Sophia Stuart (born June 22, 1606, in Greenwich at

Palace of Placentia The Palace of Placentia, also known as Greenwich Palace, was an English royal residence that was initially built by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, in 1443. The palace was a pleasaunce; a place designed for pleasure, entertainment and an escape f ...

and died June 23, 1606) was the fourth daughter and last of nine children of

James VI and I 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 h ...

and

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 from their marriage on 20 August 1589 and Queen of England and Ireland from the union of the Scottish and Engl ...

Biography

Anne of Denmark was rumoured to be pregnant at the end of October 1605.

Robert Naunton Sir Robert Naunton (1563 – 27 March 1635) was an English writer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1606 and 1626. Family Robert Naunton was the son of Henry Naunton of Alderton, Suffolk, and Elizabeth Ash ...

wrote that courtiers were uncertain because her figure was concealed by her

farthingale A farthingale is one of several structures used under Western European women's clothing in the 16th and 17th centuries to support the skirts in the desired shape and enlarge the lower half of the body. It originated in Spain in the fifteenth c ...

. In May 1606 she stopped holding audiences with ambassadors including Zorzi Giustinian. Anne of Denmark prepared herself for childbirth at the Palace of Placentia, or

Greenwich Palace Greenwich ( , ,) is a town in south-east London, England, within the ceremonial county of Greater London. It is situated east-southeast of Charing Cross. Greenwich is notable for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich ...

in May. Her lady in waiting,

Audrey Walsingham Lady Audrey Walsingham (; 1568–1624) was an English courtier. She served as Lady of the Bedchamber to queen Elizabeth I of England, and then as Mistress of the Robes to Anne of Denmark from 1603 until 1619. Family connections Sometimes called "E ...

, bought linen and lacework to the value of £614 for her lying-in. Sophia Stuart was born early in the morning of Sunday 22 June 1606 . Anne was attended by a midwife, Alice Dennis, and a physician, Peter Chamberlen, who had both helped at the birth of Mary Stuart in April 1605. Chamberlen is thought to have been the inventor of birthing forceps. Anne gave him a diamond ring for his efforts. Sophia grew "verye weake" and was baptised by James Montague,

Dean of the Chapel Royal The Dean of the Chapel Royal, in any kingdom, can be the title of an official charged with oversight of that kingdom's chapel royal, the ecclesiastical establishment which is part of the royal household and ministers to it. England In England, ...

. She was named after her grandmother

Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow (''Sophia''; 4 September 1557 – 14 October 1631) was Queen of Denmark and Norway by marriage to Frederick II of Denmark. She was the mother of King Christian IV of Denmark and Anne of Denmark. She was Regent of S ...

. Ninth and last child of James I of England and Queen Anne of Denmark, her body was carried on the

Thames The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At , it is the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom, after the ...

in a barge covered with black velvet to be buried in

Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an historic, mainly Gothic church in the City of Westminster, London, England, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the United ...

on 26 June.

A cancelled tournament

There had been plans to hold a tournament at Greenwich to celebrate the birth and baptism. A challenge had been issued in the name of the "Four Knights Errant of the Fortunate Island" on 1 June 1606. The comic text of the challenge made King James laugh. Sophia's uncle

Christian IV of Denmark Christian IV (12 April 1577 – 28 February 1648) was King of Denmark and Norway and Duke of Holstein and Schleswig from 1588 until his death in 1648. His reign of 59 years, 330 days is the longest of Danish monarchs and Scandinavian mona ...

was expected to attend. The event was cancelled. Christian IV arrived in England and went to see his grieving sister at Greenwich on 18 July. Christian IV was entertained by the king at Theobalds while Anne remained at Greenwich, still in the apartments set aside for her confinement. Anne was " churched" in a private ceremony at Greenwich by Dr Montague on 3 August. Before leaving England, Christian IV competed with King James at running at the ring.

Monument at Westminster Abbey

Sophia's monument at Westminster Abbey resembling a stone crib was designed by

Maximilian Colt Maximilian Colt (alias Maximilian Coult) (died after 1641) was a Flemish sculptor who settled in England and eventually rose to become the King's Master Carver. Life Colt was a Calvinist, born in Arras apparently as Maximilian Poultrain, who sett ...

and painted and gilded by

John de Critz John de Critz or John Decritz (1551/2 – 14 March 1642 (buried)) was one of a number of painters of Flemish origin active at the English royal court during the reigns of James I of England and Charles I of England. He held the post of Serjean ...

. The tomb is finely carved with lacework and an embroidered velvet cover. Its Latin inscription may be translated, "Sophia, a royal rosebud untimely plucked by Fate and from James, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, and Queen Anne her parents, snatched away, to flower again in the rose garden of Christ, lies here. 23rd June, 4th year of the reign of King James 1606".Westminster Abbey: James I and Anne of Denmark
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Notes

Bibliography

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Stuart, Sophia 1606 births 1606 deaths 17th-century English people 17th-century English women English princesses

Mary Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also call ...

Burials at Westminster Abbey Children of James VI and I Royalty and nobility who died as children Daughters of kings