Lord Ruthven was a minor character in the fourth season of Reign. He was portrayed by John Ralston.
He was one of Mary Stuart's greatest enemies in Scotland. He entered a coup with Lord Darnley and John Knox to kill Lord Bothwell, which eventually ended in them killing David Rizzio.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Patrick was born into the wealthy and influential Ruthven family. He was the elder brother of many, including sisters Lilias, Cecilia, Christina, Barbara and brother Alexander. At some point he moved from Dirleton to Edinburgh. There, he entered a marriage with Janet and they had five children.
In reality his marriage and offspring served as a façade to hide Patrick's homosexuality. He frequented in establishments for homosexual nobles and male brothels. At some point under Marie de Guise's reign, he became Lord Treasurer.
In the Series[]
Season Four[]
Lord Ruthven was one of the men who tried to convince James Stuart to take his half-sister's throne. James refused and thus, Lord Ruthven was forced to serve Mary Stuart, a Catholic Queen. When she married Lord Darnley, the two alligned themselves to start a coup against Mary Stuart and her right hand, Lord Bothwell.
David Rizzio confronted Lord Ruthven about his sexuality, revealing that they shared several partners in bed, one of whom revealed Lord Ruthven's secret to Rizzio. Some time later, Ruthven worked with Lord Darnley and John Knox to arrest Queen Mary and her "lover" Lord Bothwell. When Mary is revealed to be alone with David Rizzio, Lord Ruthven opts to frame David Rizzio as the Queen's lover (which he knows can't be) and convinces the other council members to kill Rizzio. Rizzio begs Ruthven for his life, but is murdered while Mary is forced to watch.
Ruthven and the traitors capture the castle, but Darnley (who never wished to kill Rizzio) frees Mary and they escape through secret passageways to where Bothwell's army awaits. The other traitors flee, leaving only Lord Ruthven to be taken by Mary and her army. Mary has Lord Ruthven publically hanged, kicking the stool away herself, saying: "That is for David Rizzio."
Personality[]
Lord Ruthven is arrogant, passionate to his detriment, and violent if he doesn't get his way. His secret life in the shadows as a closeted homosexual has left him bittered and suspicious. He is proudly Protestant.
Physical Appearance[]
Lord Ruthven is a tall man with greyish hair, longer than most other courtiers. He is well-groomed and has a beard.
Trivia[]
- Lord Ruthven is the fifth known homosexual in the series, following Philipe Nardin, Cardinal Perazzo,Randall and David Rizzio.
- Historically, Lord Ruthven wasn't executed for his crime of killing Rizzio. Rather, he fled to England where he lived under the protection of Queen Elizabeth I before he died from consumption.
- Historically, he wasn't the leader of the gang who killed Rizzio. According to Mary's secretary, he was tricked into joining the rebellion by false promises of powerful Scotsmen.