James Hepburn
(4th Earl of Bothwell)

1536 - 1578

Third husband of Mary, Queen of Scots (1542 - 1587). Bothwell's family home was at Crichton Castle (Midlothian). He married Mary in 1567. Bothwell was an anti-English Protestant, which fitted with Mary's political outlook of the time, and she trusted him completely. He was also unpopular at court and was accused of murdering her second husband Lord Darnley (1545 - 1567), who had fallen out of favour with the Queen. Although he was almost certainly involved, he was acquitted.

However, resentment grew and within two months of their marriage Mary had been forced to abdicate at Carberry Hill and Bothwell had to flee to Denmark via Orkney, where he was imprisoned and died insane.

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