Anne Livingstone, Countess of Eglinton facts for kids

Anne Livingstone, Countess of Eglinton (died 1632) was a Scottish noblewoman. She worked as a lady-in-waiting for Princess Elizabeth and later for Anne of Denmark, who was the wife of King James VI and I.

Anne Livingstone was the daughter of Alexander Livingstone, 1st Earl of Linlithgow and Helenor Hay. Her parents were in charge of looking after Princess Elizabeth at Linlithgow Palace in Scotland.

Life at Court

In 1603, Anne Livingstone traveled to England as part of Princess Elizabeth's group. She, or perhaps Princess Elizabeth herself, kept a record of money spent on clothes, jewelry, gifts, and writing supplies during their journey from Scotland. This record mentioned places like Newcastle, York, and Windsor. It also noted purchases like "whalebone bodies" (a type of corset) and gifts for teachers.

When the court was in Winchester in September 1603, Queen Anne ordered new clothes for Anne Livingstone and other Scottish women who had traveled with her. These women included Margaret Stewart and Jean Drummond. Anne Livingstone was likely around the same age as her cousin, Anna Hay, who was 11 years old at the time.

Later, Anne joined the household of Anne of Denmark, the wife of James VI of Scotland and I of England. She became a "chamberer," which meant she helped the Queen with her personal needs. In December 1605, King James wrote to Anne's father, saying her behavior was good. In October 1606, Anne was seen dancing at Hampton Court when the Queen hosted a French ambassador.

Marriage and Life at Eglinton

In 1612, Anne Livingstone married Sir Alexander Seton of Foulstruther. He was the son of Robert Seton, the Earl of Winton. Alexander took the surname Montgomerie and later became the Earl of Eglinton. He was sometimes called "old Graysteel," a nickname from an old poem.

Some of Anne Livingstone's letters still exist today. In November 1612, she wrote to her husband, hoping that Queen Anne and the King's favorite, Lord Rochester, would help him become the Earl. She also thanked Lady Jane, who was Jean Drummond, an important person close to Queen Anne.

In 1613, William Seton of Kylesmure, her husband's uncle, asked Anne Livingstone to write to both Jean Drummond and Queen Anne. He mentioned that Anne had served Princess Elizabeth since she was a baby, and then Queen Anne. The main issue was her husband's right to the Eglinton earldom. William Seton wanted Anne to make sure Jean Drummond and the Queen told King James that the Queen had known about and approved of her marriage, but only if Alexander Seton would become Earl of Eglinton. This shows that Queen Anne had supported Anne Livingstone's marriage and her husband's rise to a noble title.

Later letters from Jean Drummond, who became the Countess of Roxburghe, show that Anne Livingstone stayed in touch with the court and the Queen. Anne sent gifts like special drinks and linen to Drummond. Drummond helped Anne by explaining to the Queen why Eglinton had not chosen her as a godparent for their child in 1613. She also helped with the complicated legal matter of her husband receiving the Eglinton earldom. Drummond wrote in March 1613 that King James had not yet decided on the earldom. Drummond also helped manage Anne Livingstone's reputation with the Queen.

A letter from Jean Ruthven at Whitehall described things bought for Anne Livingstone. She wanted a "resting chair" like Jean Drummond's, a lantern, a piccadill (a type of collar), and fashionable lace.

Anne Livingstone also shared news from the court with John Murray and his wife Elizabeth Schaw. She hoped John Murray would encourage the King to help her family. In November 1615, Alexander Seton, 1st Earl of Dunfermline sent news that Anne was ill after giving birth to her son, Alexander. On August 19, 1617, she presented their son James Murray at his christening at Holyrood Palace.

In Scotland, Anne lived at places like Seton Palace, Callendar House, and Eglinton Castle. A record from 1618 shows she managed the making of linen and played the virginals (a musical instrument). She gave linen to her sister-in-law, Isabella Seton, and they exchanged books.

Anne Livingstone was known for her religious faith. She encouraged her husband to help David Dickson, a minister from Irvine. Dickson preached at Eglinton Castle for two months in 1622. Robert Wodrow recorded a story that Anne, her sister Margaret, and the poet Lady Culross (Elizabeth Melville) welcomed Dickson with great enthusiasm.

The minister Robert Bruce of Kinnaird wrote to her in September 1629, praising her deep understanding of faith.

Anne Livingstone died in 1632. A relative, the minister John Livingstone, described her as a truthful and religious person, even though she grew up at court.

Portraits and Jewels

When Anne Livingstone returned to Scotland in July 1607, Queen Anne gave her several valuable jewels. These included pearls, a gold necklace with pearls, rubies, and diamonds, and a gold jewel showing the "Annunciation of our Lady" with diamonds and rubies. Another jewel given to Anne in August 1607 cost the King £400.

The Countess left a large jewel with fourteen diamonds and five hanging triangle diamonds to her son Hugh Montgomerie, 7th Earl of Eglinton.

A portrait from around 1610, labeled "Lady Livingston," might be of her. In this portrait, "Lady Livingston" wears a tiny picture (miniature) of Queen Anne of Denmark. This miniature might be the one now in the Fitzwilliam Museum, which came from the Eglinton collection. The jeweled locket holding the miniature might have been made in 1610. The locket has two special symbols: one with diamonds and one in enamel, showing a closed "S." This "S" was used in letters at the time to show affection. Anne Livingstone used this "S" in her letter to Elizabeth, Mrs. Murray. The "S" might also refer to Queen Anne of Denmark's mother, Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow.

Other women close to Queen Anne also had their portraits made, sometimes with jeweled lockets showing "A," "AR," or "R" for "Anna Regina" (Queen Anne).

In her portrait, Anne has a diamond jewel in her hair. This could be the "great jewel containing fourteen great diamonds with five pendant triangle diamonds" that she left to her son Hugh.

Family

Anne Livingstone and her husband had several children:

• Hugh Montgomerie (1613-1669), who later became the 7th Earl of Eglinton. He married Anne Hamilton and later Mary Leslie.
• Henry Montgomerie of Giffin (born 1614), named after Prince Henry. Queen Anne of Denmark was his godmother. He married Jean Campbell.
• Colonel Alexander Montgomerie (born 1615). Anne Livingstone mentioned in a letter that she was expecting him around Martinmas.
• Colonel James Montgomerie of Coylsfield (died 1675), who married Margaret MacDonald.
• General Robert Montgomerie, who married Elizabeth Livingstone. He was injured at the Battle of Marston Moor.
• Margaret Montgomerie, who married John Hay, the 1st Earl of Tweeddale, and later William Cunningham, 9th Earl of Glencairn.
• Eleanor Montgomerie.
• Anna Montgomerie.

After Anne's death, a cousin of her husband, Sir John Seton, bought fashionable clothes in London for her daughters.