James Melville: Life Story

Further uprisings and plots occurred in the 1580s, and eventually Arran was completely dismissed, as James took more power into his own hands. Melville remained a member of the Privy Council but began to withdraw from affairs. Several embassies were proposed for Melville – to England, to Spain, to Denmark and even to Navarre but he refused them all, preferring to retire to his lands at Halhill. Nevertheless, he continued to correspond with both Scottish and English lords, including Archibald Douglas, 8^th Earl of Angus, whom he thanked in 1588 for sending a pair of virginals as a gift for Melville’s daughter.

He even refused a final embassy to Denmark, to treat of the King’s marriage to Anne of Denmark – suggesting his brother be sent instead.

On the arrival of the Queen Anne, Melville was summoned back to court to meet her. He was knighted at her coronation on 17^th May, 1590 and was appointed to her Council, where he served for some years. Initially, the Queen did not like him, but she warmed to him over time.

During the 1590s more plots and attempts to control James were discovered, and it is with an air of weariness that Melville recounts the endless shufflings for favour, raids in the night, and private quarrels that spilled over into the court. In particular, there was the strange case of the Earl of Bothwell (not Queen Mary’s husband) who was accused of witchcraft and then attempted to abduct the King.

As often as he could, he returned to his own home at HalHill. On the birth of James and Anne’s first son, Melville was detailed to entertain various ambassadors. The King of France failed to send an Ambassador, and Queen Elizabeth was so late in doing so, that the baptism was postponed, and Melville was ordered to keep the other ambassadors happy whilst James waited to hear from Elizabeth. He was then at the Queen’s side as she graciously received the gifts from other countries.

In 1603, Elizabeth died, and James was proclaimed as James I of England. The majority of the court moved south, but Melville declined to go, finally retiring to Halhill, where he spent his time writings his memoirs, dying on 13^th November 1617.The birth and death dates of his children are unknown, with the exception of his son Robert, who died in 1562.