Francis Stuart (sailor)
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Sir Francis Stuart or Frank Stewart (1589–1635), was a Scottish sailor, aristocrat, English Member of Parliament and courtier.
Born at Donibristle in Fife, Scotland, the son of James Stewart, 2nd Earl of Moray and Elizabeth Stuart, 2nd Countess of Moray. Francis Stuart was educated at Christ Church, Oxford with an annuity of £200 from King James.[1]
Anne Gunter
At Oxford he was involved in the investigation of Anne Gunter's accusations of witchcraft against Elizabeth Gregory.[2] He gave evidence in February 1606 in the Star Chamber of witnessing Anne loosen her clothing for dramatic effect.[3] Stuart was asked if Gunter's breath smelled unusual, and he answered that "he did always observe in her fits that her breath had a very strange smell, as if she had taken compound drinks."[4]
In 1603 his sister Margaret married the Admiral Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham. Francis was knighted in 1610, at the creation of Prince Henry as Prince of Wales.[5] He joined the navy. In 1614 William Cavendish recommended his full naturalization in Parliament.
In October 1615 he was involved in an affair which displeased the king. Sir Thomas Howard, Master of Prince Henry's Horse, sent him a letter bordering on sedition, which was delivered by Stuart and William Ramsay, a servant of the king's bedchamber, to Viscount Haddington.[6]
At the funeral of Anne of Denmark in May 1619 Stuart carried the banner of the Goths.[7]
Spanish Match
He was sent to Spain in May 1623 during the Spanish Match to carry the patent to make George Villiers Duke of Buckingham and Earl of Coventry.[8] Stuart received £200 for this voyage.[9] He sailed in the St George and the Antelope.[10] Stewart made an account of his expenses in this voyage.[11]
He brought a parcel of jewels for Prince Charles, many of which had belonged to Anne of Denmark.[12] These included; the jewelled sword given to Prince Henry during the masque Tethys' Festival; the "Portugal diamond"; the "Cobham pearl"; jewelled head attires; and a ring with a diamond frog and a ruby set in its head.[13][14][15] King James had second thoughts about sending this jewellery. He wrote to Buckingham that Stuart was bringing a box of jewels including a pearl necklace that he had given to "poor fool Kaite". Four head dresses brought by "Franke Stewarte" would be too precious and were "not fit for a subject", and they should give one to the Queen of Spain, or bring all of these pieces "hoame again".[16] The "Portugal diamond" was returned to England.[17]