William Maitland
(Maitland of Lethington)

c.1525 - 1573

Secretary of State to Mary of Lorraine (1515 - 1560) and Mary, Queen of Scots (1542 - 1587). Initially, Maitland was a close associate of the Earl of Moray (1531 - 1570), with the same Protestant-English sympathies. He seems likely to have been involved in the murders of David Rizzio (1533 - 1566) and Lord Darnley (1545 - 1567). However, later Maitland became a supporter of Queen Mary's restoration, and held Edinburgh Castle in her name during a 33 day siege by the Earl of Morton in 1573. He is thought to have committed suicide shortly after his capture.

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