Margaret Erskine

Lady Margaret Erskine (8 October 1515 – 5 May 1572) was a mistress of King James V of Scotland and mother of Regent Moray. She was a daughter of John Erskine, 5th Lord Erskine and Lady Margaret Campbell. Royal mistress and mother James V had a number of mistresses in his time, but some accounts describe her as his favourite. In 1527, Margaret Erskine married Robert Douglas of Lochleven, who was killed at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh. She became the châtelaine of Lochleven Castle. She had two sons with James V after her marriage to Robert Douglas. The first son, James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, was Regent during the minority of James VI. It was said that while Margaret Erskine was pregnant she had a prophetic dream of a lion and dragon, heraldic beasts, fighting in her womb. The second son was Robert Stewart, who became Prior of Whithorn, and died in 1581. Rumoured as royal bride Although Margaret Erskine had married Robert Douglas there is evidence that James V considered arranging their divorce and marrying his mistress. It seems that James V or one of his advisors sought the advice of the Pope in the matter in June 1536. Shortly before James V finalised his marriage contract with Madeleine of Valois in November 1536, Charles, Bishop of Macon and French ambassador at the Vatican, wrote discussing his audience with the Pope. The Bishop had told the Pope that James never intended to marry Margaret and the petition was an imposture. The Pope replied that he had postponed any grant, thinking that the proposal was made without the King's knowledge.