He was a son of John Wardlaw of Torrie (died June 1557) and Elizabeth Beaton (died 1558), a daughter of John Beaton of Balfour and Mary Boswell. Torrie is in
Torryburn parish in
Fife. Elizabeth Beaton, Lady Torrie was a sister of Cardinal
David Beaton. In later life John Wardlaw became incapable of managing his affairs. During a court case brought by his younger brother William, witnesses described various details of John Wardlaw's skills and activities as a wealthy laird in Fife. Henry Wardlaw's daughter
Nicolas was a companion of
Mary, Queen of Scots, sometimes known as "Madame Torrie". When she married Patrick Wood of Bonnyton in September 1566, the queen's half-brother,
James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, wrote to the treasurer
Robert Richardson to ensure she had a purple velvet gown with gold passments or trimmings as a royal gift for her wedding day. Henry Wardlaw fought for Mary at the
battle of Langside in 1568. He was involved in the death of James Ballany at the battle.
Regent Moray declared his property forfeited and gave it to
James Cunningham of Drumwuhassill. He was found guilty of treason in August 1571, along with a Fife neighbour
Henry Echlin of Pittadro. The penalty was suspended. ==Marriages and children==