William Crichton

William Crichton or Creighton (c. 1535–1617) was a Scottish Jesuit who became head of the Scots seminary in Flanders.

Early life and background He was the son of Patrick Crighton of Camnay, Perthshire; Robert Crichton, 8th Lord Crichton of Sanquhar was a relation. He matriculated in 1552 at the University of St Andrews, and in 1561 at the University of Leuven. He returned to Scotland to put his affairs in order.

Crichton spent much of the following two decades in Aquitaine, Lyon and Avignon. Crichton was received into the house of George Seton, 7th Lord Seton, the only Catholic member of the royal council. He also corresponded with Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox, cousin and guardian of James VI of Scotland, who was still a minor. To obtain an interview with Lennox, he had to be introduced into the king's palace at night, and to hide for three days in a secret chamber. The Duke promised that he would have the young king instructed in the Catholic religion, or else moved abroad. Crichton made some concessions on his side, drew up articles of agreement, and the Duke signed them. In March he handed it over to Juan Bautista de Tassis, for Philip II of Spain.

Fourth mission (1587–1589) On being released Crichton arrived in Rome in July 1587. He was ordered to return to Scotland with William Chisholm; the letter from Claudio Acquaviva sending him made it clear his "holy obedience" was required, getting round the promise he had made in England. Crichton was therefore in Scotland at the time of the Spanish Armada. Spanish soldiers and sailors were driven ashore, and Crichton had visitors at his house in Canongate; and had to evade government searches. He remained in Scotland until late in 1589, leaving with Edmund Hay.

After the "Spanish blanks" The Spanish blanks plot was discovered late in 1592. Crichton was implicated by George Kerr, the intercepted courier, under torture. He was alleged to be the designated leader of a Spanish invasion of Scotland. Crichton had considered the situation promising: writing to Thomas Owens in 1605, he said that James had offered liberty of conscience to Catholics, and the appointment of a Scottish cardinal, in correspondence Crichton had shared with Persons. David Graham, Laird of Fintry was executed on 15 February 1593.

James Gordon carried on the Jesuit intrigue, with a mission from James VI to Rome, and returned to Scotland with the pope's legate, George Sampiretti. James later decided that the laws against Catholics should be enforced. Crichton was its head from 1593, and moved it to Leuven in 1595. Crichton still entertained hopes of converting James VI. He therefore advocated a waiting policy, and supported James's claim to be the legitimate heir to the English throne. This policy was opposed within the Jesuit ranks by William Holt, and by Robert Persons who supported the claim of Isabella Clara Eugenia, the Infanta of Spain.

Death Crichton was living in Paris in 1615, and died in 1617.

Works Crichton wrote:

A letter to Sir Francis Walsingham concerning Parry's application to him, with this case of conscience, Whether it were lawful to kill the queen, dated 20 February 1584–5. Reprinted in Raphael Holinshed's Chronicle, and in John Morris's Troubles of our Catholic Forefathers, series ii. 81, and translated into Italian in Daniello Bartoli, Istoria della Compagnia di Gesu, lib. iv. cap. x. p. 291. De Missione Scotica puncta quædam notanda historiæ societatis servientia, manuscript in the archives of the Society of Jesus. An Apology. This work, which was published in Flanders, is referred to in A Discoverye of the Errors committed and Inivryes done to his Ma: off Scotlande and Nobilitye off the same realme, and Iohn Cecyll Pryest and D. off diuinitye, by a malitious Mythologie titled an Apologie, and compiled by William Criton Pryest and professed Iesuite, whose habits and behauioure, whose cote and conditions are as sutable, as Esav his handes, and Iacob his voice .

His Reasons to show the easiness of the enterprise were printed by John Strype in his Annals.