Conflict of loyalties

Alexander Lindsay (1618-59) was a strong supporter of the Covenant, whose adherents violently resisted the attempts of King Charles l to impose a new liturgy on the Scots. Yet, he was also a supporter of the king. He tried to reconcile his divided loyalties by becoming part of the group known as Engagers who sought negotiation and compromise with the king. After the king’s execution in 1649, Alexander joined his son, the future King Charles ll, in the Netherlands. His properties were sequestered, but he was rewarded with the earldom of Balcarres. He never returned to Scotland, but died young and impoverished in exile.

His widow, Anna, after taking a job as governess to the future King William lll, returned to Scotland and was able to recover the family estates. She married, secondly, the Earl of Argyll, but disaster befell him also; he was executed for conspiring to overthrow King James ll. Anna was spared execution and survived to the great (for that era) age of 85, helping to restore the family fortunes.