Elizabeth Keith, Countess of Huntley
| Elizabeth Gordon, Countess of Huntly | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
| Died | Unknown |
| Spouse(s) | George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly |
| Children | Thomas Gordon George Gordon, 5th Earl of Huntly Lady Margaret Gordon Lady Jean Gordon, Countess of Bothwell Lady Elizabeth Gordon Alexander, Lord Gordon Sir John Gordon William Gordon James Gordon Sir Adam Gordon Sir Patrick Gordon Robert Gordon |
| Mother | Lady Elizabeth Douglas |
| Father | Robert Keith, Master of Marischal |
Elizabeth Gordon, Countess of Huntly (fl. 1566), was a Scottish noblewoman and the wife of George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, Scotland's leading Catholic magnate during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. In 1562, Elizabeth encouraged her husband to raise forces against Queen Mary which led to his being outlawed, and after his death, his titles forfeited to the Crown. Elizabeth's son Sir John Gordon was executed for having taken part in his father's rebellion.
She succeeded to the title of Countess of Huntly at her marriage on 27 March 1530, but like all Scottish married women in the sixteenth century would never have used her husband's surname. Her daughter, Lady Jean Gordon, Countess of Bothwell was the first wife of James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, third husband of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Elizabeth was born on an unknown date in Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the eldest daughter of Robert Keith, Master of Marischal and Lady Elizabeth Douglas. Her paternal grandparents were William Keith, 3rd Earl Marischal and Elizabeth Gordon, and her maternal grandparents were John Douglas, 2nd Earl of Morton and Janet Crichton. Her brother was William Keith, 4th Earl Marischal (died 7 October 1581).
On 27 March 1530, she married George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, the wealthiest and most powerful landowner in the Scottish Highlands, whose estates approached those of an independent monarch. He was also the leading Catholic magnate in Scotland. Her brother promised to give Elizabeth five thousands merks as a tocher. Upon her marriage, Elizabeth became the Countess of Huntly. The Huntlys' chief residence was Strathbogie Castle in the Scottish Highlands. The Earl became Lord Chancellor of Scotland in 1546 following the death of David Beaton, Archbishop of St. Andrews. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Pinkie on 10 September 1547 and Elizabeth came with him to Berwick-upon-Tweed, returning to Scotland at the end of the month.
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