Margaret Stewart, Lady Gordon facts for kids
Margaret Stewart, Lady Gordon (born in 1498) was a Scottish noblewoman and the daughter of King James IV of Scotland. Her mother was the king's companion, Margaret Drummond.
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A Royal Childhood
Margaret Stewart was born in 1498. Her father was the King of Scotland, but her parents were not married. Her mother, Margaret Drummond, was the daughter of a powerful nobleman, Lord Drummond.
The Spanish ambassador at the time, Pedro de Ayala, wrote that the king took good care of Margaret's mother. She was given money from lands in an area called Strathearn. Sadly, her mother died in 1502 and was buried at Dunblane Cathedral. A later historian from the Drummond family believed that Margaret's mother and aunts were poisoned. He thought some people were afraid she might marry the king, which would have stopped him from marrying a foreign princess to create a political alliance. However, there is no proof from that time to support this story.
As a child, Margaret was known as "Lady Margaret." She lived in the famous Edinburgh Castle and was looked after by Sir Patrick Crichton and his wife. She had friends and helpers, including two African girls named Margaret and Ellen More, who were known as the "More lasses."
In 1505, when she was about seven years old, Lady Margaret began taking dancing lessons. Records from that time show she had beautiful clothes. In 1506, she owned a gown of brown cloth with velvet trim, a satin skirt, a hat, and a veil.
Life as Lady Gordon and Lady Drummond
Margaret Stewart was married twice and had children from both marriages. Her life connected her to some of the most important families in Scotland.
First Marriage to Lord Gordon
Margaret's first husband was John Gordon, Lord Gordon. He was the son of the Earl of Huntly, one of Scotland's most powerful nobles. In 1512, she traveled north to her new home at Huntly Castle.
Margaret and Lord Gordon had three children:
- George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, who married Elizabeth Keith, Countess of Huntly.
- Alexander Gordon (bishop of Galloway), who became a bishop.
- James Gordon, who became the Chancellor of Moray.
After Lord Gordon died, Margaret planned to marry Alexander Stewart, Bishop of Moray. However, they were too closely related to get married. His father was the uncle of her father, King James IV. They did not marry, but they had a daughter together named Margaret Stewart.
Second Marriage to Sir John Drummond
In 1531, Margaret married her second husband, Sir John Drummond of Innerpeffray. After they married, King James V of Scotland (Margaret's half-brother) made Sir John the official forester of a royal forest in Strathearn.
A royal document from 1536 calls Margaret "sororis regis," which is Latin for "the king's sister." This shows her important royal connection.
Margaret and Sir John Drummond had five daughters:
- Agnes Drummond
- Isabell Drummond
- Margaret Drummond, who married Robert Elphinstone, 3rd Lord Elphinstone.
- Jean Drummond
Today, the National Museums of Scotland has beautifully carved oak panels that may have once decorated the home of John Drummond and Margaret Stewart. The panels show their family symbols, also known as heraldry.
