Archibald Campbell 5th earl of Argyll

Archibald Campbell Argyll, 5th earl of 1530-73, Scottish statesman. He and Lord James Stuart (later earl of Murray) became followers of John Knox in 1556 and led the troops of the Scottish Protestants, the lords of the congregation, against those of the Roman Catholic regent, Mary of Guise. Won over by Mary Queen of Scots when she arrived in Scotland (1561), he supported her until she proposed marrying Lord Darnley. He then tried to enlist the aid of Elizabeth I of England against Mary. Failing in this, he returned to Mary's party and is thought to have had some part in the murder of Darnley (1567). Argyll was in command of Mary's soldiers when they were defeated at Langside in 1568 by the soldiers under Murray, now regent, but he was reconciled with Murray the next year. Becoming a supporter of James VI, he was made lord high chancellor in 1572.

Argyll, Archibald Campbell, 5th earl of [S] (1532–73). A committed protestant whose political allegiances frequently changed. Signing the first ‘Common Band’ of the protestant nobles as Lord Lorne (1557), Argyll succeeded his father in 1558. However, he did not formally join the lords of the Congregation until May 1559. During the personal reign of Mary, queen of Scots, Argyll was a favoured privy counsellor until charged with treason in 1565, for his part in Moray's rebellion against Darnley. Having been reconciled with Mary in the spring of 1566, Argyll was appointed lieutenant of her forces, losing at Langside in 1568. Abandoning the Marian cause to support James VI, he was made a privy counsellor by Mar in September 1571. In January 1573, Argyll was appointed chancellor by Morton, until his death nine months later.

Argyll, Archibald Campbell, 5th earl of [S] (1532–73). A committed protestant whose political allegiances frequently changed and, at times, seemed inconsistent with his religious convictions. Signing the first ‘Common Band’ of the protestant nobles as Lord Lorne (1557), Argyll succeeded his father in 1558. However, he did not formally join the lords of the Congregation until May 1559. During the personal reign of Mary, queen of Scots, Argyll was a favoured privy counsellor until charged with treason on 5 December 1565, for his part in Moray's rebellion against Darnley. Having been reconciled with Mary in the spring of 1566, Argyll was later appointed lieutenant of her forces, losing at Langside in 1568. Abandoning the Marian cause to support James VI, he was made a privy counsellor by Mar in September 1571. On 17 January 1573, Argyll was appointed chancellor by Morton, an office he held until his death nine months later.

Pamela E. Ritchie