Mary Livingston facts for kids

Mary Livingston (born around 1541, died 1582) was a Scottish noblewoman. She was a close friend and companion to Mary, Queen of Scots when they were children. Mary Livingston was one of the famous "Four Marys," a group of young women who served the Queen.

Life of Mary Livingston

Mary Livingston was born in Scotland around 1541. Her father was Alexander Livingston, 5th Lord Livingston. Her mother was Agnes Douglas.

When Mary Livingston was a child, she was chosen for a special role. The Queen's mother, Mary of Guise, picked her to be a lady-in-waiting to Mary, Queen of Scots. A lady-in-waiting is a female assistant to a queen or princess.

Mary Livingston was one of four girls chosen. They were all about the same age and from important families. These four friends became known as the "Four Marys." The other three were Mary Fleming, Mary Seton, and Mary Beaton. Mary Livingston's younger sister, Magdalen Livingston, also served Queen Mary.

A Royal Wedding at Court

In March 1565, Mary Livingston married John Sempill of Beltrees. He was the son of Robert Sempill, 3rd Lord Sempill. Their wedding was a big event at Queen Mary's royal court.

The wedding celebration happened during a special feast on March 5. There was a fancy party with a Masque, which was like a play with costumes and music. A painter was even paid to make props for the show!

A diplomat named Thomas Randolph wrote about the wedding. He called it the "great marriage of this happie Englishman that shall marrie lustie Livingston."

Queen Mary gave Mary Livingston many wonderful gifts for her wedding. She received rubies set in gold for her clothes. The Queen also gave her special fabric and silver thread to make a gown. Mary Livingston also got a beautiful bed made of scarlet and black velvet. It had fancy curtains and silk fringes.

Jewels and Furs of the Queen

In May 1566, Queen Mary was expecting a baby. She made lists of her valuable jewels. She wrote down who should get them if she died during childbirth. Mary Livingston helped the Queen with this task. She signed one of the important documents as "Marie Leviston."

After Mary, Queen of Scots went to England in 1568, Mary Livingston still had some of the Queen's jewels. She sent them to the Queen at Bolton Castle with Robert Melville.

Later, Mary Livingston's husband, John Sempill, was asked to return some of the Queen's jewels. He also had to return valuable furs, like those from "martrick" (pine marten) and sable. These furs might have been a special type of fur scarf called a zibellino. John Sempill refused to give them back and was put in prison.

Mary Livingston lived longer than her husband. In 1582, as a widow, she took legal action. She went to court to get back some lands from Robert, Lord Sempill.

Mary Livingston's Family

Mary Livingston and John Sempill had children, including:

• Sir James Sempill (1566–1625/1626). He became a Scottish Ambassador to England.