James VI of Scotland’s earliest surviving letter, thanking his foster mother for sending him some fruit (1570s) [3143×3143]
by WilliamofYellow
James VI of Scotland’s earliest surviving letter, thanking his foster mother for sending him some fruit (1570s) [3143×3143]
by WilliamofYellow
5 Comments
James became king shortly after his first birthday, his mother (Mary, Queen of Scots) having been taken prisoner and forced to abdicate in his favour. His father was already dead, the victim of an assassination plot. The young king was therefore raised by guardians, namely the Earl and Countess of Mar. This letter is addressed to the countess, whom James calls “Lady Minny” (“minny” being a Scots equivalent of “mama”).
>Lady Minny. This to schaw you that I have receiuit your fruite and thankes you theifoire, and is readie for mee quhen ye pleis to send them, and sall gif as few by me as I may; and I will not trouble you farther quhill meting, quhilk sall be as schortlie as I may, God willing, and sa fair ye weill, as I do, thanks to God. James R.
Translation:
>Lady Minny. This to show you that I have received your fruit and thank you therefor, and am ready for more when you please to send them, and shall give as few away as I may; and I will not trouble you further till meeting [you], which shall be as soon as I may, God willing, and so fare you well, as I do, thanks to God. James R.
James VI was a Stuart, so the reason he signed his name James R. is because he was King, and the R was short of *Rex*. Only commoners need to differentiate this James from that James, the King doesn’t need to use a Surname because they are James Rex. Everyone knows that guy.
Very cool to look at
These are my favorite pieces of history. Just a mundane thought but it lets you feel something real in history we can all relate to. It’s like a 450 year old text message. I also love the little spelling errors with carrots to indicate corrections.
James was born 1566. It is such an odd juxtaposition to read the formal (to us) language written by a child still learning spelling and handwriting. I find it very sweet.