Biography of Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline 1555-1622

Paternal Family Tree: Wyntoun aka Seton

In 1555 Alexander Seton 1st was born to [his father] George Seton 7th Lord Seton (age 24) and [his mother] Isobel Hamilton Lady Seton.

Before 19th September 1581. Frans Pourbus the Elder (age 36). Portrait of [his father] George Seton 7th Lord Seton (age 50) and his children [his brother] Robert Seton 1st Earl Winton (age 28), [his brother] John Seton, Alexander Seton 1st (age 26), and [his sister] Margaret Seton Lady Paisley (age 24).

John Seton: he was born to George Seton 7th Lord Seton and Isobel Hamilton Lady Seton.

Margaret Seton Lady Paisley: Around 1557 she was born to George Seton 7th Lord Seton and Isobel Hamilton Lady Seton. After 16th June 1574 Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley and she were married. He the son of James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran and Margaret Douglas Duchess Châtellerault. They were third cousin once removed. In 1587 Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley was created 1st Lord Paisley. She by marriage Lord Paisley. In 1616 Margaret Seton Lady Paisley died.

In 1582 [his brother] Robert Seton 1st Earl Winton (age 29) and [his sister-in-law] Margaret Montgomerie Countess Winton were married. She the daughter of Hugh Montgomerie 3rd Earl Eglinton (age 51) and Agnes Drummond Countess Eglinton (age 59). They were second cousins.

In 1586 [his father] George Seton 7th Lord Seton (age 55) died.

Before 1st July 1592 Alexander Seton 1st (age 37) and Lillas Drummond were married.

Around 1593 [his daughter] Anne Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st (age 38) and [his wife] Lillas Drummond. She married her fourth cousin once removed Alexander Erskine, son of Thomas Erskine 1st Earl Kellie and Ann Ogilvy, and had issue.

On 16th November 1600 [his brother] Robert Seton 1st Earl Winton (age 47) was created 1st Earl Winton at Holyrood House, Holyrood. [his sister-in-law] Margaret Montgomerie Countess Winton by marriage Countess Winton.

On 8th May 1601 [his wife] Lillas Drummond died without issue.

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

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After 27th October 1601 Alexander Seton 1st (age 46) and Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline were married. They were fourth cousin once removed.

In 1602 [his daughter] Lilias Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st (age 47) and [his wife] Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline.

On the 22nd or 24th March 1603 [his brother] Robert Seton 1st Earl Winton (age 50) died. His son [his nephew] Robert (age 18) succeeded 2nd Earl Winton.

On 15th August 1604 and 16th August 1604 Prince Charles (age 3) and Alexander Seton (age 49) lodged at the Leicester townhouse of William Skipwith (age 40) on their way to London.

In 1605 Alexander Seton 1st (age 50) was created 1st Earl Dunfermline. [his wife] Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline by marriage Countess Dunfermline.

Around 1606 [his daughter] Jean Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st (age 51) and [his wife] Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline. She married 5th April 1624 her third cousin John Hay 1st Earl Tweeddale and had issue.

On 6th September 1606 [his wife] Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline died.

After 15th November 1607 Alexander Seton 1st (age 52) and Margaret Hay Countess Dunfermline were married. She by marriage Countess Dunfermline. They were second cousin once removed.

In 1609 [his daughter] Grizel Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st (age 54) and [his wife] Margaret Hay Countess Dunfermline.

In 1611 [his daughter] Mary Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st (age 56) and [his wife] Margaret Hay Countess Dunfermline.

On 16th February 1612 [his son-in-law] David Lindsay 1st Lord Balcarres (age 24) and [his daughter] Sophia Seton were married. She the daughter of Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline (age 57) and [his former wife] Lillas Drummond.

William of Worcester's Chronicle of England

William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.

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In November 1615 [his son] Charles Seton 2nd Earl Dunfermline was born to Alexander Seton 1st (age 60) and [his wife] Margaret Hay Countess Dunfermline. He married his fourth cousin Mary Douglas Countess Dunfermline, daughter of William Douglas 7th Earl Morton and Anne Keith Countess Morton, and had issue.

On 16th June 1622 Alexander Seton 1st (age 67) died. His son Charles (age 6) succeeded 2nd Earl Dunfermline.

[his daughter] Sophia Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st and Lillas Drummond. She married 16th February 1612 David Lindsay 1st Lord Balcarres and had issue.

[his father] George Seton 7th Lord Seton and [his mother] Isobel Hamilton Lady Seton were married. They were fourth cousin once removed.

[his daughter] Margaret Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st and Lillas Drummond.

[his daughter] Isobel Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st and Lillas Drummond.

[his son] Charles Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st and Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline.

[his daughter] Margaret Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st and Lillas Drummond.