Lady Jean Stewart

Who is Lady Jean Stewart?

Lady Jean Stewart was an illegitimate daughter of King James V of Scotland by his mistress Elizabeth Bethune.

Jean was born between 1528 and 1537. Her mother, Elizabeth Bethune or Beaton, was the daughter of John Bethune, 2nd Laird of Creich, and his wife Janet Hay. Elizabeth was married firstly to John Stewart, 4th Lord Innermeath, by whom she had two sons: John Stewart and James Stewart, 5th Lord Innermeath. Her mother married, secondly, James Gray, son of Patrick Gray, 4th Lord Gray.

The Scottish treasurer's accounts record purchases for the infant Lady Jean. In September 1538 she was given a canopy made with 27 ells of red, yellow and green cloth. By March 1539, she was housed with her half brothers, "Lord James of Kelso" and "Lord James of Saint Andrews" and had a black velvet and taffeta night gown lined with 'martrik' sable. In July 1540, at St Andrews, she was sent seven hanks of coloured silks and cloth to work samplers, and in December 1540 she was given a missal and a matins book.

On 1 July 1553, Jean was married to Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll. They divorced on 23 June 1573, the reason being desertion.