James Hamilton Biography

Birth of James Hamilton, Duke of Chƒtellerault and 2nd Earl of Arran, through his paternal grandmother Mary of Scotland, Hamilton is the great grandson of James II of Scotland

James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, remains a leading rival in the factional struggle for influence over James V.

On the death of John Stewart, Duke of Albany, Arran becomes the next heir of the Kingdom of Scotland after the King's immediate family

Becomes heir presumptive behind the infant Queen Mary, strengthening his claim to lead the Scottish government.

Is chosen Governor of Scotland during the minority of Mary Queen of Scots and takes responsibility for royal government.

Releases David Beaton from prison

Becomes a Catholic and joins the pro-French faction, consenting to the marriage of the Queen to the French Dauphin, later Francis II

Involved in negotiating the marriage of the Queen of Scots to the infant Prince Edward (the future Edward VI). Becomes a Catholic and joins the pro-French faction, consenting to the marriage of the Queen to the French Dauphin, later Francis II

Appointed Regent

Accepts the proposed marriage between Mary and Prince Edward.

Agrees peace terms with England in the Treaty of Greenwich.

Agrees to peace afte the marriage of Margaret & Edward. Agrees that Queen Mary will marry the Prince Edward at the age of 10

His support for the English marriage policy soon collapses.

Ratifies the Treaty of Greenwich before opposition strengthens.

Aligns increasingly with the Catholic and pro-French faction.

Moves away from his earlier pro-English religious and diplomatic policy.

Appoints Mary & Beaton to the Regency Council & re-enters the Roman Church

Persuaded by Cardinal Beaton to nullify the Treaty of Greenwich

The troops of Mary of Guise & the Earl of Arran make a stand against the English

Arran works through the council to manage Scottish government during war with England.

Arran governs Scotland for the infant Mary I while war with England continues.

Arran coordinates government measures for defence after English pressure on the Borders continues.

Arran helps command the Scottish forces that defeat the English army at Ancrum Moor.

Arran celebrates the Scottish victory after Ancrum Moor as the battle halts English incursions in the Borders.

The Scottish Parliament agrees marriage between Mary Queen of Scots & Henry IIs son. Agreed by the Earl of Arran & Henry II

The Scottish Parliament agrees marriage between Mary Queen of Scots & Henry IIs son

After their victory at Pinkie Cleugh the English occupy Edinburgh

After their victory at Pinkie Cleugh the English occupy Edinburgh

The last Battle fought between England & Scotland as independent kingdoms. The English win & occupy Edinburgh. Launches an attack on the English under Somerset. 16,000 under Somerset invade Scotland, met by 23,000 under Arran at the Esk

The Queen of Scots goes to live in the French court, for his work on negotiating the marriage, Hamilton is created Duc de Chƒtellerault, and made a Knight of the Order of Saint Michael

The Queen of Scots goes to live in the French court, for his work on negotiating the marriage, Hamilton is created Duc de Chƒtellerault, and made a Knight of the Order of Saint Michael

Hamilton gives up the Regency on the condition that he would be next in line after Queen Mary, if she died childless, but the Scottish succession had been secretly promised to France. Arran surrenders the Regency to Mary of Guise, Mary Queen of Scots mother

Hamilton gives up the Regency on the condition that he would be next in line after Queen Mary, if she died childless, but the Scottish succession had been secretly promised to France

Hamilton changes allegiance again, joining the Protestant Lords of the Congregation to oppose the regency of Mary of Guise

Hamilton changes allegiance again, joining the Protestant Lords of the Congregation to oppose the regency of Mary of Guise

When Francis II dies Hamilton attempts, without success, to arrange for his son James to marry the young widowed Queen Mary

When Francis II dies Hamilton attempts, without success, to arrange for his son James to marry the young widowed Queen Mary

Scottish Protestants promote Arran as a possible husband for Elizabeth I

Arran's hopes of marrying Elizabeth or Mary fade amid political instability

Arran's political role weakens during a period of mental distress

Mary marries Lord Darnley, Hamilton withdraws to his estates in France

Mary marries Lord Darnley, Hamilton withdraws to his estates in France

Returns to Scotland and is imprisoned until, in 1573, when he agrees to recognise Marys infant James as King of Scotland

Returns to Scotland and is imprisoned until, in 1573, when he agrees to recognise Marys infant James as King of Scotland

Death of James Hamilton, Duke of Chatellerault and 2nd Earl of Arran

Birth of James Hamilton, son of James, 2nd Marquess of Hamilton

Created Marquis of Hamilton

Appointed Privy Councillor

Leads several thousand men to Germany to fight under Gustavus Adolphus

Appointed King's Commissioner to the General Assembly

Tries to close the General Assembly but is ignored & episcopacy is abolished

Created the Duke of Hamilton for neutralizing the Covenanters

Created the Duke of Hamilton for neutralizing the Covenanters

Created the Duke of Hamilton for neutralizing the Covenanters

Refuses to take the Solomn League & Covenant so is forced to flee into England

Refuses to take the Solomn League & Covenant so is forced to flee into England

Imprisoned at Pendennis Castle by Charles I

Freed from captivity in St Michaels Mount by Thomas Fairfax

Leads an inexperienced Army into England

Cromwell defeats the Scottish-Royalist invasion Army led by Hamilton

Hamilton commands the Scottish Engager army defeated by Cromwell during the Preston campaign.

Captured near Uttoxeter

Held at Windsor Castle & tried

Condemned to death

Death of James Hamilton, executed

Executed at Windsor