RUTHVEN, William 4th Lord Ruthven, Earl of Gowrie 1Cause of his death was execution by beheading.1 User ID: V704. General Notes: "He was the principal actor in the ' Raid of Ruthven ' 23 August 1582, which took the young King out of the power of Lennox and Arran, an Act of Indemnity supporting the scheme. In 1583 the King freed himself, when he pardoned the actors, but a Convention of Estates reversed this. Engaging in a new plot to seize Stirling Castle, Ruthven was tried and beheaded at Stirling 4 May 1584, and his property forfeited." William married Dorothea STEWART, daughter of Henry STEWART Lord Methven and Janet STEWART.1 (Dorothea STEWART was born about 1543.) Marriage Notes: "He (William Ruthven) was contracted to Mary, daughter of Patrick, fourth Lord Gray, though the marriage did not take place, as she married David Seton of Parbroath. Ruthven married Dorothea Stewart, daughter of Henry, first Lord Methven, and of Janet Stewart, his father's second wife. She was born before marriage, and was legitimated in 1551. After her husband's fall she was forfeited and basely used by King James VI., surviving however to see the ruin of her family. She was residing at Dirleton when the news of the Gowrie conspiracy was brought to her." |