Mungo Graham of Rathernis facts for kids

Mungo Graham of Rathernis (died 1589) was an important Scottish landowner and a trusted helper at the royal court. He worked for James VI of Scotland, who was the King of Scotland.

Mungo Graham: A Royal Courtier

Mungo Graham was a Scottish nobleman who lived in the 1500s. He owned lands in a place called Rathernis, which was in Perthshire, Scotland. His lands were also known as "Rottearns." He even had fishing rights on the Allan Water river.

Early Life and Family

Mungo Graham was the son of William Graham, 2nd Earl of Montrose. His mother was Janet Keith. She was the daughter of William Keith, 3rd Earl Marischal. Mungo Graham married Marjorie Edmonstone. She was the daughter of William Edmonstone of Duntreath.

Serving the King

From 1579, Mungo Graham worked as a Master of Household for James VI of Scotland. The king had several Masters of Household. They worked for different periods throughout the year. Their main job was to manage the royal household. This included making sure there was enough food for everyone in the king's home.

In August 1579, a message was sent from Stirling Castle to Mungo Graham. It was also sent to his nephew, John Murray. John Murray was also a courtier and a Master of Household. The message likely asked them to come and join the king's household.

A Royal Shopper

In 1581, King James VI sent Mungo Graham and other trusted servants on an important task. They were sent to buy wine for the royal household. They traveled to different Scottish cities like Edinburgh, St Andrews, and Dundee to find the best wine.

Preparing for a Royal Wedding

In 1589, King James VI was going to marry Anne of Denmark. She was expected to sail from Denmark to Scotland. Mungo Graham helped prepare for her arrival. He bought a large amount of spices from a person named Jonet Guthrie. These spices were worth a lot of money at the time. They were probably used to make a special spiced wine called hippocras for a welcome feast. A feast is a very large and special meal.

However, Anne of Denmark's journey was delayed. Strong winds stopped her ship. She had to stay in Norway for the winter. Spiced hippocras wine had been served before at Holyroodhouse palace. This was in 1503, when Margaret Tudor arrived to marry James IV of Scotland.

Later Life and Legacy

Mungo Graham died on 26 October 1589. After his death, his wife, Marjorie Edmondstone, married John Maxwell of Pollok.