Mademoiselle Rallay facts for kids
Mademoiselle Rallay, also known as Madame Raylie, was an important Scottish courtier. She worked for Mary, Queen of Scots for many years. She started as a chamberwoman, helping the queen in her private rooms. Later, she became a lady-in-waiting, a more senior role. Many people said she was one of Mary's favorite companions. She is not the same person as her niece, Renée Rallay, who also served Queen Mary.
Life of Mademoiselle Rallay
Mademoiselle Rallay was likely married to Augustine Raulet. He was the queen's private secretary. Mr. Raulet managed Mary's money and properties in France. He was with Queen Mary at Sheffield Castle in 1571. He worked as her secretary for the French language. He passed away in 1574. After his death, the Earl of Shrewsbury looked through his papers. Queen Mary took charge of his money, which was about 280 French crowns.
The title "Mademoiselle" could be used for both married and unmarried women during this time. The title "Madame" was more of an honorary title.
Queen Mary wrote a letter in 1574. In it, she said that Rallay had served her since Mary was a young girl in France. Rallay had even been with her in her private chamber.
Serving in Scotland
Mademoiselle Rallay was one of the French courtiers who came with Mary, Queen of Scots, to Scotland in 1561. She had traveled from France with the queen. She began as a chamberwoman, helping the queen with her daily needs. Later, she was promoted to a lady-in-waiting. Many people saw Rallay as one of the queen's trusted friends.
One of her first jobs in Scotland was in September 1561. She helped to make a list of items. These items were goods and furniture that had belonged to the queen's mother, Mary of Guise. She did this with Servais de Condé, who was in charge of the queen's clothes.
In December 1561, Queen Mary gave Rallay a special fur item. It was called a zibellini. This was a fancy fur made of ermine and marten. People wore it around their necks. This one had a gold head and feet, decorated with jewels and pearls. It had belonged to Mary's mother.
John Knox, a famous Scottish preacher, mentioned Rallay. He said she was in charge of the younger maids. He used a less polite term for these young women at court. According to Knox, in August 1563, a Catholic church service was stopped. Protestant townspeople interrupted it at Holyrood Palace. He said Rallay went to get John Wishart of Pitarrow, the comptroller, from St Giles' Cathedral to help.
Rallay's name often appears in the queen's clothing records. These records were kept by Servais de Condé. They show items for her bedding and things she made for the queen. In January 1562, she lined fur for the queen's neck with red cloth. She also received fabric to make small bags and holders. These were for the queen's rings and jeweled belts. She was also given an old black dress for herself. This dress had belonged to Mary of Guise.
In July 1562, she received "yellow crimson violet satin." In January 1563, she got white sewing silk for a project. In December 1563, she was given canvas for wigs. These wigs were possibly for masque costumes, which were like plays.
It seems Rallay went back to France in 1567.
Serving in England
After Queen Mary was held captive in England, Rallay returned to serve her. She brought her niece, Renée Rallay, with her. Renée was also known as Beauregard, which was the name of their family estate in France. Renée also worked in Mary's household in England.
In December 1573, Mary's ally in France, the Archbishop of Glasgow, asked for travel papers for them. These papers were not given until May 1574. A secret letter from Mary was found in 2023. It mentioned Rallay's niece.
In July 1578, Mademoiselle de Rallay was said to be over 70 years old. She had been sick in bed at Sheffield Manor since Easter. She wanted to stop working and go back to France. She needed a passport to travel. It was suggested that a 13-year-old girl could replace her. This girl was the daughter of Thomas Kerr. However, this change in the household was not allowed.
In 1585, a type of woolen fabric was used to make a canopy for Rallay. This was at Tutbury Castle. She was said to be around 74 or 80 years old in February 1585, and she was very sick. Queen Mary was also ill, but she was carried to visit her old servant. Rallay passed away soon after. Ralph Sadler delayed giving Mary letters from Queen Elizabeth. This was because the loss of her old servant made Mary very sad.
In a letter to the French ambassador, Michel de Castelnau, Mary wrote about Rallay. She called her "one of the principal consolations of my captivity." This means Rallay was one of her main comforts while she was a prisoner. Mary hoped a daughter of the Countess of Atholl could join her household. She wanted her to fill the place of "ma bonne Rallay," meaning "my good Rallay."
Her niece, Renée, the younger Rallay, was still with Mary when the queen was executed in 1587. Renée was known to keep some of the queen's jewels. These included a diamond ring, a pearl necklace, and a crystal jewel. She also had a special pin for hair styling and 100 French gold crowns. Renée also kept an unfinished bed and the queen's embroidery silks.
Mademoiselle Rallay's will had been taken with other papers at Chartley Castle. In August 1587, Claude Nau, one of Mary's secretaries, made a note. It was about money to be returned to the late queen's servants. This included money that Mademoiselle de Rallay had left to her niece, Renée. It was 626 French crowns. Renée was given a passport to return to France.
