Hercules Stewart
Hercules Stewart of Whitelaw (died 1595) was a Scottish landowner and outlaw supporter of Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell. Early life He was a son of John Stewart, Prior of Coldingham (d. 1563), who was an illegitimate son of James V of Scotland by his mistress Elizabeth Carmichael. Hercules Stewart was a half-brother of Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell, son of Jean Hepburn. His half-sister Christiane Stewart was appointed as one of the ladies to rock the cradle of James VI in March 1568. Career as a rebel A letter from an English soldier at Berwick denouncing a Captain Carey in 1588 claimed that he frequently allowed Hercules Stewart and the Earl of Bothwell access to the garrison town. Hercules Stewart supported his brother, the rebel earl, against James VI of Scotland. In 1591 Stewart and the younger Hamilton of Samuelston executed a man called Purdy without trial. In March 1592 he was thought to be in hiding in Northumberland with the earl, the younger Laird of Niddry, and others who had tried to access the king's presence by force at Holyroodhouse. In June 1592 he was declared guilty of treason in the Parliament of Scotland. In November