Robert Ker, 4th Earl of Lothian (–1629)
Ah, another noble. Because the world desperately needed more of those. Robert Ker, the fourth Earl of Lothian. A title, a name, a rather inconvenient historical footnote. He existed, apparently, and left behind a trail of... well, let's just say it wasn't exactly a trail of rose petals. More like a faint scent of old parchment and questionable decisions. He was born at some point, likely in Scotland, because where else would a Ker be born? His father was Mark Ker, the 1st Earl of Lothian, a man who probably had more interesting things to do than name his offspring. His mother, Margaret Stewart, was the daughter of the 4th Earl of Lennox. So, you see, he came from pedigree. As if that’s a particularly useful trait these days.
Early Life and Family
Robert inherited his title and the general Ker brand of existential ennui from his father. His father, Mark Ker, the first Earl, was a rather significant figure, a former Commendator of Newbattle Abbey and a man who knew how to navigate the treacherous waters of Scottish politics. He managed to elevate the family name, a feat Robert presumably found exhausting just to contemplate. Robert's mother, Margaret Stewart, was the daughter of John Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox. This places him squarely in the orbit of some rather prominent Scottish families, which, in the grand scheme of things, means he had more people to disappoint. He had siblings, of course. A brother, Mark, and sisters, Anne and Jean. They probably had their own dramas, but this is Robert's story, such as it is. His father's passing in 1609 left Robert to inherit the earldom, a rather large and undoubtedly dusty responsibility. One assumes he sighed dramatically and adjusted his ruff.
Marriages and Descendants
Now, for the part where he reproduced. Because that's what earls do, apparently. Robert Ker married twice. His first wife was Anne Kerr, daughter of Sir Thomas Kerr of Hownam. A sensible choice, perhaps, or just another Kerr to keep the family name in circulation. They managed to produce a son, Mark, who would become the 5th Earl. Because, of course, the line had to continue. It’s quite the commitment, isn't it? This whole procreation business. He also had daughters: Jean, Anne, and Margaret. So, a decent output, all things considered.
After Anne’s inevitable departure from the earthly realm—a common occurrence, even for earls—Robert decided to try again. His second wife was Lady Mary Douglas, daughter of William Douglas, 6th Earl of Morton. This marriage, however, seems to have been less fruitful, or perhaps just less documented. No further children are attributed to this union. One wonders if he regretted it, or if he was simply too busy contemplating the futility of it all. Either way, Lady Mary survived him. A testament to her resilience, or perhaps just his inability to inconvenience her further.
Political and Religious Career
Robert Ker's time as Earl of Lothian wasn't exactly a period of groundbreaking political reform. He wasn't exactly a revolutionary, nor a particularly effective administrator. He was, by most accounts, a man who held his titles and estates with a certain degree of passive competence. He was involved in the Scottish Parliament, as was his duty, and his family had a long-standing association with the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. However, his personal religious convictions seem to have been… flexible. He was one of the Lords of the Congregation, a group that initially opposed the Catholic policies of Mary, Queen of Scots. But as the political winds shifted, as they are wont to do, his allegiances seemed to shift with them. He was present at the Parliament of 1585, a rather significant event that solidified the power of the Protestant lords. He also played a role in the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland also became James I of England. This was a rather momentous occasion, a chance for Scotland to become slightly less irrelevant on the European stage. Robert, presumably, was there, looking suitably somber.
He was appointed to the Privy Council of Scotland in 1617. A position of some influence, though one suspects it mostly involved signing documents and attending interminable meetings. He was also involved in the Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Perth in 1618, where the controversial Five Articles of Perth were imposed. These articles aimed to bring the Scottish Church more in line with the practices of the Church of England, a move that, predictably, caused a great deal of grumbling among the more devout Presbyterians. Robert, by supporting them, alienated some of his former allies. It's a delicate dance, isn't it? Trying to please everyone and ending up pleasing no one. A classic political maneuver.
Death and Legacy
Robert Ker, 4th Earl of Lothian, shuffled off this mortal coil in 1629. He left behind his titles, his estates, and a rather mixed legacy. He was a man who navigated a turbulent period in Scottish history, a time of religious upheaval and political intrigue. He wasn't a firebrand, nor a particularly visionary leader. He was, perhaps, a survivor. A man who understood the importance of pragmatism, or perhaps just a man who was good at blending in. His son, Mark Ker, succeeded him as the 5th Earl. The Ker family continued to play a role in Scottish affairs, though the grandeur of the early days, when they were associated with the Abbey of Newbattle, had long since faded. His descendants would eventually become the Marquesses of Lothian, a rather more impressive title. So, in a way, he laid the groundwork for future Ker-related grandeur. A posthumous achievement, one might say. He died, and left the mess for others to sort out. A common enough practice.