Martin Schöner facts for kids
Dr. Martin Schöner, also known as Schönerus, was a doctor who worked for King James VI and I and his wife, Queen Anne of Denmark. He passed away in 1611.
Schöner was born in a place called Głogów, which was then part of a big empire known as the Habsburg Empire. Even though he was born there, people thought of him as being from Thuringia, a region in Germany. Some say he was the nephew of a famous German scholar named Johannes Schöner, who knew a lot about many different subjects. In English writings, his name sometimes appeared as "Schoverus," and in Scottish records, it was "Schoneir" or "Schonerz." He was called "Dr.," but we don't know which university he went to.
.jpg)
Contents
Royal Doctor in Scotland
Martin Schöner started working as a doctor for King James in 1581. On July 22, 1597, he was officially named the "Master Medicinar" (main doctor) for Queen Anne of Denmark. He received a salary of 400 Scottish pounds for this job, which he had already been doing for three years. He was always ready, day and night, to help the Queen.
In August 1590, Schöner was called to Falkland Palace. This might have been to see Queen Anne, who may have been pregnant at the time. Later, on February 10, 1594, he was asked to be with Queen Anne at Stirling Castle. This was when she gave birth to her son, Prince Henry. Other medical helpers were also there, including another doctor, a surgeon, and an apothecary (who prepared medicines).
In September 1595, Schöner treated John Maitland of Thirlestane, who had a serious fever. Maitland couldn't sleep and was very unwell. At first, Schöner thought Maitland would not get better. However, Maitland's condition improved for a while, and Schöner wrote to the court that he was out of danger. Sadly, Maitland got worse again and passed away on October 3.
Schöner also helped with the births of other royal children. In 1598, he and another doctor, John Naysmyth, cared for the baby Princess Margaret at Dalkeith Palace. He was also present at Dunfermline Palace for the births of Prince Charles and Prince Robert. He worked with a midwife, an apothecary, and a laundress during these important events.
Queen Anne and the Stirling Castle Incident
In May 1603, Queen Anne of Denmark went to Stirling Castle. She wanted to take her son, Prince Henry, from the care of the Earl of Mar. On May 9, the Countess of Mar and her stepson told Queen Anne they could not let her take the Prince. Later that day, the Queen became very ill and fainted during dinner. Several ladies carried her to bed, and she had a miscarriage.
A lawyer who was at the castle, Thomas Hamilton, said that the Queen told Dr. Martin and others that she had taken "some balm water that hastened her abort." This meant she believed something she drank had caused her miscarriage. The Venetian ambassador in London heard that the Prince's governess (the Countess of Mar) had refused to give the Prince to the Queen. He was told that Queen Anne was very angry.
Alexander Seton, who advised the Queen on legal matters, went to Stirling. He later said that the best thing to do was to comfort and encourage the Queen. He felt that medicine and care were more important at that moment than arguments about politics.
The Earl of Montrose heard that the Queen was recovering well. As the Lord Chancellor of Scotland, he worked to calm the situation and help Queen Anne travel to England in June. Queen Anne was soon well enough to travel. She arrived at Windsor Castle on July 10, 1603. The French ambassador said that when the Queen traveled to London, she brought with her the body of the baby she had lost. This was because some people had tried to say that the baby's death was not real.
Life in England
After King James became King of England, Dr. Schöner moved there too. On July 26, 1603, King James appointed him as the Queen's "first doctor" with a salary of £100 Sterling. Another Scottish doctor, John Craig, had already been given the title of "first doctor" a month earlier. Schöner might have waited to come to London because his wife, Christian Gibsoun, was pregnant. He also asked for permission for four German gentlemen to visit England.
On April 24, 1604, Schöner and another doctor, Lancelot Browne, suggested that Henry Jerningham senior should visit the Spa in Belgium. They believed the waters there would help with his various health problems, such as aches, dizziness, and stomach issues. Jerningham used this advice to get permission to travel abroad for his health. Schöner signed the document as "Martinus Schonerus, Hir Maiesties Physicion" (Her Majesty's Physician).
Queen Anne of Denmark had several apothecaries in England who provided her with perfumes, scented waters, and other products.
In 1605, Schöner, along with other royal doctors, signed a letter recommending another doctor named Matthias de l'Obel. Schöner signed his name in Latin: "Martinus Schonerus, Britannia Reg[inae] Medicus Ordinarius" (Martin Schöner, Ordinary Physician to the Queen of Britain). In August 1605, one of the Queen's former ladies-in-waiting, Jean Stewart, traveled to London to see him. However, he could not offer her any hope, and she died on her way back to Scotland.
In 1607, King James asked the Earl of Dunbar to tell Lord Carew, the Queen's Vice-Chamberlain, to call Schöner to attend to the sick baby Princess Mary.
Schöner gave the King a New Year's gift of a box of sweets in January 1606. Other doctors at court gave similar gifts. Schöner also approved a bill for perfumes and rosewater supplied to Prince Henry over three years.
At the baptism of one of his children on January 30, 1610, he received a gift of £4 from David Murray of Gorthy, who managed Prince Henry's personal funds.
Schöner became an English citizen in July 1610. Other members of the Queen's household also became citizens at the same time, including his apothecary, John Wolfgang Rumler, and his wife.
Martin Schöner passed away in 1611. In September 1611, his second wife and widow, Christiana, was given £150. Prince Henry also gave her a small pension. Théodore de Mayerne took over as the Queen's physician after Schöner.
Family Life
Martin Schöner was married twice. His first wife was Lucretia Betoun. They had several children:
- Johannes Schöner, born in Edinburgh on July 2, 1597. He also studied medicine and later passed away in April 1657.
- Edward, baptized on July 23, 1598.
- Katherine, baptized on June 1, 1600.
Lucretia Betoun died on October 5, 1600.
On August 18, 1601, he married his second wife, Christian Gibsoun. They also had children:
- Alexander, baptized on August 15, 1602.
- Elizabeth, baptized on August 28, 1603. She later married Adam Cunningham of Woodhall.
- Sophie (1604-1626), who married James Pringle of Whytbank in 1622. She was said to have been a maiden of honor to Queen Anne of Denmark. Sophie died on November 15, 1626, and was buried at Melrose Abbey.
- Margaret (died 1640), who married Harry Kinneir. She was a generous supporter of Edinburgh University, leaving money to help build a chemical laboratory and library.
- Mr. James Schonier, who also donated a book to Edinburgh University library in 1627.
After Martin Schöner died, his widow Christian Gibsoun married Sir Robert Dennistoun.
