Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox (21 September 1516 – 4 September 1571) was a leader of the Catholic nobility in Scotland.

He was the paternal grandfather of King James VI of Scotland and I of England.

He owned Temple Newsam in Yorkshire, England.

Regent

On July 12, 1570 Lennox became regent for his grandson King James VI of Scotland, but Queen Elizabeth’s party declared war against him.

He was shot dead next year in a skirmish, when the Queen’s party attacked Stirling.

Death

The raid on Stirling on 4 September 1571 was led by the George Gordon, 5th Earl of Huntly, Claude Hamilton, and the lairds of Buccleuch and Ferniehurst.

Early reports said he was killed by his own party. William Kirkcaldy of Grange said the shot was fired by the Queen’s party, and another account names David Bochinant as the assassin.