William Borthwick, 2nd Lord Borthwick

William Borthwick, 2nd Lord Borthwick (died between October 6, 1483 and February 7, 1483/4) [ Pine, L.G., FSA Scot, &c., "The New Extinct Peerage 1884-1971", London, 1972: 32, ISBN 0-90045523-3] [ Anderson, William, "The Scottish Nation", Edinburgh, 1867, vol.ii, p.339, states that "he seems to have died about 1464" but this cannot be correct.] was a Scottish ambassador to England.

The son of William Borthwick, 1st Lord Borthwick, he served as ambassador to England on July 13, 1459, where he is included in a Safe-conduct of that date as "William lord Borthwik" with numerous other nobles, clerics, and a retinue of "200 attendants". On April 11, 1464 he was, with other senior peers, commissioned by King James to treat with the ambassadors of King Edward IV of England. [ Bain, Joseph, FSA Scot, &c., "Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland", Edinburgh, 1888, vol.iv 1357-1509, addenda 1221-1435, no.1341, p.272 ]

He sat in parliament on October 9, 1466 and October 14,1467, [ Anderson (1867) vol.ii, p.339, where he gives him as the 3rd Lord.] and in several subsequent parliaments until his death. Lord Borthwick was one of the Lords of the Articles "pro baronibus", in the parliament that sat at Edinburgh on October 4, 1479. [ Bain (1867), vol.ii, p.339]

It is reckoned to be the second Lord recorded as "William lord Bortwic" in an English Safe-conduct, with several clerics and other nobles, and a retinue of 400 persons, to travel to England as "ambassadors and commissioners of the King of Scots coming to treat with the English commissioners", dated August 7, 1471 [ Bain, Joseph, FSA Scot, &c., "Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland", vol.IV, 1357-1509 with Addenda 1221-1435, Edinburgh, 1888, p.283, no.1395] , and had another Safe-conduct as Scottish ambassador on August 24, 1478.

Sir William de Borthwick, Knt, his son and heir, appears as defender in an action of debt on July 4, 1476, when judgement was given against him. They appeared again together in an action on October 16, 1479, and had a judgement in their favour. [ Anderson, William, "The Scottish Nation", Edinburgh, 1867, vol.ii, p.339 ]

Alexander Nisbet transcribed in full a 1484 charter [ Nisbet, Alexander, "A System of Heraldry", Edinburgh 1722, facsimile 1984, vol.ii, "Appendix"] to this Lord Borthwick and his spouse Mariotta Hoppringle. They are said to have married in 1458 leaving issue, their son and heir William Borthwick, 3rd Lord Borthwick. [ Pine, 1972: 32]

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