Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox
| Matthew Stewart | |
|---|---|
| 4th Earl of Lennox | |
|
|
| Spouse(s) | Lady Margaret Douglas |
| Issue | |
| Noble family | Stewart of Darnley |
| Father | John Stewart, 3rd Earl of Lennox |
| Mother | Elizabeth Stewart |
| Born |
21 September 1516 Dumbarton Castle |
| Died | 4 September 1571 (aged 54) Stirling Castle |
Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox (21 September 1516 – 4 September 1571) was the fourth Earl of Lennox, and a leader of the Catholic nobility in Scotland. He was the son of John Stewart, 3rd Earl of Lennox. His grandson was James VI of Scotland.
He spent most of his youth in exile in England, but returned to Scotland to assert his claims to the line of succession when James V died in 1542. At the time of the king's death in 1542, Lennox possessed a strong claim to the throne of Scotland should Mary, Queen of Scots, an infant, pass away childless. He was James V's second cousin once removed, being a great-grandson of Mary Stewart, Countess of Arran, James II's daughter, through her daughter, Elizabeth Hamilton. However, the Earl of Arran, James Hamilton, was descended from a son of the Countess of Arran, and thus held the stronger claim. As a result, Lennox was at best third in line of succession, and really behind Arran's sons. Arran was made Regent of Scotland. In 1543, Lennox's supporters challenged Arran's claim and legitimacy by suggesting that his father's divorce and second marriage were invalid.
Lennox arrived at Dumbarton Castle with two ships in March 1543. He came to Edinburgh, but refused to ratify Arran's position as second person and Regent. Arran was pushing towards alliance with England and made the Treaty of Greenwich on 1 July 1543, agreeing to a marriage between Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry VIII's son Edward, Prince of Wales. Arran began to fortify Linlithgow Palace, where Mary was held with her mother Mary of Guise. Cardinal Beaton's and Lennox's supporters camped outside the palace but lacked artillery for an assault. Their representatives parleyed with Arran's men at Kirkliston, near Edinburgh, and a settlement was reached. Henceforth, Arran would rule with the advice of a council, and the infant queen would be moved to Stirling Castle. Lennox escorted Mary to Stirling on 26 July 1543.
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