Andrew Edgar facts for kids
Andrew Edgar was a skilled tailor from Scotland. He worked for James V of Scotland, making many of the king's clothes.
Andrew might have been related to Thomas Edgar, another tailor who worked for James IV of Scotland. Thomas even made special clothes for Margaret Tudor, James IV's wife. Andrew Edgar first appears in records supplying fabric for flags. These flags were for the king's huge ship, the Great Michael.
Contents
Dressing a Young King
Andrew, also known as "Andro Edgair," made clothes for the young King James V. He also made clothes for James's brother, Alexander Stewart. This was in the years after the famous battle of Flodden in 1513. Before Flodden, another tailor named Robert Spittell made some of James's clothes.
Andrew Edgar received a yearly payment of £20 Scots. He worked closely with Patrick Donaldson. Patrick was the "yeoman of the royal wardrobe." This meant he helped manage the king's clothes and dressing room. During this time, King James was growing up. He was learning important skills like riding, hunting, and fighting in tournaments.
Clothes for a Growing King
In July 1522, Andrew Edgar made several outfits for the young king. These included a fancy velvet gown. He also made a black velvet hugton, which was a short jacket. Another item was a grey velvet doublet, a close-fitting jacket. The king also received bright scarlet hose (tights) and a winter gown. This winter gown was made of chamlet, a type of fabric, and trimmed with black velvet. Andrew was given silk thread to sew these fine clothes. At this time, the king was sent to live at Stirling Castle. He was looked after by Lord Erskine.
On September 9, 1523, King James V turned 11 years old. This day also marked 10 years since he became king. For this special occasion, he received new riding clothes and armor. Andrew Edgar made the king a black velvet riding coat. He also made a jupon for the king to wear over his armor. A jupon was a short, padded jacket worn over a jack (a type of armor).
Important Fabrics and Suppliers
Some of the expensive fabrics came from Michael MacQueen. He was a rich merchant in Edinburgh. Michael and his wife, Jonet Rhynd, founded the Magdalen Chapel. The lawyer and diplomat Adam Otterburn also helped get fabrics for the king's outfits. Elizabeth Crawford, the wife of the treasurer of Scotland, Robert Barton, sold fabrics to Edgar. She sold him velvet and a special fabric called "Scottish black." This was used to line the king's doublets.
In September 1529, Edgar made a riding coat of "Paris black" fabric. King James wore this for hunting in Meggetland. In March 1530, Edgar made a "harness doublet" of white satin. He made another one in May. These doublets were lined with fustian, a strong cotton fabric. These special garments were designed to be worn with armor.
Working with Other Tailors
In 1529, King James V chose Thomas Arthur as his main tailor. On October 20, 1531, Andrew Edgar and Thomas Arthur worked together. They joined other master tailors in Edinburgh. They signed a document called a "seal of cause." This document set out the rules for tailors in Edinburgh. It described their professional values and how apprentices could become master tailors.
