Sophia Stuart (22 June 160623 June 1606) was the fourth daughter and last of nine children of

James VI and I James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and King of Ireland, Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 M ...

and

Anne of Denmark Anne of Denmark (; 12 December 1574 – 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 ...

Biography

Anne of Denmark was rumoured to be pregnant at the end of October 1605. Robert Naunton wrote that courtiers were uncertain because her figure was concealed by her farthingale. In May 1606 she stopped holding audiences with ambassadors including Zorzi Giustinian. Anne of Denmark prepared herself for childbirth at the Palace of Placentia, or Greenwich Palace in May. Her lady in waiting, Audrey Walsingham, bought linen and lacework to the value of £614 for her lying-in. Sophia Stuart was born early in the morning of Sunday 22 June 1606. Anne was attended by a midwife, Alice Dennis, and Peter Chamberlen, the surgeon to the queen, who had both helped at the birth of Mary Stuart in April 1605. Chamberlen is thought to have been the inventor of birthing forceps. Anne gave him a diamond ring for his efforts. Sophia grew "verye weake" and was baptised by James Montague, Dean of the Chapel Royal. She was named after her grandmother Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. Ninth and last child of James I of England and Queen Anne of Denmark, her body was carried on the

Thames The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At , it is the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom, after th ...

in a barge covered with black velvet to be buried in Westminster Abbey on 26 June.

A cancelled tournament

There had been plans to hold a tournament at Greenwich to celebrate the birth and baptism. A challenge had been issued in the name of the "Four Knights Errant of the Fortunate Island" on 1 June 1606. The comic text of the challenge made King James laugh. Sophia's uncle

Christian IV of Denmark Christian IV (12 April 1577 – 28 February 1648) was King of Denmark and King of Norway, Norway and List of rulers of Schleswig-Holstein, Duke of Holstein and Schleswig from 1588 until his death in 1648. His reign of 59 years and 330 days is th ...

was expected to attend. The event was cancelled. Christian IV arrived in England and went to see his grieving sister at Greenwich on 18 July. Christian IV was entertained by the king at Theobalds while Anne remained at Greenwich, still in the apartments set aside for her confinement. Anne was " churched" in a private ceremony at Greenwich by Dr Montague on 3 August. Before leaving England, Christian IV competed with King James at running at the ring.

Monument at Westminster Abbey

Sophia's monument at Westminster Abbey resembling a stone crib was designed by Maximilian Colt and painted and gilded by

John de Critz John de Critz or John Decritz (1551/2 – 14 March 1642 (buried)) was one of a number of painters of Flemish origin active at the English royal court during the reigns of James I of England and Charles I of England. He held the post of Serjean ...

. The tomb is finely carved with lacework and an embroidered velvet cover. Its Latin inscription may be translated, "Sophia, a royal rosebud untimely plucked by Fate and from James, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, and Queen Anne her parents, snatched away, to flower again in the rose garden of Christ, lies here. 23rd June, 4th year of the reign of King James 1606".Westminster Abbey: James I and Anne of Denmark
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Notes

Bibliography

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Stuart, Sophia 1606 births 1606 deaths 17th-century English people 17th-century English women English princesses Sophia Burials at Westminster Abbey Children of James VI and I English royalty who died as children Scottish royalty who died as children Daughters of kings