Francis Stewart

Sir Francis Stuart or Frank Stewart (1589–1635), sailor, aristocrat, Member of Parliament and courtier Early years Born at Donibristle in Fife, Scotland, the son of James Stewart, 2nd Earl of Moray and Elizabeth Stuart, 2nd Countess of Moray. Francis Stuart was educated at Christ Church, Oxford with an annuity of £200 from King James. Anne Gunter At Oxford he was involved in the investigation of Anne Gunter's accusations of witchcraft against Elizabeth Gregory. He gave evidence in February 1606 in the Star Chamber of witnessing Anne loosen her clothing for dramatic effect. Stuart was asked if Gunter's breath smelled unusual, and he answered that "he did always observe in her fits that her breath had a very strange smell, as if she had taken compound drinks." In 1603 his sister Margaret married the Admiral Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham. Francis was knighted in 1610, at the creation of Prince Henry as Prince of Wales. He joined the navy. In 1614 William Cavendish recommended his full naturalization in Parliament.