Balnaves, Henry, of Halhill (c. 1512-1579)

One of the chief promoters of the Reformation in Scotland. In 1538 James V made him a lord of session. On the accession of Mary in 1543, Balnaves was imprisoned for six months for his aggressive Protestantism. In 1546 he joined the murderers of Cardinal Beaton in the castle of St Andrews. In the following year he was captured by the French and imprisoned at Rouen.

In 1554, when the dowager queen Mary of Guise became regent of Scotland, Balnaves was released and on his return to Scotland he took an active part on the side of the lords of the congregation, and in 1563 was appointed a lord of session and was chosen as one of the commissioners to revise the Book of Discipline.