| He was a minor when his father was killed at Pinkie, but, as was usual when the head of a family fell in battle, was at once retoured heir to his father. It is probable, indeed, that he did not reach majority till 1561, in which year he was made a burgess of Edinburgh in right of his father. In 1568 he was in Paris, probably studying law; by 1571 he was in Scotland, and had ranged himself on the Queen's side in the political divisions of the day. Although he does not appear to have taken a very prominent part in public affairs, he was outlawed in 1572 along with the Earl of Arran and others of his name, but this disability did not last long, as he was included in the pacification of the following year. He was also included in the Act of Restoration following on the return of the Hamiltons and the 'banished lords' in 1585. It was not till 1603 that he had any actual appointment in the public service; in that year he was appointed one of the commissioners for managing the Queen's property in Scotland, and on 29 May 1607 he was raised to the Bench of the Court of Session, under the title of Lord Priestfield. On 12 January 1608 he was admitted a member of the Privy Council, and held that position till the reconstruction of the body in 1610. His judgeship did not last long, as he resigned in 1608; promotion and active service had in fact come too late in age, and he was dead before 1612.14 |