Hepburn, James, 4th Earl of Bothwell (1535 -1578)

James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, was the only son and heir of Patrick Hepburn, 3rd Earl, and his first wife, Agnes, daughter of Henry Lord Sinclair. He succeeded his father 3 November 1556, and though a Protestant, took the side of the Court against the Congregation. He was expelled by the Earl of Moray in 1563, and again in 1565, but was held in esteem by Queen Mary, who granted him the Abbeys of Haddington and Melrose, the office of High Admiral of Scotland, and the Wardenship of all three Marches, which had never before been held by one man. Implicated in the murder of Henry Darnley, the King Consort, nobody dared to appear against him and he was acquitted. He abducted the Queen, whom he married 15 May 1567. After the Battle of Carberry Hill, he fled to Orkney and Shetland and afterwards to Norway where he died after eight years imprisonment in the Castle of Draxholme 14 April 1578. He was created Duke of Orkney and Shetland in 1567 immediately before his marriage to the Queen.

Seat / Residence(s): Hermitage Castle, Scottish Borders
Stamp(s) Stamp Information
Hepburn, James, 4th Earl of Bothwell  (1535 - 1578) (Stamp 1) Title: Hepburn, James, 4th Earl of Bothwell (1535 - 1578) (Stamp 1)
Arms: Quarterly 1 & 4. A bend (Vaus of Dirleton) 2 & 3. On a chevron two lions rampant supporting a rose (Hepburn)
Crest: A horse's head and neck couped bridled
Motto: Kiip trest
Helmet: Peer
Supporters: Two lions gardant
Dimensions (height x width): 98mm x 75mm
Quarterings: 1 & 4. A bend (Vaus of Dirleton) 2 & 3. On a chevron two lions rampant supporting a rose (Hepburn)
Coronet: Earl
Heraldic Charges: bend, Heraldic Charges: chevron, on a, Heraldic Charges: horse's head, Heraldic Charges: lions rampant (2), Heraldic Charges: rose