Timothy Cagnioli facts for kids

Timothy Cagnioli was an important Italian businessman. He lived in Scotland from about 1540 to 1590. He worked as a merchant and a banker. This means he bought and sold goods, and he also handled money.

Timothy Cagnioli: A Royal Banker

Timothy Cagnioli was very active in Edinburgh. This was during the time when Mary of Guise ruled Scotland. Later, he worked during the personal reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. As a merchant, he sold fancy fabrics. These were used for clothes and decorating homes. As a banker, he could lend large amounts of money. He also provided special notes called "letters of credit." These notes helped people travel abroad without carrying lots of cash.

Early Business in Scotland

In July 1552, Cagnioli wrote to Mary of Guise from Edinburgh. He sent her three pounds of crimson silk. He also sent gold and silver thread. And he sent 24 ells of golden gauze. An "ell" was an old way to measure fabric. He had ordered more gold and silver gauze from Paris.

Supplying the Queen's Wardrobe

In 1553, Cagnioli provided many more fabrics. These included black velvet, black satin, and black damask. He also supplied taffeta, silk chamlet, and more silver gauze. He sent crimson, gold, and silver thread too. These fabrics were delivered to Mary of Guise. She received them at Stirling Castle. All these items were written down in her special wardrobe book.

The city council of Edinburgh gave Cagnioli a special permission. In September 1557, he could sell whole lengths of silk. He imported these silks himself. This meant he could be a wholesaler. But he was not allowed to cut and sell fabrics to regular customers. Only local merchants could do that.

Helping Travelers and Royalty

In February 1558, Cagnioli helped finance a trip. He gave money to James Stewart. James was Mary, Queen of Scots' half-brother. He needed to travel to Paris. There, he would finish the marriage contract for Mary. She was going to marry the Dauphin of France.

Cagnioli gave James Stewart letters of credit. These were worth £6,687 Scots. To make sure the money was repaid, James's mother helped. Her name was Margaret Erskine. She was the Lady of Lochleven. She made an agreement with other important people. Cagnioli also lent £6,720 to the Earl of Cassilis. Sadly, the Earl died in France. Cagnioli was still waiting to be repaid in 1586.

Working for Mary, Queen of Scots

In 1562, Cagnioli received £500 Scots. This money came from the queen's income. It was a repayment for money he had lent. This money was used to decorate a special room for Mary, Queen of Scots. The room was in Holyrood Palace. The queen's helper, Servais de Condé, had lined this room. He used 26 ells of a fabric called "Paris Green." An English diplomat, Thomas Randolph, mentioned this room. He said it was a private space. The queen would go there to write letters or to cry.

Royal Appointments and Privileges

On February 17, 1565, Mary, Queen of Scots, gave Cagnioli a new job. She made him her "argentar." This meant he was in charge of her personal spending. On the very same day, Mary met Lord Darnley for the first time.

A few days later, on February 23, Cagnioli became a burgess of Edinburgh. This gave him special rights in the city. Mary also gave him customs exemptions. This meant he didn't have to pay certain taxes on goods. He was allowed to become a burgess because his wife, Jonet Curle, was from Edinburgh.

Mining and Other Ventures

In October 1565, Cagnioli was involved in a new project. He signed a contract for mining lead ore. This mining was to happen at Leadhills. Mary, Queen of Scots, and Lord Darnley approved this contract.

In January 1566, Joseph Riccio ran away from Edinburgh. He was a brother of Mary's servant, David Rizzio. Joseph took money that belonged to people at court. Some of that money belonged to Cagnioli.

Later Life and Legacy

On May 17, 1569, James Stewart, who was now Regent, gave Cagnioli a pension. This was a payment of £100 every year.

In June 1574, Cagnioli had a legal disagreement. It was with Marie Pieris, Lady Seton.