2019/05/04 by Michael Pearce · 3 citations
Arts and Humanities · #Fashion and Cultural Textiles #Scottish History and National Identity #Historical Art and Culture Studies
paper · doi:10.1080/14629712.2019.1626110
openalex publication_date 2019/05/04 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Anna of Denmark (1574–1619) had her own household in Scotland in the years 1590–1603 separate from that of the King. Costume accounts shed light on this household and its hierarchy, detailing clothes for servants, gentlemen and gentlewomen. Around twenty-five Danish servants had positions, including her secretary, maidens of honour, cooks and stable men. The dress of her riding entourage of pages, lackeys, gentlewomen and maidens of her chamber offered the most conspicuous opportunity for display. Some costume may have been Danish in fashion or in colours representing Anna’s family. Fashioning a Danish-style court may have been a deliberate choice to emphasise the value of the royal marriage as an international union, strengthening Anna’s identity and promoting her independent agency as a royal person.