Margaret Drummond (mistress) facts for kids
Margaret Drummond (born around 1475 – died 1501) was the daughter of John Drummond, 1st Lord Drummond. She was a special friend of King James IV of Scotland.
Margaret and King James IV had a daughter named Lady Margaret Stewart. Margaret Drummond's death has been part of a famous romantic story for a long time.
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King James IV and Margaret Drummond
People have often talked about how long Margaret's relationship with the king lasted. She was definitely a close companion of James IV between 1496 and 1497. It's possible their friendship started even earlier, in 1495.
Records show she lived at Stirling Castle starting June 3, 1496. Later, from October 30, 1496, to March 1497, she stayed at Linlithgow Palace. A Spanish ambassador named Pedro de Ayala noticed her presence. He wrote that the king kept a lady in a castle and visited her.
King James IV had several companions during his time. Margaret's relationship with him seemed shorter than others he had.
In the summer of 1496, Margaret Drummond lived at Stirling Castle. She was looked after by Elizabeth Forrester, Lady Lundie. A new bed was bought for Margaret's room at Stirling on June 3, 1496. Lady Lundie also managed Margaret's daily costs. King James IV sometimes played "tables" (a game like backgammon) with Lady Lundie. Special sweets and spices sent to Stirling were likely for Margaret.
At that time, Stirling Castle was being built up. Workers were creating a new part now called the "King's Old Building." Margaret later moved to Linlithgow Palace. There, Sir David Kinghorn took care of her. New clothes were sent to her from Edinburgh. Margaret then returned to Stirling. Lady Lundie was paid for looking after her for 11 days. Margaret went home at the end of March 1497.
Margaret Drummond's Family Life
Margaret and King James IV had a daughter. Her name was Margaret Stewart, often called "Lady Margaret." As a child, she lived at Edinburgh Castle. Sir Patrick Crichton and his wife, Katrine Turing, looked after her. One of her helpers was Ellen More.
In February 1505, young Margaret started dancing lessons. Her teacher was a drummer named Guilliam. Records show details of her clothes. For example, in June 1506, she had a brown dress with velvet borders. It had velvet sleeves lined with taffeta. She also had a satin skirt, a hat, and a small scarf called a tippet. She wore a veil made of "crisp" fabric and ribbons in her hair.
Lady Margaret Stewart later married twice. Her first husband was John Gordon, Lord Gordon. Her second husband was Sir John Drummond of Innerpeffray.
How Margaret Drummond Died
It is known that Margaret Drummond died in 1501. She passed away from food poisoning. Her two sisters, Eupheme and Sibylla, also died at the same time. They were all staying at Drummond Castle. When several people die after eating the same meal, it usually means food poisoning. This was likely the case for Margaret and her sisters.
At that time, food was not kept as clean as it is today. So, accidental food poisoning happened quite often. The three sisters are buried together at Dunblane Cathedral. Their graves can still be seen in front of the altar.
After Margaret's death, King James IV paid for special church services. These services were held to pray for her soul. The king also continued to support their daughter, Lady Margaret.
Theories About Her Death
Some people have suggested that Margaret Drummond was murdered. They think it might have been done by agents from England. Or perhaps by Scottish nobles who supported England. Many believed King James IV was planning to marry Margaret Drummond. Or that he had already secretly married her. Her death, they thought, was needed to make him marry the English princess Margaret Tudor. Margaret Tudor was the daughter of Henry VII of England.
The marriage of James IV and Margaret Tudor was very important. A poet named William Dunbar called it the "Marriage of the Rose and Thistle." This marriage led to the Union of the Crowns 100 years later. This meant that their great-grandson, James VI of Scotland, became King of England. He claimed the English throne after Elizabeth I died. This was because he was a descendant of Henry VII.
If James IV had married Margaret Drummond, the Union of the Crowns might not have happened. Scotland might have stayed an independent country. This idea has been used in many historical novels and popular history books.
However, most serious historians do not believe this murder theory. There is no strong evidence from that time to support it. The story first appeared in a book about the Drummond family in 1681. It was written by Viscount Strathallan. Her death was most likely accidental food poisoning.
Also, the idea that James IV had to be forced to marry Margaret Tudor is doubtful. Scotland was a less powerful and poorer country. So, peace with England was very important for the Scottish royal family. Talks for the marriage had already started before Margaret Drummond died in 1501. After a rebellion in 1497, Henry VII wanted peace with Scotland. He sought an alliance with James IV.
See also
- Clan Drummond
- List of poisonings
