# Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland

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Political office in Scotland

Holders of the office of **Lord Chamberlain of [Scotland](/source/Scotland)** are known from about 1124. It was ranked by King Malcolm as the third great Officer of State, called *Camerarius Domini Regis*, and had a salary of £200 per annum allotted to him. He anciently collected the revenues of the Crown, at least before Scotland had a Treasurer, of which office there is no vestige until the restoration of King [James I](/source/James_I_of_Scotland) when he disbursed the money necessary for the maintenance of the King's Household.

The Great Chamberlain had jurisdiction for judging of all crimes committed within burgh, and of the crime of forestalling; and was in effect Justice-General over the burghs, and held Chamberlain-ayrs every year for that purpose; the form whereof is set down in *Iter Camerarii*, the Chamberlain-ayr. He was a supreme judge and his Decrees could not be questioned by any inferior judicatory. His sentences were to be put into execution by the [baillies](/source/Baillie) of burghs. He also settled the prices of provisions within burghs, and the fees of the workmen in the [Mint](/source/Mint_(coin)).

The Chamberlain lost his financial functions after 1425 to the [Treasurer](/source/Treasurer_of_Scotland). The position was vacant from 1558 to 1565 and again from 1569. It was occupied in 1580 for the cousin of [James I](/source/James_I_of_England), [Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox](/source/Esm%C3%A9_Stewart%2C_1st_Duke_of_Lennox), whose appearance as a [Great Officer of State](/source/Great_Officer_of_State) in 1581 is attributable to his personal standing with the king rather than his office. But following the [Raid of Ruthven](/source/Raid_of_Ruthven), 24 August 1582, the Great Chamberlain lost his supervision of the [royal burghs](/source/Royal_burgh).

Thereafter the office was held by successive [Dukes of Lennox](/source/Duke_of_Lennox) (heritably from 1603) until resigned to the Crown *ad perpetuam remanentiam* by the [Duke of Richmond and Lennox](/source/Duke_of_Richmond_and_Lennox) in 1703, since which time no Great Chamberlain has been appointed. In 1711 a form of the office was revived in a Commission of Chamberlainry and Trade, which lapsed on the death of [Queen Anne](/source/Anne%2C_Queen_of_Great_Britain).

## Lord Chamberlains

**[David I of Scotland](/source/David_I_of_Scotland) (r. 1124–1153)**

- Edmund, witnessed a charter granting [Annandale](/source/Annandale%2C_Dumfries_and_Galloway) to [Robert de Brus](/source/Robert_de_Brus%2C_1st_Lord_of_Annandale) in 1124.

- 1130-1153: Herbert

**[Malcolm IV of Scotland](/source/Malcolm_IV_of_Scotland) (r. 1153–1165)**

- 1153-1160: Herbert

- 1160-1165: Nicolaus, later Lord Chancellor

**[William the Lion](/source/William_the_Lion) (r. 1165–1214)**

- 1165-1189: [Walter de Berkeley of Redcastle](/source/Walter_de_Berkeley_of_Redcastle)

- 1205-14: [Philip de Valognes](/source/Philip_de_Valognes)

**[Alexander II of Scotland](/source/Alexander_II_of_Scotland) (r. 1214–1249)**

- 1214-19: [William de Valognes](/source/William_de_Valognes)

- [Hugo de Giffard](/source/Hugo_de_Giffard), Lord of [Yester](/source/Yester_Castle) and [Morham](/source/Morham)

- John de Melville

- 1216: [Henry de Balliol](/source/Henry_de_Balliol) (d. 1246)

- 1228: [David de Bernham](/source/David_de_Bernham) (later [Bishop of St Andrews](/source/Bishop_of_St_Andrews))

- 1231-41: Sir John de Maccuswel (or Maxwell)

**[Alexander III of Scotland](/source/Alexander_III_of_Scotland) (r. 1249–1286)**

- c.1250/1: Sir Robert de Meyners

- 1252-1255: [William, Earl of Mar](/source/Uilleam%2C_Earl_of_Mar)

- 1255-1257: [David de Lindsay of Barnweill and Byres](/source/David_de_Lindsay_of_the_Byres)

- 1257-60: Aylmer de Maxwell lord of [Caerlaverock](/source/Caerlaverock_Castle), Sheriff of Dumfries, son of Sir John Maxwell.

- 1260: William, Earl of Mar, again

- 1267: Sir [Reginald Cheyne](/source/Reginald_Cheyne)

- 1269: Sir Thomas Randolph, father of [Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray](/source/Thomas_Randolph%2C_1st_Earl_of_Moray),

- 1278: [John de Lindsay](/source/John_Lindsay_of_Wauchope)

**[Guardians of the Kingdom of Scotland](/source/Guardian_of_Scotland) (First Interregnum)(1286-1292)**

- 1287-1292: [Alexander de Baliol](/source/Alexander_de_Baliol)

**[John Balliol](/source/John_Balliol) (r. 1292–1329)**

- 1292-1296: [Alexander de Baliol](/source/Alexander_de_Baliol)

**[Guardians of the Kingdom of Scotland](/source/Guardian_of_Scotland) (Second Interregnum) (1296-1306)**

- 1297-1307: [John Sandale](/source/John_Sandale)

**[Robert the Bruce](/source/Robert_the_Bruce) (r. 1306–1329)**

- 1307: Eustace de Cotesbache

- 1319: William de Lindsay

- 1325: [Alexander Fraser of Touchfraser and Cowie](/source/Alexander_Fraser_of_Touchfraser_and_Cowie) (who married Mary, the King's sister)

**[David II of Scotland](/source/David_II_of_Scotland) (r. 1329–1371)**

- 1329: John Baptista

- 1327-1329: Robert de Peebles

- 1329-1333: [Reginald de Mure](/source/Reginald_de_Mure)

- 1333: Sir [Robert Lauder of Quarrelwood and The Bass](/source/Robert_Lauder_of_Quarrelwood) (d. 1337) (also [Justiciar of Scotia](/source/Justiciar_of_Scotia))

- 1334: [William Bullock](/source/William_Bullock_(chamberlain)), under [Edward Balliol](/source/Edward_Balliol)

- 1334-1340: [Reginald de Mure](/source/Reginald_de_Mure)

- 1341-1342: William Bullock, again

- 1343-1346: [John de Roxburgh](/source/John_de_Roxburgh)

- c.1350-1357: Sir Robert de Erskine

- 1357-1358: [Thomas Stewart, 2nd Earl of Angus](/source/Thomas_Stewart%2C_2nd_Earl_of_Angus)

- 1358-1359: [Thomas, Earl of Mar](/source/Thomas%2C_Earl_of_Mar)

- 1359-1363: Walter of [Biggar](/source/Biggar%2C_South_Lanarkshire)

- c1363-1364: Sir Robert de Erskine, again

- 1364-1371: Walter of Biggar, again

**[Robert II of Scotland](/source/Robert_II_of_Scotland) (r. 1371–1390)**

- 1371-1376: Walter of Biggar, continues

- 1376: [Michael de Monymusk](/source/Michael_de_Monymusk), [Bishop of Dunkeld](/source/Bishop_of_Dunkeld)

- 1377-1382: [Sir John Lyon](/source/John_Lyon%2C_Lord_of_Glamis)

- 1382: [Robert Stewart, Earl of Fife](/source/Robert_Stewart%2C_Earl_of_Fife)

**[Robert III of Scotland](/source/Robert_III_of_Scotland) (r. 1390–1406)**
**[James I of Scotland](/source/James_I_of_Scotland) (r. 1406–1437)**

- 1424-1448: Sir John Forrester of Corstorphine, Knt.[1][2]

**[James II of Scotland](/source/James_II_of_Scotland) (r. 1437–1460)**

- 1448-1450: [James Livingston, 1st Lord Livingston](/source/James_Livingston%2C_1st_Lord_Livingston)[3]

- 1450-1454: [James Crichton, 2nd Lord Crichton and Earl of Moray](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_Crichton,_2nd_Lord_Crichton_and_Earl_of_Moray&action=edit&redlink=1)[4][5]

- 1454-1467: [James Livingston, 1st Lord Livingston](/source/James_Livingston%2C_1st_Lord_Livingston)

**[James III of Scotland](/source/James_III_of_Scotland) (r. 1460–1488)**

- 1467:[6] [Robert Boyd, 1st Lord Boyd](/source/Robert_Boyd%2C_1st_Lord_Boyd)

- 1477: [James Stewart, 1st Earl of Buchan](/source/James_Stewart%2C_1st_Earl_of_Buchan)

- 1483: [David Lindsay, 5th Earl of Crawford](/source/David_Lindsay%2C_1st_Duke_of_Montrose)

**[James IV of Scotland](/source/James_IV_of_Scotland) (r. 1488–1513)**

- 1488: [Alexander Home, 2nd Lord Home](/source/Alexander_Home%2C_2nd_Lord_Home)

- 1509: [Alexander Home, 3rd Lord Home](/source/Alexander_Home%2C_3rd_Lord_Home)

**[James V of Scotland](/source/James_V_of_Scotland) (r. 1513–1542)**

- 1515: [John Fleming, 2nd Lord Fleming](/source/John_Fleming%2C_2nd_Lord_Fleming) (resigned 1 Aug 1524)[7]

- 1524: [Malcolm Fleming, 3rd Lord Fleming](/source/Malcolm_Fleming%2C_3rd_Lord_Fleming) (d. 1547 at [Battle of Pinkie](/source/Battle_of_Pinkie))

**[Mary, Queen of Scots](/source/Mary%2C_Queen_of_Scots) (r. 1542–1560)**

- 1547: [James Fleming, 4th Lord Fleming](/source/James_Fleming%2C_4th_Lord_Fleming) (d. 1558)

**[James VI of Scotland](/source/James_VI_and_I) (r. 1560–1625)**

- 1565: [John Fleming, 5th Lord Fleming](/source/John_Fleming%2C_5th_Lord_Fleming) (d. 1572)[8]

- 1581: [Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox](/source/Esm%C3%A9_Stewart%2C_1st_Duke_of_Lennox)

- 1594: [Ludovick (or Louis) Stewart, Duke of Lennox](/source/Ludovic_Stewart%2C_2nd_Duke_of_Lennox) (made heritable Chamberlains).

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** *The Scottish Nation*, Edinburgh, 1867, vol.v, p.250.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** *The [Exchequer Rolls of Scotland](/source/Exchequer_Rolls_of_Scotland)* edited by George Burnett, Lord Lyon King of Arms, vol.v, 1437-1454, Edinburgh, 1882, pps:108, 258, and 297 - the last mention as Chamberlain.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** *The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland* edited by George Burnett, Lord Lyon King of Arms, vol.v, 1437-1454, Edinburgh, 1882, p.312, first mention in this capacity.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Anderson, William, *The Scottish Nation*, Edinburgh, 1867, vol.iii, p.725, which states he held this position from 1440 until death.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Haydn, Joseph, *Book of Dignities*, London, 1851, also states that he held this position 1440-1454.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Chisholm, Hugh](/source/Hugh_Chisholm), ed. (1911). ["Boyd, Robert Boyd, Lord"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Boyd,_Robert_Boyd,_Lord). *[Encyclopædia Britannica](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica_Eleventh_Edition)*. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 353.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Hannay, Robert Kerr, *Acts of the Lords of Council in Public Affairs: 1501-1554*, General Register House, 1932, p.204.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Cracrofts Peerage](http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/index1707.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120308112323/http://www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk/online/content/index1707.htm) 2012-03-08 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- *The Staggering State of the Scots' Statesmen*, by [Sir John Scot of Scotstarvet](/source/Sir_John_Scot_of_Scotstarvet), Director of Chancery, Edinburgh, 1754, pps: 137-8. [\[1\]](https://archive.org/details/staggeringstateo00scot)

- *The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland*, edited by [George Burnett](/source/George_Burnett_(officer_of_arms)), [Lord Lyon King of Arms](/source/Lord_Lyon_King_of_Arms), vol.II, 1359–1379, Edinburgh, 1878, in the appendix to the Preface is [a list of Chamberlains of Scotland](https://archive.org/details/rotuliscaccariir02grea/page/n121) to 1406 only. See also p.cxxiii. [\[2\]](https://archive.org/details/rotuliscaccariir02grea)

- *A History of the House of Douglas*, by [James Balfour Paul](/source/James_Balfour_Paul) Vol II p. 3, London 1902.

v t e Great Officers of State of England and Scotland Great Officers of State of England Lord High Steward Vacant (most recently General Sir Gordon Messenger in 2023) Lord High Chancellor David Lammy MP (as Secretary of State for Justice) Lord High Treasurer Vacant Lord President of the Council Alan Campbell MP (also Leader of the House of Commons) Lord Privy Seal Angela Smith, Baroness Smith of Basildon (also Leader of the House of Lords) Lord Great Chamberlain In gross: Rupert Carington, 7th Baron Carrington Lord High Constable Vacant (most recently Admiral Sir Tony Radakin in 2023) Earl Marshal Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk Lord High Admiral Charles III (in right of the Crown)1 Officers of State of Scotland Greater Lord High Chancellor Abolished in 1707 (see Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain) Lord High Treasurer Abolished in 1707 (see Lord High Treasurer of Great Britain) Lord Privy Seal Vacant since 1922 Lord Secretary Abolished in 1709 Lesser Lord Clerk Register Lady Elish Angiolini Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain Lord Treasurer-depute Abolished in 1707 Lord Justice Clerk John Beckett, Lord Beckett Officers of the Crown of Scotland Lord President of the Council Privy Council abolished in 1708 Lord High Chamberlain Resigned to the Crown in 1703 Lord High Steward William, Duke of Rothesay (as Prince and Great Steward of Scotland) Lord High Constable Merlin Hay, 24th Earl of Erroll Knight Marischal Vacant since 1863 Earl Marischal Forfeit in 1716 Lord High Admiral2 Abolished in 1707 Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland2 John Swinney MSP (as First Minister of Scotland) 1 Office is either vested in the Crown, or vacant. Status is currently debated. 2 There is debate around whether these offices constitute Officers of the Crown.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_High_Chamberlain_of_Scotland) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_High_Chamberlain_of_Scotland?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.