7 - People Serving the Court and the Regent

Summary

Some people receiving clothing in the regency Accounts were simply part of the government structure. They had charge of castles or played a role in military readiness. Some had served the court during the reign of King James V and stayed in their positions after his death or received perquisites for past service. Others were part of the Regent's own household, though because he was the head of the court, even these might be considered to be serving the interests of the court rather than him personally. Regardless of their exact status, it is clear that the Regent felt entirely justified in using public funds to pay for grants of clothing to all of the above.

The Accounts describe many in this group as “servant.” The word is somewhat misleading to the modern mind, as it implies people of low status. In fact, many of the Regent's servants had quite high status—it was not unusual at that time for the well-born to enter service to someone of greater rank. Some were even the Regent's relations, by either blood or marriage. Hamiltons, many probably from the numerous lesser branches of the family, make up a large percentage of the Regent's household. Others, however, seem to have been of humbler origins. Thus, there are extreme variations in the amount and quality of clothing given to people in this group.

To make more sense of the wide array of people represented here, they have been divided by function:

• “Personal Servants to the Regent” include his pages, those serving in his chamber and wardrobe, two churchmen, and several who seem to have done all manner of errands for him.

• The “Treasury and Secretarial” category contains the messengers, a few members of management, and the writers and clerks.

• “Food Preparation and Service” comprises a wide variety of personnel, from the cooks and the butcher to the Master of the Pantry.

• “Household Management” covers those ensuring the smooth running of the operation, including the Master of Household, porters, animal handlers, and a few others.

• “Castles and Military” personnel took charge of various properties, oversaw the Regent's building program, and built and used weapons.