Letter from King James VI to Lady Minny, c.1572

When James became king, the Earl of Mar was made his guardian. Mar's wife, Lady Annabella Murray, the Countess of Mar, organised the royal household at Stirling Castle. She was responsible for looking after James when he was a young boy. George Buchanan, one of the most learned men in Scotland, was appointed to supervise his education. James proved to be a very able scholar.

This is the earliest surviving letter by James VI, written in his own hand when he was about six years old. He refers to the Countess as Lady 'Minny', an affectionate Scots word for 'mother'.

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Link to a timeline for the reign of King James VI and I.

Transcript

lady minny this is to schaw you that I have re-
ceiuit your fruite & thankes you theifoir &
is readie for mee quhen ye pleis to send them
& sall gif as few by me as I may. & I will
not trouble you farther quhill meting qu[il]k
sall be as sowntlie as I may god willing and
sa fair ye weill as I do t[h]anks to god.
James R[ex]

(National Records of Scotland reference: GD124/10/45)

Glossary of Scots words

schaw = show
quhen = when
ye = you
pleis = please
gif = give
quhill = while
quhilk = which
sowntlie = soon
sa = so
weill = well