John Hepburn (soldier)

Sir John Hepburn (c. 1598 – 8 July 1636) was a Scottish soldier who fought in wars in continental Europe achieving the rank and status of Maréchal de France.

John Hepburn was the 2nd son of George Hepburn of Athelstaneford, near the town of Haddington and his wife Helen Hepburn, daughter of Adam Hepburn of Smeaton. He probably studied at St Andrews in 1615, and then travelled to France with his friend, Robert Monro visiting Paris and Poitiers. Hepburn was one of the many thousands of Scots who served in the Thirty Years' War. In 1620 Sir Andrew Gray began to levy forces for the support of Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia, and he established his camp on Hepburn family property at Monkrig. John joined Gray's forces, leaving Scotland in May 1620, and thereafter commanded a company of pikes who served as the personal guard to the exiled King of Bohemia. After the defeat at White Mountain Gray's forces united with Count Ernst Mansfeldt's troops, and by 1622 Hepburn held the rank of captain. He served during the battles of Bergen op Zoom in July and of Fleurus in August 1622. It was after Mansfeld's forces were disbanded in 1623 that Hepburn and his troops entered Swedish service.

John Hepburn

John Hepburn may refer to:

John Hepburn (prior)

John Hepburn, Prior of Saint Andrews (died after 20 July 1525) was the son of Patrick Hepburn, 1st Lord of Hailes. He established Saint Leonards College at the University of St Andrews in 1512. In around 1520 he funded the reconstruction of the town walls of St Andrews.

He also served as tutor to Patrick Hepburn, 3rd Earl of Bothwell who succeeded him in the priory in 1522.

He was elected as Archbishop of St Andrews but his appointment was turned down by the Pope.

References

 Lee, Sidney, ed. (1891). "Hepburn, John (d.1522)". Dictionary of National Biography 26. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 

John Hepburn (bishop)

John Hepburn (died between 27 March and 22 May 1557) was provided bishop of Brechin, Scotland, by Pope Leo X on 29 October 1516, but there may have been a delay in consecrating him due to his "defect of age". He may not have been consecrated until sometime between June 1522 and 23 February 1523, though the evidence is complex and contradictory.

He was one of the younger sons of Sir Patrick Hepburn, 1st Earl of Bothwell by his spouse Margaret, daughter of George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly, whose marriage contract was signed on 21 February 1491, indicating a probable year of birth for John as circa 1500.

Bishop Hepburn's first recorded appearance in parliament appears on 16 November 1524, occurring thereafter with great regularity. He died on the eve of the Scottish Reformation having served four decades in office.

Notes

References