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Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I'm your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we delve into a pivotal moment in the reign of James VI—a day that marked the end of a significant rebellion and the consolidation of royal authority. On April 20, 1584April 20, 1584, Colonel William Stewart captured William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie, near Dundee, effectively quelling the last major noble opposition to James VI's personal rule. And if you’re curious about other fascinating events that happened on this day in history, be sure to check out my blog at bagtownclans.com/thisday. The link will be in the description!

To understand the gravity of this event, we must revisit the Raid of Ruthven in 1582. At that time, Scotland was rife with religious and political tensions. Protestant nobles, wary of the Catholic influences surrounding the young King James VI—particularly from his favorite, Esmé Stewart, Duke of Lennox—sought to assert their dominance. Led by William Ruthven, these nobles abducted the 16-year-old king during a hunting expedition near Ruthven Castle, holding him captive for nearly a year in what became known as the Gowrie Regime. Their aim was to reform the government and diminish Catholic sway.

Initially, James VI appeared to forgive his captors after his release in 1583. However, the king harbored deep resentment. Determined to reassert his authority and eliminate threats to his sovereignty, he set his sights on Ruthven. Acting on the king's orders, Colonel William Stewart was dispatched to apprehend the earl.

On April 13, 1584, Stewart arrived in Dundee by sea with a force of 100 men, bearing a royal warrant for Ruthven's arrest. Ruthven, anticipating the danger, barricaded himself in his residence. For several hours, Stewart's forces laid siege to the house. The townspeople of Dundee, influenced by the Earl of Crawford, sided with Stewart, further isolating Ruthven. Realizing the futility of resistance, Ruthven surrendered on April 20.

Following his capture, Ruthven was transported to Leith and then to Holyrood Palace. He was subsequently moved to Kinneil House and finally to Stirling Castle. His trial took place at Mar's Wark in Stirling, where he faced charges of treason for his role in the Raid of Ruthven. The trial was swift, and Ruthven was found guilty. On May 3, 1584, he was beheaded at Stirling, his titles and estates forfeited, and his family disgraced.

The fall of Ruthven marked a turning point in James VI's reign. With the primary instigator of the 1582 rebellion eliminated, the king faced little opposition from the nobility. This event allowed James to strengthen his personal rule and paved the way for a more centralized monarchy.

Yet, the Ruthven legacy did not end there. In 1600, Ruthven's sons, John and Alexander, were implicated in the infamous Gowrie Conspiracy—a mysterious plot that resulted in their deaths and further tarnished the family name. The Ruthven estates were once again confiscated, and the family was effectively erased from the Scottish nobility.

The capture and execution of William Ruthven serve as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of Scottish politics in the 16th century. It underscores the lengths to which James VI would go to secure his authority and the perils faced by those who dared to challenge the crown.

Thank you for joining me today on This Day in Scottish History. I hope you’ve found this exploration of power, rebellion, and retribution enlightening. Don't forget to check out my blog for more historical events at bagtownclans.com/thisday. Tune in tomorrow for another journey through Scotland’s remarkable past. I'm Colin MacDonald—Haste Ye Back!

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