John Erskine, Earl of Mar (died 1572)

The custody of Edinburgh Castle was in his hands during the struggle between the regent, Mary of Guise, and the Lords of the Congregation, during which he appears to have acted consistently in the interests of peace.

[5] When Mary escaped from Lochleven, on 5 May 1568 Regent Moray ordered Mar to increase security at Stirling by reducing the number of retainers in the castle.

[8] As the Marian Civil War continued, Mar came to Leith and made preparations to besiege Edinburgh and its castle, which was held for Queen Mary by William Kirkcaldy of Grange.

At Aberdeen, the forces of Forbes family were defeated at the battle of Craibstone and Corgarff by the Marian Adam Gordon of Auchindoun.

[11] Lord Maxwell planned to marry Elizabeth Douglas at Dalkeith but Marian forces ambushed those carrying food, silver ware, and wine to the banquet at the handfasting.

[12] Queen Elizabeth sent two ambassadors to Scotland, Thomas Randolph to speak with Regent Mar, and Henry Carey, Marshall of Berwick to the Laird of Grange in Edinburgh Castle.

[14] He wrote in September to Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox about the progress of the Abstinence and the mint operated in Edinburgh Castle by his enemies.

At this time he was disturbed by news that one of the jewels of Mary, Queen of Scots had been marketed in France and sold to Charles IX.

Mar's last surviving letter to Cecil expressed his hopes to settle border disputes during the continued abstinence.

John Erskine began building the house at Stirling called "Mar's Wark", now a ruin under the care of Historic Scotland.

An inventory mentions his silver plate, table linen, and a bed with curtains of red and yellow chequered silk.