The Countess alleged he was guilty of "wilful disobedience" and obtained letters ordering John Lord Hamilton to seize Sempill's properties.
The Privy Council rejected Sempill's offers and defence in favour of arguments presented for the Countess by William Murray, the varlet of the King's Chamber.
In May 1599, James VI discussed the Spanish invasion scare with the English ambassador William Bowes, based on Sempill's information.
[4] In 1597 Sempill and others captured an English ship, the Jonathan of London and extorted money from its master James Upgrave.
Anne or Agnes Montgomerie, was descended from James I of Scotland and Edward III of England on her father’s side.