medieval-atlas/events-from-about-850-to-1460/137

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The house of Hamilton 1554 to 1573 The strength of the house of Hamilton in the middle decades ofthe sixteenth century depended upon a widespread yet consolidated network of influence derived from both temporal and ecclesiastical wealth, property and positions. In the secular sphere Hamiltons were to be found as sheriffs of Lanark, Renfrew, Linlithgow, Bute (and Arran); captains of strategic royal castles; representatives on the town councils of main burghs, in addition to controlling over 200 estates stretching from Arran to the Merse, Sanquhar to Corse in Aberdeenshire. The greatest concentrations were in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and West Lothian around the main family fortresses, the nuclei being the baronies of Cadzow, Mauchline and Kinneil granted by Robert Bruce in 1314 to WaIter, son of Gilbert, the earliest recorded ancestor, in recognition of his support during the Wars oflndependence. The chief means of land accumulation was the crown grant, especially following the forfeitures of recalcitrant noble families such as the Douglases and the Boyds, but outright purchase, excambion (exchange), and marriage with sole or joint heiresses also served to increase and unify existing holdings. By a simultaneous policy of careful distribution and intermarriage, the Hamiltons ensured that their numerous offspring, whether legitimate or illegitimate, did not become alienated but instead were variously established as the heads of cadet branches, taken into crown service or appointed as baillies and chamberlains, thus maintaining an extensive loyalty to kin and name. Many younger or illegitimate sons were allocated pensions and positions in the ecclesiastical hierarchy, although continuity was harder to preserve as control terminated with the death of the holder. The governorship of James Hamilton, second earl of Arran and duke of Chatelherault, provided the opportunity to entrench kinsmen particularly in lucrative episcopal and monastic benefices, thus with the exception of the bishopric of Argyll and Lismore, gaining influence over an area conterminous with their secular properties. Where possible, members of the family also benefited from the feuing of church lands, mainly in the Clyde valley and north Ayrshire, and from the revenues of parish churches appropriated to the religious houses and collegiate churches or free from external influence such as Crawfordjohn, Libberton, Quothquan, Kirkrnichael and Rannoch. In a period of political and religious unrest, family security ultimately mattered more than national aspirations or individual faith. Internal unity ensured that neither forfeiture nor direct attack could weaken the influential position held by the house ofHamilton in mid-sixteenth century Scotland. {J {J 50 25 50 "'" '00 """ ",. 0 20 30 .." 50 60 20 30 .." 50 60 " '"'~ " ""~ But e Sheriffdoms with Hamilton sheriffs STANDREWS Archbishopric held by Hamiltons IDunbarl Castles with Hamilton captains Argyll Bishopric held by Hamiltons Edinburgh Main burghs with Hamilton Kilwinning Religious house held by Hamiltons representatives on the council Other benefices held by Hamiltons • • Other Hamilton lands The house of Hamilton: secular The house of Hamilton: ecclesiastical EF landholding 1554 to 1573 benefices 1554 to 1573 137

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