Margaret Stewart, Mistress of Ochiltree facts for kids
Margaret Stewart, Mistress of Ochiltree (died 1627) was an important lady who worked for Anne of Denmark, the Queen of Scotland. She helped take care of the Queen's children, including Prince Henry, Princess Elizabeth, and Prince Charles. She was known as the Mistress of Ochiltree. She passed away in 1627.
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Margaret's Life and Work
Margaret's father was Henry Stewart, 1st Lord Methven. Her mother was Janet Stewart. She had three siblings: Henry, Dorothea, and Joan.
Margaret was called the "Mistress of Ochiltree" after she married Andrew Stewart in 1567. He was the eldest son of Andrew Stewart, 2nd Lord Ochiltree. After Andrew died in 1578, Margaret married Uchtred Macdowall. However, she continued to use the name "Margaret, Mistress of Ochiltree." Margaret Stewart, the second wife of the minister John Knox, was her sister-in-law.
Dispute Over Cruggleton Castle
Margaret had a long disagreement with Lord Robert Stewart. This was about Cruggleton Castle and the lands around it. In 1579, she was given the goods of John Douglas. He was the person in charge of Whithorn and refused to give the castle to her.
Role in the Queen's Household
Margaret was paid money from the royal treasury. She might have been a very important person in the queen's household. This role was called "hofmesterinde" at the Danish court.
On 1 February 1591, Margaret was listed as a member of Queen Anne of Denmark's household. Her daughters Mary, Martha, and Jean were also part of the household. Margaret had two servants and a page.
In July 1595, King James VI came to Holyrood Palace. He had received a letter saying the queen was ill. This information came from the Mistress of Ochiltree and other ladies.
On 11 October 1603, Margaret Stewart received a royal pension. This was for her service to Anne of Denmark and her children. She served from 1590 to 1603. She was especially thanked for looking after Lady Margaret, Duke Robert, and Prince Charles. She cared for them at Dunfermline Palace.
In May 1621, Margaret wrote to her son and Sir Robert Kerr. She asked them to speak to the King about her pension. She reminded them that she had served Queen Anne from the day she arrived in Scotland until she left in 1603.
Margaret's Family Connections
Margaret's children also became involved with the royal court. Many of her daughters became ladies-in-waiting for Queen Anne of Denmark. Margaret was the most senior lady-in-waiting.
Her second son, Josias Stewart, supported certain groups against the king. However, he was later pardoned.
Here are Margaret's children:
- Andrew Stewart: He became the 3rd Lord Ochiltree. Later, he became Baron Castle Stuart.
- Josias Stewart of Bonington: He supported Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell. In 1595, he shared information with the Privy Council of Scotland. This was about a group formed by the Earl and other northern earls.
- Mary (or Margery) Stewart (died 1606): She was a lady-in-waiting for Queen Anne of Denmark. She married Sir Roger Aston. He was an English favorite of King James VI. He was appointed a Gentleman of the Bedchamber in 1587. In 1596, he became the keeper of Linlithgow Palace. Two of her daughters were born there.
- Anne Stewart: She married Andrew Kerr of Ferniehirst. He was known as Lord Jedburgh. He had been the Captain of the King's Guard.
- Jean Stewart: She was also a maiden in Queen Anne's household. She married Gilbert Kennedy. Their wedding was celebrated at court with food and music. King James gave her clothes.
- Margaret Stewart: She was also a maiden in the queen's household. In January 1596, she married Sir John Stewart. Their son, John Stewart, later inherited and became Lord Stewart of Traquair. He was made Earl of Traquair in 1633.
- Martha Stewart: She married Nicholas Rutherford of Hundalee.
