Matthew STUART

(4th E. Lennox)

Born: 21 Sep 1516, Dunbarton Castle

Acceded: 1526

Died: 4 Sep 1571, Stirling

Notes: The Complete Peerage vol.VII, pp.597-599.

Father: John STEWART (3° E. Lennox)

Mother: Elizabeth STUART (C. Lennox)

Married: Margaret DOUGLAS (C. Lennox) 29 Jun 1544, St.James's Palace

Children:

1. Henry STUART

2. Henry STUART (B. Darnley)

3. Son STUART

5. Dau. STUART

6. Dau. STUART

7. Son STUART

8. Charles STUART (5° E. Lennox)

9. Son STUART

10. Son STUART

Stuart(lennox)Family.jpg (290738 bytes)

The memorial of Lord Darnley.

The Earl and the Countess of Lennox kneel with his younger son Charles and his grndson James of Scotland,

demanding vengeance for Darnley death in front of his tomb

by Livinus De Vogelaare

Mathew Stuart, 4º Earl of Lennox, was a Scottish nobleman, related to the royal family, being next in the line of succession to the throne after James Hamilton, 2º Earl of Arran. The early part of his life was passed in the service of the crown of France in the wars of Italy. He took French nationality in 1537, and from this date the French (STUART) spelling of the name derives. Lennox returned to Scotland in 1542, on the death of James V, to contest Arran's claim to be regent for the infant Mary Queen of Scots. In 1544 he allied himself with Henry VIII of England, marrying Margaret Douglas, the daughter of Henry's sister Margaret Tudor and Archibald Douglas, 6º Earl of Angus. He lived in England for the next 20 years and led several invasions of Scotland. Lennox and his wife, had several sons, but only two survived, Henry and Charles. They were in great favor in England until the accession of Elizabeth I, who did not trust them.

After Elizabeth's accesion, the Lennox became leaders among the Catholic nobility. They succeeded in 1565 marrying their son, Lord Darnley, to Mary Stuart. After Darnley's murder, Lennox formally accused the Earl of Bothwell of the deed but failed to appear at his farcical trial.

When Mary was imprisoned, Lennox again became prominent and, through Elizabeth's intervention, was chosen regent to succeed (1570) the 1st Earl of Murray. Mary's party, led by the Hamiltons and William Maitland, at once declared war against him. Lennox was stabbed to death in a raid during this war; killed in an attack on Parliament. His surviving son, Charles, was created Earl of Lennox.

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