Background
Melville was the third son of Sir John Melville, laird of Raith in the county of Fife, who was executed for treason in 1548.
Melville was the third son of Sir John Melville, laird of Raith in the county of Fife, who was executed for treason in 1548.
James Melville in 1549 went to France to become page to Mary, Queen of Scots. Serving on the French side at the Battle of Saint Quentin in 1557 Melville was wounded and taken prisoner. He subsequently carried out a number of diplomatic missions for Henry II of France.
Having been adopted as his heir by the reformer Henry Balnaves, he inherited from him, at his death in 1579, the estate of Halhill in Fife.
And he retired there in 1603, refusing the request of James to accompany him to London on his accession to the English throne. Sir James Melville died at Halhill on the 13 November 1617.
He was buried in Collessie churchyard.