Margaret Vinstarr facts for kids
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Margaret Vinstarr (who lived around 1590–1600) was a lady-in-waiting from Denmark or Germany. She served Anne of Denmark, the Queen of Scotland. Margaret is famous for a brave rescue mission. She helped her boyfriend, John Wemyss of Logie, escape from prison. Her story is even told in an old song called "The Laird o Logie".
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Life at the Scottish Royal Court
Margaret Vinstarr's family background is not fully clear. Her last name was spelled in different ways, like "Wencksternis" or "Winster." Some records say she came from a wealthy Danish family.
She was a favorite lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne of Denmark. The Queen's household in Scotland included many people from Denmark and Germany. Margaret might have arrived in Scotland around July 1591. She was known as one of the Queen's "Dutch Maids." She was also called the "principal Maid in the Chamber," meaning she was a very important lady-in-waiting.
Margaret is remembered because of her relationship with John Wemyss of Logie. He was a servant to James VI of Scotland, the King. Margaret often rode horses with the Queen. Her daring plan to help Logie escape from prison became famous in songs and stories.
Logie's Secret and Confession
In 1592, John Wemyss of Logie got into trouble. He was accused of helping Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell. Bothwell was a powerful noble who was rebelling against King James VI. Logie was a cousin to another lady-in-waiting, Euphemia Wemyss.
Logie was arrested in August 1592. He confessed to planning several attempts to capture the King. One of his plans involved Margaret Vinstarr, who was his girlfriend or fiancée. The plan was for Margaret to steal the keys to a back gate at Dalkeith Palace. Then she would let Bothwell's men inside.
When King James questioned Logie, he told everything. This full confession meant he could be sentenced to death. Logie also said that many other royal servants supported Bothwell. This was partly because they had not been paid. The King was very angry and wanted to execute Logie. However, people thought the Queen and Margaret Vinstarr would try to save him. Margaret was from a well-known family and was close to the Queen.
The Daring Escape from Dalkeith Palace
Logie was held prisoner at Dalkeith Palace. He managed to escape with Margaret Vinstarr's help. Margaret slept in the Queen's own bedroom.
Margaret asked the guards to bring Logie to the Queen. She then led him through the Queen's bedroom to a window. There, she had left a rope or some bedsheets. An accomplice was waiting below with a horse. This escape was very similar to one of the plans Logie had confessed to.
This exciting story is the basis for the famous song "The Laird of Logie." A writer at the time praised Margaret's actions. He called it a "worthy turn, proceeding from honest, chaste love and charity." He wrote that she "happily escaped by the subtlety of love."
King James VI wanted the Queen to send Margaret Vinstarr back to Denmark. But Queen Anne refused. She said she would "rather go to Denmark than part with Mistress Margaret." Instead, Margaret stayed for a while at Wemyss Castle. Queen Anne later thanked the owner of Wemyss Castle for taking care of her.
King James eventually decided to forgive the couple. But Logie was banished from the royal court. Margaret Vinstarr, however, returned to her important role in the Queen's household.
Marriage and Later Life
Logie was pardoned by King James VI. He and Margaret were married in late 1593. A document from 1594 names his wife as "Margaret Weiksterne." It is said that a royal ambassador paid for her dowry (a gift of money or property given to the groom by the bride's family). The Queen also gave Margaret gifts, including fancy clothes and a beautiful bed.
Margaret Vinstarr, now known as "Lady Logie," traveled to Denmark in June 1594 to visit her family. The Queen gave her a black taffeta gown as a farewell gift. Margaret returned to Scotland about a year later, in July 1595.
Logie continued to be suspected of plotting against the King. In August 1594, he was again linked to Bothwell's rebellion. He was arrested and imprisoned. Again, the Queen stepped in to save his life. He was released and went abroad.
Logie was later arrested in the Netherlands. He was accused of planning to capture a tower for Spain. He confessed and was executed in January 1597. Margaret Vinstarr seems to have stayed in Queen Anne's household for some time. She later returned to her own family.
The exact dates of Margaret Vinstarr's birth and death are not known.
