Katherine Bellenden
Encyclopedia
Katherine Bellenden was a courtier working in the wardrobe of James V of Scotland
. Her niece of the same name was similarly employed.
Katherine was the daughter of Patrick Bellenden and Mariota Douglas. Her brother was Thomas Bellenden of Auchnoule. Katherine married Adam Hopper, then Francis Bothwell, who were both Provosts of Edinburgh. Her third husband was Oliver Sinclair
, the King's favourite, who was reputed to have caused the Scottish defeat at the battle of Solway Moss
.
While Katherine worked in the royal wardrobe she bought cambric cloth, Holland cloth, and other materials for making the King's shirts, which she and her colleague Janet Douglas, the King's seamstress, embroidered with gold and silver thread. She sold cloth to the King's tailor, Thomas Arthur, and kept accounts of the King's purse. James V paid Katherine £666-13s-4d in April 1538, this was for 1000 marks which she had lent to the King's mother, Margaret Tudor
. Janet Douglas, like Katherine, married a prominent courtier, David Lindsay of the Mount
a diplomat and poet.
Amongst the many payments to "Katherine Bellenden" in the Scottish treasurer's accounts one entry notes Katherine as the spouse of Robert Craig, a servant of the tailor Thomas Arthur. This was Katherine's namesake niece, married to Robert Craig, later an Edinburgh merchant, and their children included John Craig
the physician and perhaps the lawyer Sir Thomas Craig. It seems that both Katherines were employed in the royal wardrobe and dealt in luxury fabrics.
In 1541, Oliver and Katherine with their kinsfolk and their royal wardrobe colleagues, John Tennent
and his wife the royal laundress, Mause Acheson, made a contract 'mortifyng' property, including the rents of a house on Edinburgh's Netherbow
now called the John Knox House
for priests to say Mass for their souls in St Giles, Edinburgh.
In November 1543, Katherine wrote to the Queen Dowager of Scotland, Mary of Guise
, regarding her and her husband's debts. A ship they had invested in had been impounded for sums of money they owed for lands in Orkney and Shetland. Mary of Guise was giving their Orkney lands to George Gordon
, Earl of Huntly. In Orkney, Oliver Sinclair held the castle of Kirkwall
as his ancestors had done, and Katherine wrote, 'we think great lack to go from our native rooms which my husband and his surname have held these three or four hundred years.'
, Bishop of Orkney
, though it is unclear if Katherine was his mother.
Katherine had two daughters with Oliver Sinclair. Isobel Sinclair married James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh
who assassinated Regent Moray in 1570. Alison Sinclair married David Hamilton of Monktonmains, brother of Bothwellhaugh. The persons of Isobel Sinclair and her supposed cousin Anne Bothwell are conflated in the Scottish ballad, Lady Anne Bothwell's Lament. Anne Bothwell was the daughter of Adam Bothwell the bishop, and perhaps grand-daughter of Katherine Bellenden. The ballad relates to her seduction and abandonment by Alexander Erskine (d.1640), a son of the Earl of Mar
James V of Scotland
James V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his death, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
. Her niece of the same name was similarly employed.
Katherine was the daughter of Patrick Bellenden and Mariota Douglas. Her brother was Thomas Bellenden of Auchnoule. Katherine married Adam Hopper, then Francis Bothwell, who were both Provosts of Edinburgh. Her third husband was Oliver Sinclair
Oliver Sinclair
Sir Oliver Sinclair de Pitcairnis , , was a favourite courtier of James V of Scotland. A contemporary story tells that James V gave him the battle standard and command at the Battle of Solway Moss...
, the King's favourite, who was reputed to have caused the Scottish defeat at the battle of Solway Moss
Battle of Solway Moss
The Battle of Solway Moss took place on Solway Moss near the River Esk on the English side of the Anglo-Scottish Border in November 1542 between forces from England and Scotland.-Background:...
.
While Katherine worked in the royal wardrobe she bought cambric cloth, Holland cloth, and other materials for making the King's shirts, which she and her colleague Janet Douglas, the King's seamstress, embroidered with gold and silver thread. She sold cloth to the King's tailor, Thomas Arthur, and kept accounts of the King's purse. James V paid Katherine £666-13s-4d in April 1538, this was for 1000 marks which she had lent to the King's mother, Margaret Tudor
Margaret Tudor
Margaret Tudor was the elder of the two surviving daughters of Henry VII of England and Elizabeth of York, and the elder sister of Henry VIII. In 1503, she married James IV, King of Scots. James died in 1513, and their son became King James V. She married secondly Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of...
. Janet Douglas, like Katherine, married a prominent courtier, David Lindsay of the Mount
David Lyndsay
Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount, was a Scottish Lord Lyon and poet of the 16th century, whose works reflect the spirit of the Renaissance.-Biography:...
a diplomat and poet.
Amongst the many payments to "Katherine Bellenden" in the Scottish treasurer's accounts one entry notes Katherine as the spouse of Robert Craig, a servant of the tailor Thomas Arthur. This was Katherine's namesake niece, married to Robert Craig, later an Edinburgh merchant, and their children included John Craig
John Craig (physician)
John Craig M.D. was a Scottish physician, known also as an astronomer. He was physician to James VI of Scotland, and accompanied him to England. He also corresponded with Tycho Brahe, and associated with John Napier.-Physician:...
the physician and perhaps the lawyer Sir Thomas Craig. It seems that both Katherines were employed in the royal wardrobe and dealt in luxury fabrics.
In 1541, Oliver and Katherine with their kinsfolk and their royal wardrobe colleagues, John Tennent
John Tennent
John Tennent of Listonshiels was a servant and companion of James V of Scotland. He kept an account of the king's daily expenses which is an important source document for the Scottish royal court....
and his wife the royal laundress, Mause Acheson, made a contract 'mortifyng' property, including the rents of a house on Edinburgh's Netherbow
Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is a succession of streets which form the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland.As the name suggests, the Royal Mile is approximately one Scots mile long, and runs between two foci of history in Scotland, from Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Castle...
now called the John Knox House
John Knox House
The John Knox House is an historic house in Edinburgh, Scotland, reputed to have been owned and lived in by Protestant Reformer John Knox during the 16th century, but known not to have been .The house itself was built from 1490 onwards, featuring a fine wooden gallery and hand-painted ceiling...
for priests to say Mass for their souls in St Giles, Edinburgh.
In November 1543, Katherine wrote to the Queen Dowager of Scotland, Mary of Guise
Mary of Guise
Mary of Guise was a queen consort of Scotland as the second spouse of King James V. She was the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots, and served as regent of Scotland in her daughter's name from 1554 to 1560...
, regarding her and her husband's debts. A ship they had invested in had been impounded for sums of money they owed for lands in Orkney and Shetland. Mary of Guise was giving their Orkney lands to George Gordon
George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly
George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly was a Scottish nobleman.-Biography:He was the son of John Gordon, Lord Gordon, and Margaret Stewart, daughter of James IV. George Gordon inherited his earldom and estates in 1524 at age 10...
, Earl of Huntly. In Orkney, Oliver Sinclair held the castle of Kirkwall
Kirkwall
Kirkwall is the biggest town and capital of Orkney, off the coast of northern mainland Scotland. The town is first mentioned in Orkneyinga saga in the year 1046 when it is recorded as the residence of Rögnvald Brusason the Earl of Orkney, who was killed by his uncle Thorfinn the Mighty...
as his ancestors had done, and Katherine wrote, 'we think great lack to go from our native rooms which my husband and his surname have held these three or four hundred years.'
Children
Francis Bothwell was the father of Adam BothwellAdam Bothwell
Adam Bothwell was the Bishop of Orkney.Bothwell was the eldest son of Francis Bothwell, Lord of Session, by his second wife Katherine Bellenden, daughter of Sir Thomas Bellenden. He was born about 1527; his epitaph states that he died ‘anno ætatis suæ 67.’He is said to have been versed both in...
, Bishop of Orkney
Bishop of Orkney
The Bishop of Orkney was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Orkney, one of thirteen medieval bishoprics within the territory of modern Scotland. It included both Orkney and Shetland. It was based for almost all of its history at St...
, though it is unclear if Katherine was his mother.
Katherine had two daughters with Oliver Sinclair. Isobel Sinclair married James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh
James Hamilton (assassin)
James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh was a Scottish supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots, who assassinated James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, Regent of Scotland, in January 1570...
who assassinated Regent Moray in 1570. Alison Sinclair married David Hamilton of Monktonmains, brother of Bothwellhaugh. The persons of Isobel Sinclair and her supposed cousin Anne Bothwell are conflated in the Scottish ballad, Lady Anne Bothwell's Lament. Anne Bothwell was the daughter of Adam Bothwell the bishop, and perhaps grand-daughter of Katherine Bellenden. The ballad relates to her seduction and abandonment by Alexander Erskine (d.1640), a son of the Earl of Mar
John Erskine, 18th Earl of Mar
John Erskine, 2nd Earl of Mar was a Scottish politician, the only son of John Erskine, 1st Earl of Mar. Together with King James VI of Scotland he was educated by George Buchanan...
External links
- As part of the restoration of the Palace at Stirling CastleStirling CastleStirling Castle, located in Stirling, is one of the largest and most important castles, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland. The castle sits atop Castle Hill, an intrusive crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is surrounded on three sides by steep...
, Historic ScotlandHistoric ScotlandHistoric Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for historic monuments in Scotland.-Role:As its website states:...
has dramatised Katherine's role in the royal wardrobe; Historic Scotland - Katherine Bellenden