Anne Lyon, Countess of Kinghorne facts for kids

Anne Lyon (born Murray), Countess of Kinghorne (1579 – 27 February 1618), was a Scottish noblewoman. She was known for her close connection with King James VI of Scotland.

Anne Murray's Early Life and Court Role

Anne Murray was the daughter of John Murray, 1st Earl of Tullibardine, who was in charge of the King's Household. Her mother was Catherine Drummond.

Sometimes her name was written as "Agnes" in letters and poems. These poems praised her and even used anagrams of her name.

In June 1591, Anne's sister, Lilias Murray, married John Grant. King James VI and John Wemyss of Logie went to the wedding at Tullibardine. They even performed in a special play called a masque.

By 1594, Anne Murray was a lady-in-waiting to Anne of Denmark, the Queen. The Queen even paid for new clothes for Anne, like a new top and sleeves. This shows Anne was part of the Queen's royal household.

King James VI's Affection

King James VI was very fond of Anne Murray. He even wrote two poems about her. One was called "A Dreame on his Mistres My Ladie Glammis" and the other "A Complaint on his Mistressis Absence from Court." Anne later married Lord Glamis, which was her husband's title.

In his "Complaint" poem, the King wrote about how much he missed Anne when she was not at court. He said the court felt like a garland missing its main flower, or a jewel box without its precious stone. He felt her absence made the court feel sad.

The "Dream" poem talks about gifts like an empty gold locket and an amethyst gemstone. In the dream, the amethyst was meant to show the King's strong devotion to her. The locket represented her purity. The King imagined their affection was strongly connected, like a knot that could only be cut by fate.

A letter from John Carey in May 1595 mentioned Anne Murray as "fayre Mistris Ann Murray the Kinges Mistris." This shows that people in England also knew about the King's special connection with Anne. It's possible the King's poems about her were shared around the English court.

Anne's Marriage

In May 1595, Anne Murray married Patrick Lyon, 9th Lord Glamis. He later became the Earl of Kinghorne. In those times, married women usually kept their own family names. Patrick was the son of John Lyon, 8th Lord Glamis.

King James VI, who was said to be very fond of Anne, bought her many new clothes for her wedding. This included a fancy silver gown that she likely wore on her wedding day. The King and Queen had planned to attend the wedding party on June 1st at Stirling Castle. However, Queen Anne of Denmark became ill and could not go.

The wedding was important for politics in Scotland. It was arranged by the Earl of Mar. This caused some disagreement because Patrick's uncle, the Master of Glamis, did not know about it and wanted Patrick to marry someone else. This marriage was part of a disagreement between the Earl of Mar and the Chancellor of Scotland, John Maitland.

At Blair Castle, there is a special spade from Sri Lanka. It is said that Patrick Lyon gave this spade to Anne Murray as a gift in 1594.

Family Life

Anne Murray and Patrick Lyon, the 1st Earl of Kinghorne, had several children:

• James Lyon (died August 1641)
• Patrick Lyon
• Frederick Lyon (died 1660)
• Anne Lyon (died 8 February 1637), who married William Hay, 10th Earl of Erroll.
• Jean Lyon (died 2 February 1618)
• John Lyon, 2nd Earl of Kinghorne (born 13 August 1596 - died 12 May 1646)

Anne Lyon passed away on 27 February 1618.