John Stewart of Baldynneis facts for kids
John Stewart of Baldynneis was a Scottish writer and a member of the king's court. He lived from about 1545 to 1605. He was part of a group of poets called the Castalian Band. They were all friends with King James VI of Scotland.
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John Stewart's Family
John Stewart's parents were Elizabeth Beaton and John Stewart, 4th Lord Innermeath. His mother, Elizabeth, had also been a companion to King James V. John was the younger brother of James Stewart, 5th Lord Innermeath. His nephew, also named John Stewart, later became the Earl of Atholl.
John was first known as "John Stewart of Redcastle and Laitheris." In 1580, his brother, Lord Innermeath, gave him land in a place called Baldynneis in Dunning. After this, he was known as "Stewart of Baldynneis."
The Red Castle Incident
In 1579, a man named James Gray married Elizabeth Beaton, John Stewart's mother. Elizabeth owned the Red Castle, Angus. James Gray and his brother took over the castle after a disagreement.
King James VI ordered his helpers to get the castle back. They used special equipment to lay siege to the castle. The king also asked them to make a list of everything inside the castle. He wanted to make sure John Stewart, the poet, could safely come to see him.
A Poet and Translator
John Stewart was a talented writer and translator. He translated a famous Italian poem called Orlando Furioso by Ariosto. His version was shorter, with twelve sections called cantos. He finished it in 1590. This was even before another famous translator, Sir John Harington, finished his own translation.
Stewart's translation, along with some of his own poems, was published in a book. The book had a long title: Ane Abbregement of Roland Fvriovs, translait ovt of Aroist: togither vith sym Rapsodies of the Avthor's yovthfvll braine, and last ane Schersing ovt of trew Felicitie; composit in Scotis meiter be J. Stewart of Baldynneis. A copy of this book is kept in the Advocates Library in Edinburgh.
Gifts for the King
This book of poems might have been a special gift that Stewart gave to King James VI. It was a New Year's present in 1584. Stewart wrote that the king deserved a "double crown and more." This meant that James would likely become king of England as well as Scotland. It also hinted at old traditions where poets were crowned like kings.
Stewart's Poems and Colors
Stewart's poems often used images of beautiful, valuable stones. He wrote about their colors and what they represented. These ideas about colors and their meanings were also found in an older book written in Scots called Deidis of Armorie.
Stewart wrote a poem called Of the Signification of Colors. In this poem, he explained what different colors meant:
- Red meant bravery.
- White showed a pure life.
- Green meant comfort in the heart.
- Purple stood for love.
- Black meant loyalty and care.
- Brown was playful.
- Bright pink (Incarnat) meant honesty.
- Clear, shining blue (columbie) showed perfect royal manners.
- Blue meant truth.
- Sanguine (a reddish color) meant anger.
- Orange meant being happy.
- Gray meant hoping for success.
- Tawny (a brownish-orange) meant being sneaky.
- Pale yellow meant being left alone.
At the end of the poem, Stewart wrote that for himself, black was the color that fit his life.
Life at Court
Even though Stewart's poems praised the king and mentioned court life, he didn't have a paid job in the king's household. This made some people think he wasn't always at the Scottish court. However, a list from May 1580 shows that "Johne Stewart brother of the Lord Innermeath" was one of 25 gentlemen who attended the king when he rode out or went to the fields. This shows he was indeed part of the king's close circle.
