[MR] Wikipedia: Margaret of Denmark, Queen of Scotland

[Garth Groff via Atlantia]

Noble Friends, Especially Fellow Scots:

On this date in 1456 Margaret of Denmark was born, daughter of King 
Christian I of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Margaret married James III of 
Scotland in 1469, becoming Queen Consort of Scotland. She was a popular 
and capable queen, possibly a better ruler than her loser husband: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_of_Denmark,_Queen_of_Scotland . 
It isn't often that we are able to learn about Scottish women, even 
queens, before the 16th century, and Margaret is an important and 
refreshing exception.

Queen Margaret loved jewels and fine clothing, always wearing the latest 
fashions. Her likeness is best known from the famous Hugo van der Goes. 
You can read an analysis for Margaret's garments in thumbnails for pages 
230-231 at 
http://www.jstor.org/stable/24681418?seq=1#fndtn-page_thumbnails_tab_contents 
.

King Christian was broke, and couldn't raise the money for Margaret's 
considerable dowry. Instead he pledged the Orkney and Shetland Islands 
as collateral. When he defaulted on the cash payments, these two island 
chains passed to Scotland. William Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, ruled these 
lands as Christian's vassal. James III took personal control of the 
islands in 1470 and gave Sinclair lands in Caithness, making him the 1st 
Earl of Caithness. Thus the Shetlands and Orkneys became Scottish 
territory. More on William Sinclair can be found at 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Sinclair,_1st_Earl_of_Caithness .

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge