Isobel Hoppar facts for kids

Isobel Hoppar (born around 1490, died after 1538) was an important Scottish woman. She owned land and was a governess to Margaret Douglas, a key figure in Scottish history. Isobel was very powerful in Scotland when King James V was young. Her wealth and influence were so great that some people who didn't like her or her family's political group would criticize her.

Isobel Hoppar's Family and Wealth

Isobel Hoppar came from a wealthy family in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her father, Richard Hoppar, was a successful merchant. He traded goods like wool with other countries, including the Netherlands. Richard Hoppar even sent wool on a ship owned by the famous privateer, Andrew Barton.

The Hoppar family was very well-off. Richard Hoppar imported fancy velvet and sold fur to King James IV of Scotland. They owned several houses in Edinburgh. One of their main homes was a large mansion near the Royal Mile. It had many rooms, including a hall, chambers, and a kitchen. This shows how important and rich Isobel's family was.

Isobel's nephew, Adam Hopper, was a leader of the Edinburgh Merchants Guild. This was a powerful group of traders. Adam was married to Katherine Bellenden, who was a seamstress for King James V of Scotland. This shows the family's connections to the royal court.

Isobel's Marriages and Growing Influence

Before 1504, Isobel Hoppar married Master John Murray of Barony. He worked for the Scottish government's treasury. Sadly, John Murray was killed in 1513 at the famous Battle of Flodden.

After John Murray's death, Isobel was known as a "rich widow of Edinburgh." In 1515, she married her second husband, Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie. He was a brother and important advisor to Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus. The King gave Archibald and Isobel another property in Edinburgh in 1526. At this time, Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie was the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland.

Isobel's Role with the Douglas Family

The Earl of Angus had a lot of power when King James V was young. He even had control over the young King. During this time, Isobel Hoppar's influence grew. A monk named Adam Abell wrote about her. He was surprised that she was involved in public affairs. He even said that her influence might have caused problems for the Earl of Angus. People called her "my lady thesaurer" (my lady treasurer) because of her power.

Isobel Hoppar was also a childhood companion or governess to Margaret Douglas. Margaret was the daughter of Margaret Tudor and the Earl of Angus. Margaret Douglas later became the mother of Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley.

The Fall of the Douglas Family

In 1528, King James V finally escaped from the control of the Douglas family. He then started to get revenge on them. Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie and Isobel lost their properties.

When the Douglas family was forced to leave Scotland, Isobel went with them. On September 5, 1528, the Earl of Angus made plans for his family to go to Norham Castle in England. He asked for a room for Margaret Douglas, and he said that Isobel Hoppar would take care of her. Margaret was sent to England in October, and Isobel continued to serve her as a "gentlewoman" at Berwick Castle.

An English diplomat named Thomas Magnus also noticed Isobel's strong personality. He believed that Isobel "totally ordoured" (completely controlled) her husband, Kilspindie. He thought that Isobel and George Douglas had caused many problems for the Earl of Angus.

Isobel lost more of her lands and income. Her husband Kilspindie's house in Edinburgh was given to someone else. In 1529, her lands near Linlithgow were given away. She also lost her rents and livestock from her properties at Blackbarony.

Isobel was described as Kilspindie's widow in 1536. In 1538, she was involved in a legal dispute. The King himself asked the judges to wait for his opinion on the matter. This shows that even after the fall of the Douglases, Isobel Hoppar still had some influence.

Isobel's Children

Isobel Hoppar had children, including:

• Andrew Murray of Blackbarony (died 1572).
• Archibald Douglas of Kilspindie II, who became the Provost of Edinburgh several times in the 1550s and 1560s.