James Stewart, Commendator of Kelso and Melrose facts for kids
James Stewart was a Scottish prince who lived a long time ago, from about 1529 to 1557. He was an important member of the royal family in Scotland. He was known as the Commendator of Kelso and Melrose, which meant he managed some important church lands.
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Early Life and Royal Family Connections
James was the son of James V of Scotland, who was the King of Scotland. His mother was Elizabeth Shaw. We don't know his exact birthday, but a paper from 1534 says he was about four years old then.
King James V had many children, including James Stewart, before he married his queens, Madeleine of France and Mary of Guise. James had a famous half-brother named James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray. This half-brother had many important titles, like the Earl of Moray.
In 1532, when James was a baby, the king's servant, Harry Kemp, spent money to care for him and pay his nurse.
Role as Commendator
Like other members of the Scottish royal family, James Stewart was given an income from church lands. He became the Commendator of Kelso and Melrose. A "Commendator" was someone who managed the lands and money of a monastery, even if they weren't a monk themselves.
King James V asked the Pope for special permission for his sons to hold these church jobs. In 1541, the King wanted to change how the lands of Kelso and Melrose were managed. He wanted to rent out the land for long periods and collect payments called "teinds" (a type of tax). This would bring more money for his son, James. Since James was only nine years old, permission was needed from Rome to do this.
Important Events and Travel
In 1544, James Stewart was at Stirling Castle with his half-sister, Mary, Queen of Scots. He signed an important document there.
Around 1545, he wrote a letter to his stepmother, Mary of Guise. He wrote from Melrose about managing lands and collecting payments in Selkirk and Ettrick. He had recently been with her at Linlithgow Palace. He followed her instructions to tell someone to take their crops to a barn in Selkirk.
In 1548, his half-brothers, John Stewart, Commendator of Coldingham and Lord Robert, sailed to France with Mary, Queen of Scots. However, James Stewart and his other half-brother, Lord James, chose not to go with them.
In 1550, after a war called the Rough Wooing ended, James Stewart traveled to France. He went with Mary of Guise to visit his half-sister, Mary, Queen of Scots, at the French court. His half-brother, John Stewart, Commendator of Coldingham, also joined the trip. Many Scottish nobles went on this journey, possibly to show support for France.
Later Life and Legacy
James Stewart passed away in 1557.
In 2021, one of his special seals was bought by the National Museum of Scotland. This seal was used when he was the Commendator of Kelso and Melrose. It shows his royal family crest, but with a special mark that showed he was born outside of marriage.
