Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe
Encyclopedia
Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe (1570? – 1650) was a Scottish nobleman. He was the eldest son of William Ker of Cessford (died 1605), and grandson of Sir Walter Ker of Cessford (d. c. 1584), who fought against Mary, Queen of Scots, both at Carberry Hill and at Langside
.
He helped James VI
against Bothwell
. He was a member of the Privy Council of Scotland
from 1599, and was created Lord Roxburghe in 1600. He accompanied King James to London in 1603.
He succeeded to his father's estates in 1606 and was created Earl of Roxburghe in 1616. He was appointed Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland
in 1637.
He subscribed the King's Covenant
at Holyrood
in 1638, and joined the King's party in the civil war
. When the King attempted to arrest five members of the House of Commons
in 1642, Ker kept the door of the chamber open (see article on William Lenthall
). He supported the "Engagement" for the King's rescue in 1648, and was consequently deprived of his office as Keeper of the Privy Seal in 1649.
He died at Floors
, his residence near Kelso, on 18 January 1650. His son Harry, Lord Ker, had died in January 1643. Consequently his titles and estates passed by special arrangement to his grandson, William Drummond
(d. 1675), the youngest son of his daughter Jean and her husband John Drummond, 2nd Earl of Perth
. William took the name of Ker, became 2nd Earl of Roxburghe, and married his cousin, Lord Ker's daughter Jean.
Battle of Langside
The Battle of Langside, fought on 13 May 1568, was one of the more unusual contests in Scottish history, bearing a superficial resemblance to a grand family quarrel, in which a mother fought her brother who was defending the rights of her infant son...
.
He helped 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...
against Bothwell
James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell
James Hepburn, 1st Duke of Orkney , better known by his inherited title as 4th Earl of Bothwell, was hereditary Lord High Admiral of Scotland. He is best known for his association with and subsequent marriage to Mary, Queen of Scots, as her third husband...
. He was a member of the Privy Council of Scotland
Privy Council of Scotland
The Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the King.In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of Scotland...
from 1599, and was created Lord Roxburghe in 1600. He accompanied King James to London in 1603.
He succeeded to his father's estates in 1606 and was created Earl of Roxburghe in 1616. He was appointed Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland
Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland
The office of Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland, one of the Great Officers of State, first appears in the reign of David II. After the Act of Union 1707 its holder was normally a peer, like the Keeper of the Great Seal...
in 1637.
He subscribed the King's Covenant
Covenanter
The Covenanters were a Scottish Presbyterian movement that played an important part in the history of Scotland, and to a lesser extent in that of England and Ireland, during the 17th century...
at Holyrood
Holyrood Palace
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the monarch in Scotland. The palace stands at the bottom of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, at the opposite end to Edinburgh Castle...
in 1638, and joined the King's party in the civil war
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. When the King attempted to arrest five members of the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
in 1642, Ker kept the door of the chamber open (see article on William Lenthall
William Lenthall
William Lenthall was an English politician of the Civil War period. He served as Speaker of the House of Commons.-Early life:...
). He supported the "Engagement" for the King's rescue in 1648, and was consequently deprived of his office as Keeper of the Privy Seal in 1649.
He died at Floors
Floors Castle
Floors Castle, on the western outskirts of Kelso, south-east Scotland, is the seat of the Duke of Roxburghe. Despite its name it is a country house, rather than a fortress. It was built in the 1720s by the architect William Adam for the 1st Duke, possibly incorporating an earlier tower house...
, his residence near Kelso, on 18 January 1650. His son Harry, Lord Ker, had died in January 1643. Consequently his titles and estates passed by special arrangement to his grandson, William Drummond
William Ker, 2nd Earl of Roxburghe
William Ker, 2nd Earl of Roxburghe was the grandson of Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe. He was born William Drummond, the youngest son of John Drummond, 2nd Earl of Perth, and Jean Ker, daughter of Robert. On Robert's death in 1650 he had no surviving male heirs, consequently his titles and...
(d. 1675), the youngest son of his daughter Jean and her husband John Drummond, 2nd Earl of Perth
John Drummond, 2nd Earl of Perth
-Family and titles:Drummond was the son of Patrick Drummond, 3rd Lord Drummond and Lady Elizabeth Lindsay. He married Jean Kerr, daughter of Sir Robert Kerr, 1st Earl of Roxburghe and Mary Maitland, on 28 August 1613...
. William took the name of Ker, became 2nd Earl of Roxburghe, and married his cousin, Lord Ker's daughter Jean.