Charter of Anne of Denmark to David Routh, 1618
- Reference:GB 227 msDA890.D9A6
- Dates of Creation:26 March 1618
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:1p
Scope and Content
Charter of Anne of Denmark, Queen consort of King James VI of Scotland, to David Routh.
Confirmation, with the assent of Alexander [Seton] Lord of Fyvie and Urquhart, Patrick Stewart and Master Thomas Wardlaw, of the tenure of David Routh, nephew and heir to David Routh, of three tenths of the sixth part of Drumeldrie [Newbirntoune], in the parish of Newburn [Newbirn] in the regality of Dunfermline [Fife].
Signatures of James VI, king of Great Britain, Anne of Denmark, Alexander Seton, [Sir Thomas Hamilton, lord] Binning, George Hay, F Drummond. Holyrood House, 26 March 1618.
Administrative / Biographical History
Anne of Denmark (1574-1619), Queen consort of King James VI of Scotland and I of England. She was the daughter of Frederick II of Denmark and Norway. James VI had started negotiations to marry Frederick's eldest daughter but diplomatic delays, opposition from Elizabeth I and the English court and the death of Frederick II in 1588 prevented the completion of arrangements before she became engaged to someone else, but growing pressure for a Scottish-Danish alliance encouraged James to settle for the 14 year old Anne. They were married in 1589. Anne received the regality of Dunfermline as a marriage gift and later pursued John Maitland, Lord Thirlestane, to retrieve part of her lands at Musselburgh from him. She believed firmly in her royal prerogatives, making her a formidable opponent. She began to interfere in court politics under the guise of helping her husband, showing strength of will but not always judicious choice of advisors, as a dalliance with the charming but untrustworthy earl of Bothwell brought trouble.
She had a talent for languages, being bilingual in Danish and German as a child and learning French to talk to her husband and his court. She was also a patron of the arts and culture, encouraging music, art, literary works and architecture. She ran up debts in Scotland through the magnificence of her court, and when the royal family moved to Windsor after the union of the crowns in 1603, the greater affluence of the English court allowed her to expand and elaborate her entertainments, particularly in dances and masques where she employed Ben Jonson and Inigo Jones amongst others.
She had been brought up as Lutheran and retained her Danish Lutheran preacher but gradually was drawn towards Catholicism, eventually worshipping in private in the Catholic faith, surrounded by a small coterie of faithful Catholic servants. This private religious worship was tolerated by James, and she continued to attend public Protestant services.
Her first son Henry was born in 1594, although the heir was to be the future Charles I. She spent her last years involved in matchmaking schemes to procure suitable spouses for her children.
Arrangement
Single item
Access Information
By appointment with the Keeper of Manuscripts. Access to records containing confidential information may be restricted.
Note
Call number used to be ms741
Other Finding Aids
Individual Manuscripts and Small Collections database available as part of Manuscripts Database.
Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements
Stored in red box with seal case. Parchment: 32.3x23cm foot folded. Seal of Queen Anne, white wax on tag.
Archivist's Note
Description compiled by Maia Sheridan, Archives Hub project archivist, based on material from the Manuscripts Database
Conditions Governing Use
Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Keeper of Manuscripts. Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents.
Accruals
None
Subjects
Personal Names
Geographical Names