Historical and genealogical memoirs of the House of Hamilton

80 HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MEMOIRS
james, Hamiltons or the Douglasses ; and the best understanding continued to
EARLOFARRAN. „ , , . -,,,,,.,. ., . ,
. prevail between these two great and powerful families, until it was nearly
interrupted by an accident which happened towards the end of this year.
An under groom, or helper to the stables of the late Earl of Lennox,
after his master's death, being out of employment, wandered up and down
the country, until at last, either from the love he bore the deceased, or
tired of life, and willing, by some notable exploit, to end it, he resolved
to assassinate Sir James Hamilton. With this intention he came to Edin-
burgh, where, meeting with one who had been his fellow servant, he asked
him if he had seen Sir James lately; and the other answering that he had,
he upbraided him, that, having seen him, he had not, for the love he bore
his late master, killed him ; then, hastening to Holyroodhouse, he arrived
there during a review of the Hamiltons and Douglasses, in the court-yard.
Waiting his opportunity, he saw his victim cross the court and ascend
the stairs of the palace, upon which, closely following him into a dark gal-
lery, he immediately attacked him. Sir James, who was unarmed, de-
fended himself as well as he could, by holding his cloak before him ; and
the assassin, after giving him six severe wounds, none of which proved
mortal, retired and mixed with the crowd. Great confusion immediately
ensued. The Hamiltons, who at first thought the deed had been perpe-
trated by the Douglasses, were preparing to revenge it, when some one,
more considerate than the rest, having recommended that all those in the
court-yard should range themselves singly along the walls, the assassin
was presently discovered, with the bloody knife still in his hand. Having
been put to the rack, to force him to name his accomplices, he said the
contrivance was entirely his own ; and, after enduring numberless tor-
ments, his right hand being cut off, he observed that it was punished less
than it deserved, in not better obeying the dictates of his mind.
The Earl of Arran, advanced in years, and ever regretting the untimely
death of his nephew Lennox, shortly after this retired from court and
public business, and spent the remainder of his days on his own estates.
He was infefted in the heritable sheriffship of Lanarkshire, anno 1489.
On the 30th May 1498, he had a charter of the lands of Paddockcruke.
Mag. sig. l. xvii, jj e j la( j a charter, dated the 16th January 1512-13, " to James, Earl
No. 135, 136.
of Arran, Lord Hamilton, and the heirs-male of his body legitimately to
be procreated ; which failing, to James Hamilton of Finnart, knight, his
natural son ; Patrick Hamilton of Kincavill, knight, and John Hamilton