Jacques de Bousie facts for kids

Jacques de Bousie was a talented confectioner from Flanders. He worked in Edinburgh, Scotland, around the late 1500s and early 1600s. He was famous for making amazing sweet treats and desserts for King James VI and his wife, Anne of Denmark.

A Royal Confectioner's Career

Bousie was first asked to make special sweets in September 1589. This was for the expected arrival of Anne of Denmark in Scotland. However, King James VI decided to sail to Norway and Denmark to meet her instead.

When the King returned, he sent instructions for their grand welcome. He specifically asked that "the Flemishe sugerman" (Jacques de Bousie) prepare all the "confections and sweet meats" he had promised. Bousie, known as a "confett maker," was paid a large sum of money for these desserts. He also supplied sweets for the King's journey. Sugar treats were thought to be good for health back then.

Sweet Surprises in Edinburgh

On 17 May 1590, Anne of Denmark had a grand entry into Edinburgh. As she rode up the West Bow street, a boy dressed as "Astronomia" (Astronomy) greeted her. He predicted her future and the children she would have.

During his speech, a "hail storm" of white sugar sweets was thrown from nearby windows. The boy said this sweet rain would fall into her lap. This was a clever trick, linking to an old legend. These 12 boxes of sweets were called "scrotcherts and confects."

Banquets with King James

The English ambassador, Robert Bowes, once described a special type of Scottish banquet. These were "small provisions of delicates" with sweet treats and wines. They were not very grand or expensive.

King James VI and the Earl of Bothwell enjoyed such a banquet in 1593. It took place at the Shore of Leith before the King took a ferry. Jacques de Bousie likely supplied the sweet treats for these kinds of banquets.

The Flemish Community in Edinburgh

Jacques de Bousie became a favorite of Queen Anne of Denmark. In April 1592, she asked Edinburgh's council to make him a "burgess" and "guild brother." This meant he would have special rights to work and trade in the town.

This request caused some debate. Bousie did not meet the town's strict rules for becoming a burgess. Council members rode to Dalkeith Palace to discuss it with the Queen. We don't know the final decision.

Edinburgh's town leaders often protected local workers from newcomers. For example, in 1594, another Flemish craftsman was allowed to work. He was a clock and watch maker. He could open a shop even though he wasn't a burgess. This was because he was hired to fix the town's main clock.

A Grand Stirling Baptism

Bousie also worked at the special event for Prince Henry's baptism in August 1594. This took place at Stirling Castle. Desserts were served in beautiful blue and gold Venetian glasses.

These sweets came from a model ship in the Great Hall. The ship was filled with sugar sculptures shaped like different sea foods. There were "other infinite things made of sugar," all looking very real. A sugar banquet followed in the Palace. Bousie and another worker were paid for the glasses used to serve these amazing desserts.

Similar sugar banquets were popular in England too. They featured animals and mythical creatures made of sugar.

The Holstein Banquet

In May 1598, Edinburgh council hired Bousie again. This time, it was for a banquet honoring Anne of Denmark's brother, Ulrik, Duke of Holstein. The banquet was held at Riddle's Court.

Bousie was paid well for his work. His "boys," meaning his helpers, also received money. It cost money to carry Bousie's glass dishes and other tools to the Banqueting House. They even borrowed wooden planks from a timber yard to make temporary shelves for the desserts.

King James VI bought sugar and other sweet items from London in 1596. Another supplier in Edinburgh, Thomas Burnett, sold sugar candy to the young Princess Margaret in 1599.

Family Life

A marriage record shows "Jacques de Bussyne" married Anna Dammaris on 30 June 1601. This took place at the West Kirk of St Giles. It is not known if he was related to Elizabeth de Boussy, who was a laundress for Queen Anne in England.

Banquets and the Kirk

Over time, town leaders started to disapprove of such grand banquets. In 1624, the city of Aberdeen made rules against "all sorts of sugars, confections, spiceries, and dessert" brought from other countries. They wanted to stop people from spending too much on lavish parties, especially at christenings.

Images for kids

• 

  Jacques de Bousie prepared a sugar banquet at Riddle's Court

• 

  Jacques de Bousie made deserts shaped like fish which were served from a model ship in the Great Hall of Stirling Castle