Robert Abercromby was born in Scotland in 1532. He became a
Jesuit missionary and converted Queen Anne, wife of James IV of Scotland, before he became
James I king of England[?].The king advised her to keep the conversion secret, because public knowledge of this might imperil his crown. She also tried to convert the king, without success. Anne herself gave proof of her devotion, during their crowning. The king first supported Abercromby and arranged for him to stay near Anne. When Abercromby went to England, he found that the friendly behaviour by the king had changed. He had put a price of 10,000 crowns on Abercromby's head. In 1605 an alleged
Gunpowder Plot implicated the Jesuits. Now the king felt bitter hostility towards the Jesuit Society and ordered a search warrant for Abercromby.
He had to escape England and found refuge in
Prussia. He died 1613 at
Braunsberg in Prussia, 81 years old.