George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Dunbar
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| Chancellor of the Exchequer | |
| In office 1603–1606 |
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| Preceded by | John Fortescue |
| Succeeded by | Sir Julius Caesar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1556 |
| Died | 20 January 1611 (aged 54-55) |
George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar (around 1556 – 20 January 1611) was a very important and powerful Scottish advisor to King James I. In the last ten years of his life, he was the most influential Scotsman in England. He worked closely with the King, managing royal household matters and helping to control Scotland's affairs. King James trusted him completely, so George Home often traveled between London and Edinburgh.
Contents
Life in Scotland
George Home was the third son of Sir Alexander Home of Manderston, a place in Berwickshire. When he was 26, a relative introduced him to the court of the 16-year-old King James VI. George quickly became a favorite of the King.
Trip to Denmark
He joined the group that went with King James VI to Norway and Denmark. The King was going to meet his future wife, Queen Anne. During this trip, King James made George Home the Keeper of the Royal Wardrobe. This meant he was in charge of the King's clothes and other personal items. Later, in 1606, King James praised George Home for his "high prudence and rare discretion" during this trip.
Becoming Sir George Home
George Home was made a knight on 4 November 1590. He was first known as "Sir George Home of Primrose Knowe." After 1593, he became "Sir George Home of Spot," named after a village in East Lothian. George Home gained the lands of Spott after a dispute with the previous owner. King James VI made these lands a special area called a barony for Sir George Home in 1592.
Managing Royal Money
In the 1590s, George Home helped manage the royal household's finances. He arranged for clothes and fabrics to be bought for the King and Queen. He also helped manage money for Anne of Denmark, the Queen. For example, he gave her money from her dowry (a gift of money or property given by a bride's family). He was also in charge of paying her Danish servants.
In 1598, he became a Privy Counsellor, which meant he was a trusted advisor to the King. The next year, he became the Sheriff of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
King's Visit to Spott
In October 1600, King James VI visited George Home's house at Spott. They had a "merry" party with other important people. An English courtier noted that George Home was the most trusted and "inward" with the King.
In 1601, George Home became the Master of the King's Wardrobe. He also took on an important role in managing the King's treasury. He was also made the Provost (a kind of mayor) of Dunbar.
Life in England
When King James VI of Scotland also became King James I of England in 1603, George Home went with him to London. He became the Chancellor of the Exchequer for England from 1603 to 1606. This meant he was in charge of the country's money.
In 1603, he also joined the Privy Council of England. On 1 June, he was given the job of Keeper of the Great Wardrobe for life. This meant he was in charge of all the royal clothes and jewels.
Becoming Earl of Dunbar
On 7 July 1604, King James made him Baron Hume of Berwick. In 1605, he became a Knight of the Garter, which is a very high honor. On 3 July, he was made Earl of Dunbar in Scotland. He even helped question Guy Fawkes after the Gunpowder Plot in 1605.
Queen Elizabeth's Jewels and Clothes
As Keeper of the Great Wardrobe, George Home was involved in handling Queen Elizabeth I's belongings after she died. She had a huge collection of jewels and over 2,000 gowns!
King James decided to sell many of Queen Elizabeth's jewels or have them remade. Some gems were even used for Queen Anne of Denmark's crown when she was crowned Queen of England. George Home helped examine these jewels. He delivered some items for the King's use, including diamond buttons and a gold feather jewel.
In 1606, George Home's job as keeper of the wardrobe in Scotland was given to someone else. However, he still held many valuable jewels from the Tower of London. These included a ruby and chain from a famous pendant called the "Great H of Scotland" and a special ring called the "espousal ring of Denmark."
Some people believed that George Home made a lot of money from selling Queen Elizabeth's clothes. It was rumored he earned £60,000 from these sales. He then spent £20,000 building a grand house at Berwick Castle.
Landed Interests
George Home received many lands and properties from the King. In 1603, he gained the manor and castle of Norham Castle, including fishing rights on the River Tweed. In 1605, all the lands given to him were combined into a free earldom, making him a powerful lord.
Mansion at Berwick
George Home started building a magnificent house at Berwick Castle. It was never fully finished, but people said it was going to be amazing. It was rumored to have a very long gallery, much grander than other famous houses. The building work stopped when he died in 1611.
Religious Affairs
George Home played a role in religious matters in Scotland. In 1605, he was present at the trial of nineteen ministers who had met against the King's orders. He tried to get a guilty verdict for the King. He even chose the jury, and many of them were his relatives. Even with this, the jury barely agreed on a guilty verdict. This trial set a rule that it was treason for any minister to question the King's authority in religious matters.
In 1608, George Home traveled to Scotland with George Abbot (who later became Archbishop of Canterbury). Their goal was to promote the Episcopal Church and try to unite the Church of England and the Church of Scotland. King James was happy with the first results, but the churches never fully united.
Marriage and Family
In 1590, George Home married Elizabeth Gordon. She was the daughter of Alexander Gordon of Schivas and Agnes Beaton. Elizabeth became a lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne of Denmark.
Their children were:
- Anne Home (died 1621), who married Sir James Home of Whitrig in 1602. Their son later became the James Home, 3rd Earl of Home.
- Elizabeth Home (died 1633), who was a companion to Princess Elizabeth, the daughter of King James. She married Theophilus Howard, 2nd Earl of Suffolk in 1612.
- A son who died in 1604.
Death
The Earl of Dunbar died in Whitehall Palace, London, in 1611. He did not have any sons who survived him, so his titles ended.
His body was prepared for burial, but his funeral service in Westminster did not happen until April. Then, his body was sent to Scotland and buried under the floor of Dunbar parish church. A very grand monument was built in his honor, which is still a main feature of the church today.
See also
- Holy Jesus Hospital
- Drawing of Berwick Castle, showing remaining tower of the Earl of Dunbar's house, British Museum
