Margaret Carwood facts for kids
Margaret Carwood (died 1612) was a special lady-in-waiting to Mary, Queen of Scots. Her wedding to John Stewart of Fincastle happened around the same time that the Queen's husband, Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, was killed.
Life at Court with Mary, Queen of Scots
Margaret Carwood came from a wealthy family in Lanarkshire, Scotland. She became a lady of the Queen's chamber in May 1564. This meant she was part of the Queen's personal staff.
When Queen Mary was expecting her son, James, in Edinburgh Castle, Margaret helped her with important tasks. She assisted in making a list of the Queen's valuable personal jewellery. The Queen often gave Margaret gifts, like sewing silk for embroidery, a special box, and fabric for beautiful black velvet dresses.
Margaret also worked with Piers Martin, who was in charge of the royal tapestries. Together, they made a mat and a green canopy and coverlet for the Queen's comfort. Margaret was also the Queen's "Pantrice," which meant she looked after the royal pantry and food supplies. Queen Mary even gave Margaret a fancy black silk dress made in the Spanish style.
Important Events During Mary's Reign
In March 1566, after the murder of Mary's secretary David Rizzio, Margaret Carwood was said to have joined Queen Mary, Lord Darnley, and a servant named Bastian Pagez when they escaped from Edinburgh to Dunbar Castle. Some old stories mention that a lady-in-waiting rode with them during this escape.
A writer named George Buchanan claimed that Margaret knew many of the Queen's secrets. Buchanan wrote that in September 1566, Queen Mary stayed in a different house in Edinburgh instead of her palace. He said that one night, the Queen and Margaret Carwood supposedly helped another servant, Margaret Beaton, Lady Reres, climb over a garden wall using a rope or belt. The purpose was to meet with the Earl of Bothwell.
After Lord Darnley was killed on February 10, 1567, a servant named French Paris said that Margaret Carwood had sent him to Darnley's lodging at Kirk o' Field to get a fur wrap for the Queen. Margaret was with Queen Mary at Kirk o'Field, waiting in the Queen's room next to Darnley's bedroom. Suddenly, all the ladies were called to Holyroodhouse.
Weddings and a Royal Tragedy
Some historical accounts say that Margaret Carwood married Bastian Pagez on Sunday, February 9, 1567. Sources agree that Queen Mary attended a special party or dance that night to celebrate Bastian's marriage. Tragically, Queen Mary's husband, Lord Darnley, was killed at 2:00 AM the next morning. Margaret's own wedding was celebrated at Holyroodhouse on the day after Darnley's death.
One of the famous Casket Letters, which were letters believed to be written by Queen Mary and used to accuse her of Darnley's murder, mentions Margaret Carwood. The letter noted that Margaret had left the court before her marriage, suggesting she was very trusted by the Queen.
It turns out there were two weddings around this time! Bastian Pagez married Christily Hogg on February 9. Margaret Carwood married John Stewart of Tulliepowrie and Fincastle on Tuesday, February 11, 1567, just two days after Darnley's death.
Queen Mary gave Margaret Carwood a gift of black velvet fabric for her wedding. The fact that Queen Mary attended Margaret's wedding so soon after Darnley's murder caused a lot of negative comments. A list of accusations against Mary, given to Elizabeth I of England, mentioned both the party for Bastian's marriage before Darnley's death and Margaret's wedding the morning after. These accusations claimed that there was no sign of mourning clothes, and more concern was shown for money stolen from Margaret Carwood than for Darnley's murder. They also said the King was buried at night without a proper ceremony.
Years later, in March 1584, John Stewart and Margaret Carwood had a problem with their land near Dunkeld. They complained to the Privy Council because the monks of Dunfermline Abbey refused to sign a new rental agreement for their land.
