Elected Procurator of the Scottish Nation in Orleans University 3 Aug., 1513, resigned 21 Jan., 1514. Succeeded his deceased father as burgess of Edinburgh, admitted 28 March 1515. Took over his father’s business and supplied the Court with dress materials, including purple velvet for a coat for the king in Dec., 1526. Elected Provost of Edinburgh in 1523. Appears in the rolls of Parliament of 16 Nov., 1524 as Commissioner of the Burghs, a Lord Auditor of Causes, and also served as a Lord of the Articles on several occasions and also served as a commissoner for the tax granted to James V on his marriage.

Francis Bothwell also was a founding member of the Court of Sessions (paid £133, 6s, 8d Scots) for the first year; succeded Adam Hopper as Customer of Inverness on Hooper’s death in August, 1529. Francis became seriously ill in Dec. of 1535 and died sometime between Dec. 20 and Jan 14, 1536 when his widow was listed as Customer of Inverness.

Francis and his brother, Richard, are often referred to in 18th and 19th century articles as the sons of Richard Bothwell, described as being provost of Edinburgh in the reighn of King James III.
James III reigned from 1451 to 1488. From shortly before that time to 1491, the provosts of Edinburgh were (according to the roster posted in the Edinburgh City Chambers):
1445 Stephen Hunter
1446 Patrick Cockburn
1449 Thomas de Cranstoun
1451 George de Faia
1453 Sir Alexander Napier of Merchiston
1455 Thomas Oliphant
1456 Sir Alexander Napier of Merchiston
1462 Alexander Kerr
1466 George Bartraham
1467 Robert Mure of Polkelie
1469 Sir Alexander Napier of Merchiston
1477 James Creichton of Ruthven
1481 Walter or William Bartraham
1482 Sir John Murray of Tulchad
1482 Patrick Barron of Spittlefield
1484 John Napier of Merchiston
1485 John Murray
1486 Sir Patrick Barron of Spittlefield
1487 John Murray
1487 Patrick Hepburn, 1st Lord of Hailes
1488 Thomas Tod
1490 Alexander Hepburne of Quhitsum1491) Sir Thomas Tod.

The Richard Bothwell who is said to have been provost of Edinburgh is said to have been the same one who was Abbot of Dunfermline. It is claimed he was provost of Edinburgh in 1460.

Had sasine of subjects in Edinburgh 9 Nov. 1515.

According to ‘the Scottish Reformation” by Ian B. Cowan, David and Janet were betrothed at 8am on Feb. 13, 1532 and married at 4am the following day. No banns were published. Cowan notes that although they were married in the church, the process was unusual. Janet was the daughter of James, earl of Arran.

A procuratory of resignation of the parsonage was executed by his uncle, Richard, on 1 Aug., 1538.

An inventory of his estate, filed in Glasgow Commissary Court 1 Feb. 1553/54 indicated he also was a Master, canon of Glasgow, and prebendary of Ashkirk. (A canon is an ordained member of the clergy assigned to a cathedral; a prebendary is an official of a cathedral).

Upon her marriage to Balfour, they received a charter of Westray in the sheriffdom of Orkney on 30 June 1560.

Testament filed Edinburgh Commissary Court 31 Jan 1578-9 and 5 March 1590/91