Barbara Ruthven (died 1625) was a Scottish courtier and favourite of Anne of Denmark, expelled from court after the death of her brother.
Barbara Ruthven was a daughter of
William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie
William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie, 4th Lord of Ruthven (c. 1541May 1584) was a Scottish peer known for devising the Raid of Ruthven.
Life and career
William Ruthven was born in 1541 in Ruthven Castle, in Perthshire, Scotland, the son of Patr ...
and
Dorothea Stewart, the oldest daughter of
Henry Stewart, 1st Lord Methven
Henry Stewart, 1st Lord Methven (c. 1495 – 1552) was Master of the Scottish Artillery and third, and last husband, of Margaret Tudor, eldest daughter of Henry VII of England and Elizabeth of York.
Ancient lineage
He was a son of Andrew Stewa ...
and
Janet Stewart, daughter of
John Stewart, 2nd Earl of Atholl
John Stewart, 2nd Earl of Atholl was the second Earl of Atholl. He fought in the Battle of Flodden on 9 September 1513.
Biography
He was born after 1475 to John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl and Eleanor Sinclair. He married Lady Janet Campbell, daug ...
.
Career
She was a maid of honour to
Anne of Denmark
Anne of Denmark (; 12 December 1574 – 2 March 1619) was the wife of King James VI and I; as such, she was Queen of Scotland
The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the constitutional fo ...
with her sister Beatrix. Beatrix had a prominent role at the christening of
Princess Elizabeth in November 1596, for which the queen bought her a gown of figured black velvet with white sleeves and a yellow damask skirt. Christene Ruthven, another gentlewoman listed in the queen's household may have been another sister. Their sister Elizabeth was married to
Robert Gordon of Lochinvar
Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar (died 1628) was a Scottish landowner, courtier, and promoter of colonies in Nova Scotia.
He was a son of John Gordon of Lochinvar and his second wife Elizabeth Maxwell, a daughter of John Maxwell 4th Lord Herries. H ...
.
James Hudson noted Barbara having a secret conversation with the Scottish ambassador
Robert Crichton, 8th Lord Crichton of Sanquhar
Robert Crichton, 8th Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, (d. 1612) was a Scottish peer executed for the murder of a fencing teacher. He was the son of Edward, Lord Sanquhar. Robert is often styled "6th Lord Sanquhar."
Career
In October 1590 Robert Crich ...
in May 1597. Beatrix Ruthven was also a significant political figure at court, and was given a present by "McSorley", Sir James MacDonell of
Dunluce, in October 1598.
The
Earl of Gowrie
Earl of Gowrie is a title that has been created twice, once in the Peerage of Scotland and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, both times for members of the Ruthven family. It takes its name from Gowrie, a historical region and ancient ...
and one of his brothers were killed in a struggle with
James VI of Scotland
James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until hi ...
on 5 August 1600 at Gowrie House in Perth.
David Calderwood
David Calderwood (157529 October 1650) was a Church of Scotland minister and historian. Calderwood was banished for his nonconformity. He found a home in the Low Countries, where he wrote his great work, the Altare Damascenum. It was a serious ...
recorded anecdotes presaging the event. Days before, Beatrix Ruthven had laughed at the crooked feet of a Doctor Hereis, and he solemnly took her hand and said that a great disaster was coming her way.
After this, the Gowrie sisters were protected by Anne of Denmark even though James wished them to be excluded from his presence, and had ordered them to be 'thrust out' of
Falkland Palace
Falkland Palace, in Falkland, Fife, Scotland, is a royal palace of the Scottish Kings. It was one of the favourite places of Mary, Queen of Scots, providing an escape from political and religious turmoil. Today it is under the stewardship of ...
. On 1 November 1600 their mother, Dorothea Stewart, who was staying at
Dirleton Castle
Dirleton Castle is a medieval fortress in the village of Dirleton, East Lothian, Scotland. It lies around west of North Berwick, and around east of Edinburgh. The oldest parts of the castle date to the 13th century, and it was abandoned by t ...
, hoped that the king could be persuaded to support her daughters, "quhais estait is verie desolait" and she could not help them herself.
Sir Robert Cecil
Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, (1 June 156324 May 1612), was an English statesman noted for his direction of the government during the Union of the Crowns, as Tudor England gave way to Stuart rule (1603). Lord Salisbury served as the ...
, who was in the confidence of Anne of Denmark, helped Barbara travel to London. Cecil wrote to the
Master of Gray about the reception of Barbara Ruthven in England, saying that some of Elizabeth's ladies had taken pity on her, but the queen had not received her in court. He mentioned an intercession by "the Queen that is there", meaning Anne of Denmark. Cecil wrote another letter on 3 January 1602, probably to the Master of Gray, explaining the delicate and flammable situation of Elizabeth receiving letters asking for the relief of 'that house which is touched with the infamy of attempting the king's blood'. In August 1602 Cecil understood that Anne of Denmark and Queen Elizabeth were agreed that Barbara should come to London. In September
Roger Aston
Sir Roger Aston (died 23 May 1612) of Cranford, Middlesex, was an English courtier and favourite of James VI of Scotland.
Biography
Aston was the illegitimate son of Thomas Aston (died 1553), Thomas Aston (died 1553). Scottish sources spell his n ...
told James VI that Beatrix Ruthven was in England. Cecil wrote to the diplomat in Scotland
George Nicholson saying she had no access to the queen or her ministers.
Lord Sanquhar
Lord is an appellation for a person or deity who has authority, control, or power over others, acting as a master, chief, or ruler. The appellation can also denote certain persons who hold a title of the peerage in the United Kingdom, or a ...
had asked Cecil if he would talk to her, and he said would prefer to hear from her via James's diplomat and agent in London. King James heard rumours she was "trafficking busily and to his prejudice" in London. An agent of Elizabeth told James that she would not have any dealings with the Gowrie sisters.
A Scottish diplomat in London, James Hudson, wrote to Cecil that it was best "Mrs Barbara were away", and given something. Barbara was in London when on 25 December 1602 her sister Beatrix Ruthven was smuggled into the apartments of Anne of Denmark posing as a gentlewoman servant to
Lady Paisley or
Lady Angus, at the queen's request. There was a rumour in February 1603 that Barbara Ruthven had returned to Scotland by boat.
Roger Aston
Sir Roger Aston (died 23 May 1612) of Cranford, Middlesex, was an English courtier and favourite of James VI of Scotland.
Biography
Aston was the illegitimate son of Thomas Aston (died 1553), Thomas Aston (died 1553). Scottish sources spell his n ...
discussed with Anne of Denmark how her support for the Gowrie brothers and sisters and a suspected plot against King James may have dented her reputation in England. Early in 1603 Barbara came to London again from Cambridge (where her brothers were) and had new clothes made for her. James Hudson wrote to Sir Robert Cecil saying there were rumours she came to join Elizabeth's household or seek favours for her brothers.
Ruthven's appearance seemed striking and her speech foreign to the lawyer
John Manningham
John Manningham (1570s – 1622) was an English lawyer and diarist, a contemporary source for Elizabethan era and Jacobean era life and the London dramatic world, including William Shakespeare.
Life
He was son of Robert Manningham of Fen Drayto ...
who wrote, 'I sawe this afternoone a Scottishe Lady at Mr. Fleetes in Loathebury; shee was sister to Earl Gowre, a gallant tall gentlewoman, somewhat long visage, a lisping fumbling language.
Peter Saltingstone came to visit hir' and 'was with the Lady Barbara, Shee saith the King will not swear, but he will curse and ban at hunting, and wish the divel goe with them all'.
In May 1603 Cecil organised an exchequer payment to his steward Roger Houghton for £300 spent on Barbara Ruthven's relief, and she was later given a yearly pension of £200. She wrote to the Privy Council on 19 June accepting the king's wish that she should leave London, and that she would live at Mr Scott's house in the country, where she had previously lodged. She was paid £100 on 3 September.
In Scotland early in 1604, the
Earl of Mar
There are currently two earldoms of Mar in the Peerage of Scotland, and the title has been created seven times. The first creation of the earldom is currently held by Margaret of Mar, 31st Countess of Mar, who is also clan chief of Clan Mar. The ...
heard an unlikely rumour that Cecil would marry Barbara Ruthven. She was granted a royal pension of £200 yearly.
William Wade, newly made keeper of the
Tower of London
The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is separa ...
in August 1605, heard that she sometimes visited her brother Patrick Ruthven, "the young gentleman Gowrie" but there was no warrant permitting this.
In 1622 Barbara Ruthven was the administrator of the will of the Scottish bigamist
Sir John Kennedy, appointed because his daughter Dorothy was too young to be executrix.
Barbara Ruthven was buried at Greenwich on 29 December 1625.
There has been some confusion with "Lady Ruthin",
Elizabeth Talbot Grey, Countess of Kent, who became first lady of the bedchamber to Anne of Denmark in 1617.
Beatrix Ruthven, Lady Coldenknowes
In May 1606 King James wrote to his advocate
Thomas Hamilton to draw up an act to rehabilitate Mistress Beatrix, excepting any family inheritance.
Beatrix married Sir James Home of Coldenknowes and died in Scotland. Their son was Sir James Home of Whitriggs, who married Anne Home, daughter of
George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar
George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar, KG, PC (ca. 155620 January 1611) was, in the last decade of his life, the most prominent and most influential Scotsman in England. His work lay in the King's Household and in the control of the State Affairs of ...
and Elizabeth Gordon, daughter of Alexander Gordon of
Gight
Gight is the name of an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron.
Gight Cas ...
and Agnes Beaton, daughter of Cardinal
David Beaton
David Beaton (also Beton or Bethune; 29 May 1546) was Archbishop of St Andrews and the last Scotland, Scottish Cardinal (Catholicism), cardinal prior to the Scottish Reformation, Reformation.
Career
Cardinal Beaton was the sixth and youngest ...
, Archbishop of St. Andrews, and
Marion Ogilvy
Marion Ogilvy (c. 1495–1575) was the mistress of Cardinal David Beaton an advisor of James V of Scotland.
Early life
Marion Ogilvy was the younger daughter of Sir James Ogilvy of Lintrathen. Sir James, a diplomat, was created Lord Ogilvy of Air ...
. James and Anne Home's son was
James Home, 3rd Earl of Home.
Patrick Ruthven, Marie Ruthven, and Anthony van Dyck
![Anthony van Dyck - Mary Ruthven, Lady van Dyck](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Anthony_van_Dyck_-_Mary_Ruthven%2C_Lady_van_Dyck.jpg)
King James made proclamations in April 1603 for the capture of Patrick and William Ruthven. The Venetian ambassador heard that they had planned to assassinate King James because of the death of their brother, the Earl of Gowrie, and that Gowrie had been killed because he was in love with Anne of Denmark.
Barbara's younger brothers went to
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed (), sometimes known as Berwick-on-Tweed or simply Berwick, is a town and civil parish in Northumberland, England, south of the Anglo-Scottish border, and the northernmost town in England. The 2011 United Kingdom census recor ...
and lived in hiding for a month, until the Marshall of the town
Sir John Carey helped them travel to Durham and Cambridge. Later in 1603, Sir William Ingleby (1546–1618) of
Ripley Castle
Ripley Castle is a Grade I listed 14th-century country house in Ripley, North Yorkshire, England, north of Harrogate.
The house is built of coursed squared gritstone and ashlar with grey slate and stone slate roofs. A central two-storey block ...
captured one of the fugitive brothers of the Earl of Gowrie at
Kirkby Malzeard
Kirkby Malzeard () is a village and civil parish in the Harrogate district of North Yorkshire, England.
There has been a creamery in the village making Wensleydale cheese for almost 100 years, first owned by Mrs Mason, then Kit Calvert, of Hawes ...
. He was recognised at an inn kept by Christopher Mawlam, by Francis Wandesford, who had seen him before at Durham. At first he pretended to be from "Wutton" in
County Durham
County Durham ( ), officially simply Durham,UK General Acts 1997 c. 23Lieutenancies Act 1997 Schedule 1(3). From legislation.gov.uk, retrieved 6 April 2022. is a ceremonial county in North East England.North East Assembly â€About North East E ...
, but his lack of local knowledge revealed him. Next day Ingleby received him as a prisoner. He had with him a satchel stuffed with books and some
apothecary
''Apothecary'' () is a mostly archaic term for a medical professional who formulates and dispenses '' materia medica'' (medicine) to physicians, surgeons, and patients. The modern chemist (British English) or pharmacist (British and North Ameri ...
confections, according to Wandesford's letter to Robert Cecil.
Patrick Ruthven was a prisoner in the
Tower of London
The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is separa ...
in 1613. According to the letter writer
John Chamberlain, he was assaulted by another prisoner, the
Earl of Northumberland
The title of Earl of Northumberland has been created several times in the Peerage of England and of Great Britain, succeeding the title Earl of Northumbria. Its most famous holders are the House of Percy (''alias'' Perci), who were the most po ...
for crossing his path while they were walking in the garden. Around this time, in February 1613,
Arbella Stuart
Lady Arbella Stuart (also Arabella, or Stewart; 1575 – 25 September 1615) was an English noblewoman who was considered a possible successor to Queen Elizabeth I of England. During the reign of King James VI and I (her first cousin), she marrie ...
seems to have expected to be released from the Tower to attend the marriage of
Princess Elizabeth. She bought pearls to wear from the jeweller
Abraham der Kinderen. Arbella was not invited and pawned and sold most of the pearls for funds a few months later. Ruthven made these transactions for her. Patrick Ruthven was visited in the Tower by an astrologer and an alchemist, and seems to be the man captured by Sir William Ingleby in 1603. His brother William Ruthven was also interested in alchemy.
Patrick Ruthven was given an allowance with money for clothing and books. He was released in August 1622, and according to John Chamberlain, given a pension of £500 a year and confined to live in Oxford or Cambridge. He was restored by the
Parliament of Scotland
The Parliament of Scotland ( sco, Pairlament o Scotland; gd, PÃ rlamaid na h-Alba) was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland from the 13th century until 1707. The parliament evolved during the early 13th century from the king's council o ...
in 1641. He married, or had married, Elizabeth Woodford (died 1624), widow of
Thomas Gerard (d. 1618) of
Abbot's Bromley
Abbots Bromley is a village and civil parish in the East Staffordshire district of Staffordshire and lies approximately east of Stafford, England. According to the University of Nottingham English Place-names project, the settlement name Abbot ...
. They had three sons, including Patrick Ruthven (died 1667) who was a soldier in Swedish service. Their daughter Marie or Mary Ruthven (d. 1645) was a maid of honour to
Henrietta Maria
Henrietta Maria (french: link=no, Henriette Marie; 25 November 1609 – 10 September 1669) was Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland from her marriage to King Charles I on 13 June 1625 until Charles was executed on 30 January 1649. She wa ...
. She married the painter
Anthony van Dyck
Sir Anthony van Dyck (, many variant spellings; 22 March 1599 – 9 December 1641) was a Brabantian Flemish Baroque artist who became the leading court painter in England after success in the Southern Netherlands and Italy.
The seventh c ...
. He painted her portrait several times. Their daughter Justiniana van Dyck was baptised on the day the painter died, 9 December 1641. Mary married secondly
Sir Richard Pryse.
[Samuel Cowan, ''Ruthven Family Papers'', pp. 187-8, 204.]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ruthven, Barbara
16th-century Scottish people
17th-century Scottish people
Scottish ladies-in-waiting
Court of James VI and I
Daughters of Scottish earls
Household of Anne of Denmark
16th-century Scottish women
17th-century Scottish women
1625 deaths
Year of birth uncertain
Barbara