William Maitland of Lethington

Born 1525, was a protestant lord and Mary's Secretary of State.  A lawyer and astute politician,  he served as an ambassador to the English court as well as an advisor to the Queen and was at the centre of court intrigue during her personal reign.  Although he commanded her trust, his loyalty was not always forthcoming and he was involved in the plot to kill David Rizzio.


Maitland married one of Mary's ladies, Mary Fleming, in 1563, although she was much younger than him.

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