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1612 Letter from the Earl of Linlithgow at Linlithgow to Lord Kilsyth in Edinburgh

In the early 17'h Century, the Scottish nobility used their servants and kinsmen to carry their letters to people of high rank. The letters required
little addressing, protocol dictating only that a polite greeting and the person's name and title was obligatory. For important letters a close
kinsman was often chosen as the messenger to help ensure that the bearer would be well-received at the destination and that the letter would
be delivered safely and courteously to the correct person.

Alexander Livingston, 7th Lord Livingston and 1st Earl of Linlithgow The 1612 Letter

Alexander Livingston (or Livingstone) was the eldest son of William Livingston, sixth The letter is written in Lallans Scots in the Earl of Linlithgow's own hand and
Lord Livingston and Agnes Fleming. Alexander's father, William, had been a close concerns the contract of marriage between the Ear1's daughter Anne and Alexander
supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots and was with her in the little supper room in Montgomery (formerly Seton), now 61h Earl of Eglington. The letter (translated into
Holyroodhouse in 1566 when her husband, Lord Darnley, and his fellow conspirators modern English) opens with:
murdered Mary's secretary, David Riccio.
My Lorr:J and loving cousin my heartly duty remembered. I have received your Lorr:Jship's
Alexander succeeded his father to the title 'Lord Livingston' in 1592 and became a letter from your servant as to the money given to Mr Nicol Brown. I approve of it. And that
Privy Councillor the following year, thus gaining political prominence. In December your Lorr:Jship writes to send the contract between my daughter, my Lady Eglington, and me.
1596 he received a notable mark of royal trust, being appointed keeper of the infant
This was a contract which Mr Laurence MacGi/I caused [to be made] to my daughter. It was
Princess Elizabeth and being charged with her upbringing and education. Alexander
was a protestant but his wife, Eleanor (or Helen), was a committed Catholic and the cancelled at the making of her contract of marriage for it was not registered. So I send in her
Scots Kirk opposed the appointment. King James would not reverse his decision contract of marriage with young Westquarter who says he let your Lorr:Jship see it and now
and, indeed, later gave Livingston custody of the Princess Margaret for her short life
(1598 -1600). William Sinclair has it for he received it. So my Lady Eg/ington and her husband is denuded
of all she inherited from me in the way of the lands of Herbertshire [part of West Lothian] or
To My Lorr:J and
Alexander was created Ear1 of Linlithgow on 25 December 1600, at the baptism of otherwise. I have written to William Sinclair to register the contract of marriage.
Prince Charles. After the union of the crowns in 1603, King James's court moved to Loveing Causing
London and the Earl's direct connection with the court lapsed. 'Linlithgow' as he was My Lorr:J of Killsythe Then follows other business before the letter concludes with:
now known, remained a Privy Councillor and served on several parliamentary
commissions. He was keeper of the Palace of Linlithgow and of the state prison,
Blackness Castle. He died at Callendar House, near Falkirk, in 1621. 201h November 1612. Letter sent by the 1 st Earl of
Linlithgow at Linlithgow to Lord Kilsyth in Edinburgh.
His three sons were: John, who became Master of Livingstone; Alexander, who Lord Kilsyth is known to have been in Edinburgh as he
became 2"d Ear1 of Linlithgow; James, who became 1 st Earl of Callendar. His two attended the Privy Council meetings there on 181h, 19th
daughters were: Anne who married Alexander Montgomery, who became 61h Earl of and 24th November. During that period Kilsyth agreed
Eglington; Margaret who married John Fleming, who became 2nd Earl of Wigton.
the resolution to convey the Council's condolences to
King James on the untimely death of the King's eldest
The Princess Elizabeth, who was entrusted to Alexander Livingston's care in the
1590's, became Queen of Bohemia and Electress Palatine, consort of Frederick v. son and heir to the throne, Prince Henry. He had died in
London of 'malignant fever' on 61h November, aged 18.
So this leaves your Lorr:Jship in God's protection and rest.
Linlithgow's letter to Lord Kilsyth was important and was
Lirf""' the xx of November 1612 Your Lorr:Jship's loving cousin
Sir William Livingston, Laird of Kilsyth, Lord of Session and Privy Councillor carried by the Earl's kinsman 'young Westquarter'. The
estate of Westquarter was owned by the Livingstons. Unlithgow
The recipient of the letter was William Livingston, Laird of Kilsyth. Background to the letter. Alexander Seton was the third son of Robert Seton, 1st
There is also mention of a previous letter from Lord
Kilsyth 'I have received your Lorr:Jship's letter from your Earl of Wintoun and his wife Margaret, eldest daughter of Hugh Montgomery, 3rd Earl
Livingston had been knighted in 1594 and was admitted to the Scottish Privy Council
servant as to the money given to Mr Nicol Brown ... ' and a of Eglington. The title 'Earl of Eglington' had, by 1611, passed down to the 5lh Earl,
in 1601. In the same year he accompanied Ludovic, Duke of Lennox on his embassy who was childless and estranged from his wife. The 5tti Earl decided to make his
third letter 'I perceive your Lorr:Jship has not got my letter
to King Henri IV of France. He attended various Conventions of Estates and which I have written you concerning Lorr:J Fleming's cousin, Alexander Seton, heir to the title on condition that he assumed the surname
Parliaments from 1599 to 1609. In 1609 he was appointed a Lord of Session and, in investment.. .' although it is not evident who had been 'Montgomery'. Now heir to a prestigious title, Alexander [now] Montgomery married
1613, Vice-Chamberlain of Scotland. He was a regular attendee at the Scottish Privy carrying the missing letter. (on 22nd June 1612) Anne Livingston, the eldest daughter of the 1 Earl of Linlithgow.
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Council and lived for much of his life in Edinburgh. He died in 1626 or 1627. Only months later, on 4lh September 1612, the 5lh Earl died and, on 30th October,
References: Alexander became 6 h Earl of Eglington with Anne becoming Countess of Eglington.
1
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Records of the Scottish Privy Council for 1612 The Earl of Linlithgow's letter follows the recent news of Alexander Montgomery's
The Parliaments of Scotland Vol. 2
inheritance and elevation to the peerage. Linlithgow's intention is to ensure that his
daughter's marriage contract is properly registered and her position well protected.