James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran

The Earl of Arran
Personal details
Born	c. 1532
Died	March 1609
Resting place	Isle of Arran
Parents	James Hamilton, Duke of Châtellerault Lady Margaret Douglas

James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran (c. 1532–1609) was a Scottish nobleman and soldier who opposed the French-dominated regency during the Scottish Reformation. He was the eldest son of James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran, sometime Regent of Scotland. He was of royal descent, and at times was third or fourth in succession to the Scottish crown; several royal marriages were proposed for him. He went to France with Mary, Queen of Scots, and commanded the Scots Guards. After returning to Scotland, he became a leader of the Protestant party against Mary and her French supporters, but went insane in 1562 and was confined in seclusion for the rest of his life.

James was born in 1532 or 1536. His father, James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran, was the grandson of Mary Stewart, eldest daughter of James II of Scotland. At this time the second Earl of Arran was, after King James V, the most senior, legitimate male descendant of King James II and, so the elder Arran was heir presumptive for much of King James V's reign and the future 3rd Earl of Arran was next in succession after him.

Through his mother Margaret Douglas he was descended from James IV through an illegitimate daughter, and Joan of Scotland, daughter of James I.

In 1542, James and his father were displaced by the birth of James V's daughter, Mary (the future Mary, Queen of Scots) - until James V died only six days later. The elder Arran became Regent for the baby Queen.

The Regent proposed various royal marriages for his son, who was after all second in line for the crown.

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