Privy Seal
Appointed Keeper of the Privy Seal
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
David Beaton Biography and Timeline
Follow David Beaton through 22 dated historical records for Scotland.
David Beaton, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
22Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1528–1545Years on this page
1528
1537
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Mirepoix
Cardinal
Appointed Cardinal of San Stefano by Pope Paul III
1538
Cardinal
Appointed Cardinal
1539
Archbishop
Appointed Archbishop of St Andrews
1543
Guardian
Marches to Linlithgow to provide guardianship for Mary Queen of Scots
Guardian
Moves Mary to Stirling castle where she cannot be abducted by the English. Gathers a force of 7,000 at Stirling
Guardianship of Mary
Helps move Mary Queen of Scots to the security of Stirling Castle.
Mary Moved to Stirling
Protects the infant queen from possible English seizure.
Alliance Scottish Parliament and France by approving a new Treaty
The Scottish Parliament renews its alliance with France by approving a new Treaty
Auld Alliance Renewed
Supports renewal of Scotland's traditional alliance with France.
Role range: 1543-1551
French Alliance Restored
The Scottish Parliament reaffirms the French connection after rejecting Greenwich.
Role range: 1543-1551
Treaty of Greenwich
Annulls the Treaty of Greenwich
Alliance David Beaton and France
Renews the alliance with France
Chancellor
Appointed Chancellor of Scotland
Beaton Political Leadership
Uses his office to strengthen the Catholic and pro-French faction.
Chancellor of Scotland
Becomes Chancellor of Scotland and a leading opponent of English policy.
Privy Seal
Appointed Keeper of the Privy Seal, virtual ruler of Scotland
Catholic Opposition
Opposes policies that could place Scotland under Henry VIII's influence.
Role range: 1543-1551
Opposition to Treaty of Greenwich
Leads Catholic resistance to the proposed English marriage alliance.
Role range: 1543-1551
1544
Privy Seal
Appointed papal legate, persecutes the Protestants
1545
Government Policy
David Beaton supports the Catholic and pro-French direction of Scottish policy during Mary's minority.
Role range: 1543-1546
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.