Thomas Hudson (poet) facts for kids
Thomas Hudson was a talented musician and poet from the north of England. He lived in the late 1500s and was part of the royal court of King James VI in Scotland. Thomas and his brother, Robert Hudson, were both members of a special group called the Castalian Band. This was a group of poets and musicians led by the King himself during the 1580s and 1590s.
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Musicians at the Royal Court
The Hudson brothers first came to Scotland with Lord Darnley. They joined the household of the young James VI of Scotland at Stirling Castle. They were skilled viola players. On March 10, 1568, the records listed them as "Mekill [Big] Thomas Hudson, Robert Huson, James Hudson, William Hudson," along with their servant William Fowlartoun. Another brother, William Hudson, was paid to teach the King to dance. He was even called the "master balladin," which means he was a master of dance.
Court Performances
In December 1579, the "violeris" (viola players) received special costumes for a court show called a masque. This masque was likely named Navigatioun and was written by Alexander Montgomerie. The show took place at Holyrood Palace. It began with a narrator and his friends, a "Turk, the More, and the Egyptien," entering with torches. The musicians were given "mask claithis" (masking clothes) made of red and yellow taffeta, and they also had swords and daggers.
Montgomerie's introduction to the masque mentioned the Magi (wise men) and Epiphany. This was a way to praise King James VI, calling him the Northern Star. The King was also compared to Solomon, a very wise king from history. After the masque, everyone enjoyed dancing.
A Brother's Role in Diplomacy
James Hudson, another brother, became involved in important discussions between countries, known as diplomacy. He wrote many letters to an English diplomat named George Nicholson.
Thomas Hudson's Writing
In 1584, Thomas Hudson translated a famous work called Judith. This was a story about a brave woman from the Bible, originally written by Guillaume de Salluste Du Bartas. He wrote it because Jeanne III of Navarre had asked for it.
