The earldom and estates of Lennox, which, on the death of the fourth earl, had devolved on James VI. by right of blood, were conveyed by him to his uncle, Charles, fifth earl of Lennox, brother of lord Darnley. The marriage of this earl in 1574, with a sister of the first earl of Devonshire, gave great displeasure to Elizabeth, whose own doubtful legitimacy made her very sensitive to possible pretensions to the throne. The sole issue of that union was a daughter, Arabella, and the earldom went in, suc cession to the fifth earl's uncle, Robert, bishop of Caithness, and his cousin, Esme, son of John Stewart, lord of Aubigne; youngest son of the third earl of Lennox, who was created duke of Lennox. The near relationship to the crown, both of England and Scotland, in which the fifth earl's daughter, the unfortunate lady Arabella Stewart, stood, made her an object of jealousy equally to James and Elizabeth. Elizabeth first interfered to prevent her contemplated marriage with her cousin, Esme, duke of Len nox, and afterward imarisoned her for listening to overtures from a son of the earl of Northumberland. The result was, that this lady formed an illicit connection with William Seymour. afterward marquis of Hertford; on the discovery of which, both were summoned by James before the privy council, and severely reprimanded. The con sequence was the reverse of what was intended. Lady Arabella privately married Seymour; which becoming known, she and her husband were committed into custody.
Both effected their escape: lady Arabella was overtaken in Calais roads, and imprisoned in the tower, where these undeserved oppressions drove her to a condition of lunacy, in which she died, Sept. 27, 1615. Esme, first duke of Lennox, had two sons, Ludovio and Esme, successively second and third dukes of Lennox. The former held the offices of great chamberlain and high admiral of Scotland, and was created earl of Richmond; earl of Newcastle, and duke of Richmond in the peerage of England. The latter, who was also lord of Auhigne, was created earl of March in England, and was father of fourth duke of Lennox, who fell under the guardianship of James VI. as his nearest heir-male, and had the title of duke of Richmond, which had expired at his uncle's death, revived in his favor in 1641. On the death of the sixth and last duke without issue in 1672, king Charles II., as nearest heir-male, was served heir to him in special.
Lours PITTENW EE.M. —Alexander Stewart of Galston, younger brother of the first lord Darnley, got from his brother the lands of Dreghorn and Galstou. His great grandson, Thomas Stewart of Galston, had two sons, Thomas and William. The younger son, William, became commeudator of the priory of Pittenweem, and his son was made a lord of parliament as lord Pittenweem. The line of the elder son, Thomas, failed in 1650 in the person of Ludovic Stuart of Galston.