Robert Hamilton of Briggis (died 1568) was a Scottish soldier and military engineer. He was keeper of Linlithgow Palace and Dunbar Castle and was Master of the Scottish artillery.
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Robert Hamilton of Briggis (died 1568) was a Scottish soldier and military engineer. He was keeper of Linlithgow Palace and Dunbar Castle and was Master of the Scottish artillery.
Briggis was an estate at Kirkliston near the Almond Water a West Lothian river and the Gogar Burn. The ancient monument called the Cat Stane is on this ground. Hamilton held the lands of Easter Briggis from Lord Torphichen, not directly from the crown, and so was sometimes called "Robert Hamilton in Briggis". In 1561 Hamilton was exempted fom paying teinds. [1]
Robert Hamilton also gained lands at Easter Collessie or Halhill in Fife. He was a brother of Andrew Hamilton of Cochno, governor of Dumbarton Castle. [2]
In February 1542 James V of Scotland sent Robert Hamilton and Matthew Hamilton of Milnburn to France. They were allowed to return by Regent Arran in January 1543. [3]
On 22 August 1543 he was made Keeper and Captain of Linlithgow Palace, with its gardens, tennis court, and eel-trap. This was after the infant Mary, Queen of Scots was taken from Linlithgow to Stirling Castle. The previous keeper was William Danielstoun. [4] [5] In March 1554 Hamilton was given a specific charter to work the coal pit at Linlithgow. [6]
He was also captain of Dalkeith Castle in February 1544. [7] He fought with the Earl of Lennox and the Earl of Glencairn against Regent Arran at the battle of Glasgow Moor in March or May 1544. [8]
He was quickly reconciled with Regent Arran. In August 1545 he was a commissioner with Lord Seton or Lord Borthwick for a cavalry force of 1000 men to defend the English border. John Scrimgeour of Myres was the paymaster. [9] In March 1546 he went to Dupplin wood with the carpenter James Crawford to cut timber to mount the guns at Dunbar. [10] In September 1546 he brought artillery to besiege Lennox at Dumbarton Castle. [11]
He was involved in the siege of St Andrews Castle in December 1546 where he spent at least £3756 Scots on the artillery and workmen. He was Captain of Dunbar Castle and directed repairs there in 1547, during the war known as the Rough Wooing. [12] In September 1547 he resigned his role at Dunbar to John Bonkill, Chamberlain of St Andrews, and Alexander Forus, and a new Captain, William Hamilton of Humbie. Dunbar was transferred to the French commander Monsieur La Chapelle in June 1548. [13]
One of his sons, also named Robert Hamilton, hauled the cannon called "thrawyn-mouth" from Dunbar Castle to the siege of Haddington in July 1548. [14]
In February 1550 he was at the siege of Broughty Castle which was held by the English soldier John Luttrell. Hamilton gave 10 gold crowns to John Dodds and Anthony Kennedy, the leaders of the pioneers digging siegeworks for French guns. [15]
In 1551 Regent Arran rewarded him and William Hamilton of Humbie, his successor at Dunbar, with the sums of money owed by the tailor Thomas Arthur to James V. [16]
In December 1552, Regent Arran sent him worsted cloth and velvet for a gown for Elizabeth Ramsay, the daughter of William Ramsay of Leuchars and Colluthie. Her father had been killed at the battle of Pinkie, and she was probably staying at Linlithgow Palace at this time. She subsequently married David Carnegie. [17] He was also sent money to give to two banished Englishmen. [18]
On 10 February 1556 he was made master of her majesty's artillery and munitions, by Mary of Guise, then Regent of Scotland. His letter of appointment mentions his faithful service in the wars with "the auld enemies of England" and his experience of fortifications and munitions. He was given powers to survey fortifications and order repairs. The position paid £100 Scots. [19] [20]
During the six years of her Regency (1554–1560), Mary of Guise employed an Italian military designer, Lorenzo Pomarelli from Siena who is particularly associated with works on the Island of Inchkeith. [21]
Hamilton of Briggis was chamberlain of the lands of Dunbar. His account for 1561 mentions rabbits, local produce that featured on the royal table. [22]
In July 1561 Mary, Queen of Scots made Robert Anstruther captain of Dunbar. He took charge of the cannons and ammunition according to an inventory made by Robert Hamilton of Briggs. [23]
Queen Mary appointed Andrew Ferriar keeper of Linlithgow Palace on 28 January 1567. He was instructed to keep some fields of broom in the park to feed the queen's mares, and plant trees in the Peel, the environs of the palace. He was also given powers to apprehend anyone hunting with dogs or culverin hand-guns in the park. [24]
Robert Hamilton of Briggis died in 1568. He had at least four children.
The ruins of Linlithgow Palace are located in the town of Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland, 15 miles (24 km) west of Edinburgh. The palace was one of the principal residences of the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries. Although maintained after Scotland's monarchs left for England in 1603, the palace was little used, and was burned out in 1746. It is now a visitor attraction in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.
Dunbar Castle was one of the strongest fortresses in Scotland, situated in a prominent position overlooking the harbour of the town of Dunbar, in East Lothian. Several fortifications were built successively on the site, near the English-Scottish border. The last was slighted in 1567; it is a ruin today.
Sir James Hamilton of Finnart was a Scottish nobleman and architect, the illegitimate son of James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran, and Marion Boyd of Bonshaw. Although legitimated in 1512 while still a minor, he continued to be known as the "Bastard of Arran". As a key member of the Hamilton family, and second cousin of James V, King of Scotland, he became a prominent member of Scottish society.
John Scrimgeour of Myres Castle near Falkland, Fife was Master of Work for royal buildings for James V and Mary, Queen of Scots, and Precentor of the Scottish Chapel Royal.
William MacDowall was a Scottish priest and Master of Works to Mary, Queen of Scots, her mother Mary of Guise, and James VI of Scotland. The title 'sir' was used in Scotland by a priest without a master's degree. The name appears variously as McDowgall, McDougall, McDowall etc., in printed records, he signed accounts MAKDOUELL.
The Battle of Glasgow was fought on 16 March 1544, between Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox and the Scottish Regent James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran, and their adherents, during the minority of Mary, Queen of Scots. There was a second battle at Glasgow Muir in May 1544, known as the Battle of the Butts, between Arran and the Earl of Glencairn.
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Robert Anstruther was a Scottish soldier in the service of Mary of Guise and Mary, Queen of Scots.
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Jerome Bowie was a servant of James VI of Scotland as a sommelier and Master of the Wine Cellar, in charge of the purchase and serving of wine.
Thomas Arthur was a Scottish tailor who worked for James V of Scotland.
William Danielstoun or Dennestoun was keeper of Linlithgow Palace for James V of Scotland.
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