, Seized control of Stirling Castle from uncle (1578); named guardian of young King James VI (1578), but a puppet of Earl of Morton; foiled plot to carry off king (1580); took part in seizure of king and carried him off to Ruthven Castle to keep him from Lennox and Arran (1582); on king's escape, fled to England (1584). With support of Elizabeth I conspired (1584) with Sir Thomas Lyon, master of Glamis, captured Stirling, and on flight of Arran became privy councillor of Scotland (1585) and guardian of Prince Henry (1595); helped to thwart Gowrie conspiracy (1600); envoy to London to negotiate James VI's accession to English throne (1601); lord high treasurer of Scotland (1616-30).