Marion Ogilvy
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Marion Ogilvy (c. 1495–1575) was the mistress of Cardinal
David Beaton David Beaton (also Beton or Bethune; 29 May 1546) was Archbishop of St Andrews and the last Scottish cardinal prior to the Reformation. Life David Beaton was said to be the fifth son of fourteen children born to John Beaton (Bethune) of Balf ...
, an advisor of
James V of Scotland James V (10 April 1512 – 14 December 1542) was List of Scottish monarchs, King of Scotland from 9 September 1513 until his death in 1542. He was crowned on 21 September 1513 at the age of seventeen months. James was the son of King James IV a ...
.


Early life

Marion Ogilvy was the younger daughter of Sir James Ogilvy of Lintrathen. Sir James, a diplomat, was created Lord Ogilvy of Airlie by
James IV of Scotland James IV (17 March 1473 – 9 September 1513) was List of Scottish monarchs, King of Scotland from 11 June 1488 until his death at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. He inherited the throne at the age of fifteen on the death of his father, James I ...
in 1491. Her mother was Janet Lyle (d. 1525), Airlie's 4th wife,Sanderson, Margaret H. B., "Ogilvy, Marion (d. 1575)", ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2005
/ref> and possibly a daughter of Robert, 2nd Lord Lyle, of
Renfrewshire Renfrewshire () (; ) is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. Renfrewshire is located in the west central Lowlands. It borders East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire and West Dunbartonshire, and lies on the southern ba ...
, another of the King's diplomats. As a child she lived at
Airlie Castle Airlie Castle is a mansion house in the parish of Airlie, Angus, near the junction of the Isla and Melgund rivers, 9 kilometres west of Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland. A castle was built on the site in c. 1432 and was burnt out in 1640, with a mans ...
and her family's lodging in
Arbroath Arbroath () or Aberbrothock ( ) is a former royal burgh and the largest town in the Subdivisions of Scotland, council area of Angus, Scotland, Angus, Scotland, with a population of 23,902. It lies on the North Sea coast, some east-northeast of ...
. She had an older sister, Janet Ogilvy, and a much older half-brother, John Ogilvy, who became the 2nd Lord Ogilvy. Her father had made only partial provision for her before his death, a marriage contract by which the heir of Gordon of
Midmar Midmar is a historic settlement in Aberdeenshire, lying north of Banchory and southwest of Inverurie. It is noted for its three stone circles and various standing stones. Midmar and Sunhoney are both recumbent stone circles. History The name ...
would marry her elder sister Janet or, on her death, Marion. Janet appears to have died young but the contract was not implemented. In 1525 Marion as yet unmarried, served as executrix of her mother's estate.


Life with David Beaton

James Beaton James Beaton (or Bethune) ( – 15 February 1539) was a Roman Catholic Scottish church leader, the uncle of David Cardinal Beaton and the Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland. Life James Beaton was the sixth and youngest son of John Beaton ...
was
Archbishop of Glasgow The Archbishop of Glasgow is an archiepiscopal title that takes its name after the city of Glasgow in Scotland. The position and title were abolished by the Church of Scotland in 1689; and, in the Catholic Church, the title was restored by Pop ...
. With the archbishopric he held the commendatory Abbeys of
Arbroath Arbroath () or Aberbrothock ( ) is a former royal burgh and the largest town in the Subdivisions of Scotland, council area of Angus, Scotland, Angus, Scotland, with a population of 23,902. It lies on the North Sea coast, some east-northeast of ...
and Kilwinning.Hunter-Blair, Oswald. "James Beaton." The Catholic Encyclopedia
Vol. 2. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 24 Jul. 2015
in 1522, when
James Beaton James Beaton (or Bethune) ( – 15 February 1539) was a Roman Catholic Scottish church leader, the uncle of David Cardinal Beaton and the Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland. Life James Beaton was the sixth and youngest son of John Beaton ...
became Archbishop of St. Andrews, he resigned his rights in Arbroath to his nephew David Beaton ''in commendam''. ''In commendam'' was the appointment of an
ecclesiastical benefice A benefice () or living is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The Roman Empire used the Latin term as a benefit to an individual from the Empire for services rendered. Its use was adopted by ...
''in trust'' to the ''custody'' of a
patron Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows on another. In the history of art, art patronage refers to the support that princes, popes, and other wealthy and influential people ...
, often a layman.Ott, Michael. "In Commendam." The Catholic Encyclopedia
Vol. 7. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 25 Jul. 2015
The
commendatory abbot A commendatory abbot () is an ecclesiastic, or sometimes a layman, who holds an abbey ''in commendam'', drawing its revenues but not exercising any authority over its inner monastic discipline. If a commendatory abbot is an ecclesiastic, however, ...
drew a portion of the revenue of the monastery, but without fulfilling the duties of the abbot or even residing at the monastery. Her association with David Beaton, then abbot of Arbroath, may have begun around 1525, when she wound up her late mother's affairs at Airlie. Marion is recorded in Edinburgh with David Beaton in February 1526, and after she lived at Beaton's Ethie Castle near Arbroath. Beaton's relationship with Marion is often cited as one of his faults, as a Catholic clergyman supposed to remain
celibate Celibacy (from Latin ''caelibatus'') is the state of voluntarily being unmarried, sexually abstinent, or both. It is often in association with the role of a religious official or devotee. In its narrow sense, the term ''celibacy'' is applied on ...
. However, Beaton's clerical status was complicated. He was not a monk, or professed member of the
Benedictine Order The Benedictines, officially the Order of Saint Benedict (, abbreviated as O.S.B. or OSB), are a mainly Christian mysticism, contemplative Christian monasticism, monastic Religious order (Catholic), order of the Catholic Church for men and f ...
, though Abbot or Commendator of
Arbroath Abbey Arbroath Abbey, in the Scottish town of Arbroath, was founded in 1178 by William I of Scotland, King William the Lion for a group of Tironensian Benedictine monks from Kelso Abbey. It was consecration, consecrated in 1197 with a dedication to th ...
. Neither was he in full priest's orders at the start of their relationship. At this time clergymen who pursued secular careers as royal administrators and diplomats were able to postpone their ordination by seeking permission from the Pope. Despite these reservations, the historian Margaret Sanderson sees their relationship as example of clerical concubinage which Beaton himself condemned in others. In her biography ''Cardinal of Scotland'', Sanderson discusses the issue at greater length and points out that all their eight children were born before he was fully ordained, which presumably occurred at the time his consecration as
Bishop of Mirepoix The former Catholic diocese of Mirepoix, in south-west France, was created in 1317 by Pope John XXII from the diocese of Pamiers. It existed until the French Revolution, and was suffragan of the Archbishop of Toulouse. Its see was Mirepoix, Arià ...
in 1538. The Cardinal's relationship with Marion seems not to have become a specific target of his critics or an embarrassment to his apologists until the 19th century. Ogilvy built up considerable property, held from the abbey, and frequently appeared in court to defend her rights."Marion Ogilvy, Lady of Melgund", ''The Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women'', Edinburgh University Press One of her incomes was the rents of the Kirktoun of
St Vigeans St Vigeans is a small village and parish in Angus, Scotland, immediately to the north of Arbroath. Originally rural, it is now more or less a suburb of the town of Arbroath. History St Vigeans is derived from ''Vigeanus'', a Latinised form of ...
. In 1543, David Beaton bought
Melgund Castle Melgund Castle, lying around due east of Aberlemno in Angus, Scotland, is a 16th-century L-plan castle which has been partially restored as a private residence. It was designated as a scheduled monument in 1971. History The land was initially ...
from his widowed sister-in-law. The castle became Marion's home. A chamber in the new tower has their heraldry displayed over the windows, just as any landed married couple. The Cardinal was killed at
St Andrews Castle St Andrews Castle is a ruin located in the coastal Royal Burgh of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. The castle sits on a rocky promontory overlooking a small beach called Castle Sands and the adjoining North Sea. There has been a castle standing ...
in 1546. According to
John Knox John Knox ( – 24 November 1572) was a Scottish minister, Reformed theologian, and writer who was a leader of the country's Reformation. He was the founder of the Church of Scotland. Born in Giffordgate, a street in Haddington, East Lot ...
, Marion had just left the castle by the privy postern before it was overwhelmed by Beaton's enemies. In 1547, Marion married a William Douglas, but was a widow by 18 September 1547. Marion died at Melgund in June 1575 and was buried in the Ogilvy aisle at Kinnell parish church.


The Cardinal's children

Some of the children received royal letters of legitimation in March 1531, and the sons were required Papal dispensations to compensate for their 'defect of birth' before starting careers in the church. * Margaret Beaton, married David Lindsay, 10th Earl of Crawford, her children included
Henry Lindsay, 13th Earl of Crawford Henry Lindsay, 13th Earl of Crawford (died 1623) was a Scottish courtier and landowner involved in feuds. Career Henry Lindsay was a younger brother of David Lindsay, 11 Earl of Crawford, a son of David Lindsay, 10th Earl of Crawford and Marg ...
* Elizabeth Beaton (d. 1574), married Alexander Lindsay of Vayne * George Beaton, died young. * David Beaton of Melgund, married Margaret Lindsay, daughter of
Lord Lindsay of the Byres Earl of Lindsay is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1633 for John Lindsay, 10th Lord Lindsay, who later inherited the ancient Earldom of Crawford. The two earldoms remained united until the death of the 22nd Earl of Cra ...
. He was a Master of Household to King James and
Anne of Denmark Anne of Denmark (; 12 December 1574 â€“ 2 March 1619) was the wife of King James VI and I. She was List of Scottish royal consorts, Queen of Scotland from their marriage on 20 August 1589 and List of English royal consorts, Queen of Engl ...
. He married secondly Lucretia Beaton, daughter of
Robert Beaton of Creich Robert Beaton of Creich (died 1567) was a Scottish landowner and courtier. He served as a Master of Household to Mary, Queen of Scots. Career Robert Beaton was a son of John Beaton of Creich, keeper of Falkland Palace and Janet Hay. He went t ...
and Jeane de la Rainville. Lucretia was the sister of
Mary Beaton Mary Beaton (about 1543–1597), or Bethune as she wrote her family name, was a Scottish courtier. She is remembered in history as one of the four girls who were companions of Mary, Queen of Scots from childhood, known as The Queen's Maries or ...
, the attendant of
Mary Queen of Scots Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587), also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland, was List of Scottish monarchs, Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication in 1567. The only surviving legit ...
.Margaret Sanderson, ''Mary Stewart's People'' (Edinburgh, 1987), p. 19. * James Beaton (d. 1560), parson of Govan * Alexander Beaton of Hospitalfield, Archdeacon of Lothian, who married Margaret Allardyce, his son was David Beaton of Carsgownie. * John Beaton of Spittalfield (alive, 1557) * Agnes Beaton (died 1602), married (1) James Ochterlonie of Kellie. (2) Alexander (or George) Gordon of
Gight Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle Gight Castle is about ...
, their daughter Elizabeth Gordon married
George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar (ca. 155620 January 1611) was, in the last decade of his life, the most prominent and most influential Scotsman in England. His work lay in the King's Household and in the control of the State Affairs of Scotland ...
and was the ancestor of the
Earls of Home Earl of Home ( ) is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1605 for Alexander Home wikt:of that ilk, of that Ilk, 6th Lord Home. The Earl of Home holds, among others, the subsidiary titles of Lord Home (created 1473) and Lord Dun ...
and
Suffolk Suffolk ( ) is a ceremonial county in the East of England and East Anglia. It is bordered by Norfolk to the north, the North Sea to the east, Essex to the south, and Cambridgeshire to the west. Ipswich is the largest settlement and the county ...
. (3) Sir Patrick Gordon of
Auchindoun Auchindoun Castle is a 15th-century L-Plan tower castle located in Auchindoun near Dufftown in Moray, Scotland. History While there is evidence of prehistoric or Pictish earthworks in the grounds of the castle, the remains most visible today ...
.


The will of Marion Ogilvy

Marion's will mentions the value of her sheep, cattle, and crops at her farms at the Mains of Melgund, and at Chapelton and Brinton of Ethie north of
Arbroath Arbroath () or Aberbrothock ( ) is a former royal burgh and the largest town in the Subdivisions of Scotland, council area of Angus, Scotland, Angus, Scotland, with a population of 23,902. It lies on the North Sea coast, some east-northeast of ...
. She had £1000 Scots in cash. Her servants included the cook Robert Smith, Alexander Symson, Thomas Lyne foreman of Melgund, Isobel Greg and Katherine Bell. She gave money to Willie Haghous, the son of Jonet Haghous, to apprentice him to a craft.William Fraser
''Elphinstone Family Book'',, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1897), pp. 260-3


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ogilvy, Marion 16th-century Scottish landowners 1490s births 1575 deaths Mistresses Daughters of barons 16th-century Scottish women landowners