Hamilton, James, 3d earl of Arran

Hamilton, James, 3d earl of Arran, 1530–1609, Scottish nobleman; son of James Hamilton, 2d earl of Arran. He spent some years (1550–58) as a soldier in France, but his espousal of Protestantism brought his recall to Scotland, where his father, with the concurrence of John Knox, unsuccessfully proposed him as a suitor for Elizabeth I of England and then for Mary Queen of Scots. In 1562 he accused the earl of Bothwell of conspiring to abduct Queen Mary. He was clearly insane, however, and as a result was imprisoned until 1566. Arran succeeded to his father's estates in 1575, but because of his insanity he was placed under the care of his brother, John Hamilton, 1st marquess of Hamilton. The Arran estates and title were forfeited to James Stuart (see Stuart, James, earl of Arran) in 1580 but restored in 1585. Arran, however, remained in confinement for the rest of his life.