On 23 January 1570, James Stewart, Earl of Moray, became the first head of government to be assassinated by a firearm.

James Stewart was the illegitimate son of King of Scots, James V. The half brother of Mary Queen of Scots, and the regent to the child, James VI and eventually the first of England uniting the crowns of the two nations. Mary had abdicated in 1567.

Moray was shot by  James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh, a supporter of Mary as he made his way with his entourage through Linlithgow.  Hamilton fatally wounded him with a carbine shot from a window of his uncle Archbishop Hamilton‘s house. Moray received two shots to the belly which fatally wounded him.

Hamilton fled with the help of family members and finally reached France. Hamilton’s uncle, the Archbishop of St. Andrews, was captured at Dumbarton, tried and convicted of art and part in the Regent’s killing. He was hanged at Stirling. The Hamilton family were declared rebel in 1579. Other Hamiltons were captured, imprisoned, and some executed.

The body of James, Earl of Moray, was taken to Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh. He was buried on 14 February 1570 in St Anthony’s aisle at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh ,with John Knox preaching at his funeral.