Janet Stewart, Lady Ruthven facts for kids
Janet Stewart was a Scottish noblewoman who lived in the 1500s. She was the daughter of John Stewart, 2nd Earl of Atholl, and Janet Campbell. Her mother's parents were Archibald Campbell, 2nd Earl of Argyll, and Elizabeth Stewart.
Janet Stewart married four times. Her first husband was Alexander Gordon, Master of Sutherland. After he passed away in 1529, she married Hugh Kennedy of Girvanmains, but this marriage ended. In 1544, she married Henry Stewart, 1st Lord Methven. He died in 1552. Her last husband was Patrick Ruthven, 3rd Lord Ruthven.
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Janet Stewart's Status and Lands
In 1544, a special document was written at Dunrobin Castle. It called Janet Stewart "Dame Jean or Jonete Stewart, Mistress of the earldom of Sutherland and Lady of lordship of Methven." This shows her important status.
On that day, a royal letter was read out. It ordered people living on her lands in Sutherland to pay their rent to her. These lands were part of her "jointure," which means they were given to her for her support after her first husband died. A court officer read the letter, and then someone explained the rules in Scottish Gaelic.
Working with Royalty
Janet Stewart had connections with important people. In June 1545, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Regent Arran gave Lord Methven and Janet Stewart some lands in Perthshire. Regent Arran was ruling Scotland because Mary, Queen of Scots, was still very young.
Around 1550, Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, gave Janet Stewart and her son, Henry Stewart, rights concerning the marriage of a young wealthy woman named Katherine Gorthy. This meant they had some control over who she would marry.
In June 1564, Janet Stewart gave special gifts to Mary, Queen of Scots. These gifts included beautiful fabrics like "cloth of gold." Some of this fabric was used to make mats for the queen's bed.
Janet Stewart's Children
Janet Stewart had many children from her different marriages.
Children with Alexander Gordon
Children with Hugh Kennedy
- Gilbert Kennedy of Girvanmains, who married Margaret Kennedy in 1553.
- Elizabeth Kennedy, who married Patrick Vans of Barnbarroch in Perth on August 17, 1561.
- Helen Kennedy, who married Laurence Bruce of Cultmalindie. He was appointed to a role in Shetland and built Muness Castle on the island of Unst.
Children with Henry Stewart (born before their marriage)
- Dorothea Stewart, who married William Ruthven, Master of Ruthven in Perth on August 17, 1561.
- Henry Stewart, 2nd Lord Methven (died 1572), who married Jean Ruthven. She was the daughter of Patrick Ruthven, 3rd Lord Ruthven, and his first wife, Janet Douglas.
- Joan or Jonet Stewart, who married Colin Campbell, 6th Earl of Argyll.
- Margaret Stewart, who married (1) Andrew Stewart, Master of Ochiltree, and (2) Uchtred Macdowall of Garthland.
Child with Patrick Ruthven
- Alexander Ruthven, who worked for the king in 1580.
