John Wemyss of Logie facts for kids

John Wemyss, also known as Logie, was a Scottish courtier and a bit of a spy in the late 1500s. He's famous for a folk song called "The Laird o Logie" and for a daring escape from prison. Sadly, his life ended when he was accused of a serious plot in the Netherlands.

Who Was John Wemyss?

John Wemyss was born around 1569. He was connected to the powerful Wemyss family in Fife, Scotland. He worked as a personal assistant, called a "valet," for James VI of Scotland, who was the king at the time. John's sister, Euphemia, also worked at the royal court as a lady-in-waiting for Anne of Denmark, the Queen.

John Wemyss is best remembered for his relationship with Margaret Vinstarr, a Danish woman who was also a maid of honor to the Queen. Margaret played a very important role in his life, especially when he was in trouble.

A Royal Argument

In 1590, John Wemyss received money from King James VI. The next year, in January 1591, he had a big argument with Ludovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of Lennox. This happened on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. The Duke of Lennox was upset because Logie had not obeyed him in the king's private room.

The Duke confronted Logie on the street and hit him with his sword. King James, who was walking nearby, had to be quickly pulled into a shop for safety! Because the fight happened so close to the King, the Duke of Lennox was told to leave the court for a short time.

Later, Logie was still in the King's favor. He even helped the King perform a fun show, called a masque, at a wedding in June 1591. The King and Logie dressed up in costumes with helmets and masks for the guests.

The Great Escape from Dalkeith Palace

In 1592, Logie got into serious trouble. He was helping Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell, who was a rebel against the King. Logie was arrested in August 1592 by the Duke of Lennox.

Logie admitted to planning several ways to help Bothwell capture the King. One of these plans involved Margaret Vinstarr, his girlfriend. She was supposed to steal the keys to a back gate at Dalkeith Palace to let Bothwell's men in. When the King questioned Logie, he told everything, even saying that many other servants were helping Bothwell because they hadn't been paid.

Margaret Vinstarr's Daring Plan

Logie was imprisoned in Dalkeith Palace. But he managed to escape with Margaret Vinstarr's help! Margaret slept in the Queen's bedroom, which was close to Logie's prison. She asked the guards to bring Logie to the Queen. Then, she led him through the Queen's bedroom to a window. There, she had left a rope or some sheets for him. An accomplice was waiting below with a horse.

This amazing escape story is the basis for the famous folk song, "The Laird of Logie." The Queen was asked to send Margaret back to Denmark, but she refused. Instead, Margaret stayed safely at Wemyss Castle for a while. Queen Anne even wrote a letter to the Laird of Wemyss, thanking him for taking care of her.

After the Escape

King James VI wrote a letter to Margaret's brother, Christian IV of Denmark, saying that Logie had betrayed their trust. However, despite the situation, the King decided to forgive Logie and Margaret. Logie was pardoned by the King in November 1592.

Logie and Margaret got married in May 1594. The King even planned to make Logie's family lands into a special area called a barony. The story of their escape was also written down in a book from that time, which praised Margaret's brave actions.

Later Adventures and Trouble

In March 1594, Logie traveled to London. However, King James VI and Queen Anne made it clear that Logie was not on any official mission for them.

In April 1594, King James came to Rossend Castle to arrest people who were suspected of helping Bothwell, including Logie. Logie surrendered to the King and was placed under the care of a relative. In August 1594, he was again linked to Bothwell's rebellion. He was arrested on his way to a special banquet at Stirling Castle for the baptism of Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales. He was held in Blackness Castle and then Edinburgh Castle, and faced the possibility of being executed.

Margaret Vinstarr, now called "Lady Logie," traveled to Denmark to visit her family. She returned to Scotland in July 1595.

A New Plan

Again, the Queen helped save Logie's life, and he was released. He then tried to gain favor with the English court. In April 1595, Logie asked some important people to speak to Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, a powerful English official. Logie wanted Cecil to help him get close to Queen Elizabeth. However, Cecil was hesitant because he knew Logie had been an ally of Bothwell, and helping him might anger King James VI.

Logie continued to send letters to Scotland, saying that Queen Elizabeth favored him greatly. This news was not well-received at the Scottish court.

In June 1595, Logie traveled to Holland. He had information about Bothwell's activities and offered to help make peace between the King and some Catholic nobles.

Brussels and Veere

Logie got into trouble again when a letter he wrote to Robert Cecil ended up in the hands of Spanish officials. In December 1595, he was imprisoned in Brussels for nine months. He was thought to have information about Spanish plans. His sister, Eufame Wemyss, was removed from Queen Anne's household around this time.

In October 1596, Logie spoke with Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester in Middelburg, Zeeland. Logie was not allowed to return to Scotland or England, or he would face a large fine. On October 30, he wrote from Veere in Zeeland to the Earl of Essex, saying he had been traveling in Germany and Brabant and wanted to help Queen Elizabeth.

On November 30, Logie was arrested at Veere. He was about 27 years old. He was questioned about his travels and his connections. He was accused of planning to capture the Gunpowder Tower, a tower overlooking the harbor at Veere, for Spain. He quickly confessed when he was shown a torture device, blaming a Scottish Jesuit and two Spanish men. He wrote down his confession.

John Wemyss of Logie was executed in Middelburg on January 8, 1597.

Images

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  Logie fought with the Duke of Lennox on Edinburgh's Royal Mile

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  Logie plotted to blow up the Gunpowder Tower at the harbour of Veere and was caught and executed. The tower collapsed into the sea 35 years later