Thomas Arthur (tailor) facts for kids
Thomas Arthur was a Scottish tailor who worked for King James V of Scotland. He was a very important person in the king's household, making many of his clothes and costumes for special events.
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Becoming the King's Tailor
Thomas Arthur became the main tailor for King James V in 1529. Before that, when the king was younger, another tailor named Andrew Edgar made his clothes. As the king grew up, Thomas Arthur took over this important job.
How We Know About His Work
We know a lot about Thomas Arthur's work from old records. These records were kept by the person in charge of the king's money, called the treasurer of Scotland. They also include lists of the king's clothes, which tell us what Arthur made.
Making Clothes for the King
Thomas Arthur made many different kinds of clothes for King James V. He worked in Edinburgh and would bring the finished clothes to the king's palaces.
Costumes for Plays
In January 1540, Thomas Arthur created special "play coats" for a show. These costumes were made of bright red and yellow taffeta fabric. He also made a cape for one of the actors. These outfits were used for an early performance of a famous play called "A Satire of the Three Estates" by David Lyndsay. The play took place in the Great Hall of Linlithgow Palace.
Clothes for Special Occasions
In February 1540, Arthur made a special velvet hat for the crown of Scotland. This hat was purple and lined with purple satin. It was made to fit inside the crown, which a goldsmith named John Mosman had just fixed up.
Arthur also made everyday clothes for the king. For example, at Easter in 1541, he brought a chest full of clothes to Stirling Castle. This included a black satin doublet (a type of jacket) with gold buttons and black hose (tights or stockings).
Clothes for Others in the Court
Thomas Arthur didn't just make clothes for the king. He also made outfits for the king's two sons. When the king's mother, Margaret Tudor, passed away in November 1541, Arthur made black mourning cloaks for the ladies who served the queen. In March 1542, he made a nightgown for a young lady named Mistress Margaret.
He also delivered new clothes to the king's other servants. One of these was John Tennent, who was in charge of the king's money.
Family Connections
A lady named Katherine Bellenden worked in the royal wardrobe, which was like the king's closet. She sold cloth to Thomas Arthur for his work. Interestingly, Katherine Bellenden's niece, who was also named Katherine Bellenden, married one of Thomas Arthur's own tailor assistants, Robert Craig.
After Thomas Arthur
Thomas Arthur passed away sometime before 1551. After his death, any money he owed to the king was given to a soldier named Robert Hamilton of Briggis and William Hamilton of Humbie.
Was There Another Thomas Arthur?
It's interesting to know that another tailor named Thomas Arthur was working in England around the same time. This English tailor even joined a group of actors in 1527. He had a legal disagreement with a glazier (someone who works with glass) who was supposed to train him to be an actor for King Henry VIII's court shows. We don't know for sure if this was the same Thomas Arthur who worked for James V in Scotland.
