William Halkett

WILLIAM HALKETT (sometimes written as Hakat), son and heir of the above James Halkett, - He was infefted in 1446 in the lands of Auchtertyre and Balcraig in the Sheriffdom of Forfar, which had been held by his father James. Elizabeth, Stewart his wife, noblewoman, of the diocese of St Andrews, an indult to have a portable altar. Sometime before 1484, if not in that year, he married Margaret, daughter of Alexander Cunningham of Polmaise and later Auchenbowie near Stirling, later knighted, and Sheriff of tht shire, and Provost of the town of that name. He is said to have been a descendant of the Cunninghams of Kilmaurs. Alexander Cunningham had an interest in the neighbouring lands of Pitconnochie and William was well acquainted with him, witnessing a charter for him at Pitfirrane in 1477. In May 1484 William received another sixth of Pitconnochie from him.

There are references in the early charters of Linlithgow to a Laird of Halkett, possibly William, and the family seems to have some connection with that area. His daughter Margaret marries a Liston of Humbie near that town, and in the 16th century there is a David Halkett there, whose seal displays the undifferenced arms of Halkett. If the Laird of Halkett can be equated with William of Pitfirrane he seems to have been a boon companion of James IV who draws sums of money from the Treasurer to play cards with the Laird and others in 1489 and 1490. (Lord High Treas. Acc.)

William died in December 1499.

William left issue:

1) Henry Halkett, his heir, Provost.

2) Thomas Halkett of Lumphinnans

3) John Halkett, Merchant, Dunfermline.

4) Margaret Halkett m.1502 Robert Linton of Humbie in January 1502 with a dowry of 200 merks.

5) Katherine Halkett m. Andrew Kinninouth of Craighall, Fife.

6) Andrew Halkett of Kirkcaldy, who gifts wax to the Abbey in 1515. He appeared for Katherine before the Sheriff in Kirkcaldy. He seems to have settled there and is the ancestor of the Kirkcaldy Halketts.

7) Peter Halkett, Merchant.

8) David Adam Halkett, Killed at Flodden Field 1513, m. Helen Mason and had issue -

1) Henry Halkett of Pitliver, who had a son

1) David Halkett of Broughton, Linlithgow, who m. Katherine Danielston of Pitliver, they had a son,

1) George Halkett in favour with James IV, who was Special Ambassador to Queen Elizabeth, and Traded with Spain, died, 1586. Halkett was appointed Conservator from 1555 to 1561 and again in 1565, holding the position until his death in March 1589. His was an extremely difficult task, as the revolt of the Netherlands against Spain was flaring up and he had to try to hold a neutral position, representing the British merchants, who ungratefully blamed him for their

losses and misfortunes. He had in their interests to keep on good terms with the Spanish authorities when Scottish volunteers were flocking in large numbers to aid their co-religionists. At the same time he was acting as Ambassador for the Scottish Government to the Dukes of Parma and Alva, as well as reporting on the Marian plots in France and Holland. Nevertheless he was successful in persuading Philip II to recognize the privileges of the Scottish merchants of Campvere as early as 1568, pending the final settlement there ten years later. He had already been censured by the Convention of Royal Burghs for the decay of privileges, and that body also insisted that he ensure the

strict Protestant religious observances of all merchants resorting to the staple. On the other hand Philip II had insisted on a condition of the grant that the Scottish merchants should behave as good Catholics, a clause accepted by the Regent Moray. Such contradictions were no doubt ignored in practice. (See “Scottish Staple at Vere.” Davidson and Gray), part from his duties as Conservator George Halkett was high in favor with the young King James VI. Numerous references in official letters of the period testify to his presence at court between 1576 and 1585. He was employed as special Ambassador to Elizabeth on matters of trade as well as to the Spanish authorities who thought highly of him. He was exempted from returning any gifts of Abbey lands when James VI resumed them.

George had been an attendant of Bothwell who married Mary, Queen of Scots, for one account states that Bothwell was informed of the death of Darnley by one Halkett. If that is the case, he must have been particularly agile in shifting his allegiance or securing another patron to escape the fatal interrogations of Bothwell'sstaff when he fell from power. From other evidence it would seem that he got the protection of Regent Morton who ruthlessly seized power after the flight of Mary, but he was dabbling in the intrigues of that stormy and bloody period.

2) Daughter Katherine Halkett who married Charles Danielston of Pitliver.

3) Jean Halkett who married Hew Murray of Cars, and John Swinton of Inverkeithing.

Fourth Laird of Pitfirrane