Carstares

Carstares, William (1649-1715), a Scottish clergyman and politician, who was a personal friend of the Prince of Orange, and had some share in bringing about the Revolution of 1688. Born at Cathcart, near Glasgow, of a Covenanting family, he was educated first at the University of Edinburgh and then at Utrecht, where he formed a friendship with William of Orange. On his return to England in 1674 he was imprisoned as being a cause of disaffection in Scotland, and was not released for nearly five years. In 1683, being again in Britain, he was examined and tortured before the Scottish Council for his share in the Rye House Plot. In 1685 he again went to Holland, and William appointed him court chaplain, and in this capacity he accompanied William to England, and was appointed royal chaplain for Scotland, and was one of the king's most trusted advisers upon Scottish affairs. He was still royal chaplain under Queen Anne, but lived in Edinburgh, having been made principal of Edinburgh University. He was four times moderator of the General Assembly, and was consulted about the Parliamentary Union of Scotland with England, which he did much to promote. George I. also confirmed him in his chaplaincy, but he did not live long to enjoy it.