Andrew Leslie, 5th Earl of Rothes


Andrew Leslie, 5th Earl of Rothes was a Scottish nobleman. He was the son of George Leslie, 4th Earl of Rothes, and his third wife Agnes Somerville, daughter of Sir John Somerville of Cambusnethan and Elizabeth Carmichael. He succeeded his father as 5th Earl in 1558, as his elder half-brothers Norman Leslie and William Leslie had forfeited their rights by having been implicated in the murder of Cardinal Beaton in 1546.
Leslie took an active part with the Lords of the Congregation, first against the queen-mother, Mary of Guise, when she was regent of Scotland, and afterwards against Mary, Queen of Scots in opposing her marriage with Lord Darnley, and in being part of the plot to murder David Rizzio. He was, however, one of the peers who acquitted Bothwell of Darnley's murder, and went over to the side of the queen. He fought for her at the Battle of Langside, and continued to occupy a position of some prominence in Scottish affairs until his death.
Andrew Leslie married Grizel Hamilton, daughter of Sir James Hamilton of Finnart and wife Margaret Livingston of Easter Wemyss, and had issue. However, his eldest son James died before him. On Andrew Leslie's death in 1611 he was succeeded by his grandson John, James' only surviving son.
Another son, Patrick Leslie was the 1st Lord Lindores.