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Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath

1611 – 1654

Scottish nobleman, royalist supporter

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About Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath

Lived 1611 – 1654 (aged 42–43).

Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath, PC (1611 – 21 June 1654), known as Robert Dalzell, 2nd Lord Dalzell from 1636 to 1639, was a Scottish nobleman and Royalist supporter during the English Civil War.

He married, firstly, Christian Douglas, daughter of Sir William Douglas and secondly, Katherine Arington, daughter of John Arington.

He had succeeded his father as the second Lord Dalzell in 1636, and was made a Privy Counsellor of Scotland in June 1638. He was further elevated within the Peerage on 21 April 1639 when he was created Earl of Carnwath and Lord Dalzell and Liberton in the Peerage of Scotland by King Charles I, with a remainder to heirs male whatsoever bearing the name and arms of Dalzell.

Lord Carnwath was accused by the Convention of the Scottish Estate of betraying them to the King in 1643. He was fined £10,000 and his titles were forfeited and he was sentenced to death by an Act of the Scottish Parliament on 25 Feb 1645. This Act also provided "that his lawful son Gavin, Lord Dalzell, shall enjoy not only all the estates but the title of Earl as if his father were dead". From this time his son, Gavin Dalzell was known in Scotland as the second Earl of Carnwath, however he was still referred to as the Earl of Carnwath in Royalist circles. His death sentence was not to be carried out. The military balance then tipped decisively in favour of Parliament.

Lord Carnwath was taken prisoner after the Battle of Worcester 1651, and committed to the Tower of London for a time. He later died on 21 June 1654.

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Important facts

Born
1611
Birth century
Positions held
Member of the Parliament of Scotland

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath?

Scottish nobleman, royalist supporter

When was Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath born?

Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath was born in 1611.

When did Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath die?

Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath died on 21 June 1654.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath

· Wikidata: Q16828800

· DBpedia: Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath. https://biography.guide/robert-dalzell-1st-earl-of-carnwath/

MLA: "Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-dalzell-1st-earl-of-carnwath/.

Chicago: "Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-dalzell-1st-earl-of-carnwath/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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