HAMILTON, John, the 24th bishop of St Andrew's, to which he was translated from Dunkeld. He was natural son of James the first earl of Arran, and was in great favour at court whilst his friends remained in power. He was one of Queen Mary's privy council, and a steady friend to that unfortunate princess. He performed the ceremony of christening her son, and was at different times lord privy seal and lord treasurer. The queen had reason to lament her not following the advice of this prelate, after the fatal battle of Langside, viz. not to trust her person in England. By the regent earl of Murray, he was declared a traitor, and obliged to seek shelter among his friends. He was unfortunately in the castle of Dumbarton when that fortress was taken by surprise, from whence he was carried to Stirling, where on April 1. 1570, he was hanged on a live tree. The two following sarcastic verses were written upon this occasion:
Vive diu, felix arbor, semperque vireto
Frondibus, ut nobis talia poma feras.