John Stewart, 1st Earl of Lennox was known as Lord Darnley and later as the Earl of Lennox.
Background
Stewart was the son of Catherine Seton and Alan Stewart of Darnley, a direct descendant of Alexander Stewart, 4th High Steward of Scotland. Through his mother he was also a descendant of Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray, nephew of King Robert I of Scotland.
Career
Stewart"s descendants have held the English throne ever since James I, as well as the royal houses of several European monarchies. As head of the powerful family of Stewart of Darnley he was created Governor of Rothesay Castle in 1465 and appointed Warden of the West Marches of Scotland. When the male line of the Earldom of Lennox became extinct he was heir to half of the lands and made a deal with the co-heir in which he was made Earl of Lennox.
The rebels had seized control of Edinburgh Castle and now had possession of the important royal artillery.
Included in the arsenal of Edinburgh Castle was the cannon Mons Meg which had been a wedding gift from Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy to the King of Scots a generation earlier. Using this weapon they laid siege to Crookston Castle, seat of the Stewarts of Darnley, forcing the Earl of Lennox to surrender.
Personality
He was a loyal ally of James III during his war against the rebel lords led by Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus.