Barony of Stobo

The Barony of Stobo is a barony located at Stobo in the Scottish Borders, in the former county of Peeblesshire. The barony has played an important role in Scottish history for almost five centuries. It was closely associated with the rise and fall of Stuart power in Scotland, its granting or forfeiture being used by turns to reward or punish those loyal to the House of Stuart.

The original feudal barony was created in 1577 for James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, one of the four Regents of Scotland during the minority of King James VI, later James I of England. Morton's possession of the barony was short-lived, however, as he was executed in 1581 for his part in the murder of Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, King Consort to Mary, Queen of Scots.

The barony was re-granted in 1587 to Sir John Maitland, Lord Chancellor of Scotland, who in 1590 became 1st Lord Maitland of Thirlestane in recognition of his role in arranging the King's marriage to Anne of Denmark. Maitland is generally considered the principal architect of Stuart rule during this period.

Over the following century, ownership of the barony alternated between two competing sets of Stuart supporters: Maitland's descendants, the powerful Earls of Lauderdale, chiefs of Clan Maitland and hereditary bearers of the National Flag of Scotland and the Dukes of Lennox and Richmond, chiefs of the Clan Stewart of Darnley and favoured kinsmen of James VI/James I, Charles I and Charles II.

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