A royal entry into Edinburgh marked the coming of age of King James VI of Scotland as an adult ruler on 19 October 1579. The 13-year-old king came to Edinburgh to begin his adult rule, having spent his childhood at Stirling Castle.Gareth Russell, Queen James: The Lives and Loves of Britain's First King (London: William Collins, 2025), pp. 60-61.
A royal entry was the usual way across Europe of marking a new monarch, or one making his first visit to a city. A representation of the astrologer Ptolemy signalled the transition of James to adulthood, and he was given a sword and sceptre, symbols of kingship, known as the Honours of Scotland.Michael Lynch, "Court Ceremony and Ritual", Julian Goodare and Michael Lynch, The Reign of James VI (East Linton: Tuckwell, 2000), pp. 74–78.
Events According to David Moysie, James VI left Stirling on 29 September 1579 despite a storm. He had lunch at Dunipace and dinner at Linlithgow Palace where he stayed the night, and came to Holyroodhouse the next evening. The town lined the road with men in armour and a salute was fired from Edinburgh Castle.David Moysie, Memoirs of the affairs of Scotland: from early manuscripts (Edinburgh, 1830), p. 25.
James arrived from Dalkeith Palace. The processional route went from the West Port, to the Overbow, to the Tolbooth, to St Giles Kirk, the Mercat Cross, the Salt Tron, the Nether Bow, Canongate Cross, and Holyrood Palace.Giovanna Guidicini, Triumphal Entries and Festivals in Early Modern Scotland: Performing Spaces (Brepols, 2020): Martin Wiggins, Catherine Richardson, British Drama 1533–1642: A Catalogue: Volume II: 1567–1589 (Oxford, 2012), pp. 242–244. The gates of the town, the tolbooths of Edinburgh and the Canongate, and other buildings were painted white with limewash, called "calk".Documents relative to the reception at Edinburgh of the Kings and Queens of Scotland: 1561–1650 (Edinburgh, 1822), pp. 16, 21. Householders along the route were asked to hang the external stairs with tapestry and "Arras works".Documents relative to the reception at Edinburgh of the Kings and Queens of Scotland: 1561–1650 (Edinburgh, 1822), pp. 22–23. The "Arras works" were probably patterned bedcovers rather than tapestries.
At the West Port the king was met by 32 burgesses of Edinburgh, whose names are recorded,Documents relative to the reception at Edinburgh of the Kings and Queens of Scotland: 1561–1650 (Edinburgh, 1822), p. 20. who carried a canopy made of purple velvet. John Shairp gave a speech in Latin.Roderick J. Lyall, Alexander Montgomerie: Poetry, Politics, and Cultural Change in Jacobean Scotland (Arizona, 2005), p. 63. There was a tableau vivant of the Judgement of Solomon. At the Overbow Cupid gave James the keys to the town. Cupid was played by a boy who descended in a globe. At the Tolbooth four maidens (probably played by boys) represented Peace, Justice, Plenty and Policy, a scene relating to the four Cardinal Virtues. At St Giles, Dame Religion invited the king to hear a sermon on the duty of kings and Psalm 21 was sung. Afterwards, at the Mercat Cross Bacchus shared out wine. At the Salt Tron the genealogy of the Scottish monarchy was presented, perhaps using portraits. The king's horoscope was described by an actor playing Ptolemy at the Netherbow Port. At the Canongate Cross a scene represented the abolition of the Pope's authority in Scotland.Michael Lynch, 'Court Ceremony and Ritual', Julian Goodare & Michael Lynch, The Reign of James VI (Tuckwell: East Linton, 2000), pp. 74–77.
At Holyrood Palace a new lodging was prepared for the king's favourite Esmé Stewart next to the royal apartment.Alexander Courtney, James VI, Britannic Prince: King of Scots and Elizabeth's Heir, 1566–1603 (Routledge, 2024), p. 47: Calendar State Papers Scotland: 1574–1581, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 357. A course or tournament ground made of sand for "running at the ring" was laid at Holyroodhouse.Accounts of the Treasurer, vol. 13 (Edinburgh, 1978), p. 292. Celebrations continued at Dalkeith Palace, hosted by the former Regent Morton.Calendar State Papers Scotland: 1574–1581, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 357.
The account of the event in Scots A short account of the events occurs in the chronicle, The historie and life of King James the Sext, written in Middle Scots.The historie and life of King James the Sext (Edinburgh, 1825), pp. 178–9.
The silver cupboard The king was given a cupboard of silver gilt plate made by the Edinburgh goldsmiths Edward Hart, Thomas Annand, George Heriot, Adam Craig and William Cokky. It was valued at 1000 English marks.Calendar State Papers Scotland: 1574–1581, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 357. This included a basin and a laver, two flasks, six cups and covers, four candle holders, a salt, a silver salver, and dozen silver plates.Documents relative to the reception at Edinburgh of the Kings and Queens of Scotland: 1561–1650 (Edinburgh, 1822), pp. 12–14: Jean Munro and Henry Steuart Fotheringham, Edinburgh Goldsmith's Minutes: 1525–1700 (SRS: Edinburgh, 2006), p. 227.
William Fairlie was asked to oversee the gilding of the silver on 8 October and assist Henry Nesbit make an account of the expenses.Documents relative to the reception at Edinburgh of the Kings and Queens of Scotland: 1561–1650 (Edinburgh, 1822), pp. 22, 24: Calendar State Papers Scotland: 1574–1581, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 357. The wealthy merchant and "Customar" of Edinburgh Robert Gourlay, a supporter of Regent Morton, complained to the Privy Council of Scotland when he was asked to contribute £30.David Masson, Register of the Privy Council of Scotland: 1578–1585, vol. 3 (Edinburgh, 1880), pp. 259–260.
Repairs to Holyrood Palace An account for repairs and building work at Holyrood Palace in August and September 1579 survives.Simon Thurley, Palaces of the Revolution, Life, Death & Art at the Stuart Court (Collins, 2021), p. 8. The works were supervised by William MacDowall, the Master of Works to the Scottish Crown. Mention is made of slating the roof of a "Dancing House", glazing the chamber for "Lord Lennox", carpenters who made a great chest for the king's pantry, and a pavement in the chapel. New rooms were made for William Murray, and for Jerome Bowie, Master of the Wine Cellar. George Wallace or Vallance and his workman plastered the old hall, the chapel and the gallery, and painted the council house with chalk distemper paint. Women worked cleaning chambers in the tower, the old hall, the forework, and the gallery, and the inner close or courtyard.Henry Paton, ed, Accounts of the Master of Works, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1957), pp. 302–307.
References Documents relative to the reception at Edinburgh of the Kings and Queens of Scotland: 1561–1650 (Edinburgh, 1822), pp. 11–31.