions the Lords of Council directed a commission to the Commendator of Holyrude House to repair to Lord Gray’s house and make enquiry. The Commendatore gave the Master fifteen days to clear out and restore all rents, for the intromission with which he had no warrant, under pain of the charge of Rebellion.
In 1575 he had married Elizabeth Lyon daughter of Lord Glamis but with no heir divorced her on 21st. May 1585. A second marriage took place to Mary Stewart daughter of the Earl of Orkney on 25th. November 1585. By this second wife he had, Andrew his heir and six daughters all of whom continued the family tradition of marrying well.
Periodically, previous to Andrew the seventh Lord of Gray’s succession, various portions of the estates had been disposed of, to raise funds in order to provide dowries for the many daughters and to clear heavy debts on the estate. Possibly for this reason and no doubt to escape the distress of his father’s notoriety, he chose a military career and became heavily engaged in the French wars. This was to be the last chapter the Lords Gray would feature in the Castle Huntly tale, but there is an interesting postscript. In addition to the disposal of Castle Huntly for 40,000 marks to the first Earl of Kinghorn, Andrew sold the Heritable Sheriffship of Forfarshire to Charles I for 50,000 marks which were never paid.