John Elphinstone (courtier) facts for kids

John Elphinstone of Selmes and Baberton (1553-1614) was an important Scottish landowner and a helper at the royal court. He lived during the time of King James VI and Queen Anne.

John Elphinstone's Career

John Elphinstone was the son of Lord Robert Elphinstone and Margaret Drummond. His mother was also related to King James IV. When he was very young, his father gave him land called Selmes, near Kirknewton, West Lothian.

In 1590, John Elphinstone worked for the Duke of Lennox. In November 1592, he was in London, possibly helping the Duke of Lennox. He later wrote from Edinburgh about news from the royal court. He was planning to go to Alloa Tower with King James VI and Queen Anne. They were going to celebrate the wedding of the Earl of Mar and Marie Stewart, who was the Duke of Lennox's sister. There was a special play called a masque where the queen wore a costume and performed. After the wedding, they planned to travel to Tullibardine.

King James VI had invested a lot of money from Queen Anne's dowry (money or property a bride brings to her marriage). In July 1594, John Elphinstone was given permission to collect money from towns like St Andrews and Anstruther. This money was for new clothes for the queen's household, including her ladies, maids, and serving women. This was for the big celebration of Prince Henry's baptism at Stirling Castle.

In March 1595, King James VI called Elphinstone "a servant to our dearest bedfellow the queen." This means he worked closely with Queen Anne. In September 1599, he received £1000 Scots for his service. In August 1597, King James gave him the lands of Kilbaberton, also known as Baberton. It seems he was a gentleman of the queen's private staff from 1591 to 1603. He was also one of the queen's ushers, who helped guide people at court. He was made a knight in 1604 and became a citizen of England in May 1605.

John Elphinstone was known at court for his dancing skills.

Helping Arbella Stuart

Arbella Stewart was a cousin of the royal family. She thought of John Elphinstone as a "very good friend." In her letters, as early as August 1603, she mentioned that he knew Mary Talbot. Elphinstone might have met the Countess in June when Queen Anne traveled from Scotland to London.

In March 1608, Elphinstone wrote to Arbella Stewart from Whitehall Palace. He had received her letters and wanted to reassure her about her musician, Thomas Cutting, who was going to serve King Christian IV in Denmark. Elphinstone sent her barrels of salmon, herrings, and pickled dill, which Grace Cavendish, Lady Chatsworth, liked. He also mentioned that Queen Anne was moving to Theobalds to join King James the next week.

John Elphinstone might be the same person as "John Elveston" who was part of Queen Anne's household in London in 1608. Some people believed that John Elveston told the queen about the marriage of Christian Bruce and William Cavendish on their wedding day. They also thought he helped Arbella Stewart arrange this marriage.

On May 7, 1613, Gervase Helwys, the new leader of the Tower of London, was told to let Elphinstone visit Arbella Stuart and talk to her privately. The previous leader had been fired because his daughter helped Arbella Stuart try to make a copy of a key.

Financial Challenges

Around 1606, his lands of Baberton were given to the royal master of work, James Murray. In a legal paper from April 1608, Elphinstone mentioned that he needed to provide for his children, especially his three youngest: John, George, and Margaret.

In February 1608, Queen Anne sent a request to the king for Elphinstone to receive a profitable patent (a special right or license). However, King James was angry when he read it and tore it up. In May 1609, after his brother Lord Balmerino was found guilty of treason, Elphinstone asked Queen Anne for payment. He had not received any money for his services for 15 years. He had sold his horses, some of his land in Scotland, and even pawned jewels that the queen and King Christian IV had given him. His creditors (people he owed money to) had even put his servant in prison. Elphinstone asked for a patent to license peddlers and beggars. He eventually received £500. He and his nephew Michael Elphinstone were also given yearly payments of £200 in 1609.

John Elphinstone died in October 1614. Lucy Russell wrote that he died "to the great grief of all good dancers," showing how much he was liked for his dancing.

Elphinstone made a will for his property in England. In his will, he mentioned that he had borrowed £1,000 from Queen Anne. He hoped she would not ask his nephew John Elphinstone to pay it back. He left a gold chain with a tiny picture of King Christian IV and a diamond ring, which the Danish king had given him. He wanted these to stay with the Elphinstone family for future generations. He also left a diamond ring that Queen Anne had given him to the House of Balmerino.

In Scotland, John Elphinstone was considered to have died without a will for his Scottish property. So, his executors (people who manage a will) made a list of the money he was owed from lands in the area of Leuchars.

Marriage and Family

John Elphinstone married Gilles Elphinstone, who was the daughter of William Elphinstone of Selmes. Their children included:

• James Elphinstone of Selmes (1592-1613), who married Bethia Guthrie.
• John Elphinstone of Selmes (died 1630)
• George Elphinstone of Selmes (died 1651)
• Margaret Elphinstone
• Jean Elphinstone