Patrick Gray

Background

Patrick Gray was born in 1558 in Scotland. He was the son of Patrick, the 5th lord and Barbara, daughter of William, 2nd Lord Ruthven.

Education

Gray was educated at Glasgow University.

Career

After studying and marriage he went to France, where he joined the friends of Mary, Queen of Scots, became a Roman Catholic, and assisted the French policy of the Guises in Scotland. Andrew was a leading figure in Scottish politics during the reigns of James I and his two successors, and visited England as an hostage, a diplomatist and a pilgrim. In 1584 he was sent as ambassador to England, to effect a treaty between James and Elizabeth and to exclude Mary. His ambition incited him at the same time to promote a plot to secure the downfall of Arran. This was supported by Elizabeth, and was finally accomplished by letting loose the lords banished from Scotland for their participation in the rebellion called the Raid of Ruthven, who, joining Gray, took possession of the king's person at Stirling in 1585, the league with England being ratified by the parliament in December. Gray now became the intermediary between the English government and James on the great question of Mary's execution, and in 1587 he was despatched on an embassy to Elizabeth, ostensibly to save Mary's life.

Gray had, however, previously advised her secret assassination and had endeavoured to overcome all James's scruples; and though he does not appear to have carried treachery so far as to advise her death on this occasion, no representations made by him could have had any force or weight. The execution of Mary caused his own downfall and loss of political power in Scotland; and after his return he was imprisoned on charges of plots against Protestantism, of endeavouring to prevent the king's marriage, and of having been bribed to consent to Mary's death. He pleaded guilty of sedition and of having obstructed the king's marriage, and was declared a traitor; but his life was spared by James and he was banished from the country, but permitted to return in 1589, when he was restored to his office of master of the wardrobe to which he had been appointed in 1585. His further career was marked by lawlessness and misconduct. In 1592, together with the 5th Lord Bothwell, he made an unsuccessful attempt to seize the king at Falkland, and the same year earned considerable discredit by bringing groundless accusations against the Presbyterian minister, Robert Bruce; while after the king's accession to the English throne he was frequently summoned before the authorities on account of his conduct. Notwithstanding, he never lost James's favour. In 1609 he succeeded his father as 6th Baron Gray.

Achievements

• Patrick Gray was known as "favourite" of James VI, with a career steeped in intrigue and treachery. He was an Ambassador to England, took the opportunity to plot the downfall of Arran and brokered negotiations between Elizabeth I and James over the fate of Mary. In 1606 Gray had been ranked sixth among the Scottish baronies.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Letters and Papers Relating to Patrick, Master of Gray: Afterwards Seventh I.E. Sixth Lord Gray

    (This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)

Religion

He was brought up as Protestant, later he became Roman Catholic.

Connections

Young Patrick was married early in life to Elizabeth Lyon, daughter of Lord Glamis, whom he repudiated almost directly.

The Master of Gray married again in 1585 to Lady Mary Stewart, daughter of Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Orkney and cousin to King James.

Father:

Patrick Gray

5th Lord Gray

Mother:

Barbara Ruthven

Wife:

Elizabeth Lyon

daughter of Lord Glamis

Wife:

Lady Mary Stewart

daughter of Robert Stewart

References

• The History Of Scotland - Volume 2: From The Death Of Wallace To James III.