Margaret Masterton or Maistertoun was employed in 1594 at Stirling Castle as the nurse of Prince Henry, the son of James VI and I and Anne of Denmark. [1]
She was a daughter of Janet Couston and Alexander Masterton of Bad in Perthshire, Masterton near Dunfermline, and Parkmill in Clackmannanshire. [2]
She married a lawyer, James Primrose of Barhill, Culross. [3] He kept a record of his legal work, known as a "Protocol Book", which is preserved by the National Records of Scotland. [4] She was sometimes known as "Mistress Primrose" and received annuity payments from Prince Henry under that name. [5] Their son George Primrose was a clergyman at Hereford Cathedral and preacher at the Eignbrook Chapel in 1662. [6]
She may have been the wet-nurse to the Prince described by George Nicholson who became ill and was replaced in January 1595 by the wife of Henry Murray, a Stirling burgess. [7] The baby would not feed unless his first nurse was present. [8] The Prince's laundress was Elizabeth Moncreif. She was provided with soap and "stiffing" (starch) for his clothes. [9]
Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales,, was the eldest son and heir apparent of James VI and I, King of England and Scotland; and his wife Anne of Denmark. His name derives from his grandfathers: Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley; and Frederick II of Denmark. Prince Henry was widely seen as a bright and promising heir to his father's thrones. However, at the age of 18, he predeceased his father, dying of typhoid fever. His younger brother Charles succeeded him as heir apparent to the English, Irish, and Scottish thrones.
The ruins of Linlithgow Palace are located in the town of Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland, 15 miles (24 km) west of Edinburgh. The palace was one of the principal residences of the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries. Although maintained after Scotland's monarchs left for England in 1603, the palace was little used, and was burned out in 1746. It is now a visitor attraction in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.
John Erskine, 2nd Earl of Mar was a Scottish politician, the only son of another John Erskine and Annabella Murray. He is regarded as both the 19th earl and the 2nd earl.
William Douglas, 9th Earl of Angus was a Scottish nobleman and zealous supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Anne Lyon, Countess of Kinghorne, was a Scottish courtier said to be the mistress of James VI of Scotland.
Gilbert Primrose was a Scottish surgeon who became Surgeon to King James VI of Scots and moved with the court to London as Serjeant-Surgeon to King James VI and I on the Union of the Crowns. He was Deacon of the Incorporation of Surgeons and Barbers of Edinburgh on three occasions.
Marie Stewart, Countess of Mar (1576-1644) was a Scottish courtier. She was the daughter of Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox and Catherine de Balsac d’Entragues (d. c.1631) and a favourite of James VI of Scotland. After her marriage, as was customary in Scotland, she did not change her name, and signed her letters as "Marie Stewart".
Annabell Murray, Countess of Mar (1536–1603), was a Scottish landowner, courtier and royal servant, the keeper of the infant James VI and his son Prince Henry at Stirling Castle.
The masque at the baptism of Prince Henry was a celebration at the christening of Prince Henry at Stirling Castle, written by the Scottish poet William Fowler and Patrick Leslie, 1st Lord Lindores.
Dr Martin Schöner or Schönerus, physician to James VI and I and Anne of Denmark.
Henrietta Stewart (1573–1642) was a Scottish courtier. She was the influential favourite of the queen of Scotland, Anne of Denmark.
Alexander Barclay was an apothecary in Edinburgh.
John Gibb of Knock and Carribber (c.1550–1628) was a Scottish landowner and courtier.
Gilbert Moncreiff was a Scottish court physician.
George Douglas of Longniddry was a Scottish landowner and courtier.
Elizabeth or Elspeth Gibb was a Scottish courtier.
Jerome Bowie was a servant of James VI of Scotland as a sommelier and Master of the Wine Cellar, in charge of the purchase and serving of wine.
Margaret Seton, Lady Paisley was a Scottish aristocrat, courtier and a favourite of Anne of Denmark.
John Boswell of Balmuto (1546–1610) was a Scottish landowner and courtier.
Helen Littil was a Scottish courtier, the nurse of King James VI and I.