Helenor Hay, Countess of Linlithgow (c. 1552–1627) was a Scottish courtier and writer.

Early life

Born c. 1552, she was the eldest daughter of Andrew Hay, 8th Earl of Erroll by his first wife, and cousin, Lady Jean Hay, only child of William Hay, 6th Earl of Erroll. her name was often spelled "Helenor" in records, and her daughter Anne once wrote her name "Hellionor", although she herself signed several letters as "Eleanor".[1]

Career

Helenor and her husband were the keepers of Linlithgow Palace and from 1596, Princess Elizabeth, although she was believed by some to be unsuitable as a professed Catholic.[2] The household at Linlithgow for the Princess included Margaret Kennedy, Lady Ochiltree, Alison Hay and her sister Elizabeth Hay.[3] Alison Hay was Princess Elizabeth's nurse.[4] Elizabeth Hay brushed the Princess' hair, for which she was bought hairbrushes and combs.[5] Anne of Denmark was able to visit her daughter at Linlithgow as often as she liked, while she found it less easy to visit her son Prince Henry at Stirling Castle.[6]

The Countess took some religious instruction from Patrick Simson, minister of Stirling, who was also involved in the religious conversion of Marie Stewart, Countess of Mar.[7]

Princess Margaret was also entrusted to her, and on 13 March 1600 James VI of Scotland rewarded the Lord and Lady Livingston for educating both children, a service worth £10,000 for which he renewed and confirmed their lands at Callendar and Falkirk as baronies.[8]

It was rumoured she would be excommunicated by the Church of Scotland in July 1602 unless James VI prevented it.[9] In 1606, the Earl and Helenor, described as "ane obstinat Papist", hosted six imprisoned ministers at Linlithgow including John Welsh, giving them better freedom than they had enjoyed at Blackness Castle. Patrick Simson and other allies were allowed to visit the prisoners.[10]

Around the year 1618, she had to write to the king to avoid excommunication by the church of Scotland.[11]

In 1629, John Wreittoun published a book describing her conversion; The confession and conversion of the right honorable, most illustrious, and elect lady, my Lady C. of L. However, some critics think the Confession was not her work.[12]

Personal life

In 1584, she married Alexander Livingstone, Lord Livingstone and later Earl of Linlithgow. Together, they were the parents of:[13]

Helenor died in 1627.[13]

References

  1. ↑ William Fraser, Memorials of the Montgomeries, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1859), p. 184, , 199, 211.
  2. ↑ Joseph Bain, Border Papers, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1894), p. 225.
  3. ↑ Mary Anne Everett Green, Elizabeth, Electress Palatine and Queen of Bohemia (London, 1909), pp. 2-6.
  4. ↑ Frederick Devon, Issues of the Exchequer (London, 1836), p. 9.
  5. ↑ Letters to King James the Sixth from the Queen, Prince Henry, Prince Charles etc (Edinburgh, 1835), p. lxxxii
  6. ↑ Maureen Meikle, 'A meddlesome princess: Anna of Denmark and Scottish court politics, 1589-1603', Julian Goodare & Michael Lynch, The Reign of James VI (East Linton: Tuckwell, 2000), p. 138.
  7. ↑ James Young, Life of John Welsh, Minister of Ayr (Edinburgh, 1886), pp. 224-5 footnote: William Tweedie, Select Biographies, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1845), pp. 74.
  8. ↑ HMC 7th Report: Livingstone (London, 1879), p. 734.
  9. ↑ John Duncan Mackie, Calendar State Papers Scotland, 13:2 (Edinburgh, 1969), p. 1028 no. 836.
  10. ↑ Robert Pitcairn, The Autobiography and Diary of Mr James Melvill (Continuation), vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1842), p. 619.
  11. ↑ Original Letters Relating to Ecclesiastical Affairs vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1851), p.464, National Library of Scotland Adv. MS 33.1.1 vol. 6 no. 15.
  12. ↑ Sarah Dunnigan, 'Spirituality' in Glenda Norquay, Edinburgh Companion to Scottish Women's Writing (Edinburgh, 2012), p. 20.
  13. 1 2 3 "Linlithgow, Earl of (S, 1600 - forfeited 1716)". www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk. Heraldic Media Limited. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  14. ↑ "Callendar, Earl of (S, 1641 - forfeited 1716)". www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk. Heraldic Media Limited. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  15. ↑ "Eglinton, Earl of (S, 1507/8)". www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk. Heraldic Media Limited. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  16. ↑ "Wigtown, Earl of (S, 1606 - 1747)". www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk. Heraldic Media Limited. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
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