Page 548, 549 – Sir James Sempill, his son and heir, who, with his curators, sued Robert, Lord Sempill, in 1581, for implement of the undertaking by his grandfather, the third Lord, in his father’s marriage-contract to convey the lands of Beltries and others. Matters were, however, arranged by an agreement, dated 12 august 1584. Being of a literary turn of mind he assisted King James VI. In preparing for the press his Basilicon Doron in 1599. He was resident in London as ‘Agent’ in the affairs of the King of Scotland until February 1599-1600, when he received a passport to return home. Shortly after his return he was created a knight, and in 1601 sent as Ambassador to France, and in February 1602-3, in recognition of his good services at home and abroad, the King gave him a jewel of great beauty and value, which had belonged to the Queen, his mother, with power to ‘sue all persons who have the said jewel in their keeping for delivery.’ In 1611 compensation was paid to him for relinquishing to the King certain rents payable by the freeholders of Annally in Ireland. He had a grant of the county or barony of ‘Carritrye’ (Carbery) in county Cork from King James I. In 1616 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the county of Renfrew, and again in 1623. An oration which he composed was delivered before the King when he visited Paisley in 1617. He was the author of several controversial works. He died in his house at the Cross of Paisley in February 1625-26, and is described as a ‘grand enemie a la pseudo-hierarchie.’ By his wife Egidia, youngest daughter of George Elphinstone of Blythswood, who died in September 1618, he had issue:-
1. Robert
