Education
University of Paris.
University of Paris.
At a very early age he became a monk and Abbot of Paisley, and after studying in Paris he returned to Scotland, where he soon rose to a position of power and influence under his half-brother, the regent James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran. He was made Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland in 1543 and bishop of Dunkeld two years later. In 1546 he followed Cardinal Beaton as Archbishop of Street Andrews, and about the same time he became treasurer of the kingdom.
In 1553 the Italian physician Gerolamo Cardano cured him of a disease that had left him speechless and was thought incurable.
The diplomat Thomas Randolph recorded the "merry tales" rumoured about his methods still current in Edinburgh nine years later. Cardano himself wrote that the Archbishop had been short of breath for ten years, and after the cure was effected by his assistant, he was paid 1,400 gold crowns.
After his release he was an active partisan of Mary, Queen of Scots. He baptised the infant James, afterwards King James VI, and pronounced the divorce of the queen from Bothwell.
He was present at the Battle of Langside.
During the aftermath, John Hamilton later took refuge in Dumbarton Castle. The castle fell to a surprise night attack, led by Thomas Crawford of Jordanhill, and Archbishop Hamilton was captured. Concerned lest the English should seek to have the Archbishop spared, the leaders of the King"s party had Hamilton speedily tried and convicted of art and part in the murder of the Regent Moray and King Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley.
At 6 pm on 6 April 1571, three days after his capture, he was hanged beside the Mercat Cross of Stirling.
Archbishop Hamilton had three children by his mistress, Grizzel Sempill, the daughter of Robert Sempill, 3rd Lord Sempill.