Title Notes on James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran, Regent, Heir Presumptive, Exiled, Imprisoned

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | Date: 2008

James Hamilton, 2d earl of Arran d. 1575, Scottish nobleman; son of James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran. After the death (1542) of James V, he stood next in line to the throne after the infant Mary Queen of Scots . A Protestant and member of the pro-English party, he was chosen regent in preference to Cardinal David Beaton . However, in 1543 he became a Catholic and joined the French party. Although he had previously negotiated a marriage treaty with England, he consented to the marriage of the young queen to the French dauphin (later Francis II) and was created (1548) duc de Châtelherault in France. Forced (1554) to give up the regency to the queen mother, Mary of Guise , he joined (1559) the Protestant uprising of the lords of the congregation. He was exiled from Scotland after Queen Mary married Lord Darnley (1565). In 1569 he returned and was imprisoned until he agreed (1573) to recognize James VI (later James I of England) as king.

James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran was born in 1515. He was the son of James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran and Janet Bethune. He married Lady Margaret Douglas, daughter of James Douglas, 3rd Earl of Morton and Catherine Stewart, before 23 September 1532. He died on 22 January 1574/75.

James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran succeeded to the title of 3rd Lord Hamilton [I., 1617] between 26 March 1529 and 21 July 1529. He succeeded to the title of 2nd Earl of Arran [S., 1503] between 26 March 1529 and 21 July 1529. He held the office of Regent of Scotland between 1542 and 1554. On 13 March 1542/43 he was declared Second Person of Scotland and Heir Presumptive of the Crown. He was invested as a Knight, Order of St. Michael of France in June 1548. He was created Duc de Châtellérault [FRANCE] on 8 February 1548/49.

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