Mary Beaton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Beaton
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16th century portrait by an unknown artist. National galleries of Scotland.
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| Born | 1543 |
| Died | January 1598 (aged 55-56) Scotland
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| Nationality | Scottish |
| Known for | Lady in waiting to Mary, Queen of Scots |
| Spouse(s) |
Alexander Ogilvy
(m. 1566–1598) |
| Children | James Oglivy |
| Parent(s) | Robert Beaton, 4th Laird of Creich Joanna Renwall |
Mary Beaton (1543–1598) was a Scottish noblewoman. She was a close friend and helper to Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary Beaton was one of four special friends of the Queen. These four friends were called "The Four Marys." The other three were Mary Livingston, Mary Fleming, and Mary Seton.
Contents
Mary Beaton's Family Background
Mary Beaton was born in 1543. She was the third of five children. Her parents were Robert Beaton, who was the 4th Laird of Creich, and Joanna Renwall. Mary's mother also worked for Mary of Guise, who was the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary's aunt, Janet Beaton, was connected to James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell. He later became the third husband of Queen Mary.
Life at the Royal Courts
Joining the French Court
In 1548, when Mary Beaton was only five years old, she was chosen for a very important role. Marie de Guise picked her to go with her daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots, to France. Mary Beaton, along with three other girls, became known as "The Four Marys." They were close companions to the young Queen.
Public Appearances in Scotland
On May 26, 1562, all four Marys were with Queen Mary. They attended the opening ceremony of the Parliament of Scotland. An English ambassador named Thomas Randolph saw them. He said they were a beautiful sight. He called them "four virgins, maydes, Maries, damoyselles of honor."
In June 1563, Mary Beaton wrote a letter to Anne Carew, Lady Throckmorton. Lady Throckmorton was the wife of an English diplomat. Mary thanked her for a ring she had received. Mary sent her own ring to Lady Throckmorton as a gift in return. She signed this letter "Marie de Bethune."
In February 1564, Queen Mary's tailor made special black velvet gowns. These gowns were for Mary Beaton and Lady Livingstone. Mary's younger sister, Lucrece Beaton, also joined the Queen's household.
Mary Beaton's Marriage
Mary Beaton was known for being pretty. She had fair hair and dark eyes. An older man named Thomas Randolph was interested in her. In 1564, Randolph was 45 and Mary was 21. He was Queen Elizabeth's ambassador to Scotland. He wanted Mary to share secrets about Queen Mary, but she refused.
In April 1565, Mary Beaton and Randolph played a game of bowls. They played with Queen Mary and Lord Darnley at Stirling Castle. Mary and Randolph won the game. Lord Darnley gave Mary Beaton a ring and a brooch as a prize.
Mary Beaton later married Alexander Ogilvy of Boyne. Their wedding was in April 1566. They had one son together, named James, who was born in 1568.
A Royal Birth and Later Life
In June 1566, Mary Beaton was with Mary, Queen of Scots, in Edinburgh Castle. This was when the Queen gave birth to Prince James. Prince James later became King James VI. Beaton shared the news with Sir James Melville of Halhill. He then rode to London to tell everyone.
After Queen Mary was executed, a writer named Adam Blackwood made a claim in 1587. He said that Mary Beaton's handwriting was similar to the Queen's. He suggested that some of Mary Beaton's private letters might have been used. These letters were part of the "casket letters" that were used against Queen Mary.
In May 1590, Mary Beaton welcomed the new Queen of Scotland, Anne of Denmark. She greeted her at Leith. Many other noblewomen were also there to welcome the Queen.
Mary, Queen of Scots, left her books to Mary Beaton in her will. Mary Beaton enjoyed reading and writing. However, she probably never received the Queen's library. She did give a copy of the Comedies of Terence to King James VI. Later, she became friends with the poet William Fowler. He worked as a secretary for Queen Anne of Denmark. He dedicated a translation of a work by Ariosto to "The right honourable Ladye Marye betoun Ladye Boine." Mary Beaton also wrote a poem. It was an introduction to Fowler's translation of the Triumphs of Petrarch.
Mary Beaton passed away in 1598. She was 55 years old.
Resources
- Antonia Fraser, Mary, Queen of Scots, Dell Publishing Co., Inc. New York, March 1971
