Both were Stewarts, and as such were concerned in the feud against the Hamiltons.

The first was a cousin of Darnley, brought up in France, namely Esme Stuart d'Aubigny, son of John, a brother of Lennox.
He had all the accomplishments likely to charm the boy king, now in his fourteenth year.
James had hitherto been sternly educated by George Buchanan, more mildly by Peter Young.

Buchanan and others had not quite succeeded in bringing him to scorn and hate his mother; Lady Mar, who was very kind to him, had exercised a gentler influence.

The boy had read much, had hunted yet more eagerly, and had learned dissimulation and distrust, so natural to a child weak and ungainly in body and the conscious centre of the intrigues of violent men.

A favourite of his was James Stewart, son of Lord Ochiltree, and brother-in-law of John Knox.