Chapter XXI: The Commendator
Claud was unexpectedly put in possession of what he could not obtain by force. A gleam of peace came to Scotland by the Treaty of Perth. The forfeiture of the Lord of Paisley was recalled, and Sempill was ordered to give him possession of his lands. That nobleman was not inclined to part with them, [18] and refused to do so. The Abbey was besieged and taken by the Earl of Argyle in the name of the King, and Lord Sempile got “six days to transport himself and his gear.” Lord Claud now settled down at Paisley, and on the 1st August, 1574, married a daughter of Lord Seyton, “at Niddrie, with great triumph.” Children were born to him at the Abbey, or, as it then began to be called, the “Place of Paisley,” and his days of fighting were apparently over. He would not, however, rest contented, and again embarked in the intrigues of the time. The Regent Morton was his bitter enemy, and by his influence Claud was again forfeited, [19] and his posterity disinherited. The Earl of Morton and others were commissioned “to search for and administer justice to him,” and accordingly Paisley was again besieged. [20] This time no resistance was made. The Abbey was surrendered to the Master of Glencairn in 1579, but “the Abbot,” as he is called in a journal of the time, was not “in his strength, but conveyed himself quietly to sic pairt as no man knowis.” [21]
The Lordship of Paisley after this seems to have been rapidly conveyed from one proprietor to another. Alan, Lord Cathcart, [22] Master of the King's Household, received a lease of the temporalities immediately on Lord Claud's forfeiture; then they seem to have been gifted to John, Earl of Mar, in the same year, [23] and subsequently we find them in the possession of a nephew of that nobleman, William Erskine of Balgownie, Parson, as he was named, of Campsay. He is called “Commendator of Paisley,” and resided at the Abbey. [24] Lord Claud was now a fugitive. For a time he hid himself in various parts of Scotland, but at length was compelled to fly to England, where he received kind treatment from Queen Elizabeth, and remained at her Court waiting for better times. [25] They were long in coming, but they arrived at last. After fourteen years of exile, Claud was again restored to his ancestral rights. The Parson of Campsay was forfeited in 1584 [26] and in the following year Claud was back at the Place of Paisley. [27]
[18] Appendix to “Fourth Report on Historical Records,” p. 488, June 10, 1573. Commission under the Great Seal by King James VI., with advice, &c. The Commission narrates that by pacification concluded at Perth, and ratified by Parliament on 23rd Feb. last, it was declared that Lord Claud Hamilton, Commendator of Paisley, should be restored to that benefice to possess the same as freely as if no tumults had ever happened, which pacification was approved by the Regent: that the Regent had dealt favourably with Robert, Lord Sempill, and that the King's order had been sent forth against the latter, commanding restitution of the said benefice to be made to the said Lord Claud Hamilton, but that as yet no obedience had been rendered to the same. For these causes the said Earl of Argyle is appointed Lieutenant and General within these parts, Lanark, Clydesdale, &c., with the usual powers, and specially with authority to assemble the lieges within the bounds, at Glasgow, on the 27th of June ; and also, “our standing army,” and to procure warlike necessaries for the siege of the House and Monastery of Paisley, and for the subjection of the rebels and disobedient within the same, and their accomplices, for which end he was to display the King's Standard, to plant an army before the said Monastery, and to use fire and sword for its recovery under lawful authority.” The Commission was to last till the recovery of the said Monastery. Dated at Holyrood House, 10th June, 1573.
[19] Acts of Par., Vol. III., pp. 125, 129, 137, 159.
[20] Moyse's Memoirs, p. 22.
[21] Ibid.
[22] In the Cathcart Papers there is a tack or letter of the Chamberlain, dated October, 1579, in favour of Alan Lord Cathcart, the King's Master of the Household, of the Abbacy of Paisley, in the King's hand, by the forfeiture of Alan Hamilton, Commendator thereof.
[23] Moyse's Memoirs, p. 26.
[24] During his residence he caused a well to be sunk at the Abbey Place, which is still yielding a plentiful supply of excellent spring water, and bears the name of “Balgownie Well.”—Semple, p. 27.
[25] Hist. of King James VI., p. 175.
[26] Act of Par., Vol. III., pp. 332-336-344.
[27] Ibid, p. 383.