CAMPBELL, Archibald, Earl of Argyll, son of the preceding, from his youth distinguished himself by his loyalty and attachment to the royal family. Though his father headed the Covenanters, he openly declared his aversion to their cause, and attached himself to the interests of the king. Under Middleton he continued to harass the victorious English, till he received express orders from that general to accept of a capitulation. On the establishment of the commonwealth he was committed to prison, and jealously watched till the restoration, when the king remitted to him his father's forfeiture, and created him Earl of Argyll.
He continued in high esteem with the king and court till the passing of the Test Act in 1681, when, by opposing the exemption from the oath granted in favour of princes of the blood, he had the misfortune to draw down on himself the indignation of the Duke of York.
When called to take the test, Argyll refused, except with the explanation, which he believed to have been approved by the duke, to the effect that he took it only so far as it was consistent with itself and the Protestant religion. The duke accepted the qualification, and Argyll was admitted to sit in council; but a few days afterwards was committed to prison, and indicted for high treason. On being tried, three judges did not scruple to convict him of treason and leasing-making; a jury of fifteen noblemen gave a verdict against him; and the king ordered sentence to be pronounced, but the execution of it suspended till further orders. Argyll, however, seeing no reason to trust to the justice or mercy of his enemies, made his escape from prison, and concealed himself for some time in London. All the rest of his sentence was rigorously executed; his estate was confiscated, and his arms were reversed and torn down. Having escaped to Holland, he remained there during the remaining part of the reign of Charles II. Thinking that the interval before the coronation of James II. presented a
favourable opportunity for recovering the constitution by force of arms, he concerted measures with the Duke of Monmouth, and returned to Scotland to command the forces already raised for the purpose; but after a few unsuccessful skirmishes he was taken prisoner and carried to Edinburgh, where he was beheaded on his former sentence, June 30, 1685. At the place of execution he made a short speech; and, after solemnly declaring that he forgave all his enemies, submitted to death with heroic firmness. See BRITAIN.