Alexander Seton, 1st Earl of Dunfermline
Encyclopedia
Alexander Seton, 1st Earl of Dunfermline (1555–1622) was a Scottish
lawyer, judge and politician. He was Lord President of the Court of Session from 1598 to 1604 and Lord Chancellor of Scotland from 1604 to 1622.
Born at Seton Palace
, East Lothian
, Alexander was the son of George Seton, 7th Lord Seton
and Isobell Hamilton. The Setons remained a Roman Catholic family after the Scottish Reformation
of 1560, and continued to support Mary, Queen of Scots after her abdication and exile in England. Alexander was educated at the German and Roman College in Rome
from June 1571 to December 1578. Alexander was noted learning Italian and science (philosophy) in Rome by Baptista da Trento in 1577 in a letter describing plots to marry Elizabeth I of England
to the Earl of Leicester
and re-instate Mary in Scotland.
In 1583, Alexander joined his father's embassy to France. William Schaw
, the Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland
was his companion. According to the Jesuit Robert Parsons
, Lord Seton even considered sending the youthful Alexander back to Scotland as his representative at one point.
Alexander became a Privy Councillor in 1585 and was appointed a Lord of Session
as Lord Urquhart in 1586. Rome. He rose to be Lord President of the Court of Session
and was created Lord Fyvie on 4 March 1598. He was regarded as the finest legal mind of the time, becoming an advisor to James VI
and guardian and tutor to Charles I
. In 1604 he was appointed Lord Chancellor of Scotland
and was created Earl of Dunfermline
in 1605. His modern humanist and neo-stoic
attitude was demonstrated by his energetic defence of Geillis Johnstone accused of witchcraft in 1614.
A portrait of his wife Margaret Hay, painted by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger
in 1615 is in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery
. Part of a painted ceiling
bearing his monogram and heraldry is displayed at Edinburgh's Huntley House museum: his painted long gallery is still preserved at Pinkie House
.
near Dunfermline. He was buried in his vault in Dalgety Church, on 9 July 1622. A manuscript describes in detail the elaborate procession from the house (long demolished) to the kirk, which included his Master Stabler riding in full armour, and his Master Household with a black flag painted with a skull and tears. John Spottiswoode
, Archbishop of St Andrews
gave the sermon.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
lawyer, judge and politician. He was Lord President of the Court of Session from 1598 to 1604 and Lord Chancellor of Scotland from 1604 to 1622.
Born at Seton Palace
Seton Palace
Seton Palace was situated in East Lothian, a few miles south-east of Edinburgh near the town of Prestonpans. Often regarded as the most desirable Scottish residence of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the palace was erected in the 15th century by George, 4th Lord Seton and was similar in...
, East Lothian
East Lothian
East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh....
, Alexander was the son of George Seton, 7th Lord Seton
George Seton, 7th Lord Seton
George Seton V, 7th Lord Seton was a Lord of the Parliament of Scotland, Master of the Household of Mary, Queen of Scots and Provost of Edinburgh. He was the eldest son of George Seton, 6th Lord Seton and Elizabeth Hay, a daughter of John Hay, 3rd Lord Hay of Yester...
and Isobell Hamilton. The Setons remained a Roman Catholic family after the Scottish Reformation
Scottish Reformation
The Scottish Reformation was Scotland's formal break with the Papacy in 1560, and the events surrounding this. It was part of the wider European Protestant Reformation; and in Scotland's case culminated ecclesiastically in the re-establishment of the church along Reformed lines, and politically in...
of 1560, and continued to support Mary, Queen of Scots after her abdication and exile in England. Alexander was educated at the German and Roman College in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
from June 1571 to December 1578. Alexander was noted learning Italian and science (philosophy) in Rome by Baptista da Trento in 1577 in a letter describing plots to marry Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
to the Earl of Leicester
Earl of Leicester
The title Earl of Leicester was created in the 12th century in the Peerage of England , and is currently a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, created in 1837.-Early creations:...
and re-instate Mary in Scotland.
In 1583, Alexander joined his father's embassy to France. William Schaw
William Schaw
William Schaw was Master of Works to James VI of Scotland, and is claimed to have been an important figure in the development of freemasonry.-Biography:...
, the Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland
Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland
The Master of Works to the Crown of Scotland was responsible for the construction, repair and maintenance of royal palaces, castles and other crown property in Scotland. The main buildings were; Holyroodhouse; Edinburgh Castle; Stirling Castle; Linlithgow Palace; and Falkland Palace. The position...
was his companion. According to the Jesuit Robert Parsons
Robert Parsons
Robert Parsons may refer to:* Robert Parsons , English composer* Robert Parsons , English priest* Robert E. Parsons, American politician* Bob Parsons , American entrepreneur...
, Lord Seton even considered sending the youthful Alexander back to Scotland as his representative at one point.
Alexander became a Privy Councillor in 1585 and was appointed a Lord of Session
Court of Session
The Court of Session is the supreme civil court of Scotland, and constitutes part of the College of Justice. It sits in Parliament House in Edinburgh and is both a court of first instance and a court of appeal....
as Lord Urquhart in 1586. Rome. He rose to be Lord President of the Court of Session
Lord President of the Court of Session
The Lord President of the Court of Session is head of the judiciary in Scotland, and presiding judge of the College of Justice and Court of Session, as well as being Lord Justice General of Scotland and head of the High Court of Justiciary, the offices having been combined in 1836...
and was created Lord Fyvie on 4 March 1598. He was regarded as the finest legal mind of the time, becoming an advisor to James VI
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
and guardian and tutor to Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
. In 1604 he was appointed Lord Chancellor of Scotland
Lord Chancellor of Scotland
The Lord Chancellor of Scotland was a Great Officer of State in pre-Union Scotland.Holders of the office are known from 1123 onwards, but its duties were occasionally performed by an official of lower status with the title of Keeper of the Great Seal...
and was created Earl of Dunfermline
Earl of Dunfermline
Earl of Dunfermline was a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1605 for Alexander Seton, 1st Lord Fyvie, fourth son of George Seton, 7th Lord Seton . Seton had already been created Lord Fyvie in the Peerage of Scotland, in 1598, with remainder to his elder brother, John Seton...
in 1605. His modern humanist and neo-stoic
Neostoicism
Neostoicism was a syncretic philosophical movement, joining Stoicism and Christianity.-Lipsius:Neostoicism was founded by Flemish humanist Justus Lipsius, who in 1584 presented its rules, expounded in his book De constantia , as a dialogue between Lipsius and his friend Charles de Langhe...
attitude was demonstrated by his energetic defence of Geillis Johnstone accused of witchcraft in 1614.
A portrait of his wife Margaret Hay, painted by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger
Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger
Marcus Gheeraerts was an artist of the Tudor court, described as "the most important artist of quality to work in England in large-scale between Eworth and Van Dyck" He was brought to England as a child by his father Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder, also a painter...
in 1615 is in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery
Dunedin Public Art Gallery
The Dunedin Public Art Gallery holds the main public art collection of the city of Dunedin, New Zealand. Located in The Octagon in the heart of the city, it is close to the city's public library, municipal chambers, and other facilities such as the Regent Theatre.-History:The gallery was founded by...
. Part of a painted ceiling
Scottish Renaissance painted ceilings
A number of Scottish houses and castles built between 1540 and 1640 have painted ceilings. This is a distinctive national style, though there is common ground with similar work elsewhere, especially in France, Spain and Scandinavia. Most surviving examples are painted simply on the boards and...
bearing his monogram and heraldry is displayed at Edinburgh's Huntley House museum: his painted long gallery is still preserved at Pinkie House
Pinkie House
Pinkie House is a historic house, built around a three-storey tower house located in Musselburgh, in East Lothian, Scotland. The house dates back to the sixteenth century, although it was substantially enlarged in the early 17th century, and has been altered several times since. Its location at...
.
Death and funeral
After 15 days of illness, Alexander died on Sunday 16 June 1622 at Pinkie. On the 19 June his body was taken by boat across the Forth to his house at Dalgety BayDalgety Bay
Dalgety Bay Today, Dalgety Bay functions largely as a dormitory suburb of Edinburgh and to the rest of Fife. While the architecture of the town reflects construction by volume housebuilders, the town is a regular winner of the Best Kept Small Town title...
near Dunfermline. He was buried in his vault in Dalgety Church, on 9 July 1622. A manuscript describes in detail the elaborate procession from the house (long demolished) to the kirk, which included his Master Stabler riding in full armour, and his Master Household with a black flag painted with a skull and tears. John Spottiswoode
John Spottiswoode
John Spottiswoode was an Archbishop of St Andrews, Primate of All Scotland and historian of Scotland.-Life:...
, Archbishop of St Andrews
Archbishop of St Andrews
The Bishop of St. Andrews was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of St Andrews and then, as Archbishop of St Andrews , the Archdiocese of St Andrews.The name St Andrews is not the town or church's original name...
gave the sermon.