Mariotta Haliburton facts for kids
Mariotta Haliburton (born around 1500, died around 1563) was a brave Scottish noblewoman. She was also known as Marion or Mary. She is famous for defending Hume Castle in the 1500s. After a big battle called Pinkie, an English army surrounded her castle. Mariotta bravely negotiated its surrender. She then fought for the rights of her people in the village of Hume. She wrote letters to both the English and Scottish leaders.
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Mariotta's Family Life
Mariotta was the daughter of Patrick Haliburton of Dirleton Castle. Her mother was Christine Wawane. When her father died in 1515, Mariotta and her sisters, Janet and Margaret, became his heirs.
Mariotta married George, Lord Home before April 7, 1529. They had several children, including:
- Alexander Home, 5th Lord Home
- Andrew Home, a church leader
- John Home of Coldenknowes
- Margaret Home, who married Alexander Erskine of Gogar
- Two other daughters
Mariotta's eldest sister, Janet, married William Ruthven, 2nd Lord Ruthven. Her sister Margaret married George Ker of Faldonside. In 1535, James V of Scotland gave Mariotta and George ownership of lands. This was a reward for their good service against the English.
Defending Hume Castle
A period of war called the Rough Wooing began in Scotland. The Scottish leader, Regent Arran, sent soldiers and cannons to help defend Hume Castle. However, the English army defeated the Scottish army at the Battle of Pinkie. This battle happened near Musselburgh on September 10, 1547.
After the battle, Mariotta's son Alexander was captured. Her husband George was injured and sick in Edinburgh. On September 20, the English army arrived at Hume Castle. Mariotta herself bravely negotiated the castle's surrender with the English commander, Earl of Somerset. Her sons, Andrew and John, agreed to the terms. The 78 Scottish soldiers inside were allowed to leave safely. Andrew handed the castle keys to the new English captain, Sir Edward Dudley.
Fighting for Her People
Mariotta's husband George and eldest son Alexander were taken to England. They were held in the Tower of London. Mariotta kept writing to the Earl of Somerset. She wanted a better deal for her family and the people living near the border.
Some people in Scotland thought she had given up Hume Castle for money. Mariotta was surprised by this. She explained that she could not hold the small castle against the entire English army. She pointed out that the whole Scottish nobility could not win on the battlefield. Mariotta also told the Earl that she couldn't show her husband his letter. She feared it would upset him. She asked for new agreements that would not risk their loyalty to Scotland.
Recapturing the Castle
Eventually, Alexander was allowed to return to Scotland. Soon after, on December 26, 1548, Hume Castle was taken back from the English. This happened during a night raid. On December 28, Mariotta sent news from Edinburgh to Mary of Guise. Mary was the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Mariotta wrote that her son Andrew Home helped in the successful attack. John Home of Coldenknowes and John Haitlie of Mellerstain also took part. She believed that if more men had joined her son, they could have driven the English out of Kelso.
By March 1549, Mariotta was back at Hume Castle. She wrote to Mary of Guise again. She complained that the soldiers were bothering the villagers. The troops were not paying for their food. Mariotta insisted that Guise pay the soldiers. This would stop them from troubling the poor people of Hume.
In another letter, she advised Guise to keep the soldiers disciplined. This was a very important time for the Auld Alliance (the alliance between Scotland and France). Mariotta wrote that Guise needed to be strict with both the French and Scottish soldiers. She said they must do what was right, or it would not go well. She hoped Guise would forgive her for writing so directly. Mariotta said her words came from a good heart. She truly loved the honor of both Scotland and France.
In a letter from Hume Castle on March 28, 1549, Mariotta mentioned a Spanish captain. She called him the "Mour" and said he was a very sharp man. She hoped Mary of Guise would be kind to him and other captured Spanish soldiers. This "Mour" is believed to be Pedro de Negro, a soldier of African origin.
Mariotta's original letters are kept in important places. Her letters to Somerset are in the Public Record Office at Kew. Her letters to Guise are in the National Library of Scotland. An English historian, William Patten, wrote about the siege of Hume Castle. He described Mariotta's role. He used a French saying: the siege ended because of a "talking castle, and a woman who listens." Another writer, Jean de Beaugué, also wrote about the siege. He praised Lady Home's determination. He also noted that her fears for her eldest son might have influenced her negotiations.
Mariotta's Legacy
Mariotta's grandson, Alexander Home, 1st Earl of Home, married Mary (Dudley) Sutton. Mary was a granddaughter of Edward Dudley, the English captain of Hume Castle. In 1617, this marriage between an English and Scottish family was celebrated. Mariotta's relative, the poet David Hume of Godscroft, wrote about it. He saw the marriage as a symbol of England and Scotland joining together. He wrote that Mary Dudley's hand helped restore the homes and castles destroyed in past border wars.
