Nicolas Roy (mason) facts for kids
Nicolas Roy was a skilled French stonemason. He worked in Scotland for King James V and his wife, Mary of Guise.
Nicolas Roy was likely the leader of a group of stonemasons. These workers were hired by Antoinette of Bourbon, Duchess of Guise. She was Mary of Guise's mother. The Duchess wrote that she found a very good mason. He promised to go to Scotland and bring a skilled friend. The masons traveled to Scotland through Paris. The Duchess also sent expert miners to search for Scottish gold. Mary of Guise was very happy with the masons. She wrote to her mother about it.
The miners were helped by a goldsmith named John Mosman. They were sent to Crawford Moor. A messenger went with them to translate. This helped them until they learned the Scots language.
Working for the King and Queen
Nicolas Roy became the king's master mason on April 22, 1539. He received an annual payment of £6-13-4d. This was in addition to his regular wages for mason work. His wages were paid by the Master of Work, John Scrimgeour.
Nicolas Roy was later listed in Mary of Guise's household records. He made changes and repairs for Mary of Guise. He also worked for her baby daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots. This work happened at Stirling Castle in 1544. A short French document mentions lime for fixing the park wall. It also talks about two carpenters. They made wheelbarrows for the work.
Other French artists worked at the Scottish royal palaces. These included Andrew Mansioun, a woodcarver and metal-worker. There was also a painter named Pierre Quesnel.
Building Falkland Palace
One payment record calls Roy the main stonemason at Falkland Palace. His name appears in the building records from June 1539. He was paid 21 shillings each week. His three helpers, or "servitours," received the same amount.
At this time, King James V was changing his father's old home at Falkland. He was turning it into a palace in the French Renaissance style. This palace was part of Mary of Guise's jointure. This meant it belonged to her. The records do not say exactly what work Nicolas Roy and his team did. But they might have carved the round portrait designs. These designs decorate the inner walls of the courtyard. A sculptor called Peter Flemishman made statues of saints. These statues were placed in special spots on the entrance wall.
While working at Falkland, the French masons visited St Andrews twice. They gave advice on building a new college there. This college was supported by Cardinal David Beaton.
Another French stonemason, Moyse Martin, also worked at Falkland. He had first worked at Dunbar Castle. He worked there for the Duke of Albany. Moyse Martin died in March 1538. His son, also named Moyse Martin, continued to work at Falkland. The elder Moyse Martin traveled to France with James V in 1536. He might have found ideas for the royal buildings in Scotland during that trip.
