James Hamilton 3d earl of Arran

James Hamilton, 3d earl of Arran 1530-1609, Scottish nobleman; son of James Hamilton, 2d earl of Arran. He spent some years (1550-58) as a soldier in France, but his espousal of Protestantism brought his recall to Scotland, where his father, with the concurrence of John Knox, unsuccessfully proposed him as a suitor for Elizabeth I of England and then for Mary Queen of Scots. In 1562 he accused the earl of Bothwell of conspiring to abduct Queen Mary. He was clearly insane, however, and as a result was imprisoned until 1566. Arran succeeded to his father's estates in 1575, but because of his insanity he was placed under the care of his brother, John Hamilton, 1st marquess of Hamilton. The Arran estates and title were forfeited to James Stuart (see Stuart, James, earl of Arran ) in 1580 but restored in 1585. Arran, however, remained in confinement for the rest of his life.

Arran, James Hamilton, 3rd earl of [S] (c.1538–1609). Arran himself was one of the many contenders for the hand of Elizabeth, and, failing that, of Mary, queen of Scots. He was abroad from 1550 to 1559 and on his return to Scotland became a leader of the protestant party. But in 1562 he was declared insane and in 1581 was persuaded to resign his earldom in favour of his relative James Stewart.

Arran, James Hamilton, 3rd earl of [S] (c.1538–1609). Arran's father was regent of Scotland and heir presumptive from 1542 until James VI was born in 1566. Arran himself was one of the many contenders for the hand of Elizabeth, and, failing that, of Mary, queen of Scots. He was abroad from 1550 to 1559 and on his return to Scotland became a leader of the protestant party. But in 1562 he was declared insane and in 1581 was persuaded to resign his earldom in favour of his relative James Stewart. The resignation was cancelled in 1586 on grounds of incapacity, but Arran played no further part in public life.

J. A. Cannon