LEARMONTH-LERMONTOV. A HYISTORY OF THE NAME AND FAMILIES

George Wishart’s followers had no plans for revenge but
his family certainly had and it would appear that a plot against
Beaton was active within a few days of George’s death. Beaton
had no idea of the hatred and contempt in which he was now held
or of the plot which was being planned against him. At the time
Beaton’s residence (St Andrews Castle) was being repaired by
masons and carpenters working day and night. James Kirkcaldy,
William Kirkcaldy James Learmonth and Norman Leslie together
with a further eight companions entered the Castle on the night of
28th May 1546. Armed with sword and pike, they allowed the
workmen to leave and found Cardinal Beaton in his bed-chamber.
He begged for mercy saying ‘I am a priest you will not slay me’.
John Lesilie then charged him with the murder of George Wishart
and he was killed with a stag sword. His body was then thrown out
of the widow from which a short time before he had witnessed the
burning of George Wishart (“Significant Scots”
).
The outcome of these religious troubles was a French
invasion in support of the Catholics lead by Admiral Leon Strozy,
who laid siege to St Andrews Castle, which was eventually ended
with the destruction of the Castle by order of the Earl of Aran. The
French who had pillaged the Castle’s contents and taken hostages
were then satisfied and sailed back to France (Illus. 18).
.
In 1547 the Scots were fighting the English once more at the battle
of Pinkie. During this engagement Sir James Learmonth was
killed. He had been married twice: Catherine Ramsay of Pittedie
and then to Grizel Meldrum of Logie. It was difficult to identify all
his children. He had: Patrick (b. c. 1520) heir and future Patrick
Learmonth of Dairsie; George (b. c. 1525, future George
Learmonth of Balcomie; James (b. c.1527), future James
Learmonth of Kirkheugh; Thomas (b.c.1528) He also had
daughters Christina, Marion (Mariota), Agnes, Isobel, Grizel,
Elizabeth and Margaret.
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