Henry Echlin, Laird of Pittadro (died 1608) was a Scottish soldier and Constable of Edinburgh Castle during the Marian civil war. He was several times a negotiator during the "lang siege" of Edinburgh Castle. Some sources give his first name as Andrew.George R. Hewitt, Scotland under Morton, 1572–80 (Edinburgh: John Donald, 1982), p. 27: John Robert Echlin, Genealogical Memoirs of the Echlin Family (Scott & Ferguson, 1882), p. viii.
Family background Henry Echlin was a son of William Echlin of Pittadro and Alison Melville, said to be a daughter of James Melville of Raith. Echlin was known by his territorial designation as the "Laird of Pittadro", a property about a mile north of Dalgety Bay in the parish of Inverkeithing in Fife, Scotland.Memoirs of the ancient familie of the Echlins of Pittadro, by George Crawford, 1747 (not dated), p. 7 James V granted William and Alison the mill of Pittadro in May 1542, for his loyal service. The mill had been held by the late laird of Barnbougle.James Balfour Paul & John Maitland Thomson, Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, 3 (Edinburgh, 1883), p. 616 no. 2668 In 1566, Henry was named in a document concerning his father-in-law's lands as "Hary Hecklyng of Pittadro".William Fraser, Melvilles, Earls of Melville, and the Leslies: Charters (Edinburgh, 1890), p. 113
Henry Echlin, as laird of Pittadro or "Pittadrow",John Parker Lawson, Scotland Delineated (London, 1858), p. 27. is sometimes confused with the comptroller of Scotland, John Wishart of Pitarrow (died 1585).
Civil war in Scotland Echlin was a cousin of William Kirkcaldy of Grange who held Edinburgh Castle for Mary, Queen of Scots between 1570 and 1573. Echlin was governor or constable of the garrison. His brother Patrick Echlin was also in the castle garrison,Thomas Thomson, Memoirs of his own life by James Melville of Halhill (Edinburgh, 1827), p. 254. a soldier armed with a handgun called a "hagbut".William K. Boyd, Calendar of State Papers relating to Scotland, 1571-1574, vol. 4 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 556, no. 639 When one of King's party, Alexander Stewart of Garleis, challenged Grange to a duel or single combat in July 1571, he sent the "laird of Pittadrow" with "young Pittadrow" or the "young laird of Drylay" (Alexander Crichton) to Leith to discuss the time and place for their appointment.Thomas Thomson, History of the Kirk of Scotland by David Calderwood, 3 (Edinburgh: Wodrow Society, 1843), pp. 106–113: Robert Pitcairn, Memorials of Transactions in Scotland by Richard Bannatyne (Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club, 1836), p. 149 The combat was called off.Harry Potter, Edinburgh Under Siege 1571–1573 (Tempus, 2003), p. 71.
Echlin was found guilty of treason by the Parliament of Scotland in August 1571, along with his kinsman Robert Melville, a Fife neighbour Henry Wardlaw of Torrie, and many others. The penalty or "doom" was suspended in his case.John Charles Gibson, The Wardlaws in Scotland: A History of the Wardlaws of Wilton and Torrie (Edinburgh, 1912), p. 68: Calendar State Papers Scotland, 3 (Edinburgh, 1903), pp. 642 no. 862, 668–670 nos. 897, 898.
Echlin was involved in Grange's plans and strategy, and Grange told him and Robert Melville of hopes of support from France. Echlin was also a spokesman for Grange, involved in discussions with the English ambassador Henry Killigrew and the French ambassador Philibert du Croc in September 1572.Diurnal of Occurrents (Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club, 1833), pp. 313–3314 Subsequently, he took part in negotiations at the castle gate, at Holyrood Palace, and midway between Edinburgh and Leith, before an English force came to Edinburgh to besiege the castle.William K. Boyd, Calendar of State Papers relating to Scotland, 1571-1574, vol. 4 (Edinburgh, 1905), pp. 546, no. 620, 619 no. 728.Aeneas James George Mackay, Historie and cronicles of Scotland, 2 (Edinburgh: STS, 1899), p. 300Robert Johnston, "Historie of Scotland during the Minority", Tracts illustrative of the traditionary & historical antiquities of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1836), p. 381 James Melville of Halhill wrote that "Pittadrow" was sent from the castle to Regent Morton to "hear out of his own mouth" his responses to Grange's proposals.Thomas Thomson, Memoirs of his own life by James Melville of Halhill (Edinburgh, 1827), p. 249.
According to the English diplomat Henry Killigrew, Robert Melville and Henry Echlin were tired of the conflict by March 1573. They would rather be anywhere else and "gladly be thence", and contemplated an offer of a pardon and 2000 crowns from Regent Morton if they deserted the castle.William K. Boyd, Calendar of State Papers relating to Scotland, 1571-1574, vol. 4 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 553 no. 600.
On 17 April, Lord Ruthven finalised terms with the English commander William Drury, Marshall of Berwick, at Lamberton Kirk to bring an English army and artillery to take the castle. Amongst the detail, "Henry Echling sumtyme of Petadro" was listed with others who should be taken prisoner, and handed over by the English to be tried by the laws of Scotland.John Hill Burton, Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1878), pp. 216–219. Echlin was forfeited by the Parliament of Scotland at Holyrood on 30 April with some of his companions including the goldsmith James Mosman. He could no longer claim income from his landed properties.William K. Boyd, Calendar of State Papers relating to Scotland, 1571-1574, vol. 4 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 555 no. 636: Diurnal of Occurrents (Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club, 1833), p. 331
After heavy artillery bombardment, on 27 May, because the castle gates were blockaded,Robert Johnston, "Historie of Scotland during the Minority", Tracts illustrative of the traditionary & historical antiquities of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1836), p. 385 Echlin, Grange, and Robert Melville abseiled down the castle walls to negotiate a surrender. Regent Morton did not accept their terms.Harry Potter, Edinburgh Under Siege 1571–1573 (Tempus, 2003), p. 139, (calls him "Pitarrow"): William Fraser, The Melvilles, earls of Melville, and the Leslies, earls of Leven, 1 (Edinburgh, 1890), p. 100Thomas Thomson, History of the Kirk of Scotland by David Calderwood, 3 (Edinburgh: Wodrow Society, 1843), p. 283: John W. Mackenzie, A Chronicle of Kings (Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club, 1830), pp. 129-130.The Scottish Chronicle by Raphael Hollinshead, 2 (Arbroath, 1805), p. 390."Journal of the Siege", Bannatyne Miscellany, 3 (Edinburgh, 1836), p. 76
Grange sent Echlin, his "cousin Pettadro", to negotiate the return of the Honours of Scotland (the crown, sceptre, and sword) to Regent Morton. He also offered Morton the remaining jewels of Mary, Queen of Scots, which were not earmarked as pledges for loans. Pittadro was also to ask Morton for money to redeem the pledged jewels with the condition that they would not reveal the names of the lenders. This negotiation had no effect.Joseph Robertson, Inventaires de la Royne Descosse (Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club, 1863), p. cliii: William K. Boyd, Calendar of State Papers relating to Scotland, 1571-1574, vol. 4 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 585 no. 691.
The castle was surrendered to William Drury who took the leaders of the garrison, the "Castilians", to his lodging at Gourlay's house and then to Leith.Harry Potter, Edinburgh Under Siege 1571–1573 (Tempus, 2003), p. 140: William K. Boyd, Calendar of State Papers relating to Scotland, 1571-1574, vol. 4 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 572 no. 666: Memoirs of the ancient familie of the Echlins of Pittadro, by George Crawford, 1747 (not dated), p. 10Diurnal of Occurrents (Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club, 1833), pp. 333–334John Spottiswoode, The history of the church of Scotland (London, 1655), p. 271
As agreed at Lamberton, William Drury handed the prisoners to Morton and left Scotland. Echlin escaped execution, and was held in custody by the Earl of Rothes, and pardoned by Morton.David Reid, David Hume of Godscroft's History of the House of Angus, vol. 2 (Edinburgh: STS, 2005), p. 559. Rothes had negotiated for the King's party with the "Castilians", Grange and the leaders of the garrison, during the siege.Harry Potter, Edinburgh Under Siege 1571–1573 (Tempus, 2003), p. 130: Diurnal of Occurrents (Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club, 1833), p. 328Annie Cameron, Warrender Papers, 1 (Edinburgh: SHS, 1931), pp. 120–124
In opposition Pittadro and other surviving leaders of the Queen's party were pardoned.John W. Mackenzie, A Chronicle of Kings (Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club, 1830), p. 131 They were believed to remain politically active. David Hume of Godscroft wrote that these veterans of the Castle faction like "warts and freckles in a beautiful body" stained the lustre of Regent Morton's government.David Hume, The History of the Houses of Douglas and Angus (Edinburgh: Evan Tyler, 1644), p. 339 They were said to be involved in the overthrow of Regent Morton around the year 1579 and "advancing secretly and indirectly" the association of Mary, Queen of Scots, and James VI.David Reid, David Hume of Godscroft's History of the House of Angus, vol. 1 (Edinburgh: STS, 2005), pp. 237, 249–251: Thomas Thomson, History of the Kirk of Scotland by David Calderwood, 3 (Edinburgh: Wodrow Society, 1843), p. 457
Echlin was granted a rehabilitation, the benefit of the 1572 pacification of Perth, by the Parliament of Scotland in October 1579 and was able to claim the income of his lands.Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, 3 (1814), p. 185. Robert Melville, Echlin's kinsman and fellow Castilian, also received a benefit of the pacification. Melville and other "wyse foreseeing men",Historie of King James the Sext (Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club, 1825), p. 177 possibly including Pittadro, seem to have encouraged Esmé Stewart to come Scotland and gain prominence at court, and he may have helped them gain these rehabilitations.Steven J. Reid, The Early Life of James VI, A Long Apprenticeship (Edinburgh: John Donald, 2023), pp. 122–124.
Marriage and family In 1561, Henry Echlin married Grissel Colville, a daughter of Robert Colville of Cleish.Robert Riddle Stodart, Memorials of the Browns of Fordell, Finmount and Vicarsgrange (Edinburgh: Constable, 1887), p. 18 Their children included:Memoirs of the ancient familie of the Echlins of Pittadro, by George Crawford, 1747 (not dated), p. 12 William Echlin of Pittadro, who married Margaret Henderson, a daughter of James Henderson of Fordell and Jean Murray, a daughter of William Murray of Tullibardine.William Ross, Aberdour and Inchcolme (Edinburgh, 1885), p. 340. Fordell was the next estate to the east of Pittadro. Margaret Henderson, Lady Pittadro, was involved in a witch hunt and died in Edinburgh Tolbooth in 1649.Louise Yeoman, "The Rich Witch", Julian Goodare, The Scottish Witch-Hunt in Context (Manchester, 2002), p. 109. John Echlin, possibly regent to the batchelors at the University of Saint Andrews, censured for permitting the performance of a comedy at St Leonard's College in 1595.David Hay Fleming, Register of St Andrews Kirk Session, 2 (Edinburgh, 1890), p. 814. David Echlin, poet and physician to Anne of Denmark and Henrietta Maria.T. A. Birrell, "Some Rare Scottish Books in the Old Royal Library", The Renaissance in Scotland (Brill, 1904), p. 410. He mentioned hunting at Pitadro Craigs in his verse.David Echlin, Carolides, ad patrem Carolum Regem (London, 1630) Matthew Echling Robert Echlin, Bishop of Down and Connor (1576–1635), and minister of Inverkeithing in 1606.Certain records by John Forbes (Edinburgh: Wodrow Society, 1846), p. 455. Bessie Echlin (died 1617), who married George Durie of Craigluscar. His mother, Margaret MacBeth, was a medical practitioner who attended Anne of Denmark at Dunfermline Palace.Sabrina Juillet Garzón, Jacques Ier Stuart (Editions Ellipses, 2024): Mark Dilworth, 'Dunfermline, Duries and the Reformation', Scottish Church History, 31:1 (2001), pp. 663-4 Margaret Echlin
Death and reputation