Helen Guthrie facts for kids
Helen Guthrie was a Scottish woman who was active around the year 1592. She is known for bravely asking King James VI of Scotland to change his ways. She believed he should follow the rules of the church more closely.
Contents
Who Was Helen Guthrie?
Helen Guthrie was the daughter of John Guthrie, a saddle maker from Aberdeen, Scotland. She became known in June 1592 for speaking directly to King James VI. She wanted him to rule and act according to the values of the Presbyterian Church.
Helen Guthrie's Bold Request
Meeting the King
Guthrie met King James VI in Edinburgh. The King was just about to go hunting with his dogs. She gave a speech and presented him with a written message. She asked King James to stop swearing and to properly respect Sunday, which was the Sabbath day.
It was not unusual for ordinary people in Scotland to approach the King. King James reportedly laughed and swore at her. He asked if she was a prophetess, someone who could see the future. Helen simply replied that she was a "simple servant of God."
The Queen's Kindness
The King then sent Helen to his wife, Anne of Denmark. Queen Anne treated Helen Guthrie with more kindness.
Historical Records of the Event
The details of Helen's meeting with the King were written down by a historian named David Calderwood. Her written request, or "admonition," was kept in a collection of papers called the Warrender Papers. The Warrender copy says that Helen was 18 years old at the time.
Some historians, like Maureen Meikle, have noted that Helen's message was very carefully written. This shows that she had thought a lot about what she wanted to say. The exact date of this event is not fully known. However, at the end of June 1592, King James VI and Queen Anne were at Falkland Palace. They were briefly surrounded by the Earl of Bothwell's forces before returning to Holyrood Palace.
Other Women Who Approached the King
King James VI and Queen Anne of Denmark had met other women who approached them with messages. In 1590, a woman from Lübeck claimed to have a prophecy for the King. She was interviewed by a court secretary named George Young. This shows that Helen Guthrie was not the only woman to speak directly to the royal family.
