Robert Boyd

Robert Boyd was a Scottish statesman and landowner from an old and distinguished family, one member of which, Sir Robert Boyd, had fought with William Wallace and Robert de Bruce. Boyd was created a peer, Lord Boyd, in 1454, and his career portrays how feudal wealth and power was an uncertain and dangerous.

Coming from old and respectful family, and created a peer, Boyd managed to rise to the highest positions in Scotland. During the minority of James III (r. 1460-1488) Boyd was one of the regents of Scotland, and from 1466 he secured the person of the young king and was appointed his sole governor. During his period as king’s governor, Boyd arranged the marriage between James III and Margaret, daughter of Christian I (r. 1448-1481), king of Denmark and Norway, and secured the cession of the Orkney Islands by Norway. Boyd’s power continued to rise as in 1467 he obtained for himself the offices of chamberlain and justiciary and the hand of the king’s sister Mary, and for his eldest son Thomas he secured the title of earl of Arran. However, holding this much power in his hands made his enemies move against him. He was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death. Boyd managed to escape to England, but his brother and assistant, Sir Alexander Boyd, was beheaded on Nov. 22, 1469.