William Cranstoun, 1st Lord Cranstoun

William Cranstoun, 1st Lord Cranstoun (died June 1627) was a Scottish Lord of Parliament, who played a prominent part in the pacification of the Anglo-Scottish border in the early 17th century.

Origins

Cranstoun was the son of John Cranstoun of Morriestoun and grandson of Cuthbert Cranstoun of Thirlestanemains, belonging to one branch of a prominent Lowland family, whose estates had since at least the 14th century ( been centred on Cranston (or "Cranstoun"), in Midlothian, and Denholm, in the Borders.

The last Cranstoun of Cranstoun – Sir John, who was still alive in June 1609 – left five daughters, of whom William married the second, Sarah. Their contract of marriage was dated December 1580. The summary approach adopted by Lord Dunbar and Cranstoun (hang first and try afterwards) became known as "Jeddart Justice".

In 1608, Cranstoun represented the small barons of Roxburghshire in the Convention of Estates. He was raised to the peerage, as Lord Cranstoun, by patent dated 19 November 1609. In 1611 he was promoted to succeed Lord Dunbar as Lieutenant of the Borders and was appointed to the Privy Council. Henry Cranstoun (died after 1653), who was a colonel of horse for Roxburghshire in 1644 and married Margaret Wauchope Thomas Cranstoun Agnes Cranstoun Elizabeth Cranstoun, who married John Edgar, Younger of Wedderlie Barbara (or Janet) Cranstoun, who married (contract 2 November 1615) James Seton, 7th of Touch.