[1] Richard Lowther was created deputy-warden of the west marches early in Elizabeth's reign, and was knighted and appointed high sheriff of Cumberland in 1565.
[1] In the course of her flight to the Solway, after her defeat at the battle of Langside in May 1568, Mary Queen of Scots sent a letter to Lowther asking whether he could ensure her safety.
[2] There she held for several days in succession a little court, and received, among others, the Earl of Northumberland, who claimed the custody of her person in right of his office as lord warden, and by authority of the council of York.
Lowther was heavily fined in the Star Chamber for allowing Norfolk and Mary to meet, and before the end of May he was relieved of his charge of the fugitive by Sir Francis Knollys and Lord Scrope.
When, however, the Queen of Scots left Carlisle on 13 July for Bolton Castle, Lowther Hall was chosen by Knollys as her first sleeping-place.
[1] In 1569 Lowther took part in the attempt to place Mary at the head of the rising of the North, and orders were issued for the apprehension of his younger brother Gerard.
The latter escaped, and in 1570 advocated a scheme for the forcible deliverance of Mary from Tutbury Castle, in which he counted upon Sir Richard's assistance.