Mary Fleming facts for kids

Mary Fleming (/ˈflɛmɪŋ/) was a Scottish noblewoman born in 1542. She was a close friend and cousin of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary Fleming was one of four special companions to the young queen, known as "The Four Marys." The other three were Mary Livingston, Mary Beaton, and Mary Seton. Later, Mary Fleming married Sir William Maitland of Lethington, who was an important secretary to the queen.

Mary Fleming's Early Life

Mary Fleming was the youngest child of Malcolm Fleming, 3rd Lord Fleming, and Lady Janet Stewart. She was born in 1542. Her father was captured by the English during the Battle of Solway Moss in the same year. Mary's mother was a daughter of King James IV of Scotland. This made Mary Fleming a first cousin to Mary, Queen of Scots, who was also born in 1542. Mary's mother became a governess, or teacher, to the baby queen. The queen's mother, Mary of Guise, chose Mary Fleming to be one of the young queen's special companions.

Time in France

In 1548, when Mary Fleming was five years old, she traveled with her mother and Mary, Queen of Scots, to France. The young queen was raised at the court of King Henry II of France. Mary Fleming grew up there alongside the queen.

In 1554, Mary, Queen of Scots, took part in a special play called a masque. She played the part of the Delphic Sibyl. Mary Fleming also had a role, playing the Erythraean Sibyl. This masque was performed at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. It was written by a poet named Mellin de Saint-Gelais.

Return to Scotland

Mary, Queen of Scots, and her companions came back to Scotland in 1561. This was after the death of Francis II of France, the queen's husband. An English diplomat, Thomas Randolph, wrote about Mary Fleming. He said she comforted the Queen when she was upset by a man found hiding in her room.

On May 26, 1562, the four Marys were with the Queen at the opening of the Parliament of Scotland. Thomas Randolph described the procession. He called them "four virgins, maydes, Maries, damoyselles of honor." He added that "a fayerrer [fairer] syghte was never seen," meaning it was a beautiful sight.

During a Christmas celebration in January 1564, Mary Fleming played a special role. She was chosen as the "queen of the Bean" in a Twelfth Night pageant. This was a fun tradition where a bean was hidden in a cake. Whoever found it became the king or queen for the night.

In September 1564, a man named William Kirkcaldy of Grange wrote a letter. He mentioned that the Queen's secretary, William Maitland, was interested in Mary Fleming. He wrote that Maitland's wife was close to dying, and he was trying to win Mary Fleming's affection.

Marriage to William Maitland

Signatures of Mary Fleming and William Maitland, National Records of Scotland

Mary Fleming married Sir William Maitland of Lethington, the Queen's royal secretary. He was quite a bit older than her. Their wedding took place at Stirling Castle on January 6, 1566.

Their marriage seemed to be a happy one. Here are some reasons why:

• Their wedding happened after a three-year period of Maitland trying to win Mary's heart. This was even though Maitland and Mary, Queen of Scots, sometimes had disagreements. Mary Fleming had been a lady-in-waiting to the Queen since she was five years old.
• Maitland was very much in love with Mary Fleming. He even wrote to William Cecil, an important English official, about his feelings.
• Their courtship was a popular topic of conversation in both the Scottish and English royal courts.

In 1573, Mary Fleming and her husband were inside Edinburgh Castle. The castle was being held by people who supported Mary, Queen of Scots. An English army was helping the government of James VI of Scotland to take the castle. Mary Fleming and her husband were captured when the castle gave up on May 28, 1573. She was taken prisoner by Regent Morton and held in Robert Gourlay's House. Her husband was very sick and had to be carried out of the castle. He died on June 9, 1573, before he could be put on trial.

Mary Fleming wrote to William Cecil on June 21. She asked that her husband's body "receive no shame or ignominy" after his death. As a result, Queen Elizabeth I asked Regent Morton to treat his body with respect, which he did.

Later, on June 29 and July 15, 1573, Mary Fleming was asked to return a special necklace. This necklace, made of rubies and diamonds, belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots. It had been used as a promise for money lent to William Kirkcaldy of Grange, who was the captain of Edinburgh Castle.

Later Life and Family

Mary Fleming did not get back her husband's lands and properties right away. She finally received them in 1581 or 1582, thanks to King James VI. She was also allowed to keep a property Maitland had given her, called Bolton in East Lothian.

Mary Fleming had two children with William Maitland. Their son, James, later became a Catholic and lived in France and Belgium. Their daughter, Margaret, married Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe. In 1581, Mary, Queen of Scots, asked Queen Elizabeth I to let Mary Fleming visit her while she was imprisoned. However, there is no record that Mary Fleming ever made the visit. The last known writings from Mary Fleming are a letter to William Cecil and a letter to her sister. In the letter to her sister, she talked about some disagreements with her brother-in-law Coldingham.

Mary Fleming later married a second time, to George Meldrum of Fyvie.