Cardinal of Scotland: David Beaton c. 1494-1546

The murder of David Beaton lies like a great shadow over the Scottish Reformation. But who was this man who inspired such awe and hatred amongst his contemporaries? This is an account of this prince of the Church. Politician, diplomat, landed magnate, and dynast, Beaton was every inch the exemplar of the great Renaissance lord. His powerful personality and driving energy easily dominated the irresolute Arran during the minority of Mary, Queen of Scots. As the ferment of Reformation grew, Beaton came to be seen as the main obstacle to change, a view confirmed with his execution of George Wishart. His murder represents the inexorable culmination not simply of the movement for reform but of two irreconcilable views of Scotland’s role.