22 Facts About William Carstares

William Carstares was a Scottish minister who was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1705,1708,1711 and 1715.

William Carstares was active in Whig politics and was Principal of the University of Edinburgh from 1703 to 1715.

William Carstares was educated at the University of Edinburgh, and then at the University of Utrecht.

William Carstares corresponded with Pierre du Moulin, who ran the Prince's espionage.

William Carstares was then committed to the Tower of London; the following year, 1675, he was transferred to Edinburgh Castle.

William Carstares was believed to be concerned with Sir James Stewart in the authorship of a pamphlet An Account of Scotland's Grievances by reason of the D of Lauderdale's Ministrie, humbly tendered to his Sacred Majesty.

John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale himself got William Carstares to admit he had been involved in printing the pamphlet.

Lauderdale used the threat of the torture of the boot, which could be employed legally in Scotland; but William Carstares was not tortured.

Carstares provided liaison, while his brother-in-law William Dunlop was able to use his colonial project in the Province of Carolina as cover for Shaftesbury's preparations for rebellion.

William Carstares denied knowing any of the plot, though he had heard assassination rumours from Robert Ferguson.

William Carstares was again threatened with torture in London, this time by Sir George Mackenzie.

William Carstares signed a statement, managing to conceal the covert links to Dutch supporters, and the government published it.

William Carstares was freed, and went to London, and then to The Hague shortly before the Monmouth Rebellion, as an adviser to the Prince of Orange.

William Carstares continued as royal chaplain for Scotland, once William was king of Great Britain.

William Carstares was the confidential adviser of the king, especially with regard to Scottish affairs.

William Carstares advocated that a Presbyterian polity should replace the Scottish bishops, and the immediate events of the Williamite conflicts bore out his opinion in practical terms.

William Carstares manipulated the Parliament of Scotland, helped by being able to read James Johnston's mail.

William Carstares was a reforming administrator, introducing the Dutch professorial system of teaching.

William Carstares was four times chosen Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in 1705,1708,1711 and 1715.

William Carstares took an important part in promoting the Union, and was consulted by Harley and other leading Englishmen concerning it.

William Carstares was received graciously, and the office of royal chaplain was again conferred upon him.

William Carstares was uncle by marriage to William Dunlop.