Background
John Erskine was born in 1675 in Scotland. John was a son of John, 5th Lord Erskine, who was guardian of King James V, and afterwards of Mary Queen of Scots.
John Erskine was born in 1675 in Scotland. John was a son of John, 5th Lord Erskine, who was guardian of King James V, and afterwards of Mary Queen of Scots.
In 1565 John Erskine was granted the earldom of Mar.
In September 1571 he was chosen regent of Scotland, but he was overshadowed and perhaps slighted by the earl of Morton, and he died at Stirling on the 29th of October 1572.
In 1578 he was persuaded by James Douglas, 4th earl of Morton, to assert his claims to Stirling Castle and the guardianship of the young James VI (later James I of England).
He participated in the capture of James in the raid of Ruthven (1582).
After James's escape, Mar was received at court, but he was banished in 1584 and fled to England.
This was crushed before his arrival, and Mar spent his time negotiating the question of James's succession to the English throne.
In 1603 he accompanied James to England and was made a member of the English privy council.
John Erskine married Lady Margaret Hay on 6 April 1703. Mar married for the second time Lady Frances Pierrepont.
