William Kirkcaldy of Grange
Sir William Kirkcaldy of Grange (* 1520 in Grange; † August 3, 1573 in Edinburgh) was a Scottish politician and military commander. He came from a resident in Fife Scottish noble family and was the eldest son of Sir James Kirkcaldy of Grange († 1556 ), the 1537-1543 Chancellor of the Exchequer of Scotland ( Lord High Treasurer of Scotland) was. William was the main commander instrumental in the decisive victories of the rebellious Scottish nobles against Mary Stuart at Carberry Hill ( 1567) and Langside (1568).
Life
William Kirkcaldy of Grange was allegedly involved in the murder of David Beaton on 29 May 1546 St Andrews. He then defended the Castilians the St Andrews castle against the troops of the Scottish regent James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran. After the capture of the castle by French troops in July 1547 Kirkcaldy was brought as a prisoner to Normandy. There he had to stop to 1550. During his stay in France Kirkcaldy worked as an agent for England. In 1557 it was allowed to return to Scotland and joined the Protestant Lords of the Congregations to Lord James Stewart, later Earl of Moray. But Kirkcaldy later switched sides and supported the regent Mary of Guise.
Critical Kirkcaldy wrote on July 1, 1559 the Englishman Henry Percy: " The nature of our Reformation, this break down the monasteries, while the prayer book of the pious King Edward VI. to take in hand. "
Since 1561 Kirkcaldy Mary Stuart served as a commander. He participated in the campaign of Mary Stuart and James Stewart, now Earl of Moray, from September to October 1562 against George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly. Due to the marriage of Mary Queen of Scots and Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, is involved in Kirkcaldy in August and September 1565 in the uprising Moray against the Queen. After the suppression of the rebellion, the Queen Kirkcaldy confiscated possessions.
On June 15, 1567 attracted insurgents led by James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton and Kirkcaldy from Edinburgh towards Musselburgh. A few hours later the troops of Mary Stuart purchased with the Bothwell command functions in Carberry Hill. Kirkcaldy troops defeated the troops of the queen. Two days later, Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle, and on 24 July to abdicate in favor of her one-year son James, James VI. Forced. On May 2, 1568 she managed to escape. Within days, her remaining followers were able to mobilize a 6,000 -strong army. The Regent Moray Kirkcaldy and immediately led her troops against the command of Archibald Campbell Army of Mary Stuart. On 13 May 1568 troops of the Queen were defeated at the Battle of Langside. In this battle, William Kirkcaldy of Grange proven as an excellent and prudent commander.
After the assassination of the Regent Moray on January 23, 1570, war broke between the King James VI of Scotland. and the followers of Mary. Under the influence of William Maitland of Lethington to Kirkcaldy approached at the party of the queen. Since August 1572 Kirkcaldy and Maitland defended Edinburgh Castle against the followers of the king. With the help of British troops, the Scottish Regent Morton Edinburgh Castle could take in May from 1573. On August 3, 1573 William Kirkcaldy of Grange was publicly hanged in Edinburgh.