Of James Dog facts for kids
The poem Of James Dog is a funny complaint written by a famous Scottish poet named William Dunbar. He wrote it for Margaret Tudor, who was the Queen of Scotland. In the poem, Dunbar complains about the Queen's wardrobe keeper, a man named James Dog.
Dunbar says he asked James Dog for a special jacket called a doublet. The Queen had given this doublet to Dunbar. But, according to the poet, James Dog was very rude when he asked for it.
In the poem, Dunbar uses lots of puns. He makes jokes about James Dog's last name, "Dog," by using many dog-related words. James Dog is shown as being grumpy, unhelpful, and a bit too proud of himself.
This poem can be found in an old book called the Maitland Folio Manuscript. It was titled "To The Quene" and had a note saying "Quod Dunbar of James Dog Kepair of the Quenis wardrop."
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Queen Margaret and Her Poet
Margaret Tudor was the Queen of Scotland. She was married to James IV of Scotland. Margaret was the oldest daughter of King Henry VII of England. She married King James in 1503.
William Dunbar was a special poet called a Makar. He worked at the Scottish royal court. This was during the time when Margaret and James were King and Queen.
What Was a Royal Wardrobe?
The royal "wardrobe" was not like a closet today. It was more like a storage room for the Queen's important things. James Dog, also known as Doig, was a servant at the Scottish court. He first appeared in royal records in 1489.
He started by working in the kitchen. Later, his job in the wardrobe was to manage all the fabrics and clothes. He also directed the other servants who worked there. He was in charge of fancy cloths and canopies. These were hung behind the king's throne.
James Dog's Many Jobs
James Dog had many different skills. In 1495, he put up tapestries in the king's room at Holyrood Palace. This was for a special guest, the Chancellor of Denmark. When King James IV was at Stirling Castle in April 1497, James Dog even gave him footballs!
In 1503, he put up hooks at Holyrood Palace. He also bought cords to hang bed canopies. This was all to get ready for Queen Margaret Tudor's arrival. Like other royal servants, Dog had many jobs and a lot of influence.
The Poem Explained
In the poem, Dunbar says he was upset by James Dog's grumpy reaction. This happened when the poet asked for the doublet the Queen had given him. Dunbar says Dog treated this simple request very seriously. It was as if he was giving out a very expensive, full-length coat. Dunbar warns the Queen, "You have a dangerous dog!"
- The wardraipper of Venus boure,
- To giff a doublett he is als doure,
- As it war of ane futt syd frog:
- Madame, ye heff a dangerous dog!
Dunbar then says that when he showed Dog the Queen's instructions, Dog "barked as if he was worrying a pig." The poet wishes that "the dangerous dog" would be punished with "a heavy stick."
- Quhen that I schawe to him your markis,
- He turnis to me again and barkis,
- As he war wirriand ane hog:
- Madame, ye heff a dangerous dog.
- Quhen that I schawe to him your wrytin,
- He girnis that I am red for bytin,
- I wald he had ane havye clog:
- Madame, ye heff an dangerous dog.
Even when the poet tried to be friendly, Dog "barks like a common mongrel chasing cattle."
- Quhen that I speik till him freindlyk,
- He barkis lyk an middling tyk,
- War chassand cattell throu a bog,
- Madam, ye heff a dangerous dog.
The wardrobe keeper is called "A mighty mastiff." Dunbar says he could even defend the Queen's property from "The Great Sultan Gog Magog."
- He is ane mastive, mekle of mycht,
- To keip your wardroippe over nycht,
- Fra the grytt sowdan Gog Magog:
- Madam, ye heff a dangerous dog.
Dunbar ends the poem with some advice for the Queen. He says, "He is too big to be your lapdog. Madam, I suggest you get a smaller one."
He also adds, "His way of walking makes all your rooms shake. Madam, you have a dangerous dog."
