Henry Sinclair, 4th Lord Sinclair

Henry Sinclair (died 1513) was a Scottish noble and the 4th Lord Sinclair. In The Scots Peerage by James Balfour Paul he is designated as the 3rd Lord Sinclair, but historian Roland Saint-Clair designates him the 4th Lord Sinclair and references this to an Act of the Scottish Parliament in which he was made Lord Sinclair based on his descent from his great-grandfather, Henry II Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, the first Lord Sinclair.

Early life

He was the son of William Sinclair, 3rd Lord Sinclair and Christian Leslie, daughter of George Leslie, 1st Earl of Rothes. Immediately after the death of his father, an Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament in his favour and which recognised him as "Chief of yat blude" and willing "yarfor that he be callit Lord Saintclair in tyme to cum", dated 26 January 1488–89. This Act was only a recognition of the Barony of St. Clair existing in the person of his ancestor, Henry II Sinclair, Earl of Orkney and did not constitute a new creation. It is also likely that through his influence an Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed in 1503 for the annulment of all foreign laws within that realm and to spare the native laws of Orkney and Shetland.

Family

Henry Sinclair, 4th Lord Sinclair, married Margaret, daughter of Adam Hepburn, Master of Hailes and sister of Patrick Hepburn, 1st Earl of Bothwell. Helen Sinclair, who married James Ogilvy, 4th Lord Ogilvy of Airlie. Jean Sinclair, who married Sir Alexander Lindsay, Master of Crawford and son of David Lindsay, 8th Earl of Crawford. Agnes Sinclair, who married Patrick Hepburn, 3rd Earl of Bothwell. William Sinclair, a natural son who was legitimised on 20 February 1539–40. He was Chaplain, Rector of Olrig and later Vicar of Latheron.