John Balfour (courtier) facts for kids
John Balfour was a Scottish helper who worked for Mary of Guise and her daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots. He was a servant in the Queen's private rooms and helped manage the royal clothes.
John Balfour often bought special materials for the queen's outfits. His job was to make sure the queen and her court had the finest clothes and furnishings.
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Helping the Queen with Clothes
John Balfour was like a personal shopper for the queen. He bought many different things for her and her court.
Buying Fabrics and Supplies
In October 1566, John bought gold and silver thread, plus needles, in Edinburgh. These were sent to the queen at Stirling Castle for embroidery.
In March 1562, he bought fabric for Queen Mary. She gave this cloth to 19 young women on a special day called "Skyris Thursday" (also known as Maundy Thursday) at Falkland Palace.
A few months later, in May, he bought fancy gold trim, called passementerie, for a wedding dress. This was for Lady Fleming. He also bought linen for shirts and collars for one of the queen's jesters or "fools."
In July of the same year, John helped make the beds at Falkland Palace look new again. He also bought yellow and purple satin for a dress for a lady named Mademoiselle Rallay.
Traveling and Packing for the Queen
In August 1562, John bought warm wool fabric for seven of the queen's ladies-in-waiting. These were the women who helped the queen every day.
In September 1562, John Balfour traveled north with Queen Mary. He bought six tartan plaids in Inverness. He also helped pack up large tapestries and other furniture. These items had been taken from Huntly Castle and the Bog o'Gight. He put them into barrels to be sent to Edinburgh.
Special Tasks for the Queen
John Balfour also helped the queen with other important tasks.
On October 30, 1566, Queen Mary gave John money to give to poor people in Jedburgh. She also sent him to Edinburgh to give money to the embroiderers who made beautiful designs on her clothes.
In December 1566, he bought fabric for the baptism of James VI at Stirling Castle. This was for the queen's son, who would later become King James VI of Scotland and James I of England. He also bought new clothes for Lady Reres.
In February 1567, after the death of Lord Darnley, John bought black fabric from Florence. This was for the queen's mourning clothes, which she wore to show sadness after someone died.
