Nicolas Elphinstone

Nicolas Elphinstone (floruit 1560-1580) was a Scottish courtier and diplomatic messenger.

He was a member of the Elphinstone of Schank family. Schank was in Arniston in Midlothian.

Master Nicolas or Nicoll Elphinstone worked for James Stewart, Regent Moray and was involved in attempts to sell the jewels and pearls of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1567 and 1568.[1] Moray needed to raise money to govern Scotland and subdue Mary's supporters by force.[2]

Mary Queen of Scots, with ropes of pearl, and pearls embroidered on her bonnet

References
  1. Karen Raber, 'Chains of Pearls: Gender, Property, Identity', in Bella Mirabella ed, Ornamentalism: The Art of Renaissance Accessories (University of Michigan, 2011), pp. 159-180.
  2. Calendar State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, vol. 8, nos. 1658, 1676, 1724: HMC 6th Report: Earl of Moray (London, 1877), p. 643: National Records of Scotland E35/10.
  3. Joseph Bain, Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), pp. 354, 356, 371.
  4. Joseph Bain, Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), p. 386.
  5. Historical Manuscripts Commission 6th Report: Earl of Moray (London, 1877), p. 643.
  6. P. Brantôme, Mémoires de Messire Pierre du Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme, contenans les vies des dames illustres de France de son temps (Paris 1665), p. 39 Brantôme does not say the pearls were a gift to Catherine from the Pope.
  7. Joseph Robertson, Inventaires de la Royne Descosse (Edinburgh, 1863), pp. 10-11: Teulet, Relations, vol. 2, pp. 352, 367-8: G. Bapst, Histoire des joyaux de la couronne de France (Paris, 1889), pp. 22-3: Labanoff, Lettres de Marie Stuart, vol. 7, pp. 129-30, 132-3: The letters published by Teulet are BNF Français 15971, f.91, 93, 105, 109, 112.
  8. Labanoff, Lettres de Marie Stuart, vol. 7, pp. 132-3. Bochetel's French words for nutmeg "noix muscades" seem to be the origin of an idea that Mary's pearls were black, by confusion with the word "noir".
  9. Alexandre Labanoff, Lettres de Marie Stuart, vol. 7 (London, 1852), pp. 129-130, the place-name is printed "Varvich".
  10. Bibliothèque nationale de France BNF Français 15971, f.109
  11. Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 2, p. 422.
  12. National Records of Scotland E35/9/3, Grange’s memorandum of jewels in Edinburgh Castle.
  13. Calendar State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, vol. 8, nos 2577, 2585.
  14. Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 2, p. 411.
  15. Charles Thorpe McInnes, Accounts of the Treasurer of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1970), pp. 184-5.
  16. William Boyd, Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 3 (Edinburgh, 1903), pp. 53-5.
  17. William Boyd, Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 3 (Edinburgh, 1903), pp. 58-61.
  18. William Boyd, Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 3 (Edinburgh, 1903), pp. 63-4.
  19. G. F. Warner, Library of James VI (Edinburgh, 1893), p. lxiii.
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