James Halyburton of Pitcur

1518 - 1589

Reformer and Provost of Dundee. Born in Dundee, Halyburton was educated at the University of St Andrews, graduating in 1538. Halyburton served as Provost of Dundee from 1553 to 1586. As a prominent supporter of the Reformation, he was selected as one of the Protestant Lords of Congregation in 1557 and commanded troops sent against Mary of Guise in 1559. He took part in the defence of Edinburgh against Mary and a French army who massed at Leith to support her Regency. He opposed Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-87), and especially her marriage to Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley (1545-67). He fought alongside James Stuart, Earl of Moray (1531-70), at the Battle of Langside (1568), supported Matthew Stuart, Earl of Lennox (1516-71), by dispersing Mary's troops in 1570 but narrowly escaped execution after being captured by the Queen's army following the stand-off at Restalrig (1571).

Halyburton served as one of the Royal Commissioners to the General Assemblies of 1582 and 1588.

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