During a court case brought by his younger brother William, witnesses described various details of John Wardlaw's skills and activities as a wealthy laird in Fife.
[4] Henry Wardlaw's daughter Nicolas was a companion of Mary, Queen of Scots, sometimes known as "Madame Torrie".
When she married Patrick Wood of Bonnyton in September 1566, the queen's half-brother, James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, wrote to the treasurer Robert Richardson to ensure she had a purple velvet gown with gold passments or trimmings as a royal gift for her wedding day.
Regent Moray declared his property forfeited and gave it to James Cunningham of Drumwuhassill.
[7] He was found guilty of treason in August 1571, along with a Fife neighbour Henry Echlin of Pittadro.