Lewis Gordon


(3rd Marquis of Huntly)

c.1626 - 1653

Royalist. Eldest son of the 2nd Marquis of Huntly, who had lost the family titles by supporting Charles I (1600-49). Gordon was equally loyal and fought with his brother James Gordon, Viscount Aboyne (d.1649), in the army commanded by James Graham, Marquis of Montrose (1612-50), who had by this time joined the Royalist cause.

For a time Gordon was forced to seek refuge in a cave near Castle Grant, where he was fed by Mary, daughter of Sir John Grant of Freuchie, a noted beauty who Gordon married in 1644.

In 1651, Charles II (1630-85) rewarded Gordon for his support by returning his titles, particularly the Marquisate of Huntly. His father's estates, which had also been forfeit and were now in the hands of the Archibald Campbell, the Marquis of Argyll (1598 - 1661), were not returned because Gordon would not go as far accepting the Episcopalian church.

Following the defeat of the Royalists, Gordon tried to negotiate with Campbell for the return of his family estates. However, Campbell tricked Gordon into a meeting at Finlarg Castle and forced him to sign away further rights. In 1653, things went from bad to worse, when Gordon had to make an agreement with Cromwell's army to keep the peace, which did not go down well when Charles II, who by that time had made his escape to the continent, heard of this. Gordon died the same year.


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