John Elphinstone, 2nd Lord Balmerino
John Elphinstone, 2nd Lord Balmerino (died 28 February 1649) was a Scottish aristocrat, convicted in a celebrated trial of the 1630s which became a crux of the religious issue of the time.
Early life
He was the son of James, 1st Lord Balmerino, by his first wife, Sarah, daughter of Sir John Menteith of Carse. His father being under attainder when he died in 1613, the title did not devolve to him, but he was restored to blood and peerage by a letter under the great seal, 4 August 1613.[1]
In 1643 he bought a magnificent mansion house in
Parliamentary context and the trial
He was a strenuous opponent of the ecclesiastical policy of Charles I in Scotland. In the parliament of 1633 he demonstrated his hostility to the act establishing the royal prerogative of imposing apparel upon churchmen. A majority of the members voted against the measure, but the clerk affirmed that the question was carried. When his decision was objected to, Charles, who was present, insisted that it must be held good unless the clerk were accused from the bar of falsifying the records. This being a capital offence, the accuser was liable to the punishment of death if he failed in the proof, and the decision was not further challenged.[1]
William Haig of Bemersyde, solicitor to
Haig escaped to the continent, but Balmerino was brought before Spottiswoode, who sent him to
In a heated atmosphere, John Stewart, 1st Earl of Traquair went to Charles and represented to him that the execution was inadvisable. William Laud concurring, Balmerino was pardoned, but was ordered to be confined for life within six miles of his house at Balmerino. Afterwards he obtained full liberty.[1]
Later life
Balmerino was one of those who attended the meeting of the lords called by
Balmerino was one of the most prominent supporters of Argyll (as Lorne became) in his policy against Charles. When the covenanters resolved to take up arms, he contributed at least forty thousand merks. Along with the Earl of Rothes and others went on 22 March 1639 to
As a Lord of Session he required accommodation in or near Edinburgh and in 1643 he purchased a mansion from John Stewart, Earl of Carrick in the heart of Leith, Edinburgh's harbour town. This house was thereafter known as Balmerino House.[4]
He accompanied General
Family
He married Anne Ker, daughter of
Legacy
Balmerino House survived for many centuries but was hidden behind St Mary's Star of the Sea Church, after
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h s:Elphinstone, John, second Lord Balmerino (DNB00)
- ^ Cassell's Old and New Edinburgh; vol. 6.
- ^ Survey of the City; E. J. MacRae 1935.
- ^ Further Traditions of Trinity and Leith by Joyce Wallace ISBN 0-85976-282-3.
- ^ Cassell's Old and New Edinburgh; vol. 6, ch. 24.
- ^ Survey of Leith; by E. J. MacRae 1945.
References
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Elphinstone, John, second Lord Balmerino". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.