William Cunningham, 4th Earl of Glencairn

William Cunningham, 4th Earl of Glencairn, 5th Lord of Kilmaurs (c. 1480–1548) was a Scottish nobleman, soldier, and "notorious intriguer".

Family He was the eldest son and heir of Cuthbert Cunningham, 3rd Earl of Glencairn, by his spouse, Lady Marjory, the eldest daughter of Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus. Cuthbert was the son of Robert Cunyngham / Cunningham, 2nd Earl of Glencairn, 3rd Lord of Kilmaurs by his wife Elizabeth Lindsay, daughter of Lord Lindsay of Byers.

Allied with the Earl of Lennox in 1544 he was, with his 500 vassals as spearmen, attacked on Glasgow Muir by Regent Arran and defeated "with great slaughter", his second son amongst the slain. Glencairn managed to flee to Dumbarton, almost alone, and in September he and his son Lord Kilmaurs abandoned the cause of Henry. In November Glencairn, now pardoned by the Regent, was with the latter's army that laid siege to Coldingham, then held by the English, but which was dispersed by an English force from Berwick.

In March 1544 Glencairn and his son renewed their communications with the English government in support of the English Party in Scotland, and is said to have been party to the assassination of Cardinal Beaton. In July 1547, Glencairn discussed a potential invasion of Scotland with Protector Somerset, with the object of establishing a Protestant Reformation in Scotland. Glencairn died in March 1548, and was then receiving a French pension for loyalty to the Auld Alliance.

Marriage

William Cunningham was twice married, firstly to Catherine Borthwick, second daughter of William Borthwick, 3rd Lord Borthwick, and had issue with her: Alexander Cunningham, 5th Earl of Glencairn, the zealous Protestant reformer. Hon. Andrew Cunningham, ancestor of the Cunninghams of Corsehill, later baronets. Hon. Hugh Cunningham, progenitor of the Cunninghams of Carlung. Hon. Robert Cunningham, ancestor of the Cunninghams of Montgrenan. Hon. William Cunningham, Bishop of Argyll. Lady Elizabeth Cunningham, married to Sir John Cunningham of Caprington. Lady Janet Cunningham, married to Robert Ferguson.

He married secondly to Margaret (or Elizabeth) Campbell, daughter and heiress of John Campbell of West Loudon.