George Nicholson (diplomat) facts for kids

George Nicholson was an English diplomat who worked in Scotland between 1577 and 1612. He helped keep peace and good relations between England and Scotland.

Working in Scotland

George Nicholson was not a full ambassador. He was a "resident agent" for England in Scotland. This meant he lived there and reported back to the English Queen, Queen Elizabeth. For many years, he worked for another English diplomat named Robert Bowes.

In 1597, Robert Bowes became sick. Queen Elizabeth decided that Nicholson should take his place. She sent a letter to King James VI of Scotland saying that Nicholson was her official representative. Nicholson was paid for his work and got help sending his letters. Soon, people treated him almost like a full ambassador. He sent most of his reports to Sir Robert Cecil, who was England's Secretary of State.

Nicholson built a strong network of contacts at the Scottish court. He even became quite friendly with King James VI. For example, he played cards with the King at Falkland Palace in May 1602. Sometimes, Sir Robert Cecil reminded Nicholson that he was just a resident agent, not a high-ranking ambassador. Once, Nicholson tried to meet the King at Dunfermline Palace when the court was sad about the death of the King's baby son, Duke Robert. Sir George Home, the Treasurer, sent him away.

To help keep track of Scottish families, Robert Bowes had a special chest in his Edinburgh home. It held copies of the family trees of Scottish nobles. Nicholson made copies of these for officials in England when they needed them.

Important Scottish Events

In 1593, Robert Bowes sent Nicholson to William Cecil in England. Nicholson carried important information about Scottish politics. They discussed whether to help a Scottish nobleman, Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell. They also talked about Lord Home interfering with letters.

In March 1595, Nicholson reported on a Jesuit priest named James Myreton. He was the brother of the Laird of Cambo. Myreton was stopped in Leith and brought before King James. He said he was sent by the Pope. He brought a special jewel from a Cardinal for Anne of Denmark, the Queen. The jewel showed the Crucifixion and was made of gold, crystal, and bone. Queen Anne received the jewel.

In August 1595, Nicholson rode to Loch Lomond. He went to the castle on Inchmurrin with letters for King James. The King often went hunting there. Nicholson noted that the King was friendly with Lachlan Mor Maclean. MacLean and the Earl of Argyll went hunting with the King.

In September 1595, Nicholson visited Falkland Palace. He saw a disagreement between Queen Anne and the Earl of Mar. The Earl was in charge of her son, Prince Henry. The Queen refused to look at the Earl. She said she feared being poisoned if she went to Stirling Castle. This was where Mar and his mother, Annabell Murray, kept Prince Henry.

In August 1596, Nicholson received money for Robert Bowes. This money was to pay back sums given to James Colville. Thomas Foulis and Robert Jousie, who managed the King's English money, paid it. Sir Robert Cecil also sent gifts through Nicholson to Roger Aston, another English courtier. These gifts included velvet for Aston's wife, Margaret Stewart. She was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne.

Nicholson's Diplomatic Work

In October 1597, Bowes sent Nicholson to Linlithgow Palace. They discussed border issues after a gunfight near the Tweed. Bowes died in November 1597. George Nicholson then officially took over his role.

In January 1598, Nicholson brought letters to King James VI at Holyrood Palace. The King read the letters and sent Sir George Home to tell Nicholson he was pleased. He asked Nicholson to visit again the next day.

Nicholson reported on the illness of a financier named Thomas Foulis. Foulis was very sick, perhaps because of his debts. Or it might have been because King James had taken a valuable jewel from him. This jewel was called the "Great H of Scotland." The King had used it as a loan to pay for his campaigns. Nicholson said that Queen Anne gave the jewel to her friend, the Countess of Erroll, as a joke.

English Performers in Scotland

In April 1598, some English actors came to Edinburgh to perform. John Arnot, a former leader of Edinburgh, told Nicholson that the actors were making fun of King James VI and the Scottish people. He worried that this might cause riots. King James supported another group of actors in November 1599. But the church and town leaders tried to stop them. They thought the plays were wrong for religious and moral reasons.

The English Throne

In July 1598, Nicholson went to Falkland Palace with a letter from Robert Cecil. King James wrote a reply to Queen Elizabeth. In October 1598, Nicholson stayed in a house in Edinburgh.

In February 1600, Nicholson learned that King James VI was very angry with him. The King wanted Nicholson watched more closely. Nicholson had gotten a copy of a banned book by Peter Wentworth. The book was about who should become the next ruler of England. The Scottish Secretary of State, James Elphinstone, questioned the printers about how Nicholson got the book.

In May, Nicholson played cards with King James at Falkland. In August 1602, Nicholson met the French ambassador. Nicholson could not speak French, so Lord Sanquhar helped by translating for them.

In October 1602, Nicholson was in Berwick. He talked with Thomas Scrope, a border official. They discussed the Graham family, who lived near the border. Nicholson helped the Grahams prepare a request.

Later Life

In June 1603, after King James VI of Scotland also became King of England, Nicholson wrote to Robert Cecil. He asked for a good pension, which was a regular payment from the King. In August 1603, Nicholson was given a daily allowance. As the army base at Berwick became smaller, old soldiers asked for rewards. Nicholson recommended Jarret Storie to Robert Cecil. Storie had been a messenger in Scotland during "dangerous times."

Nicholson then seemed to work at Berwick as a Paymaster. He sent reports about the army base to an auditor in 1612.