Richard Maitland

Sir Richard Maitland, Lord of Lethington (* 1496, † August 1, 1586 ) was a Scottish statesman, historian and poet during the Renaissance.

Life

Maitland was the eldest son of Sir William Maitland, who was with King James IV at the Battle of Flodden Field ( 1513). He was educated at St. Andrews and Paris, serving under James V. He became blind at 1561, but continued, Maria I. Stuart to serve as Lord Privy Seal, and remained active until two years before his death. Maitland wrote satirical and patriotic verses that dealt with the arduous conditions in Scotland. However, it is mainly because of its collection of early Scottish poetry, known as " Maitland Folio Manuscript", in memory. His daughter added this collection later, another anthology added - the " Maitland Quarto Manuscript".

Maitland married Lady Margaret († March 1586 ), daughter of Sir Thomas Cranstoun of Corsbie. From the marriage seven children were born, including William (1525-1573), Scottish Secretary of State, and John (1537-1595), Scottish Justice Minister.