biography
| name: |
Ruthven, William, 1st Earl of Gowrie
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (c.1541–84)
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| biography:
| Scottish nobleman, created Earl of Gowrie in 1581. He was involved in the murder of David Rizzio (1566), and later was the custodian of Mary, Queen of Scots, during her captivity at Loch Leven (1567–8). In 1582 he kidnapped the boy king, James VI, taking him to Castle Ruthven near Perth, for which he was first pardoned and then ordered to leave the country, but was beheaded at Stirling for his part in a conspiracy to take Stirling Castle. |
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