Nicholas Otterbourne facts for kids
Nicholas Otterbourne (around 1400–1462) was an important person in Scotland during the 1400s. He was a church leader, a government official, and a diplomat who helped Scotland talk with other countries.
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Nicholas Otterbourne's Life and Work
Nicholas Otterbourne was a very busy and important person in Scotland during the 1400s. He held many different jobs that helped the country run smoothly.
Starting Out and Key Jobs
Otterbourne first appears in records around 1450. He had a special university degree called a Master of Arts. This showed he was well-educated.
He was also a canon at Glasgow Cathedral. This meant he was a church official there. He worked as an official of Lothian, which was a local administrative role.
Soon after, in 1450, he became the secretary to James II of Scotland. This was a very close and trusted position, helping the king with his letters and important papers. By 1454, he was known as the clerk of the rolls, another job involving keeping important government records.
A Scottish Diplomat
Nicholas Otterbourne was also a skilled diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country when talking with other countries. They help make agreements and keep peace.
In 1448, he was sent on a secret trip to France. This trip was about arranging the king's marriage, which was a very important event for Scotland.
He often traveled to other countries for official business. For example:
- In 1450, he got special permission to travel safely to France.
- In 1455 and 1456, he received permission from the King of England to travel safely through England.
- In 1459, he traveled to Newcastle upon Tyne in England. There, he met with English officials to discuss important matters between Scotland and England. These meetings were crucial for keeping good relationships between the two countries.
His Writings
Nicholas Otterbourne is also believed to have written a book called Epithalamium Jacobi II, Lib. 1. This was likely a special poem or song written for the wedding of King James II.
