Person Page - 390

     
     He was of Greenlaw, co. Tyrone and of Roscrea. co. Tipperary.
Sir George Hamilton of Greenlaw was granted a proportion of Cloghogall between Abercorn's lands of Dunnalong and Strabane and included all the temporal lands of Leckpatrick. He was a Roman Catholic. In 1622 Sir George was described as an 'Archpapist and a great patron of them'. He was further accused of having driven a Scottish tenant and his family out of Strabane barony because they were Protestants. It was also noted that all his servants were Catholics and that he was bringing up Sir Claud Hamilton's son and heir 'in popery'. Sir George Hamilton (of Greenlaw) was born circa 1578 at Renfrewshire, Scotland. He was the son of Claud Hamilton (Baron Paisley) and Margaret Seton.
     Sir George Hamilton (of Greenlaw) married Isobel Leslie before 1609.
     |In a letter of December 1629 George Downham, Bishop of Derry, was concerned that the large number of Catholics he believed were living in the barony of Strabane was threatening the security of the area, he complained to the lord chancellor of Ireland: " Since he got part of the Earl of Abercorn's grant of the barony of Strabane, Sir George Hamilton [of Greenlaw] has done his best to plant Popery there and has brought over priests and Jesuits from Scotland. The Earl's second son Claude, who they call the Master of Abercorn, has now succeeded to his estates, and as Sir William has inherited the proportion of this father Sir Claude all the Hamilton lands are now in the hands of Papists"
In an interview with the Master of Abercorn, Downham advised him that if he would not 'embrace the reformed religion to his own religion to himself and not to poison others with the venom of Popery'. Downham was of the opinion that the Master of Abercorn 'would be a hopeful young gentleman' were it not for his Catholicism. Downham was also concerned about other members of the Abercorn family...
Downham found Sir George Hamilton of Greenlaw to be a 'courteous and civil gentleman'.
     Sir George Hamilton (of Greenlaw) married Lady Mary Butler, daughter of Walter Butler 11th Earl of Ormonde, circa 14 February 1630. She was probably his second wife.
     A marriage settlement between Sir George Hamilton (of Greenlaw) and Lady Mary Butler was made on 14 February 1630 at Ireland.
     Sir George Hamilton (of Greenlaw) lived at Roscrea, Offaly & Tipperary, Ireland, from 1631.
     George died circa 1653/54. He was of Greenlaw & Roscrea, co. Tipperary. His widow Lady Mary Hamilton was transplanted to Connacht in 1654. He was succeeded by his son James a minor.

     George Hamilton 3rd Earl of Abercorn was born circa 1636 at Ireland. He was the third son. He was the son of James Hamilton 2nd Earl of Abercorn and Catherine Clifton Dowager Duchess of Lennox.
     George died circa 1680 at Padua, Italy. He was unmarried at his death en route to Rome. The earldom then passed to Claud, Lord Strabane.

     George Hamilton 4th Lord, Baron Strabane was born before 1638. He was the son of Claud Hamilton 2nd Lord Hamilton, Baron Strabane and Lady Jean Gordon.
     He was banished to Connacht early in 1657, but in 1659 was living at Swords, Shortly before this Sir George Rawdon wrote of him "I fear there is little hope for Lord Strabane, who is under age and very poor".
     George Hamilton 4th Lord, Baron Strabane married Elizabeth Fagan in 1659.
     In 1660 his estates were restored to him by the King's command.
     George died on 14 April 1668 at Kenure, near Rush, Dublin, Ireland. He was buried at St Mechlin's church, Kenure, near Rush, Dublin. There is a large tomb with inscription: Here lieth the affabell, obliginge, exemplar, wise, humble, noble, pious, devot, most charitable, most verteous and religious, the right honourable George, Lord Hamilton, Baron of Strabane, who died 14 April AD 1668. This monument was erected by Elizabeth Strabane, alias Fagan, relict of the said Lord Strabane.
     His will was proved on 22 May 1668. His nuncupative will was dated 9 April 1668.

     
     The Hon. George Hamilton, of Donalong, co. Tyrone, and of Nenagh, co. Tipperary. He had a company in the army in 1627; did good service, in Ireland for Charles I, as also in 1649 for Charles II, at which date he was Col. of Foot and Gov. of Nenagh Castle, but retired to France in 1651 till the Restoration, about which period (1660) he is said to have been created a baronet, being also rewarded with some small patent places. His son Col. James Hamilton died in the lifetime of his father in June 1673 and his son James succeeded as 6th Earl of Abercorn and died 1734. George had 6 sons and 3 daughters.
. Sir George Hamilton Bart (of Dunnalong) was born circa 1608 at Scotland. According to Cokayne, he was the fourth son.. He was the son of James Hamilton Earl of Abercorn and Marion Boyd.
     Sir George Hamilton Bart (of Dunnalong) married Mary Butler, daughter of Thomas Butler Viscount Thurles, circa 2 June 1629. They had six sons and three daughters..
     A marriage settlement between Sir George Hamilton Bart (of Dunnalong) and Mary Butler was made on 28 February 1635.
     George died in 1679.

     George Francis Hamilton was born at England.
     George Francis Hamilton married Maud Caroline Lascelles, daughter of Henry Lascelles 3rd Earl of Harewood and Louisa Thynne, in 1871.
     George died in 1927.

     Gilbert de Hamilton was the son of William de Hambleden and daughter of Gilbert (?) Earl of Strathearn.
     Said to be the son of Sir William de Hamilton, one of the sons of Robert de Belloment, surnamed Blanchemaine, third earl of Leicester, who died in 1190. ... The Scottish Nation p.415.
     Gilbert de Hamilton married Isabel Randolph at Scotland.

     Rev Gustav Hamilton was the son of Gustavus Hamilton and Margaret Jones.

          
Gustavus Hamilton was a Member of Parliament for Ireland. He was born circa 1690. He was the son of Gustavus Hamilton Viscount Boyne and Elizabeth Brooke.
     Gustavus Hamilton married Dorothea Bellew in January 1717. He left issue, two sons becoming 3rd and 4th Viscounts..
     Gustavus Hamilton was mentioned in the will of Gustavus Hamilton Viscount Boyne dated circa 1723.
     Gustavus died on 26 February 1734/35.

      Gustavus Hamilton was also known as Gustav Ludvigsson in some records. Gustavus He succeeded his grandfather at Monea Castle in 1629 at Fermanagh. He was born say 1650 at Sweden. He was the son of Swedish baron Ludvig Malkolmsson Hamilton (died 1662) and his wife lady Anna Karin Larsdotter Grubbe Stiernfelt, From father's side, Gustav was a grandson of archbishop Malcolm Hamilton (d 1629), builder of Monea castle. Gustav's paternal uncle was Hugh Hamilton, 1st Viscount of Glenawly, 1st Baron of Deserf. He was the son of Lewis Hamilton Baron of Deserf and Anna Catherina Grubbe-Stjernfelt.
     Gustavus Hamilton married Margaret Jones. Gustavus was the Governor in 1688, at Enniskillen, Fermanagh, Ireland.
     Gustavus died in November 1690 at Monea, Fermanagh, Ireland.
     An article in Wikipedia states: born in late 1650s, died 1691, known as the governor of Enniskillen (their chief of defence) in Northern Ireland, was colonel, and de jure 3rd friherre of Deserf in peerage of Sweden.
In c 1681, upon the tragic death of his first cousin the 2nd Lord Glenawley, baron Gustaf succeeded as the head of the Swedish baronial house of Deserf, and became de jure The Baron of Deserf in peerage of Sweden.
In 1684, the English-held government, fearful of the Mac Sweeney clan, placed a garrison in Doe Castle, County Donegal, commanded by Major Gustavus Hamilton.
Gustav received in 1688 the Hamilton family fortress Monea Castle. The Enniskilleners chose him as their governor. Colonel Hamilton fought for the protestant cause. In 1689 the town of Enniskillen was subjected to a siege that year by Jacobite troops, during the conflict which resulted from the ousting of James II of England by his Protestant rival, William III of Orange. This siege was successfully resisted. As a direct result of this conflict Enniskillen developed not only as a market town but also as a garrison which became home to two regiments. These events also sowed the seeds for the conflict which engulfed Northern Ireland during the latter half of the 20th century, commonly referred to as The Troubles.
Gustav incurred enormous financial losses in the Williamite wars and that impoverished his branch of the Hamilton clan.
After his death in 1691, his wife (Margaret Jones) and children (Andrew and Gustav, both became pastors) continued to live at Monea, but they had to sell the estate in 1704.
Gustav's namesake great-great-grandson, barrister Gustav Hamilton, then of Dublin, laid in mid-19th century claim to the baronial title and seat of Deserf in peerage of Sweden, as he was de jure 9th friherre of Deserf.

     Gustavus Hamilton Viscount Boyne was born in 1642. He was described as the third son.. He was the son of Sir Frederick Hamilton and Sidney Vaughan.
     Gustavus studied at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, in May 1661. He entered Trinity College, Dublin as S.Commoner. 17 May 1661 aged 19, son of Frederick, Eques Auratus. Baron Hamilton 1715, Viscount Boyne 1717.
     Gustavus Hamilton Viscount Boyne married Elizabeth Brooke.
     He was a distinguished military officer in the service of Wiliam III, for whom he raised six regiments, two of which are well known as the Inniskillings. For his services at the Battle of the Boyne, siege of Londonderry, and storming of Athlone, he was rewarded with a grant of forfeited lands, appointed brigadier general of King William's armies, and sworn of the Privy Council. In the reign of Queen Anne he was advanced to the rank of Lt General and by Her Majesty's successor elevated to the peerage of Ireland 20 October 1715 as Baron Hamilton of Stackallen (co. Meath) and created Viscount Boyne 20 August 1717..
     Gustavus Hamilton Viscount Boyne made a will dated circa 1723. He mentions his grandson Gustavus Hamilton and his brother James - his sons Gustavus & Henry Hamilton, his grand daughter Elizabeth Lambart, his daughter Dorothy Hamiton, his daughter Elizabeth Hamilton, his daughter Sophia Hamilton, daughter Elizabeth Lambart, grandson Gustavus Lambart, grand daughter Elenor Lambart.
     Gustavus died on 16 September 1723.
     His will was proved in 1723 at the Prerogative Court of Armagh. His will mentioned his grandson Gustavus Hamilton & his brother James - his sons Gustavus and Henry Hamilton - his grandson Frederick Hamilton, grand daughter Elizabeth Lambart, daughter Dorothy Hamilton, daughter Elizabeth Hamilton, daughter Sophia Hamilton, daughter Elizabeth ambart, grandson Gustavus Lambart - grand daughter Elenor Lambart.

     Gustavus Hamilton Viscount Boyne was the son of Frederick Hamilton and Sophia Hamilton (Hamilton).
     Gustavus died before 1746.
     His will was proved in 1746 at the Prerogative Court of Armagh. Lord Viscount Boyne, mentions Richard Hamilton, second son of his uncle Gustavus Hamilton Esq; Joshua Hamilton second son of his uncle Henry Hamilton; Sackville Hamilton, third son of his uncle Henry Hamilton; Edward Hamilton fifth son of his uncle Henry Hamilton; his mother Sophia Hamilton.

     
     Married Sir William Gore of Manor Gore, co. Donegal, Bart and had issue [Scots Peerage].
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     Hannah Hamilton married Sir William Gore. The had issue.. Hannah Hamilton was born in 1651. She was the daughter of James Hamilton and Catherine Hamilton.
     Hannah died on 16 May 1733 at Dublin, Ireland. She was buried at St Mary's..

     Helen Hamilton Countess of Argyll was the daughter of James Hamilton 2nd Lord, 1st Earl Arran and Janet Beaton.

     Henry Hamilton was born in February 1691/92. He was the son of Gustavus Hamilton Viscount Boyne and Elizabeth Brooke.      
Henry Hamilton was a Member of Parliament for Donegal, Ireland. He was also collector of the port of Cork.
     Henry Hamilton married Mary Dawson on 27 October 1722. He left issue, See Burke's Peerage. His daughter Maria married Sir George Dunbar, Bart. of Mochrum and d.s.p.
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     Henry Hamilton was mentioned in the will of Gustavus Hamilton Viscount Boyne dated circa 1723.
     Henry died on 3 June 1743 aged 51.

     Henry Hamilton was born on 13 December 1583. He was the son of Claud Hamilton (Baron Paisley) and Margaret Seton. An unknown person died on 15 March 1584 aged three months and two days. Henry Hamilton was buried at St Mirren's Chapel, Paisley Abbey, Renfrewshire, Scotland.

     Hugh Hamilton Baron Glenawley, Deserf was born circa 1604. He was the son of Malcolm Hamilton Archbishop and Mary Wilkie.
     Hugh Hamilton (died 1678), 1st Lord of Glenawly in Ireland and 1st Baron of Deserf in Sweden, was a soldier in Swedish and English service.
He came from a family that descended from the Hamilton of Dalserf, a cadet branch of the House of Hamilton. The progenitor of the Dalserf branch, David Hamilton of Dalserf, was son of John Hamilton of Cadzow (d. 1402), and uncle to,James Hamilton, 1st Lord Hamilton. Hugh (also known as Hugo in Swedish), who mentions himself being originally a third son and with poor prospects of inheritance, moved from Ireland to Sweden and took part in Thirty Years War. He had a regiment recruited from British Isles and led them in Germany. In Swedish service, he soon rose to be colonel. He received properties Ljung and Slefringe in Östergötland.
He was the first Hamilton in Swedish military service to get the rights of nobleman in Swedish chamber of nobles as in 1648 he and his youngest half-brother Lewis (Ludvig) Hamilton were naturalized as Swedish noblemen in Sweden. In 1654, he and Ludvig were created Friherre af Deserf by king Charles X Gustav of Sweden, and thus Hugh became the 1st Baron of Deserf in peerage of Sweden. His relatives, barons and counts Hamilton (descended from his nephews whom Hugh encouraged to come to Swedish service), continue up to today in Sweden.
In 1659 his childless brother Archibald Hamilton, who had obtained the feudal barony of Glenawley, died and was inherited by living siblings. Hugh, as his eldest surviving brother, succeeded to the baronial title. 1660 king Charles II of England created Hugh, who then yet lived in Sweden, 1st Lord of Glenawly in peerage of Ireland, which some have said meant a viscountcy, but some count it as a regular barony. He thus got the right to a seat in Upper House of the Irish parliament.
After the restoration of Charles II, he in 1662 returned to Britain, left Sweden for good, and was installed a Privy Councillor in Ireland.
Viscount Hugh Hamilton's only son survived father only a couple of years, and died tragically in an accident. Hugh's grandson sir Marcus Beresford, who married lady Catherine Power of Tyrone, baroness de la Poer suo jure, was created 1st Earl of Tyrone. Hugh's great-grandson sir George de La Poer Beresford, 2nd Earl of Tyrone, was created 1st Marquess of Waterford.
     Hugh Hamilton Baron Glenawley, Deserf married Margaret Forratt circa 1637. His first was Margaret Forratt (d 1653), of a Scots family, and widow of colonel and ambassador baron James Spens (Jakob), 1st Friherre of Orreholmen, who had died 1632, and been in Swedish service. Friherrinna Margaret had two sons of her first marriage (major, baron Axel Spens of Orreholmen, 1626-56, and colonel, baron Jakob Spens of Orreholmen, 1627-65), who thus became Hugh's stepsons. In his first marriage, lord Hugh had one surviving child, a daughter baroness Bridget Margaret Hamilton af Deserf, who in 1659 married baron Kustaa Adolf Skytte of Tuutarhovi.
He married secondly a lady whose name was Jacomina.
     Hugh Hamilton Baron Glenawley, Deserf married thirdly Susan Balfour (of Pitcullo) circa 1659. She was a kinswoman related to families which had earlier held Glenawly. They had their only surviving son, William Hamilton (c 1660 - c 1681), and several daughters: baroness Henriette Amelia Hamilton af Deserf, died young; baroness Arabella Susan Hamilton af Deserf, who married three times, but had no surviving children. Her husbands included Sir Marcus Trevor, 3rd Viscount Dungannon; baroness Nicola Sophia Hamilton af Deserf, who married firstly sir Tristram Beresford, and secondly general sir Richard Gorges of Kilbrew, and had children of both her marriages.

     Hugh died in April 1679 at Kerog, Errigal-Kerogue?, Tyrone?, Ireland.

     Hugo de Hamilton was the son of Gilbert de Hamilton.

     Isabel Hamilton was born circa 1529. She was the daughter of Sir William Hamilton.
     Isabel Hamilton married George Seton 5th Lord Seton, son of George Seton 4th Lord Seton and Elizabeth Hay, circa 1550.
     A contract for the marriage of Isabel Hamilton and George Seton 5th Lord Seton was signed on 2 August 1550.
     Isabel died on 13 November 1604. She was buried at Seton, Scotland.

     Isabel Hamilton (Bannatyne) was the daughter of James Hamilton 2nd Lord, 1st Earl Arran and Janet Beaton.

     Isobel Hamilton was the daughter of James Hamilton Earl of Abercorn and Marion Boyd.
     Margaret, Isobel & Lucy or Lucrece were named with their brothers as parties to an action in the Court of Session on 4 November 1620.

     James Hamilton was born at Ireland. He was the son of Sir Frederick Hamilton and Sidney Vaughan.
     James Hamilton married Catherine Hamilton, daughter of Claud Hamilton 2nd Lord Hamilton, Baron Strabane and Lady Jean Gordon, circa 1647.
     James died on 27 December 1652 at Manor Hamilton, Cloonclare/Killanet, Leitrim, Ireland.
     The administration of his estate was granted on 5 June 1658 at the Prerogative Court of Armagh. Administration of the estate of Sir Frederick and his son James was granted to a creditor. He was mentioned at the Inquisition Post Mortem held at Jamestown on 18 June 1661 on the death of Sir Frederick Hamilton.

     James Hamilton was the son of Sir George Hamilton (of Greenlaw) and Lady Mary Butler.
     James Hamilton appeared on the between 1654 and 1656 census at Tyrone, Ireland. In the Civil survey of Tyrone, he was described as: James Hamilton of Roskre, Esqr, a minor son to Sr George Hamilton ye elder of Roskrea knight deceased who was a Scottish papist.
     James died before 27 January 1659.
     His will was proved on 27 January 1659. His executor and residuary legatee was his cousin George, Lord Strabane.

     Col James Hamilton was the son of Sir George Hamilton Bart (of Dunnalong) and Mary Butler.
     Col James Hamilton married an unknown person in 1660 or 1661. He became a Protestant on his marriage.
     James died on 6 June 1673. He died of a wound received in a naval engagement with the Dutch. He was buried at Westminster Abbey.

     Sir James Hamilton was the son of Sir John Hamilton and Janet Douglas.
     Sir James Hamilton married Janet Livingston, daughter of Sir Alexander Livingston and Unknown Dundas, on 20 October 1422.
     He was held hostage for the ransom of King James I from England in 1424 and 1426.
     James died before May 1441.

     Sir James Hamilton (1st Lord) was born circa 1415 at Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was the son of Sir James Hamilton and Janet Livingston.
     He first appears on record on a charter of 1426, granting him the rights to the lands of Dalserf, which had been alienated by his father.
     Sir James Hamilton (1st Lord) married Euphemia Graham, daughter of Patrick Graham Earl of Strathearn and Euphemia Countess of Strathearn, circa February 1440/41. James was created Lord Hamilton by royal charter on 28 June 1445.
     He at first joined the Douglas revolt of 1455,against James II, but coming over to the King's side, gave valuable assistance in suppressing it. He obtained a grant, dated 1 July 1455 of the office of the sheriff of co. Lanark; and had a charter of all his lands and baronies 23 Oct 1455. He was made sheriff of Lanarkshire on 1 July 1455.
     Sir James Hamilton (1st Lord) married secondly Princess Mary Stewart circa February 1473/74. After the forfeiture of Thomas Boyd, earl of Arran in 1469, Hamilton married Boyd's widow, the Princess Mary Stewart, daughter of James II. Buchanan states that a divorce was made during Boyd's absence in Flanders, and the princess married Hamilton much against her will. Boyd, he adds, died not long afterwards. Another version is that Boyd was dead before the marriage was arranged. It probably took place in February or March 1473/4. On 25 April 1476 a dispensation was granted by Pope Sixtus IV to Lord James Hamilton and Mary Stewart as having married within the prohibited degrees.
     James died on 16 November 1479.

     Sir James Hamilton (of Finnart) was born illegitimate at Scotland. He was the son of James Hamilton 2nd Lord, 1st Earl Arran.
     Sir James Hamilton (of Finnart) was made legitimate on 4 November 1539 when James Hamilton 2nd Lord, 1st Earl Arran was named as the father.
     James died on 16 August 1540 at Scotland. He was executed for his part in the martyrdom of Patrick Hamilton in 1528. He was the royal architect and the ancestor of the Hamiltons of Evandale, Crawfordjohn, etc. He was married prior to 1528 to Margaret Levingstoun of Easter Wemyss who survived him..

     James Hamilton (of Parkhill) was the son of James Hamilton 2nd Lord, 1st Earl Arran.

     James Hamilton 2nd Earl of Abercorn was born circa 1603 at Scotland. He was aged about 16 in Feb 1619 (18 Jas I).. He was the son of James Hamilton Earl of Abercorn and Marion Boyd. James, in the lifetime of his father and grandfather, though only about 13 years of age, he was on 8 May 1617 (Privy Seal dated 18 Oct 1616) created Lord Hamilton, Baron of Strabane, co. Tyrone, with remainder to the heirs male of his father. Soon after he succeeded to his father's peerages in Scotland and in 1621 he succeeded his grandfather as Lord Paisley, co. Renfrew, a peerage created 29 July 1587 on 8 May 1617.
     Catherine Clifton Dowager Duchess of Lennox married James Hamilton 2nd Earl of Abercorn as her second husband circa 1632.
     On 11 Nov 1633 James resigned his Irish peerage in favour of his younger brother Claud Hamilton, on whom the Irish estates were settled.
     Being a Roman Catholic, he was excommunicated by the general assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1649, and ordered out of that kingdom. He settled in Ireland.
     On 11 Sep 1651, by the death without male issue of his cousin William, 2nd Duke of Hamilton, he became the male representative of that line, although he inherited none of the estates or titles of the senior line. He married about 1632, Catherine, Dowager Duchess of Lennox, daughter & heir of Gervase (Clifton, Lord Clifton of Leighton Bromswold, by Catherine, daughter & heir of Sir Henry Darcy, of Leighton afsd. She (who by Royal Lic. 28 Nov 1632 was entitled, notwithstanding her marriage, to retain her title, rank, and precendency as Duchess of Lennox, died in Scotland and was buried "without ceremonie" 17 Sep 1637 aged about 45. Her will was dated 12 Aug 1637, and proved 15 Jan 1638/9. He was then living but more than 400,000 merks in debt. [Cokayne]
     He was succeeded by his 3rd son George who died unmarried about 1680, when the Earldom devolved upon Claud 4th Baron Strabane. [Debrett]
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     James died circa 1670.

     
     He was styled 2nd Lord and 1st Earl of Arran. He took a prominent part in the affairs of Scotland, was constituted Lt. General of the Kingdom, Warden of the Marches, and one of the Lords of the Regency, in 1517; and on the forfeiture of the Earl of Angus he obtained the lordship of Bothwell. James Hamilton 2nd Lord, 1st Earl Arran was born in 1475 or 1477 at Scotland. He was the son of Sir James Hamilton (1st Lord) and Princess Mary Stewart.
     James Hamilton 2nd Lord, 1st Earl Arran married Beatrix Drummond, daughter of John Drummond Lord and Elizabeth Lindsay, before 1488. They had no issue!.
     James Hamilton 2nd Lord, 1st Earl Arran married Elizabeth Home on 28 April 1490. They had no issue. James obtained a charter of the lands and earldom of Arran to himself his heirs male in failure of which they were to revert to the Crown on 11 August 1503. James was granted a divorce from Elizabeth Home on 16 November 1504. He divorced his first wife, Elizabeth (daughter of Alexander, 2nd Lord Home, Gt Chamberlain of Scotland) 16 Nov 1504 on the ground of a previous marriage to Sir Thomas Hay of Hoprew (living 20 June 1491) son of first lord Hay of Yester . A further sentence of divorce was pronounced 11 Mar 1509/10. She survived until 1544. [Or 1513, as her previous husband was found alive after presumed death].
     James Hamilton 2nd Lord, 1st Earl Arran married Janet Beaton, daughter of Sir David Beaton or Bethune, on 23 November 1516. She was the widow of Sir Thomas Livingstone of Easter Wemyss.
     James died before 21 July 1529.
     He was named as father at the legitimation of Sir James Hamilton (of Finnart) on 4 November 1539.

     James Hamilton 3rd Earl of Arran was born circa 1537 at Scotland. Wikipedia states: He was next in line for the Crown of Scotland after Mary, Queen of Scots. After the assassination of Cardinal Beaton in 1546, he was held prisoner by his father's enemies at St Andrews, before going to France where he became Commander of the Scots Guards.
In 1558, with the support of John Knox, he became a pawn in his father's aspirations when he tried to negotiate his marriage to Elizabeth I of England to seal an Anglo-Scottish alliance. Arran was at his father's French estates in Chatelherault and his father's change in allegiance made him a fugitive. He was rescued by the English agent Thomas Randolph (diplomat) alias Barnaby and fled to Scotland via Geneva and London where he had an interview with Queen Elizabeth. During this escape, masterminded by William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley and the English ambassador in Paris, Sir Nicolas Throgmorton, Arran was known by the codename 'Crito', and Randolph as 'Pamphilus' in the letters of John Jewel, Bishop of Salisbury, and Peter Martyr. In Scotland he fought tirelessly against the French and Mary of Guise in the cause of the Scottish Reformation. Guise died in June 1560, and following the death of Francis II of France in 1560, his father tried to arrange for his marriage to the widowed Mary Queen of Scots. All these manoeuvrings upset the balance of his mind and in 1562, after accusing the Earl of Bothwell of conspiring to abduct Queen Mary, he was judged insane and confined for the rest of his life.
In 1575 he inherited his father's estate, but because of his insanity he was placed under the care of his brother John. In 1581 his Earldom was taken by James Stewart (d. 1595), but later restored in 1585. He was the son of James Hamilton Duke of Chatelherault and Lady Margaret Douglas.
     James died in March 1609. He was insane and died without issue.