Earl Robert Stewart and his administration in Orkney and Shetland, 1564-93

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to examine the character and exploits of Robert Stewart, Earl of"Orkney, son of James V,. king of Scots, and a man notorious in the history of Orkney and Shetland for oppression and misrule, but one who has not, hitherto, had the single-minded attention of a detailed study. His story is examined in the light of the unusual political and constitutional relationship between his dominions and the crown, and with a view to re-evaluating the unprepossessing picture of him presented both by popular opinion in the Northern Isles and by previous, examination of the major items of written evidence.

The approach is largely: chronological, beginning with a study both of Robert Stewart's backgrounds and of the history of the islands he was to rule. Particular note is taken of the links between the two provided at the outset by the political interests that various Scottish families, especially those represented; by Oliver Sinclair of Pitcairn/ Whitekirk and Sir John Bellenden of Auchnoull, had both in the north and in the baronies making up the lands of Holyroodhouse, the commands of which Robert was granted in infancy by his father. These links provide a political continuity, albeit tortuous, stretching back from Robert's rule as feuar and earl to that of the ancient Sinclair earls whose rule had come to an end in 1470.

This is followed by an analysis of the three main stages of Robert Stewart's career in the north, treating of his personal rule and that of his half-brother, Laurence Bruce of Cultmalindie, in Shetland. Special-attention is paid to the disputes with central government which punctuated these stages with the Regent Horton in the 1570s and with Maitland of Thirlestane and Sir Lewis Bellenden of Auchnoull a decade later. These in turn furnish much evidence of a more detailed nature regarding life in the islands. The penultimate chapter seeks to examine the more personal aspects of Robert. Stewart, again against the island background - his family, his possessions, his followers. It is. noted that the story of Robert is only half the history, of the Stewart earldom of Orkney, and the hope is expressed that the thesis will open the way to a study of a figure whose popular image is, if anything, even more sinister in the popular mind. of the Northern Isles - Patrick Stewart, the second earl, Robert's son. The final chapter examines Robert's 'popular image' and looks at: the attitudes of previous observers to Robert and his times.

The sources used constitute a broad sweep over the whole of the written records of the 16th century, both official and private, printed and manuscript. Of central importance have been the major government records - the registers of the great seal, privy seal, privy council, the acts of the Scottish parliaments, the registers of deeds and of acts and decrees, the treasurer's accounts, and the exchequer rolls; the Calendar of Scottish Papers - correspondence and other items from English sources; the Records of the Earldom of Orkney, an indispensable source book, which could furnish by itself the materials for an adequate history of the Orkney of the period; a number of collections of private papers, notably the Ballenden Papers, a part of the commitments of the Duke of Roxburgh at Floors Castle and the largest single private collection of relevant material - the correspondence in this collection, together with the printed letters of. Sir Patrick Waus of, Barnbarroch and of Adam Bothwell, Bishop of Orkney, help to give a measure of first-hand testimony regarding the events investigated in this work.