Thomas Arthur was a Scottish tailor who worked for James V of Scotland. He used a fabric described as "Highland tartan". [1]
Thomas Arthur was a Scottish tailor who worked for James V of Scotland. He used a fabric described as "Highland tartan". [1]
Arthur was made master tailor to the king in 1529. During the previous years of the king's minority, his clothes had been made by Andrew Edgar. [2]
Arthur's work is known through the accounts of the treasurer of Scotland, and inventories of the king's clothes. [3] The published editions of the accounts by James Balfour Paul do not include the detail of the lining and secondary fabrics of costume, described in the original manuscripts in the National Archives of Scotland. [4]
In August 1538, Thomas Arthur made clothes for James V using Highland tartan. The "Heland tertane" was used to make hose for a Highland outfit sent to James V at Stirling Castle. Arthur had previously made a tartan "galcoit", which was a gift for the Master of Forbes in February 1533. More tartan for another "galcoit" was bought in Dundee in December 1533. The "galcoit" was worn while riding. [5]
Thomas Arthur made clothes for one of the king's daughters, Lady Jean Stewart. [6] In January 1540, Arthur made "play coats" of red and yellow taffeta, and a side cape for one of the players. [7] These costumes were for an early performance of David Lindsay's "A Satire of the Three Estates" in the Great Hall of Linlithgow Palace. [8]
In February 1540 he made a bonnet to line the crown of Scotland which the goldsmith John Mosman had recently refurbished. The bonnet was made of purple velvet and lined with purple satin. [9] Thomas Arthur worked in Edinburgh and would bring the clothes to the king at his palaces. His servants brought clothes to Stirling Castle in March 1540 and were given a reward or tip recorded as "drinksilver". [10] At Easter 1541 he brought a coffer of clothes to Stirling Castle, including a black Venice satin doublet with gold buttons, and black hose. He also delivered new clothes to the King's servants, including the pursemaster John Tennent who would "deliver them where the king commanded". [11]
He made clothes for the king's two sons, and mourning cloaks for ladies in waiting to wear at the funeral of Margaret Tudor in Perth in November 1541. In March 1542 he made a nightgown for Mistress Margaret, sister of the Earl of Lennox. [12]
A lady-in-waiting Katherine Bellenden worked in the royal wardrobe. [13] She sold cloth to Thomas Arthur. [14] Her niece, also called Katherine Bellenden, married Robert Craig, one of Thomas Arthur's servant-tailors. [15] [16] [17]
Arthur was not employed by Regent Arran. After the death of Thomas Arthur, in 1551 any money he had owed to James V was granted by Regent Arran to the soldier Robert Hamilton of Briggis and William Hamilton of Humbie. [18]
A tailor called Thomas Arthur worked in England at this time, and in 1527 joined a company of actors. He entered into a legal dispute with George Maller, who was a glazier by trade, who had undertaken to train Arthur to be a player or "interluder" in the court revels of Henry VIII. [19] It is not clear if this was the same man.[ citation needed ]
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.
Lady Jean Stewart, was an illegitimate daughter of King James V of Scotland by his mistress, Elizabeth Bethune.
John Tennent or Tennand of Listonshiels was a servant and companion of King James V of Scotland. He kept an account of the king's daily expenses which is an important source document for the Scottish royal court.
Katherine Bellenden was a courtier working in the wardrobe of James V of Scotland. Her niece of the same name was similarly employed.
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.
Nichola or Nicolle was a fool or jester to Mary, Queen of Scots.
Magdalen Livingstone was a Scottish courtier. She was a favoured lady-in-waiting to Mary, Queen of Scots, and later belonged to the household of Prince Henry.
Fairburn Tower is a recently restored Scottish castle near Inverness and Muir of Ord in the parish of Urray.
James, Duke of Rothesay was the first of the two sons and three children born to King James V of Scotland and his second wife, Mary of Guise. From the moment of his birth James was Duke of Rothesay and heir apparent to the Scottish throne.
John Mosman or Mossman was a Scottish goldsmith based in Edinburgh who served the royal court and was involved in gold mining.
Andrew Aytoun, was a Scottish soldier and engineer, and captain of Stirling Castle.
The baptism of James VI was celebrated at Stirling Castle in December 1566 with a masque, fireworks, and a staged assault on a mock fortress. The entertainment was devised by George Buchanan and Bastian Pagez.
John Balfour was a Scottish courtier or servant at the court of Mary of Guise and Mary, Queen of Scots.
Andrew Edgar was a Scottish tailor who served James V of Scotland.
Robert Spittell or Spittall or Spittale was a Scottish tailor who served Margaret Tudor, queen consort of James IV of Scotland.
James Stewart, Commendator of Kelso and Melrose was a member of the Scottish royal family.
The jewellery and jewels owned by James V of Scotland are mainly known from the royal treasurer's accounts and inventories. James V reinforced his authority by lavish display.
Jean or Janet Sinclair was the Scottish nurse of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Drinksilver was a kind of tip or gratuity given to artisans in Early Modern Scotland, a sum of money suitable for buying drinks and celebrating. Records of payments give insights into labour, service, and patronage.
Murdo or Murdoch Mackenzie, also known as Murdo McRorie was a Scottish courtier and the builder of Fairburn Tower near Inverness.