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]
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]
^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.
^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.
^HMC 7th Report: Livingstone (London, 1879), p. 734.
^John Duncan Mackie, Calendar State Papers Scotland, 13:2 (Edinburgh, 1969), p. 1028 no. 836.
^Robert Pitcairn, The Autobiography and Diary of Mr James Melvill (Continuation), vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1842), p. 619.