Argyll, Archibald Campbell, 10th earl of

views updated

Argyll, Archibald Campbell, 10th earl of (d. 1703). Scottish politician. Following the attainder and execution in 1685 of his father, the 9th earl, Argyll's chief objective was to assume his patrimony as head of the Campbell clan. Failing to obtain recognition from James II, he joined William of Orange in 1688 and accompanied him to England. Accordingly, he was admitted as earl of Argyll to the convention of Scottish estates in April 1689 which declared in favour of William and Mary, and in June his father's attainder and forfeiture of Campbell lands was rescinded. The political restoration of the house of Argyll, with its assertive leadership over the presbyterian Campbells, did much to quell lingering Jacobite unrest among other clans. By the mid-1690s he and the marquis of Queensberry effectively led the court interest in Scotland, though their alliance was frequently under stress. He was created a duke in 1701.

Andrew Hanham

More From encyclopedia.com