David Beaton or Bethune, (1494-1546)

Scottish Roman Catholic prelate and statesman, born in Fife, and educated at the universities of St. Andrews, Glasgow, and Paris. After being employed by James V of Scotland on various missions to the French court, Beaton was made a cardinal in 1538. The following year he succeeded his uncle as archbishop of St. Andrews and primate of Scotland.

When James died in 1542, Beaton produced a will of the late king appointing himself one of the regents of the kingdom during the minority of the infant Mary, queen of Scots, but the document was rejected by the nobility. Beaton was imprisoned in 1543 but was soon released. He then induced the regent, James Hamilton, 2nd earl of Arran, to oppose the subjugation of Scotland by Henry VIII of England and to denounce the reformed religion. After the coronation of Mary in 1543, Beaton, as chancellor, began a ruthless persecution of the Protestants. He was assassinated in his castle by the followers of the Scottish reformer George Wishart, whom Beaton had condemned to death.