Person:William Semple (25)

William Semple, 2nd Lord Sempill

• The Scots Peerage by Paul, James

Page 535 thru 537 – William Semple, 2nd Lord Sempill, as the son and heir apparent of Sir John Semple, 1st Lord Sempill, was witness along with his father on 13 Mar 1501-2. After his father’s death litigation between him and his step-mother Margaret Crichton, "of Ruthvendeny" took place regarding their rights in the estate of Sir John Semple, 1st Lord Sempill. On 8 Sep 1525 a summons of treason was served upon the Earl of Cassillis, Lord Sempill and others. On 21 Jun 1526 Parliament directed summons of treason to be raised against the Earl of Eglinton, Lord Smpill and others. He was one of the Privy Council of King James V, of Scotland, and Justiciary and Bailie of the regality of Paisley. He purchased the lands of Previk, in Ayrshire, 12 Feb 1522-23, from John Crawford of Previk, whose son raised an action, in 1538-39, for reduction of the sale as having been obtained by force; and the lands of Auchinfour and others, in the parish of Inverkip, from Sir James Hamilton of Fynnart on 31 Aug 1529. William Semple, 2nd Lord Sempill was, on 26 Feb 1534, acquitted of being art and part in the slaughter of William Cuninghame, 2nd Laird of Craigends and one of his servants who had been killed in a family quarrel 11 August 1533 by his brother Gabriel Semple, 1st Baron Sempill of Cathcart and Ladymure. The killing was part of a long and on-going family Montgomery & family Cuningham Feud. On 30 Jul 1535 John, Lord Lyle, and his servant were denounced for unlawfully putting letters to execution agains Lord Sempill, demanding caution for being art and part in the slaughter of John Crawford of Previk, etc. He was one of the jury at the trial of Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis, accused of conspiring the slaughter of the King, etc., 17 Jul 1537. He, and others, had a remission on 18 Mar 1540 for all crimes committed prior to this date except treason. He had charters of confirmation of the lands of Fernynes, Eliotstoun, Glasford, etc., 17 Mar 1539-40; of Beltrees, which he had purchased in 1541 from John Stewart, Dalmuir, etc., 4 Oct 1545; and of Drumry on the 18th of the same month. As a second sub-treaty of the Treaty of Greenwich, King Henry VIII of England took the opportunity of the regency to propose marriage between Mary (later Mary, Queen of Scots) and his own son, Prince Edward (later Edward VI of England), hoping for a union of Scotland and England. William Semple, 2nd Lord Sempill was one of those who assented to the match betwixt Mary (later Mary, Queen of Scots) and Prince Edward of England 25 Aug 1543 (later Edward VI of England). William Semple, 2nd Lord Sempill, died at Edinburgh on 3 Jun 1552. He married, first, before 20 Jul 1517, Margaret Montgomerie, said to be eldest daughter of Hugh Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Eglinton, and by her had issue as aftermentioned. He married, secondly, prior to 12 Feb 1522-23, Elizabeth, daughter of John Arnot of Arnot. She was alive 18 Mar 1538-39. He married, thirdly, Marion Montgomerie, daughter of Hugh Montgomerie, 'of Hazelhead', widow of Thomas Craufurd of Auchenames, who had died in 1541; she survived Lord Sempill, and married, thirdly, between 31 Aug 1553 and 20 Dec 1556, John Campbell, 2nd of Skipness. On 3 Apr 1554 his widow’s estate was granted to Hugh Cunynghame of Walterston, for the slaughter of Gilbert Rankin, and on 8 Nov 1555 she came into the Queen’s will for supporting her servants in this and various other offences. By his first wife only he had issue:-

• Castle Levan

In 1547 Castle Levan was sold to the Semple family.

• A history of the county of Renfrew from the earliest times, by Metcalfe, William M.

William Semple, 2nd Lord Sempill appears to have been thoroughly well supported by his wife, Marion. William Semple, 2nd Lord Sempill died 03 Jun 1552. On November 8, 1555, widow Marion Montgomerie was charged with a number of serious offence's, and having no defense, she "came in the Queen’s will for consenting to the slaughter of Gilbert Rankin in Lecheland, committed by the servants of the said Lady, March 17, 1553, under silence of night: and for approving the cruel hurting and wounding of John Fynne and mutilation of his arm, and the hurting and wounding of John Roger in sundry parts of his body, to the effusion of his blood, committed at the same time, by resetting of her servants, who had committed the said crimes, red-hand, that same night, within the Castle Levan, immediately after the perpetration thereof: and also for approving of the taking and apprehending of Humphrey Malcolmson and Archibald Scherare, they being conducted by her servants in the same night to the Castle Levan, seeing she received them into her said Castle, also, for the incarceration and subjection of the said persons in the aforesaid Castle by the space of twenty-four hours, without food or drink ; thereby usurping the Queen’s authority."

Marion Montgomerie was sentenced to death for the murder of her tenants, by Mary of Guise, mother of Mary, Queen of Scots, but later the sentence was commuted to house arrest. When her husband John Campbell, 2nd of Skipness had returned home from military service and had learned of Marion's crimes, he was so appalled to hear of his wife's behavior that he imprisoned her and starved her to death at Castle Levan.

Montgomery & Cunningham Feud ^S8

• Montgomery became involved in the feud dating back to the 15th century between Clan Montgomery and Clan Cunningham. Montgomery was named Bailie of Cunninghame by James II, of Scotland (reigned 1437–1460), a post the Cunninghams claimed was rightfully theirs.
• History of the Counties of Ayr & Wigton Scotland: Cunninghame By James Paterson.

20 May 1530 - Beginning of a feud that involves Gabriel Semple - the cautioners of John Cunninghame, David Boswell and 17 others did not appear for the murder of John Tod.

23 May 1530 - Ormyscheuches, Scotland - William and David Cunninghame Lying in Wait upon the Highway - 'In feir of weir', David and William await the arrival of Gabriel Semple for his slaughter. A forethought felony and old feud.

• The Sctos Peerage by Paul, James

Gabriel Semple, 1st Baron Sempill of Cathcart and Ladymure, who, on 20 Aug 1533, found surety to underlie the law for the slaughter of William Cuningham, 2nd of Craigends and his servant on 11 Aug 1533, and failing to appear, his brother, William Semple, 2nd Lord Sempill, who was his cautioner, was fined and Gabriel denounced rebel.

• The Hugh Montgomerie, 4th Earl of Eglinton was assassinated by the Cunninghams at about the time of Montgomery's return to Scotland and died between 18 Apr 1586 and 20 Apr 1586, "shot dead by a party of Cunninghams, as part of the feud between the two families."
• Hugh Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery's involvement in the feud began when he took offence at something that a Cunningham said. Cunningham fled to London, then to Holland, where Montgomery caught up with him and confronted him in the Inner Court of the Palace at The Hague. Combating Cunningham with a sword, Montgomery delivered what he believing to be a killing thrust, but Cunningham's belt buckle deflected the blow. Montgomery believed he had killed Cunningham and made to leave the palace. He was arrested and imprisoned at the Gevangenpoort in the Buitenhof. Montgomery broke out of jail with the help of a Scottish soldier.

Hugh Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery received a reprimand from King James VI and I (reigned 1567–1625), but was soon back in favour. In the spring of 1603 he accompanied King James VI and I to his coronation as King of England, after the death of Queen Elizabeth I, of England.

Wikipedia

the text in this section is copied from an article in Wikipedia

William Sempill, 2nd Lord Sempill (died 1552) was a Scottish lord and Sheriff of Renfrewshire.

1.   William Sempill, 2nd Lord Sempill, in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.
2.   Semple, William Alexander. Genealogical History of the Family Semple: From 1214 to 1888. (Hartford, Connecticut: Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard Co., 1888)
   Page 11.

   William, Second Lord Semple, the eldest son of the first lord, was one of the Privy Council of James the Fifth, and Lord Justiciary and heritable Bailie of the Regality of Paisley. He was one of those who assented to the match betwixt Queen Mary and Prince Edward of England, August 25, 1543, and died in 1548. In 1547, he purchased from John Bruntschells, the last of the family of Bruntschells of that ilk, the estate of Bruntschells (a corruption of Burnt shields), in the parish of Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire. His Lordship married, first, Lady Margaret Montgomery, eldest daughter of Hugh, first Earl of Eglintoun, by the Lady Helen Campbell, daughter of Archibal, Earl of Argyll, and by her had issue: Robert, David, Helen, Mary…
   He married, secondly, Elizabeth, daughter of John Arnot, of Arnot; thirdly, Marian, daughter of Hugh Montgomery of Hazellhead, without issue.

3.   William Sempill, 2nd Lord Sempill, in Lundy, Darryl. The Peerage: A genealogical survey of the peerage of Britain as well as the royal families of Europe.
4.   Paul, James Balfour. The Scots peerage: founded on Wood's edition of Sir Robert Douglas's ‘Peerage of Scotland’ containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom, with armorial illustrations. (Edinburgh: D. Douglas, 1904-1914)
   Vol. 7.

   Page 535 thru 537 – William, second Lord Sempill, as the son and heir apparent of John, Lord Sempill, was witness along with his father on 13 March 1501-2. After his father’s death litigation between him and his step-mother took place regarding their rights in the estate of the first Lord Sempill. On 8 September 1525 a summons of treason was served upon the Earl of Cassillis, Lord Sempill and others. On 21 June 1526 Parliament directed summons of treason to be raised against the Earl of Eglinton, Lord Smpill and others. He was one of the Privy Council of King James V., and Justiciary and Bailie of the regality of Paisley. He purchased the lands of Previk, in Ayrshire, 12 February 1522-23, from John Crawford of Previk, whose son raised an action, in 1538-39, for reduction of the sale as having been obtained by force; and the lands of Auchinfour and others, in the parish of Inverkip, from Sir James Hamilton of Fynnart on 31 August 1529. Lord Sempill was, on 26 February 1533-34, acquitted of being art and part in the slaughter of William Cunyngham of Craigends and one of his servants who had been killed in a family quarrel. On 30 July 1535 John, Lord Lyle, and his servant were denounced for unlawfully putting letters to execution agains Lord Sempill, demanding caution for being art and part in the slaughter of John Crawford of Previk, etc. He was one of the jury at the trial of Jonet Douglas, Lady Glamis, accused of conspiring the slaughter of the King, etc., 17 July 1537. He, and others, had a remission on 18 March 1540 for all crimes committed prior to this date except treason. He had charters of confirmation of the lands of Fernynes, Eliotstoun, Glasford, etc., 17 March 1539-40; of Bultrees, which he had purchased in 1541 from John Stewart, Dalmuir, etc., 4 October 1545; and of Drumry on the 18 of the same month. He was one of those who assented to the match betwixt Queen Mary and Prince Edward of England 25 August 1543. He died at Edinburgh on 3 June 1552. He married, first, before 20 July 1517, Margaret Montgomery, said to be eldest daughter of Hugh, first Earl of Eglintoun, and by her had issue as aftermentioned. He married, secondly, prior to 12 February 1522-23, Elizabeth, daughter of John Arnot of Arnot. She was alive 18 March 1538-39. He married, thirdly, Marion, daughter of Hugh Montgomery of Hazelhead, widow of Thomas Crawford of Auchinames, who had died in 1541; she survived Lord Sempill, and married, thirdly, between 31 August 1553 and 20 December 1556, John Campbell of Skipnish. On 3 April 1554 his widow’s escheat was granted to Hugh Cunynghame of Walterston, for the slaughter of Gilbert Rankin, and on 8 November 1555 she came into the Queen’s will for supporting her servants in this and various other offences. By his first wife only he had issue:-

5.   Lundy, Darryl. The Peerage: A genealogical survey of the peerage of Britain as well as the royal families of Europe.

   Wives of William Sempill, 2nd Lord Sempill:
   
   1ST WIFE Margaret Montgomerie, eldest daughter of Hugh Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Eglinton. ALL OF WILLIAM SEMPILL'S CHILDREN ARE FROM HER.
   
   2ND WIFE Elizabeth Arnot
   
   3RD WIFE Marion Montgomerie, daughter of Hugh Montgomerie of Hazelhead. Widow of Thomas Craufurd of Auchenames. After William Sempill, 2nd Lord Sempill's death, Marion remarried to John Campbell, 2nd of Skipness.

6.   Metcalfe, William Musham. A history of the county of Renfrew from the earliest times: with a map of the county. (Paisley [Scotland]: A. Gardner, 1905)
   Chapter 11.

   Chapter XI - Feuds - William Lord Semple appears to have been thoroughly well supported by his wife, Marion Montgomery. Some time after his death, on November 8, 1555, she was charged with a number of serious offences, and having no defence, she “ came in the Queen’s will for consenting to the slaughter of Gilbert Rankin in Lecheland, committed by the servants of the said Lady, March 17, 1553, under silence of night: and for approving the cruel hurting and wounding of John Fynne and mutilation of his arm, and the hurting and wounding of John Roger in sundry parts of his body, to the effusion of his blood, committed at the same time —by resetting of her servants, who had committed the said crimes, red-hand, that same night, within the Castle of Laven, immediately after the perpetration thereof: and also for approving of the taking and apprehending of Humphrey Malcolmson and Archibald Scherare, they being conducted by her servants in the same night to the Castle of Laven, seeing she received them into her said Castle : also, for the incarceration and subjection of the said persons in the aforsaid Castle by the space of twenty-four hours, without food or drink; thereby usurping the Queen’s authority."

7.   Patrick Hogue (Samples). The Samples / Semples Family.

   Hereditary Sempill Lords of Lochwinnoch & Clan Sempill

8.   Masson, David. The register of the Privy Council of Scotland : vol. VIII, A.D. 1607-1610. (Edinburgh: H. M. General Register House, 1887)
   Page 252.

   page 252. February 28, 1609.--The feud between James, Earl of Glencairne, and his friends under written, on the one part--and--Hew, Earl of Eglintoun, and Robert, Lord Semple, and their friends, on the other part, having been amicably submitted, in presence of the Council, in January 1607 to certain neutral friends, the said friends had at last disagreed anent the nomination of an oversman, and the submission had been given up by them and allowed to fall in his Majesty's hands, so that now his Majesty is the only judge and oversman in that matter.
   
   Accordingly, his Majesty having given direction for reconciling the said parties, according to a decree to be pronounced in his name hereanent, there is order to charge the following persons,--viz.
   
   ON THE ONE PART:
   Andro Arnot of Lochrig, younger
   Robert Boyd in Clerkland
   Abrahame Cunynghame, servitor to late Alex'r. Cunynghame of Aikit
   Alexander Cunynghame of Corshill
   Alexander Cunynghame of Craigens
   Alexander Cunynghame of Tourlandis
   Daniel Cunynghame of Dalkeith
   David Cunynghame of Robertland
   Gabriell Cunynghame, brother of the Laird of Craigens
   Hew, son of late Hew Cunynghame of Saltcoitis
   Mr. James Cunynghame of Montgrenane and his brothers
   Johnne Cunynghame of Cunynghameheid
   (2nd named) Johnne Cunynghame of Ros, brother of Earl of Glencairne
   (3rd named) Patrick Cunynghame, goodsire-brother of James Cunynghame of Aiket,
   Robert Cunynghame of Waterstoun and his brother Joseph
   (4th named) William Cunynghame, uncle of Patrick Cunynghame
   Williame Cunynghame of Brounhill
   William Cunynghame of Caprintoun
   William Cunynghame of Clonbaith
   (1st named) Earl of Glencairne
   Bartilmo Maxwell
   Patrik Maxwell of Newark, and his brothers Johnne and David
   
   ON THE SECOND PART:
   Johnne (?Robert) Birsbane, elder of Bishoptoun
   Johnne (?Robert) Birsbane, younger of Bischoptoun
   Matthew Birsbane of Roisland
   Symone Birsbane of Nether Walkinschaw
   The late William Birsbane of Barnhill: His sons John, William, James
   James Dunlop of that Ilk
   (1st named) The Earl of Eglintoun
   Archibald Lindsay of Creifoche
   Hew Montgomerie of Achinheid
   Hew (?Robert) Montgomerie of Hissilheid
   Sir Hew Montgomerie of Braidstane
   Johnne Montgomerie of Scotistoun
   (3rd named) Sir Neill Montgomerie of Langschaw
   Robert Montgomerie of Skelmourlie
   James Mowat of Busbie
   Robert Mure of Cauldwele
   Hew Ralstoun of that Ilk
   (2nd named) Lord Semple
   William Semple of Foulwood and his brothers
   
   to appear before the Council on 16th March next, under pain of rebellion, to hear his Majesty's decreet pronounced; with certification that, if they do not compear, they will be denounced rebels, decree will be given in the matter, and they shall be compelled to obey the same.
   
   The Earl of Eglintoun, Lord Semple and their said friends are reuqired to come Edinburg on 14th March next, and the Earl of Glencairn and his friends on Wednesday 15th March; and, at their coming to the burgh, they are to repair to their lodgings, and remain there till sent for by the Council.

9.   Roxine A. Beaumont-Sempill. The Semples, Lord Sempills of West Scotland: family and contextual history from the 11th to 19th Centuries. (USA: Amazon/Create Space, 13/12/2015)
   Pages 77, 219, 222-5. .

   William 2nd Lord Sempill’s first wife Baroness Margaret Montgomery, the daughter of Hugh Montgomery 1st Earl of Eglinton, was descended from Robert II of Scotland through 5 generations. So descendents of this marriage are descended from many Scottish monarchs up to Robert II, and also from Anglo-Saxon kings (through the marriage of Malcolm III of Scotland to Saint Margaret).Cites Sir Bernard Burke, Ulster King of Arms (1858) Royal Descents and Pedigrees of Founders' Kin. London: Harrison.