BARTON, ROBERT [SSNE 7396]

Surname

BARTON, BERTOUN

First name

ROBERT

Title/rank

COMPTROLLER

Nationality

SCOT

Region

OVERBARNTON, OVERBARTON, UVERBERNTOUN

Text source

Robert Barton of Overbarton was the comptroller of Scotland and owned ships. In 1524 he and David Falconar promised aid to King Christian II of the Kalmar Union (at this point he had lost his power in Denmark and was exiled), which they made known to Christian through his envoy, ambassador Alexander Kinghorn [SSNE 7394] in November 1524. Indeed in June 1525 Barton wrote to Christian II, upon having received his commission from the former Danish king through his king-at-arms, Hans herald Jutland, promising his service to Christian. He was preparing a small fleet, although he was still waiting for 2500 gold florins in payment for his ship the Lyon. In September 1527 he wrote to Master Gotskalk Ericson (Christian's chancellor)from Leith regarding a quantity of munitions that had been deposited with him for use by Christian. Barton was awaiting payment for the sailors and skippers he had procured, namely £27 and 5 s. Scots. In April 1529 Alexander Kinghorn described Barton as "holding the reins in almost all matters of government... chief accountant and manager of royal finance, treasure, customs officer and master of the mint" who had promised service to Christian II. In 1531 the issue of the munitions that Robert was holding for Christian resurfaced as Christian wrote to James V seeking there restitution. James promised to do what he could. In 1536 Christian III sought the use of the famous seaman "Albert Bartuen" meaning Robert Barton in assistance against the Lubeckers. OTHER CASES In March 1530 James V wrote to the consuls and proconsuls of Hamburg on behalf of Robert, noted as his councillor, in his case against Henry Hulk regarding the price of a ship and some goods. James requests that the suit be terminated because now the cost of it was higher than the goods. In June 1531 James V wrote to Charles V, again on Robert's behalf, regarding his ship the Black Bark which had sailed from Leith with valuable cargo belonging to Edinburgh merchants and arrived at Yarmouth. There subject of Charles V had taken the ship, mistreated the sailors and merchants, putting them ashore naked and penniless in another part of England. James had initially approached Margaret seeking redress, but as she was now dead he was approaching Charles V directly. He also sends David Lindsay, Snowdon herald. In January 1540 (or December 1539) this case was brought up again by James V to Charles V. Bye March 1540 Robert was dead, as that year James V wrote to Dorothy, countess of Palatine who was seeking redress for issues entrusted to Robert by her father.

Denys Hay ed, The Letters of James V, Edinburgh 1954, p.108. 122, 141, 169, 194, 198, 311, 396.

Service record

SCOTLAND,

Capacity COMPTROLLER, purpose DIPLOMACY, MILITARY