Sir Archibald Napier

Sir Archibald Napier (1534 – 15 May 1608) was a Scottish landowner and official, master of the Scottish mint and seventh Laird of Merchiston.

He was eldest son of Alexander Napier, sixth of Merchiston, who was killed at the battle of Pinkie in 1547. His mother was Annabella, youngest daughter of Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenurchy. His paternal grandfather was Sir Alexander, fifth of Merchiston, who was killed at the battle of Flodden in 1513. Archibald was infeft in the barony of Edenbellie as heir to his father on 8 November 1548, a royal dispensation enabling him, though a minor, to feudalise his right to his paternal barony in contemplation of his marriage with Janet Bothwell, which took place about 1549.

Napier began to clear his property of encumbrances. On 1 June 1555 he redeemed his lands of Gartnes, Stirlingshire, and others from Duncan Forester, and on 14 June 1558 he obtained a precept of sasine for infefting him in the lands of Blairwaddis, Isle of Inchcolm. In 1565 he received the order of knighthood. He seems to have sided with Mary Queen of Scots after her escape from Lochleven Castle. During the siege of Edinburgh Castle, held by Kirkcaldy of Grange for the queen, he was required on 1 May 1572 to deliver up his house of Merchiston to the king's party, who placed in it a company of soldiers to prevent victuals being carried past it to the castle. On this account the defenders of the castle made an attempt to burn it, which was unsuccessful.

Napier's name appears with others in a contract with the regent for working for the space of twelve years certain gold, silver, copper, and lead mines . He was appointed general of the cunzie-house (master of the Mint) in 1576, and on 25 April 1581 he was directed, with others, to take proceedings against John Achesoun, the king's master-coiner. In May 1580 he received payment for the expenses of a mission to England. On 24 April 1582 he was named one of the assessors to prepare the matters to be submitted to the general assembly of the kirk of Scotland, and his name occurs in following years as an ordinary member of assembly, and also as acting on special commissions and deputations.

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