HAMILTON, JOHN, ARCHBISHOP OF ST. ANDREWS
Arms.—On an archiepiscopal cross. Quarterly.
1 and 4. Gu., 3 cinquefoils erm. Hamilton.
2 and 3. Arg., a lymphad sa. Arran.
[Celsus. De arte Medicina. Basileae.]
John Hamilton (born c. 1510, died 1st April 1570) at an early age became a Benedictine monk at Kilwinning, and in time went to study at Paris. The Regent Arran was his half-brother, and the priest had considerable influence with him. Hamilton's preferment in the Church was rapid. In 1545 he was made Bishop of Dunkeld, and in 1546 succeeded David Beaton as Archbishop of St. Andrews and Primate of Scotland. He was also Keeper of the Privy Seal and Lord Treasurer of Scotland.
The Archbishop was a strong adherent of Mary, Queen of Scotland, and was a Member of her Privy Council; he actively helped her escape from Loch Leven, as well as taking the field on her behalf. He was accused of complicity in the murders of Darnley and of the Regent Moray. Archbishop Hamilton wrote several theological works. He was hanged at Stirling in 1570.
