Covenanter, turned Royalist. Son of John, the 1st Earl, who had been close to King Charles I but opposed his Episcopalian policies. Wemyss signed the National Covenant, along with his father, in Greyfriars Kirkyard in 1638. Siding with the Covenanters, he faced James Graham, the Marquis of Montrose (1612-50), at the Battle of Tippermuir, although was resoundingly defeated.
Wemyss was one of the Commissioners appointed by Parliament to welcome Charles II (1630-85) to Scotland in 1650 and, his King having accepted the National Covenant, actively worked for Charles' restoration.
Married three times, the last being Margaret, sister of John Leslie, 1st Duke of Rothes, Wemyss fathered sixteen children, including ten sons who all died before him. Thus, on his death, his title and estates passed to his daughter Margaret, who became Countess of Wemyss.
