Thomas Erskine of Haltoun
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Sir Thomas Erskine of Haltoun and Brechin was the royal secretary to James V of Scotland from 1524.
A royal charter of 8 February 1543 noted Thomas as the uncle of the reformer John Erskine of Dun, who was married to a French lady-in waiting of Mary of Guise, Barbara Berlay.[1] Thomas's sister Isabella married James Cramond of Auldbar by 1527.[2]
Thomas Erskine married Elizabeth Scrymgeour.[3] Their son, Thomas, (later styled younger of Haltoun), was married to Agnes Ogilvy by 1541.[4] He had license to travel abroad in April 1542, with his cousin John Erskine of Dun, and John Lamby of Duncany.[5]
Career
He was first appointed secretary by Margaret Tudor and James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran in 1524.[6] In September 1526 he was made a gentleman and squire in the king's household. He was allowed food for himself, three horses, and two servants.[7]
In Spring 1531, Erskine was sent to Rome. Amongst other business, he may have brought a request that James V would be allowed to tax the church in Scotland. The money was intended for the defence of Scotland.[8]
As a reward for his services at home and abroad, in August 1531 Thomas was given the important task of keeping, repairing, and garrisoning Tantallon Castle, which James V of Scotland had obtained from the exiled Earl of Angus.[9] He was at Tantallon in July 1533.[10] As a further reward for his services he was granted the lands and lordship of Brechin and Navar on 4 February 1534. He had been the chamberlain of these lands since 1527. The charter described him as Sir Thomas Erskine of Kirkbuddo. Some of the yearly fees due to the crown for these lands were used for the wages of the garrison of Stirling Castle.[11]
It has been suggested that Erskine was a founder of the College of Justice, and he may have been educated at Pavia.[12] Later he came under the king's suspicion for communicating with the banished Douglas family.[13] Erskine witnessed king James's will on the Salamander at Leith on 12 June 1540 before his voyage to Orkney and the Western Isles.[14] In 1548, Erskine travelled to mainland Europe to rescue one of his sons from captivity.[15]