James Kirkcaldy

James Kirkcaldy of Grange (died 1556), a Fife laird and treasurer of Scotland. He married Janet Melville, aunt of Sir James Melville of Halhill. Their heir was William Kirkcaldy of Grange. His main property was called Hallyards Castle. The name is sometimes spelled Kirkaldy. Treasury business Sir James Kirkcaldy accompanied James V on his trip to France in 1536 to marry Madeleine of Valois. His duties included paying the sailors and organising repairs to the ships for the return voyage. On 13 October 1537, Janet and James received a gift of lands at Kinghorn from the king, taken from John Lyon, 7th Lord Glamis. On 4 October 1539, James V granted him the fishing rights on the Tay at Tentsmuir both fresh and saltwater. In February 1540 James V requested the auditors of the accounts to reward Kirkcaldy and the comptroller David Wood of the Craig. As their twelve servants had to attend court but would not be housed and fed as household men in the newly reformed royal household, Wood and Kirkcaldy each got £333-6s-8d each yearly. Kirkcaldy also got extra payments, to "sustain the treasurer's house", when the exchequer followed the king on justice ayres; to Dumbarton in 1540, and Dumfries in 1541.