Treasurer of Scotland
Encyclopedia
The Treasurer was a senior post in the pre-Union government of Scotland
, the Privy Council of Scotland
.
The full title of the post was Lord High Treasurer, Comptroller, Collector-General and Treasurer of the New Augmentation, formed as it was from the amalgamation of four earlier offices. Of these, the Treasurer and Comptroller had originated in 1425 when the Chamberlain's financial functions were transferred to them. From 1466 the Comptroller had sole responsibility for financing the royal household to which certain revenues (the property) were appropriated, with the Treasurer being responsible for the remaining revenue (the casualty) and other expenditure. The Collector-General, created in 1562, handled the Crown's revenue from the thirds of benefices, and the Treasurer of the New Augmentation was responsible for the former church lands annexed to the Crown in 1587.
All four offices were held by the same person from 1610 onwards, but their separate titles survived the effective merging of their functions in 1635. From 1667 to 1682 the Treasury was in commission, and again from 1686 to 1708, when the separate Scottish Treasury was abolished. From 1690 the Crown nominated one person to sit in Parliament
as Treasurer.
in Edinburgh. The manuscripts were published between 1877 and 1978 in thirteen volumes covering up to 1580.
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...
, 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...
.
The full title of the post was Lord High Treasurer, Comptroller, Collector-General and Treasurer of the New Augmentation, formed as it was from the amalgamation of four earlier offices. Of these, the Treasurer and Comptroller had originated in 1425 when the Chamberlain's financial functions were transferred to them. From 1466 the Comptroller had sole responsibility for financing the royal household to which certain revenues (the property) were appropriated, with the Treasurer being responsible for the remaining revenue (the casualty) and other expenditure. The Collector-General, created in 1562, handled the Crown's revenue from the thirds of benefices, and the Treasurer of the New Augmentation was responsible for the former church lands annexed to the Crown in 1587.
All four offices were held by the same person from 1610 onwards, but their separate titles survived the effective merging of their functions in 1635. From 1667 to 1682 the Treasury was in commission, and again from 1686 to 1708, when the separate Scottish Treasury was abolished. From 1690 the Crown nominated one person to sit in Parliament
Parliament of Scotland
The Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
as Treasurer.
List of Treasurers
| 1420 | Sir Walter Ogilvie of Lintrethan |
| Thomas de Myrton, Dean of Glasgow Cathedral Glasgow Cathedral The church commonly known as Glasgow Cathedral is the Church of Scotland High Kirk of Glasgow otherwise known as St. Mungo's Cathedral.The other cathedrals in Glasgow are:* The Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew... |
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| 1430 | Patrick de Ogilvie |
| 1433 | Walter Stewart, Dean of Moray Dean of Moray The Dean of Moray was the head of the cathedral chapter of the diocese of Moray, north-central Scotland, based at Elgin Cathedral. The diocese of Moray is first known to have had a dean from a document dating between 1207 and 1208, and its first dean known by name from a document dating between... |
| 1439 | Sir Walter de Haliburton Walter de Haliburton, 1st Lord Haliburton of Dirleton Sir Walter de Haliburton, 1st Lord Haliburton of Dirleton was Lord High Treasurer of Scotland.The eldest son of Sir John Haliburton of Dirleton, East Lothian , by his spouse Margaret, daughter of Sir John Cameron, Sir Walter was one of the hostages for King James I on March 28, 1424 and was... , Knt. |
| Robert Livingston, son of Sir Alexander Livingston of Callendar, Governor of the Kingdom | |
| 1440 | Walter de Haliburton, 1st Lord Haliburton of Dirleton Walter de Haliburton, 1st Lord Haliburton of Dirleton Sir Walter de Haliburton, 1st Lord Haliburton of Dirleton was Lord High Treasurer of Scotland.The eldest son of Sir John Haliburton of Dirleton, East Lothian , by his spouse Margaret, daughter of Sir John Cameron, Sir Walter was one of the hostages for King James I on March 28, 1424 and was... |
| 1449 | Andrew Hunter, Abbot of Melrose Abbot of Melrose The Abbot and then Commendator of Melrose was the head of the monastic community of Melrose Abbey, in Melrose in the Borders region of Scotland. The abbey was founded in 1136 on the patronage of David I , King of Scots, by Cistercian monks from Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire... |
| 1455 | James Stewart James Stewart (d. 1466) James Stewart was a prelate from 15th century Scotland. Stewart was a member of the Stewart kindred of Lorne. He was Dean of Moray from 1435 until May 19, 1460, when he was provided to the bishopric. He was consecrated as Bishop of Moray sometime towards the end of the year. He resigned the see... , Dean of Moray Dean of Moray The Dean of Moray was the head of the cathedral chapter of the diocese of Moray, north-central Scotland, based at Elgin Cathedral. The diocese of Moray is first known to have had a dean from a document dating between 1207 and 1208, and its first dean known by name from a document dating between... |
| 1466 | Sir William Knowlys, Preceptor of Torphichen Preceptory Torphichen Preceptory Torphichen Preceptory, is a church in the village of Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland. It comprises the remains of the Preceptory of the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in Scotland... |
| 1473 | John Laing John Laing (bishop) John Laing was a 15th century bishop of Glasgow. He was from the family of "Redhouse" in the shire of Edinburgh. Before becoming bishop he was rector of Tannadice in Angus, vicar of Linlithgow, and was rector of Newlands in the diocese of Glasgow when he was provided to the see in 1474. He was... , parson of Kenland |
| 1480 | Archibald Crawford, Abbot of Holyrood Abbot of Holyrood The Abbot of Holyrood was the head of the Augustinian monastic community of Holyrood Abbey, now in Edinburgh. The long history of the abbey came to a formal end in July 1606 when the parliament of Scotland turned the abbey into a secular lordship for the last commendator, John Bothwell... |
| Sir John Ramsay of Balmaine | |
| 1490 | Henry Arnot, Abbot of Cambuskenneth Abbot of Cambuskenneth The Abbot of Cambuskenneth or Abbot of Stirling was the head of the Arrouaisian monastic community of Cambuskenneth Abbey, near Stirling... |
| 1499 | Sir Robert Lundin of Balgony |
| 1507 | Sir David Beaton David Beaton The Most Rev. Dr. David Cardinal Beaton was Archbishop of St Andrews and the last Scottish Cardinal prior to the Reformation.-Career:... of Creich Creich Creich is located near Bonar Bridge, in Sutherland, in Scotland.There is a church and graveyard for the Parish of Creich. Creich Mains farm is located here.... |
| 1509 | George Hepburn George Hepburn George Hepburn was the son of Adam Hepburn and brother to Patrick Hepburn, the first Earl of Bothwell.He was a churchman, and served firstly as postulate Abbot of Arbroath, before becoming Lord High Treasurer of Scotland for a brief spell in 1509... , Abbot of Arbroath Abbot of Arbroath Abbot of Arbroath was the head of the Tironensian Benedictine monastic community of Arbroath Abbey, Angus, Scotland, founded under the patronage of King William of Scotland from Kelso Abbey and dedicated to St Thomas of Canterbury. The abbot, John Gedy, was granted the mitre on 26 June 1396... , later Bishop of the Isles Bishop of the Isles The Bishop of the Isles or Bishop of Sodor was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Sodor, one of Scotland's thirteen medieval bishoprics. The bishopric, encompasing both the Hebrides and Mann, probably traces its origins as an ecclesiastical unity to the careers of Olaf, King of the Isles,... |
| Andrew Stewart, Bishop of Caithness Bishop of Caithness The Bishop of Caithness was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Caithness, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics. The first referenced bishop of Caithness was Aindréas, a Gael who appears in sources between 1146 and 1151 as bishop. Aindréas spent much if not all of his career outside his... |
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| 1512 | Cuthbert Baillie Cuthbert Baillie Cuthbert Baillie , was the lord high treasurer of Scotland.Baillie was, according to one authority, a natural son of Sir William Baillie of Lamington, one of the favourites of James III; and there are some other reasons for doubting the contradictory statement that he was a descendant of the house... , Commendator of Glenluce |
| 1515 | James Hepburn James Hepburn (bishop) James Hepburn was a Scottish prelate and administrator. He was the son of Alexander Hepburn of Whitsome. His name occurs as the rector of Dalry and king's clerk on 1 August 1511. Hepburn was Treasurer of Scotland between from at least June 1515, until October the following year... , Bishop of Moray Bishop of Moray The Bishop of Moray or Bishop of Elgin was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Moray in northern Scotland, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics... |
| 1516 | Sir Walter Ogilvie of Strathearn Strathearn Strathearn or Strath Earn is the strath of the River Earn, in Scotland. It extends from Loch Earn in Perth and Kinross to the River Tay.... |
| 1517 | John Campbell of Lundy Lundy Lundy is the largest island in the Bristol Channel, lying off the coast of Devon, England, approximately one third of the distance across the channel between England and Wales. It measures about at its widest. Lundy gives its name to a British sea area and is one of the islands of England.As of... |
| 1520 | Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie Sir Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie , also known as Greysteil, was a Scottish nobleman and courtier, who served as Treasurer of Scotland, and Provost of Edinburgh.-Rise:... |
| 1526 | William Cunningham, 4th Earl of Glencairn |
| 1528 | Robert Cairncross Robert Cairncross Robert Cairncross was a Scottish bishop.At various times he was provost of Corstorphine, abbot of Holyrood. He was appointed bishop of Ross in 1539, holding in commendam the abbacy of Fern... , Abbot of Holyrood, later Bishop of Ross Bishop of Ross The Bishop of Ross was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Ross, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics. The first recorded bishop appears in the late 7th century as a witness to Adomnán of Iona's Cáin Adomnáin. The bishopric was based at the settlement of Rosemarkie until the mid-13th... |
| 1529 | Sir Robert Barton of Over Barnton Robert Barton of Over Barnton Robert Barton of Over Barnton was a Scottish sailor and Lord High Treasurer to James V of Scotland.-Sailor and shipowner:Robert Barton was a son of John Barton the sailor. He took Perkin Warbeck away from Scotland in the Cuckoo in July 1497... |
| 1530 | William Stewart, Bishop of Aberdeen Bishop of Aberdeen The Bishop of Aberdeen was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Aberdeen, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics, whose first recorded bishop is an early 12th century cleric named Nechtan... |
| 1537 | Robert Cairncross Robert Cairncross Robert Cairncross was a Scottish bishop.At various times he was provost of Corstorphine, abbot of Holyrood. He was appointed bishop of Ross in 1539, holding in commendam the abbacy of Fern... , Abbot of Holyrood |
| 1538 | Sir James Kirkcaldy of Grange James Kirkcaldy of Grange James Kirkcaldy of Grange was a Fife laird and treasurer of Scotland.He married Janet Melville, aunt of Sir James Melville of Halhill. Their heir was William Kirkcaldy of Grange. His main property at the Grange was called Halyards Palace... (Hallyards Halyards Palace Located to the north-west of the village of Auchtertool, the Palace of Halyards is reputed to have been a hunting seat of Malcolm Canmore... , Fife) |
| 1546 | John Hamilton John Hamilton (archbishop) The Most Rev. Dr. John Hamilton , Scottish prelate and politician, was an illegitimate son of James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran.... , brother of Regent, Abbot of Paisley Abbot of Paisley The Abbot of Paisley was the head of the Cluniac monastic community of Paisley Abbey and its property. The monastery was founded as a priory at Renfrew in 1163, but moved to Paisley in 1169. It became an abbey in 1219. The founder was Walter fitz Alan, Seneschal of Scotland... , later Bishop of St Andrews |
| 1555 | Gilbert Kennedy, 3rd Earl of Cassilis Gilbert Kennedy, 3rd Earl of Cassilis Gilbert Kennedy, 3rd Earl of Cassilis was a Scottish peer, the son of Gilbert Kennedy, 2nd Earl of Cassilis.He succeeded to the titles of 5th Lord Kennedy and 3rd Earl of Cassillis in August 1527. On 6 February 1540/41 he had a charter of the Fief of Cassilis... |
| 1561 | Robert Richardson Robert Richardson (Scottish) Robert Richardson was a Scottish Prior of St Mary's Isle and royal administrator.-Biography:He was the son of Robert Richardson, burgess of Jedburgh . His great grandfather arrived in Scotland in 1424 in the reign of James I... , Commendator of St Mary Isle |
| 1564 | William Stewart, Provost of Lincluden |
| 1571 | William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie , known as The Lord Ruthven between 1566 and 1581, was a son of Patrick Ruthven, 3rd Lord Ruthven.-Life account:... |
| 1584 | John Graham, 3rd Earl of Montrose John Graham, 3rd Earl of Montrose John Graham, 3rd Earl of Montrose was a Scottish peer and Chancellor of the University of St Andrews from 1599 to 1604. He was Lord High Commissioner to the Parliament of Scotland, from 1605 to 1607.... |
| 1585 | Sir Thomas Lyon Thomas Lyon (of Auldbar) Sir Thomas Lyon, Master of Glammis was a Scottish nobleman and official, Lord High Treasurer of Scotland.-Master of Glamis:... of Auldbar and Baldukie, Master of Glamis Glamis Glamis is a small village in Angus, Scotland, located four miles south of Kirriemuir and five miles southwest of Forfar. It is the location of Glamis Castle, the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.-History:... |
| 1595 | Walter Stewart, 1st Lord Blantyre Walter Stewart, 1st Lord Blantyre Walter Stewart, 1st Lord Blantyre was a Scottish nobleman.The son of Sir John Stewart of Minto and Margaret Stewart of Cardonald... |
| 1599 | Alexander Elphinstone, 4th Lord Elphinstone |
| 1601 | Sir George Hume, 1st Earl of Dunbar, first holder of the four combined treasury offices. |
| 1611 | Sir Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset |
| 1616 | John Erskine, 2nd Earl of Mar |
| 3 April 1630 | William Douglas, 7th Earl of Morton William Douglas, 7th Earl of Morton William Douglas, 7th Earl of Morton was a grandson of the 6th Earl of Morton. He was Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, and a zealous Royalist, who, on the outbreak of the Great Rebellion in 1642, provided £100,000 for the cause by selling his Dalkeith estates to the Earl of Buccleuch... |
| 21 May 1636 | John Stewart, 1st Earl of Traquair John Stewart, 1st Earl of Traquair John Stewart, 1st Earl of Traquair was a Scottish statesman, the son of John Stewart, the younger, of Traquair in Peeblesshire, of a branch, originally illegitimate, of the house of Buchan, and was created Baron Stewart of Traquair in 1628 and earl of Traquair in 1633.He was appointed... |
| 17 November 1641 | in commission |
| John Campbell, 1st Earl of Loudoun John Campbell, 1st Earl of Loudoun John Campbell, 1st Earl of Loudoun was a Scottish politician. He was the eldest son of James Campbell of LawersJohn Campbell married Margaret, the daughter of George Campbell around 1620. Margaret was heir to her grandfather Hugh Campbell, first Lord Loudoun, who resigned his peerage in John's... , Lord Chancellor |
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| Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll, 8th Earl of Argyll, chief of Clan Campbell, was the de facto head of government in Scotland during most of the conflict known as the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, also known as the British Civil War... |
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| William Cunningham, 8th Earl of Glencairn William Cunningham, 8th Earl of Glencairn William Cunningham, 9th Earl of Glencairn , was a Scottish nobleman, Lord Chancellor of Scotland, and a cavalier. He was also the chief of Clan Cunningham.... |
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| John Lindsay, 1st Earl of Lindsay | |
| Sir James Carmichael | |
| 23 July 1644 | John Lindsay, Earl of Crawford and Lindsay, dismissed 13 February 1649 |
| 1660 | in commission |
| John Lindsay, Earl of Crawford and Lindsay | |
| John Leslie, 7th Earl of Rothes John Leslie, 1st Duke of Rothes John Leslie , son of John Leslie, 6th Earl of Rothes, was the 7th Earl of Rothes and 1st Duke of Rothes. He was a descendant of Princess Beatrix, sister of King Malcolm III of Scotland... |
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| 19 January 1661 | John Lindsay reappointed |
| 4 June 1663 | John Leslie, 7th Earl of Rothes John Leslie, 1st Duke of Rothes John Leslie , son of John Leslie, 6th Earl of Rothes, was the 7th Earl of Rothes and 1st Duke of Rothes. He was a descendant of Princess Beatrix, sister of King Malcolm III of Scotland... - appointed Chancellor 16 April 1667 |
| 20 June 1667 | in commission |
| John Leslie, 7th Earl of Rothes John Leslie, 1st Duke of Rothes John Leslie , son of John Leslie, 6th Earl of Rothes, was the 7th Earl of Rothes and 1st Duke of Rothes. He was a descendant of Princess Beatrix, sister of King Malcolm III of Scotland... , Lord Chancellor |
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| John, Earl of Lauderdale John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale Sir John Maitland, 1st Duke and 2nd Earl of Lauderdale, 3rd Lord Thirlestane KG PC , was a Scottish politician, and leader within the Cabal Ministry.-Background:... |
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| John Hay, 2nd Earl of Tweeddale John Hay, 1st Marquess of Tweeddale John Hay, 1st Marquess and 2nd Earl of Tweeddale was Lord Chancellor of Scotland.... |
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| Alexander Bruce, 2nd Earl of Kincardine Alexander Bruce, 2nd Earl of Kincardine Alexander Bruce, 2nd Earl of Kincardine FRS was a Scottish inventor, politician, judge and freemason, responsible for developing the pendulum clock, in collaboration with Christiaan Huygens.... |
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| John, Lord Cochrane (eldest son of Earl of Dundonald Earl of Dundonald Earl of Dundonald is a title in the Peerage of Scotland.The Earldom was created in 1669 for the Scottish soldier and politician William Cochrane, 1st Earl of Dundonald, along with the subsidiary title of Lord Cochrane of Paisley and Ochiltree, with remainder to his heirs male, failing which to his... ) |
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| Sir Robert Murray Robert Moray Sir Robert Moray was a Scottish soldier, statesman, diplomat, judge, spy, freemason and natural philosopher. He was well known to Charles I and Charles II, and the French cardinals Richelieu and Mazarin... , Lord Justice Clerk Lord Justice Clerk The Lord Justice Clerk is the second most senior judge in Scotland, after the Lord President of the Court of Session.The holder has the title in both the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary and is in charge of the Second Division of Judges in the Court of Session... |
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| 1674 | in commission |
| John Leslie, 7th Earl of Rothes John Leslie, 1st Duke of Rothes John Leslie , son of John Leslie, 6th Earl of Rothes, was the 7th Earl of Rothes and 1st Duke of Rothes. He was a descendant of Princess Beatrix, sister of King Malcolm III of Scotland... , Lord Chancellor |
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| John, Earl of Lauderdale John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale Sir John Maitland, 1st Duke and 2nd Earl of Lauderdale, 3rd Lord Thirlestane KG PC , was a Scottish politician, and leader within the Cabal Ministry.-Background:... |
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| John, Earl of Dundonald | |
| Colin, Earl of Balcarres Colin Lindsay, 3rd Earl of Balcarres Colin Lindsay, 3rd Earl of Balcarres was a Scottish aristocrat and politician, one of the most important supporters of James II of England.-Early life:... |
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| Hon Charles Maitland Charles Maitland, 3rd Earl of Lauderdale Charles Maitland, 3rd Earl of Lauderdale , was the second son of John Maitland, 1st Earl of Lauderdale .... , Deputy Treasurer Treasurer-depute of Scotland The Treasurer-depute was a senior post in the pre-Union government of Scotland.Originally a deputy to the Treasurer, the Treasurer-depute emerged as a separate Crown appointment by 1614... and Master of the Mint |
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| 1 May 1682 | William Douglas, Marquess of Queensberry William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry PC also 3rd Earl of Queensberry and 1st Marquess of Queensberry was a Scottish politician.... , later Duke |
| 24 February 1686 | in commission |
| William Douglas, Duke of Queensberry William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry PC also 3rd Earl of Queensberry and 1st Marquess of Queensberry was a Scottish politician.... , |
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| James, Earl of Perth James Drummond, 4th Earl of Perth James Drummond, 1st Duke of Perth KT PC , also 4th Earl of Perth and 7th Lord Drummond, was a Scottish statesman, and Jacobite.-Family:... , Lord Chancellor |
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| William, Duke of Hamilton | |
| John, Earl of Kintore John Keith, 1st Earl of Kintore Sir John Keith, 1st Earl of Kintore was a Scottish nobleman.The fourth son of William Keith, 5th Earl Marischal, he held Dunnottar Castle against Oliver Cromwell, and preserved the regalia in 1650... , Treasurer Depute Treasurer-depute of Scotland The Treasurer-depute was a senior post in the pre-Union government of Scotland.Originally a deputy to the Treasurer, the Treasurer-depute emerged as a separate Crown appointment by 1614... |
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| George, Viscount Tarbat George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie FRS , known as Sir George Mackenzie, 2nd Baronet from 1654 to 1685 and as The Viscount of Tarbat from 1685 to 1703, was a Scottish statesman.... , Lord Clerk Register Lord Clerk Register The office of Lord Clerk Register is the oldest surviving Great Officer of State in Scotland, with origins in the 13th century.The Clerk-Register was from ancient times the principal Clerk in the kingdom, from whom all other clerks, whatever their government positions, and who were essentially his... |
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| Hon William Drummond William Drummond, 1st Viscount Strathallan William Drummond, first Viscount of Strathallan , was a royalist general.Drummond was the fifth and youngest son of John Drummond, second Baron Maderty, by his wife, Helen, eldest daughter of Patrick Lesly, commendator of Lindores... , after Viscount Strathallan |
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| incomplete | |
Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer
The final audited accounts of the Lord High Treasurer were public records of Scotland. These survive as an almost complete record from 1473 to 1635 at General Register HouseNational Archives of Scotland
Based in Edinburgh, the National Archives of Scotland are the national archives of Scotland. The NAS claims to have one of the most varied collection of archives in Europe...
in Edinburgh. The manuscripts were published between 1877 and 1978 in thirteen volumes covering up to 1580.
- Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, 1473-1498, HM General Register House, (1877)
- Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, 1506-1507, HM Register House, vol. 3 (1901)
- Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, 1541-1546, HM Register House, vol. 8, (1908)
- Accounts of the Treasurer of Scotland, 1566-1574, vol. 12, Scottish Record Office, (1970)
- Accounts of the Treasurer of Scotland, 1574-1580, vol. 13, Scottish Record Office, (1978)