SPOTSWOOD, or SPOTISWOOD, spot' is-wild, John, Scottish ecclesiastic: b. in the parish of Mid-Calder, Midlothian, 1565; d. Lon don, 26 Nov. 1639. He studied at the University of Glasgow, and at 18 became assistant to his father as parson of Calder. At the outset he supported the Presbyterian party, but in 1601, when the Earl of Lennox was sent as Ambas sador to France, Spotswood accompanied him as chaplain and "made no scruple to go in to mass." On his return he was complained of to the General Assembly, but through the influence of the court escaped with merely a reprimand. He became a favorite at court, and in 1603, when King James set out for England, was one of the five Scottish clergymen selected to ac company him. In the course of the journey news arrived of the death of the archbishop of Glasgow, and Spotswood was immediately appointed his successor, and in consequence re turned to Scotland, but was not consecrated till 1610. In 1615 he exchanged Glasgow for the metropolitan see of Saint Andrews and became primate of Scotland. In 1618 he presided over
the General Assembly at Perth, and succeeded in carrying the five points of ecclesiastical dis cipline known as the Perth Articles. He con tinued to enjoy royal favor under Charles I, whom he crowned in the abbey church of Holyrood in 1633, and a little later he was made chancellor of Scotland. But by his harsh pro cedure against Lord Balmerino contributed greatly to inflame the opposition to episcopal government, which now became general among all ranks, and finally led to its overthrow. In 1638, at the assembly held at Glasgow, he was deposed, excommunicated and declared in famous. He saved himself by flight, and took up his residence in London, where he died. He is the author of a 'History of the Church of Scotland' (1655), commencing at 203 and con tinued to the end of the reign of James VI.