Janet Scott, Lady Ferniehirst facts for kids

Janet or Jean Scott, Lady Ferniehirst (born around 1548 – died after 1593) was an important Scottish landowner. She belonged to the Scott family, who lived in the Scottish Borders. Jean agreed to an arranged marriage that helped end a long-standing family feud. This feud was with the family who had killed her father. Her marriage to Thomas Kerr of Ferniehirst was successful. Jean also played a role in Scottish politics, connecting the Scottish royal court with Mary, Queen of Scots, who was living in exile.

Jean Scott's Family Background

Jean Scott was the daughter of Sir William Scott of Kirkurd. Her father passed away in 1552. Her brother was Walter Scott, 4th Baron of Buccleuch. Jean and her brother were the grandchildren of Walter Scott of Branxholme and Buccleuch. He was killed in 1552. Jean's mother was Grisel Betoun, from Creich Castle.

Jean Scott's Life and Influence

Jean's brother became the head of the Scott family when he was only three years old. Her uncle, Walter Scott of Goldielands, helped lead the family during this time.

Ending a Family Feud

In 1565, an agreement was made to end the feud with the family who had killed Jean's father. The plan was for several family members to marry each other. Even though these marriages did not happen at first, this agreement set the stage for Jean's own marriage later on.

In 1569, Jean married Thomas Kerr of Ferniehirst. He was a widower. This marriage finally helped to end the long feud between the Scott and Kerr families. A dowry was agreed upon, but a large part of it was not paid during Jean's lifetime. Even though the feud ended, Jean's life was not always peaceful. In the same year she married, an English army destroyed the Kerr family home, Ferniehirst Castle.

Supporting Mary, Queen of Scots

Jean's husband, Thomas Kerr, supported Mary, Queen of Scots. He helped William Kirkcaldy of Grange, who tried to hold Edinburgh Castle for the exiled Queen during the Marian Civil War. In 1573, Thomas had to leave Scotland and live in exile. People believed that Jean and her husband had lent money to Grange. They thought this money was secured by some of Mary, Queen of Scots's jewels. When Robert Melville was asked about Mary's jewels, he said he didn't know if Jean Scott had any. However, he thought Jean's close friend, Margaret Learmonth, who was Grange's wife, would know.

In July 1575, Thomas Kerr wrote to Mary, Queen of Scots, from Paris. He described how English forces had burned and destroyed his homes during the civil war. This cost him a lot of money. He also mentioned that his family and followers were hurt fighting for Mary's cause. He had lost his jewels and important land documents. These were left in a chest in Edinburgh Castle and taken by Regent Morton in 1573.

In 1578, Mary, Queen of Scots, wanted to hire Jean Scott's young daughter as a servant. This was when one of Mary's old servants, Mademoiselle Rallay, retired. However, Queen Elizabeth of England did not allow this. It was likely because they thought the girl might help Mary send secret messages.

Managing Family Affairs

Thomas Kerr, the laird of Ferniehirst, returned to Scotland in 1581 but left again by 1583. Jean was given the power to manage her husband's business in Scotland and France. She handled these affairs throughout the 1580s.

Jean Scott had a secret code (a cipher key) for her letters with Mary, Queen of Scots. In October 1583, Jean wrote to Mary from Ferniehirst with news from the Scottish court. She mentioned that the Countess of Arran had asked her to tell Mary not to join forces with the Hamiltons against the Countess's husband. Jean wanted Mary's advice on this matter. She had also forgotten to send a letter from George Seton, 7th Lord Seton. Mary was a godparent to one of Jean's sons. Lord Seton sometimes gave his letters to Jean to send to Mary. He thought this would make people less suspicious. Mary had sent Jean a ring as a gift. Jean received Mary's letter and the ring from her son. She hoped to speak with the person who brought the letter to get more personal news from Mary.

In February 1584, Jean hosted six Englishmen at Ferniehirst. Two of them, who called themselves Foljambe and Tunstead, were fugitives sent by Mary, Queen of Scots. They had arrived in Scotland in January after a difficult journey. They stayed in the tower at Ferniehirst to avoid being captured and sent back to England. Two of Jean's servants escorted the men to Seton Palace. They met the king while he was hunting and then traveled north to Huntly Castle. The English ambassador, Robert Bowes, heard that one of the men was actually Sir Thomas Gerard.

In July 1585, the Laird of Ferniehirst was preparing for a meeting at the border. He needed a flag or ensign to be made, so he used one of his wife's skirts for it!

Jean Scott also developed a good relationship with Anne of Denmark, the Queen of Scotland. In December 1591, Jean convinced Queen Anne to ask James VI of Scotland to allow the exiled Walter Scott, 1st Lord Scott of Buccleuch to return to Scotland.

Jean Scott's Children

When Jean married Thomas Kerr, he already had children from his previous marriage:

• Andrew Kerr of Ferniehirst, also known as Lord Jedburgh.
• Mary Kerr.
• Julian Kerr, who married two times. First to Patrick Hume of Polwarth, and then to Thomas Hamilton, 1st Earl of Haddington.
• Margaret Kerr.

Jean and Sir Thomas Kerr of Ferniehirst had their own children together, including:

• James Kerr.
• Thomas Kerr.
• Anne Kerr, who married John Elphinstone, 2nd Lord Balmerino.
• Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset. He married Frances Carr, Countess of Somerset. Their daughter was Anne Russell, Countess of Bedford.

Jean Scott's Portrait

There is a portrait of Jean Scott from 1593 by an unknown artist. In the painting, she is wearing black mourning clothes. She also has a pearl necklace and a pearl belt. This portrait is part of the collection owned by the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry.