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 THE WRATH OF THE LION IS NOBLE Clan Crest © Art Pewter Silver Ltd, East Kilbride, Scotland |
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The stewards of Dol in Brittany came to Scotland via England, in 1124. They rose to high rank, being created hereditary high stewards of Scotland. By marriage to Marjory, daughter of Robert the Bruce, they acquired the throne on the death of the Bruce’s only son, David II. Robert Stewart, who reigned as Robert II, bestowed upon his younger son, John, the lands of Bute, Arran and Cumbrae.
The family favoured the spelling of their name introduced by Mary, Queen of Scots, and the present chiefs still use it to this day. Sir James Stuart of Bute was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia by Charles I in 1627. Early in the civil war, he garrisoned the Castle of Rothesay and raised soldiers for the king. Ultimately, he was forced to flee to Ireland when the forces of Cromwell were victorious. His estates were sequestrated, and he was forced to pay a substantial fine to redeem them. His grandson was appointed to manage the estates and to be colonel of the local militia on the forfeiture of the Earl of Argyll in 1681. He supported the accession of Queen Mary and William of Orange, and later, in the reign of Queen Anne, he was made a Privy Councillor and one of the commissioners for the negotiation of the Treaty of Union between Scotland and England. In 1703 he was created Earl of Bute, Viscount Kingarth and Lord Mount Stuart. By 1706, the earl was convinced a union with England would be a disaster for his country. When he realised that Parliament would vote in favour of the alliance, he withdrew from politics entirely. During the rising of 1715 he commanded the Bute and Argyll militia at Inveraray. John Stewart, the third Earl, was tutor to Prince George and became his constant companion and confidante. When his royal friend became George III, Bute was created a Privy Councillor and First Lord of the Treasury.His heir, John Lord Mount Stuart, was born in 1767. He married the heiress of Patrick Crichton, the Earl of Dumfries. He succeeded his father as Earl of Bute in 1792, and in 1796 he was advanced to the rank of marquess. The second Marquess consolidated the family fortunes and expanded the estates on business-like lines. He was a noted industrialist who was largely responsible for modern Cardiff, where he developed the docklands to rival Liverpool. By 1900 millions of tons of coal were being handled there, making Cardiff the greatest coal port in the world. The late Lord Bute was passionately concerned for Scottish heritage, and his efforts were recognised by a knighthood shortly before his death. |