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A History of the Seton Family is in Books.
21. Robert, ninth Lord Seton and second Earl of Winton.
[1st May 1603] As it would appear that the second Earl of Winton was born in 1583, he was about twenty years of age when he succeeded his father in 1603. In or before that year, he married the Hon. Anne Maitland (age 14), only daughter of John, first Lord Thirlstane, Chancellor of Scotland, and father of the first Earl of Lauderdale, by whom he had no issue. Seeing that his bride was under twenty years of age when she died in July 1609, she could not have been more than fifteen at the time of her marriage. According to Scotstarvet2, her husband showed undoubted symptoms of insanity on the night of the wedding, and behaved in such an outrageous manner that he was imprisoned in Seton Palace, where he 'lay in fetters till he died.' There appears to be no trace of him after 1636.
'We did enjoy great mirth; but now, ah me!
Our joyful song's turned to an elegie.
A virtuous lady, not long since a bride,
Was to a hopeful plant by marriage tied,
And brought home hither. We did all rejoice,
Even for her sake. But presently our voice
Was turned to mourning for that little time
That she'd enjoy: she wan£d in her prime,
For Atropos, with her impartial knife,
Soon cut her thread, and therewithal her life3.'
Note 1. This appears from the inscription on her monument in the 'Lamp of Lothian' at Haddington.
Note 2. Staggering State of Scots Statesmen, pp. 1 3 and 94.
Note 3. Lines quoted in the Introduction to the Bride of Lammemoor.
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[6th July 1609] The following is the pathetic inscription on the young wife's [Ann Maitland Countess Winton (age 20)] monument in the Lauderdale aisle at Haddington, from which it will be observed that she was buried the same day as her mother, who. was the daughter of James, Lord Fleming, High Chamberlain of Scotland, by Barbara, eldest daughter of James, Duke of Chatelherault, Regent of Scotland, and subsequently the wife of John, Earl of Cassilis.
Anna, daughter of Maitland, John, Baron of Thirlestane, Chancellor of Scotland, and of Jean Fleming, a most noble maiden, distinguished for her piety, intellect, chastity, and refinement of manners, was betrothed to Robert, Earl of Winchester. She died a virgin in the year 1609, on the day before the Kalends of November (October 31), having completed her 19th year.
She was buried in the same funeral as her mother [Jean Fleming Countess Cassilis (deceased)]. John Maitland, Doctor of Laws, to his only sister, being her only brother, placed this [memorial].
Annæ Mateilanæ Joannis Baronis de Thyrlestane Scotiæ Cancellarii, et Janæ Flaminiæ filiæ, puellæ nobilissimæ, quæ pietate, ingenio, castitate, et morum elegantia insignis, Roberto Wintoniæ Comiti desponsata, VlRGO mortua est, anno 1609, pridie Novembris quintilis, exacto setatis anno 19.
Eodem cum matre funere elata. Joannes Mateilanus L. C. unicse sorori, frater unicus M. P.
By procuratory of resignation, dated 26th June 1606, in favour of George, Master3 of Winton, and his other younger brothers, the second Earl completely denuded himself of all his estates and honours. The procuratory proceeds as follows: 'Me, Robert Erie of Wintoun, for the loue and fauoure that I beir to my broyer George, Master of Wintoun — and for grit soumes of money payit and delyuerit to me be the said George, Master of Wintoun, and be Dame Margaret Montgomerie, oure moyer, convertit to my vtilitie,' etc. The document further recites as the cause of denudation: 'Forsamekill as I now, efter my perfyte age of twentie-ane zeiris compleit, have considerit the tender constitutioun of my persone, subject to sundrie diseasis; and be that infirmitie and natural complexioun not finding in myself sic habilitie as is requirit to the maintienance and governement of yat ancient and noble hous of Setoun, of the quhilk I have that honour to be descendit; — and thair being nathing in this warld sa deir to me as the continewance and (giff it sail be the pleasure of God) the increment of the honour and estate thereof, etc. — thairfor, and with express advice, consent, and counsel of my noble honorabill niarest kinsmen and maist trustie freindis undersubscryvand; Do resign, renounce, frielie quytclame, discharge, overgive, and delyver fra me, my heirs and assignees, All and sundrie the Erledom, landis, lordships, baronies, officies, and others particulate eftermentionit; Thay are to say, All and haill the Erledome of Wintoun and landis thairof, lyand within the Sheriffdom of Edinburgh and Constabularie of Haddintoun; with the estate, dignitie, and honour of the said Erledome, with all prerogatiues, priuiledges, and liberties of the samyn; All and hail the Lordship and baronie of Setoun, with castells, etc.,' in favour of 'the said George, Master of Wintoun, my broyergermane, and the airis maill lawfullie to be gotten of his bodie; quhilkis failzieing,' etc. The procuratory contains a provision 'that the said George, Master of Wintoun, be strictly bound and obleigit, his airs-maill and successors foresaidis, to reverence and honor me as their elder brother, and sustain me in all kinds of necessaries according to my estate.'
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To the day of his death, which was subsequent to 20th January 1634, the second Earl of Winton was nothing after 1606 but plain 'Robert Seton,' which constitutes his autograph subscription to a deed dated 21st January aforesaid1.
Note 1. Riddell's Scottish Peerage Law, i. 122-3.