Francisco de Busso (died 1576) was an Italian courtier in the service of Mary, Queen of Scots. Busso was a Master of Household, in charge of provisions and household servants. [1]
Contents
Francisco de Busso (died 1576) was an Italian courtier in the service of Mary, Queen of Scots. Busso was a Master of Household, in charge of provisions and household servants. [1]
Busso had been a servant and Master of Household to Mary of Guise (died 1560). [2] [3] He was a Knight of the Order of St James of the Sword. Mary made him superintendent and overseer of her palaces and building works in September 1563. He was the Keeper of Holyrood Palace. His name appears in financial records of the court as "Senyeour Frances" or "Francisco". [4] His first name is recorded as "John" in some official documents. [5] He worked with William MacDowall to improve the gardens at Holyrood. [6]
A French diplomat, Paul de Foix, noted he was close to Mary. [7] In July 1565, Mary gave him a damask silk mantle from her mother's clothing and gave the rest of the outfit to the wife of the wardrobe servant Servais de Condé. [8]
Busso had a prominent role at the Baptism of Prince James at Stirling Castle in December 1566. There was a procession bringing the food into the Great Hall, which Busso joined as a Master of Household walking with Gilbert Balfour and the Laird of Findlater. [9]
John Knox wrote of the disapproval of Scottish courtiers at the influence of Busso and other foreigners preferred by Mary. In September 1565 the English diplomat Thomas Randolph listed him with David Riccio, and the Englishman Thomas Fowler, as "unworthy persons" and foreigners who were exciting suspicion for their influence at court. [10] In 1565 the leaders of the Chaseabout Raid, a rebellion against Mary, included his presence in their list of grievances. [11]
Knox also wrote that Busso, and three other men of the "queen's domestics and strangers", were involved by the Earl of Bothwell in the murder of Lord Darnley. [12]
He died at Dunkeld in April 1576. [13]
David Rizzio or Riccio was an Italian courtier, born in Pancalieri close to Turin, a descendant of an ancient and noble family still living in Piedmont, the Riccio Counts di San Paolo e Solbrito, who rose to become the private secretary of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary's husband, Lord Darnley, is said to have been jealous of their friendship because of rumours that Rizzio had impregnated Mary, and he joined in a conspiracy of Protestant nobles to murder him, led by Patrick Ruthven, 3rd Lord Ruthven. Mary was having dinner with Rizzio and a few ladies-in-waiting when Darnley joined them, accused his wife of adultery and then had a group murder Rizzio, who was hiding behind Mary. Mary was held at gunpoint and Rizzio was stabbed numerous times. His body took 57 dagger wounds. The murder was the catalyst of the downfall of Darnley, and had serious consequences for Mary's subsequent reign.
James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran (1537–1609) was a Scottish nobleman and soldier who opposed the French-dominated regency during the Scottish Reformation. He was the eldest son of James Hamilton, Duke of Châtellerault, sometime regent of Scotland. He was of royal descent, and at times was third or fourth in succession to the Scottish crown; several royal marriages were proposed for him, but he eventually never married. He went to France with Mary, Queen of Scots, where he commanded the Scots Guards. After returning to Scotland, he became a leader of the Protestant party against Mary and her French supporters. However, he went insane in 1562 and was confined for the rest of his life.
The Chaseabout Raid was a rebellion by James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, against his half sister, Mary, Queen of Scots, on 26 August 1565, over her marriage to Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. The rebels also claimed to be acting over other causes including bad governance, and religion in the name of the Scottish Reformation. As the government and rebel forces moved back and forth across Scotland without fighting, the conflict became known as the "chase about raid." Queen Mary's forces were superior and the rebel lords fled to England where Queen Elizabeth censured the leader.
Mary Livingston was a Scottish noblewoman and childhood companion of Mary, Queen of Scots, one of the famous "Four Marys".
Gilbert Balfour was a 16th-century Scottish courtier and mercenary captain. He probably played a leading role in the murder of Lord Darnley, consort of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Master John Wood, was a Scottish courtier, administrator and secretary to the Earl of Moray. He was assassinated on 15 April 1570.
Thomas Fowler was an English lawyer, diplomat, courtier, spy, servant of the Countess of Lennox, broker of the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley, steward of the Earl of Leicester, advisor to James VI of Scotland and the Scottish ambassador in London, Archibald Douglas.
Servais de Condé or Condez was a French servant at the court of Mary Queen of Scots, in charge of her wardrobe and the costume for masques performed at the Scottish royal court.
David Beaton of Melgund was a Scottish courtier and landowner.
Robert Beaton of Creich was a Scottish landowner and courtier. He served as a Master of Household to Mary, Queen of Scots.
Nicolas or Nicoll Elphinstone was a Scottish courtier and diplomatic messenger. He was the son of Lawrence Elphinstone of Selmys, 1435-1515. He worked for James Stewart, Regent Moray and was involved in attempts to sell the jewels and pearls of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1567 and 1568. Moray needed to raise money to govern Scotland and subdue Mary's supporters by force.
Timothy Cagnioli was an Italian merchant and banker in Scotland. Cagnioli was active in Edinburgh during the Regency of Mary of Guise and the personal reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. As a merchant he supplied luxury fabrics used in costume and interior decoration. He was able to lend large sums of money and issue letters of credit needed by travellers abroad.
Sir John Wishart of Pitarrow was a Scottish lawyer, courtier, comptroller of the exchequer, and rebel.
Andrew Beaton was a Scottish courtier, and Master of the Household to Mary, Queen of Scots in England.
Mademoiselle Rallay or Madame Raylie was a Scottish courtier. She served as chamberwoman and then lady-in-waiting to Mary, Queen of Scots. She was described as one of Mary's favorites. She should not be confused with her niece Renée Rallay, also known as Beauregard, who also served Mary, Queen of Scots.
Elizabeth or Bess Pierrepont (1568–1648) was a gentlewoman in household of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary hoped that she could be trained to join the household of Queen Elizabeth, and prevented her marrying as her father wished.
Alexander Hay of Easter Kennet was a Scottish lawyer and politician.
John Black OP was a Roman Catholic Dominican serving as a recently named post-Tridentine special preacher, and confessor, to Mary, Queen of Scots when he was murdered on the same night as David Rizzio in Edinburgh.
Arthur Erskine of Blackgrange was a Scottish courtier.
Alexander Durham was a Scottish courtier and administrator.