Andrew Stewart, 1st Lord Avandale

Andrew Stewart (c. 1420 – 1488) was Lord Chancellor of Scotland from 1460 to 1482 and one of the leading servants of King James III of Scotland.

Andrew Stewart was born c. 1420 and "appears to have been the eldest son of Walter Stewart (c.1392–1425), second son of Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany (c.1362–1425), and Isabella, Countess of Lennox (d. 1458/9)... Andrew, together with brothers Arthur and Walter, obtained letters of legitimation from James III in 1472, repeated in 1479." His grandfather Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany was executed for treason in 1425 by King James I of Scotland.

Andrew Stewart was raised at the court of his paternal grandmother Isabella, Countess of Lennox. It may be that Isabella, having seen her own children and husband executed by James I of Scotland, took pity on her dead son's children and brought them to her own court.

Andrew attended a university in England, in which country he was knighted before 12 July 1437 with his brother Murdoch. As well as Murdoch and Marion, two other siblings, Arthur and Walter, are known.

Returning to Scotland by 1440, he attended the general council held at Stirling in August of that year. He held office in royal household of King James II and was granted lands, including Avandale and Strathavon, which had been forfeited by William Douglas, 8th Earl of Douglas. He was also made warden of the march and keeper of the castle of Lochmaben. By 11 June 1457, he had been granted the title Lord Avandale.

In 1460, Avandale was made Chancellor of Scotland, a position he retained into the next reign. He served as one of the regents, during the minority of King James III of Scotland. He then served as governor of Stirling Castle and as an ambassador and diplomat, taking a leading role in the negotiations which led to the marriage of James and Margaret of Denmark in 1469. In 1471 he was granted the rents of the Earldom of Lennox for life.

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