The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Tom · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 21 Location: Stirling

This stone is built into a low wall fronting Central Scotland Police Headquarters in St. Ninians Road, Stirling and is easily missed. It commemorates the slaying of Matthew Stewart Earl of Lennox and Regent of Scotland (in the infancy of James VI) on 4th September 1571 (by forces loyal to the abdicated and exiled Mary Queen of Scots).
Confusingly he is described on the memorial as being the 12th Earl of Lennox but is more usually known as 4th Earl (sometimes even 13th!?). Apparently the Earldom of Lennox was re "created" on a number of occaisions. Matthew Stewart is 4th Earl "Second Creation (1488)" but would be 12th or 13th Earl if the old Celtic Earls or Mormaers are included in the calculation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Lennox

Tom.