James Sandilands (courtier) facts for kids

Sir James Sandilands (died 1618) was an important person who worked closely with King James VI and I. He was a "courtier," meaning he spent a lot of time at the king's court, helping him and being part of his inner circle. He was also the captain of Blackness Castle, a strong fortress that guarded the Firth of Forth in Scotland.

Early Life and Royal Service

James Sandilands of Slamannan started working for King James VI in 1590 as a "Gentleman of the Bedchamber." This was a special role where he helped the king directly, often in his private rooms. Later, he became the keeper of Blackness Castle, which was a very important job.

He was the half-brother of Sir James Sandilands of Calder. For a while, he was known as "Tutor of Calder," which meant he managed his younger brother's lands and money. James Sandilands married Jean Crawfurd, and later Barbara Napier.

In 1588, when there was a threat from the Spanish Armada (a large Spanish fleet), the Privy Council (a group of the king's advisors) decided to prepare for defense. Sandilands and another captain, George Douglas, were put in charge of 100 horsemen.

In 1589, Sandilands helped Archibald Wauchope of Niddrie, who was in prison in Edinburgh's Tolbooth. Even though this was a serious matter, Sandilands quickly got back into the king's good graces.

Journey to Norway and Denmark

In 1589, James Sandilands traveled with King James VI to Norway. The king was going to meet Anne of Denmark, who would become his queen. Sandilands didn't sail on the king's ship but on one of the other three ships, along with other important people like Lewis Bellenden and Sir John Carmichael.

When they returned from Denmark, King James VI wanted his rooms at Holyrood Palace to be more private. Sandilands' job included making sure unwanted visitors didn't bother the king. Sandilands' own room was right above the king's private study. On November 4, 1590, he was made a knight, becoming "Sir James Sandilands."

In 1590 and 1591, Sir James helped manage money that England sent to King James VI. He gave some money to people like John Wemyss of Logie and even some to the king for playing cards.

The king also gave him the Cliftonhall estate in 1591. This land had been taken from Euphame MacCalzean.

Dealing with Rebellions

In 1591, Sir James Sandilands was involved in efforts to capture the rebel Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell. On October 18, he joined others in Leith to search for Bothwell.

Later that year, on December 27, the Earl of Bothwell attacked Holyrood Palace. Sandilands was sent to get help from the city of Edinburgh. In January 1592, while chasing Bothwell near Haddington, King James VI accidentally fell into the River Tyne. Sir James Sandilands quickly helped the king by swapping clothes with him.

As captain of Blackness Castle, Sandilands held important prisoners. In March 1592, he received the Earl of Huntly as a prisoner. Another prisoner, Colonel William Stewart, tried to get Sandilands to accuse Alexander Lindsay, 1st Lord Spynie of helping Bothwell, but Sandilands refused.

Bothwell attacked Falkland Palace in June 1592. Sandilands captured several of Bothwell's men, mostly from the Clan Armstrong family. Some were executed, but others were spared because they were not regular border reivers (people who raided across the border).

Royal Advisors and Court Politics

Sir James Sandilands was a good friend of the Ludovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of Lennox. In June 1592, it was heard that Lennox planned to travel with Sandilands and Robert Melville.

In August 1592, King James VI gave Sandilands the lands of Archibald Wauchope of Niddrie. Wauchope had supported Bothwell, and Sandilands had helped him in the past.

In November 1592, Sandilands was part of a group of important courtiers, including the Duke of Lennox, Sir George Home, and Thomas Erskine. This group was called the "four young and counselling courtiers" by an English diplomat. They supported the queen, Anne of Denmark, and worked to help the king's former favorite, James Stewart, Earl of Arran.

Disputes and Challenges

Sir James Sandilands, as the manager of his brother's estates, got into a disagreement with a lawyer named John Graham over some land in Midlothian.

On February 13 or 14, 1593, a serious fight happened in Edinburgh. Sandilands, who was with the Duke of Lennox, shot and killed John Graham. Another person, Alexander Stewart, was also killed. After this event, Sandilands traveled to Italy, returning in September 1594.

In January 1595, Sandilands was involved in another fight on Edinburgh's Royal Mile with the Master of Graham and his followers. Sandilands was shot twice and wounded. His brother-in-law, William Crauford, was killed in the fight. Over 100 pistol shots were fired, and a rumor even spread that the king was trapped in Holyrood Palace.

In November 1599, King James VI helped Sandilands and the Chancellor, John Graham, 3rd Earl of Montrose, settle their dispute.

Later Life and Family

In June 1593, Sir James Sandilands helped John Wemyss of Logie take Catherine Carnegie from a house on the Royal Mile. This was for James Gray, a son of Lord Gray and another of the king's bedchamber gentlemen. After this, Sandilands spent a year traveling in Italy.

In 1598, Sandilands was one of the "Gentleman Adventurers of Fife." This group tried to settle and colonize the Isle of Lewis.

Sir James Sandilands' daughter, Jean, married Francis Wauchope, the son of the man Sandilands had helped escape from prison years earlier. In 1600, Sandilands tried to help Francis Wauchope get his family's lands back.

On August 6, 1600, Sandilands and John Stewart rode to Dirleton Castle to arrest William and Patrick Ruthven, brothers of the Earl of Gowrie. However, the brothers had been warned and had already fled.

In 1602, two of Sandilands' horses were stolen. The chief of the Elliots, Robin Elliot, had to pay Sandilands a large sum of money for them.

At the English Court

After King James VI also became King of England in 1603, Sir James Sandilands moved to London. In March 1606, Queen Anne of Denmark and Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales gave him silver cups as gifts for the christening of his child, likely his daughter Anne.

His son, John Sandilands, also worked for Prince Henry, the king's eldest son, starting in 1603.

In 1613, Sir James Sandilands was appointed Master of Household for Princess Elizabeth, the king's daughter. This meant he was in charge of her household and staff.

Anne Sandilands' Dance Performance

On May 4, 1617, Sir James's daughter, Anne Sandilands, performed in a special show called Masque of Cupid's Banishment. This show was put on by young women from the Ladies Hall school at Deptford for Queen Anna of Denmark at Greenwich Palace. Anne Sandilands was likely a companion of the goddess Diana in the performance, as she was one of Queen Anna's godchildren.

Another son, Richard Sandilands, was baptized in Deptford in 1615.

John Sandilands, Sir James's son, retired from Princess Elizabeth's household in 1615 and passed away in 1618.

Sir James Sandilands, the Master of Household to Princess Elizabeth, is believed to have been alive in 1634, when another christening of a child named James (likely his grandson) is mentioned.