William Keith of Delny facts for kids

Sir William Keith of Delny (died 1599) was an important Scottish courtier. He worked closely with King James VI of Scotland. William Keith was in charge of the King's clothes and belongings as the Master of the Royal Wardrobe. He also traveled to other countries as an ambassador for the King. He helped connect the King with important people and foreign governments.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

William Keith was the son of Andrew Keith, who owned land in Ravenscraig, Aberdeenshire. His family was related to the powerful Earls Marischal. In 1579, when James VI was still young, William Keith started working in the King's household. He began as a valet, which meant he helped the King with personal tasks.

In May 1583, William Keith went on an important trip to London. He traveled with Colonel William Stewart and John Colville. Their mission was to ask for England's help for the Scottish government. On their way back, near Durham, William Keith was insulted by some people. He stood up for himself, saying, "I am a gentleman."

Working for the King in England

In January 1586, King James VI sent William Keith to London again. His job was to finalize an agreement between Scotland and England. Keith was also responsible for collecting money gifts from Queen Elizabeth I for King James VI. He kept careful records of these payments. For his good service, William Keith was given lands in Delny in Ross-shire on May 19, 1586.

Helping Mary, Queen of Scots

William Keith arrived in London on November 5, 1586. He had a very serious mission: to try and save the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, King James VI's mother. Mary was facing a trial in England. Keith carried a letter from King James with instructions for Archibald Douglas, another Scottish diplomat.

On November 10, Keith and Douglas met with Queen Elizabeth. They asked her to delay Mary's trial. They also wanted to make sure that nothing from the trial would stop James VI from becoming the next King of England. Keith and Douglas attended a dinner with the trial officials on November 22. They were told that James VI's right to the English throne was safe.

King James VI wrote to Delny, saying his mother's execution would be a terrible tragedy. Delny was worried about showing this letter to Queen Elizabeth. But she found out about it and made him show it to her. Queen Elizabeth was very angry. The Earl of Leicester had to speak to calm her down.

During these talks, Archibald Douglas called Delny "simple." This meant he thought Delny was honest but perhaps a bit naive. Delny, however, wrote to John Maitland that Douglas was not trustworthy.

In January 1587, Sir Robert Melville and the Master of Gray joined Delny in London. They continued to try and save Mary, Queen of Scots. Sadly, their efforts were not successful, and Mary was executed. Despite this, King James VI honored Delny in August. He made him a knight and appointed him Master of the Wardrobe. The King also confirmed Delny's ownership of his lands, making them a new barony.

Joining the Privy Council

In March 1588, William Keith became a member of the Scottish Privy Council. This was a group of trusted advisors to the King. He discussed important matters, like the idea of King James VI marrying Catherine de Bourbon, the sister of Henry of Navarre. Around this time, he transferred a large sum of money to the Lord Chancellor, John Maitland. This money was part of the English subsidy given by Queen Elizabeth.

By July 1589, some people expected Delny to lose his position at court. This was because he had supported the Master of Gray, who was no longer in the King's favor. Delny and another courtier, Roger Aston, were called "Queen Elizabeth's pensioners." This insult likely referred to the money they received from England.

Journey to Denmark and Challenges

In June 1589, William Keith was sent to welcome an English sailor, George Beeston, to Scotland. In October, Delny joined King James VI on a journey to Norway and Denmark. The King was traveling to meet and marry his future wife, Anne of Denmark. Delny sailed in one of the ships accompanying the King.

After the royal wedding in Oslo, there were some disagreements. The Chancellor of Scotland, John Maitland, and the Earl Marischal, along with William Keith, argued about who was more important. They also discussed the Queen's dowry, which was a large sum of money. King James VI ordered gifts to be given to the Danish royals. These gifts included valuable jewels that Delny had brought to Denmark.

During their time in Denmark, King James VI removed Delny from his role as Master of the Wardrobe. It was said that Delny wore clothes that were too fancy, even richer than the King's. Sir George Home took over his position. People close to the King noted that Delny was "wonderfully well beloved" and had always been loyal.

Falling Out of Favor

In the summer of 1590, Delny faced accusations of plotting against the Lord Chancellor. When the Earl Marischal was arrested, he sought help from Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell. Delny stayed near Holyrood Palace, hoping to regain the King's trust. Even Christian IV of Denmark wrote to King James VI, asking him to restore Delny to his good graces.

King James VI became very angry when he heard rumors that Delny might marry the Countess of Gowrie. In July 1591, Delny was seen with the rebellious Bothwell. When the King learned that Delny had joined Bothwell, Delny's lands were taken away. He then had to leave Scotland and live in exile with Bothwell.

Delny eventually regained the King's favor in June 1592, thanks to the help of Queen Anne of Denmark. However, he did not get his old job back in the wardrobe. In January 1593, he was given the barony of Dingwall. This was a reward for his past services, including his role in the King's proxy marriage to Anne of Denmark in 1589.

Later Years of Service

Delny became a friend of Ludovick Stuart, 2nd Duke of Lennox. In 1593, Delny managed the King's income from the lands of Ross and Ardmannoch. He delivered his accounts to the King's financial officer. In February, King James VI confirmed Delny's ownership of the Delny barony. He also gave him control over three churches, noting Delny's dedication to spreading the Gospel.

In October 1593, Delny was in London and met secretly with Anthony Bacon. Bacon was a follower of the powerful Earl of Essex. Bacon told Delny that Essex would accept a letter from King James VI. He advised Delny to burn the letter afterward and keep their meeting a secret.

Delny wrote to James Hudson in March 1594. Hudson was a diplomat in London. Delny told Hudson that King James VI and Queen Anne had confirmed that John Wemyss of Logie had no diplomatic mission from them. Delny urged Hudson to be careful in his work for the King, especially regarding the sensitive issue of who would inherit the English throne.

In 1594, Delny traveled to the Dutch Republic. He carried invitations to the baptism and tournament for Prince Henry at Stirling Castle. James Melville of Halhill noted that Delny was not the best choice for this role because he could not speak French, Latin, or Flemish. His partner on this trip was Captain William Murray. They were told to confirm peace treaties and ask for Scottish soldiers fighting in the Eighty Years' War to be paid.

The Dutch ambassadors at the baptism gave Prince Henry a gift of guaranteed income. Delny was put in charge of Prince Henry's household and collecting this money. However, in 1595, Delny lost this role. The Earl of Mar, who was the Prince's guardian, took over the management of the Dutch income.

Travels to Venice

Delny left Edinburgh for Venice on October 4, 1595. He first went to London, then sailed with Henry Hawkyns. Delny wrote to Anthony Bacon in November, offering his help to Queen Elizabeth against Spain. He also mentioned that he wanted to deliver King James VI's letter to the Earl of Essex. The letter asked for hawks and requested that the rebel Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell not be welcomed in England.

Delny was in Venice to gather support for King James VI. He explained to the Venetian senators that he was not an official ambassador. He said he was there to learn the language and handle some private business for the King.

Delny wrote a letter from Padua, explaining how he had folded the King's letter securely. This method, called "letterlocking", made it difficult to open without tearing. He wrote that the letter was closed so tightly that one would need a knife to open it.

In April 1597, King James VI asked Delny to continue communicating with Venice. This was to build support for James VI's claim to the English throne.

Death

Sir William Keith of Delny died in 1599. Legal documents and royal accounts from that time mention his passing. He had three children: Sara and two sons, both named William. His property then went to his brother, John Keith of Ravenscraig.