MURRAY, or MORAY, JAMES STEWART, Earl of, sometimes called the "Good Regent," was the natural son of James V. of Scotland, by Margaret, daughter of John, fourth lord Erskine, afterwards wife of sir Robert Douglas of Lochleven. Ile was b. about 1531. made eommendator of the priory of St. Andrews in 1538, and subsequently of the priory of M3con (in Fiance). He joined the reformers in 1556, and almost imme diately became the chief of the Protestant party in Scotland. In 1561 he was sent to France, to invite queen Mary to return to her kingdom; and on her arrival lie became her prime minister and adviser. In Feb , 1562, he was created earl of Mar; but that earldom having been claimed by lord Erskine, the title of earl of Moray was conferred upon him instead a few months afterwards. Strongly opposed to the marriage of Mary with lord Darnley, July 29, 1565, he endeavored to oppose it by an appeal to arms; but he was easily put to flight by the queen, and obliged to take refuge in England. He did
'not return to Edinburgh till March 10, 1563. the day after the assassination of Riccio, in which he was an accomplice. In April, 1567 he went to France. but was recalled in August of the same year by the lords in arms against the queen, when he found Mary a prisoner in Lochleven, and himself appointed regent of the kingdom, After the escape of the queen he defeated her forces, May 13. 1568, at Langside, near Glasgow, and was afterwards one of the commissioners sent to England to conduct the negotiations against her. By hiS prompt and vigorous measures, zeal, and prudence, he succeeded in securing the peace of the kingdom, and settling the affairs of the church, but was assassinated at Linlithgow by Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh, Jan. 23. 1570.