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A Banquet for James VII by James Statter
We are but a few months into the year of our Lord 1681. I am the Master
of the Household and the Steward of Archibald Campbell ninth Earl of
Argyll and his dear second wife Anna Mackenzie, daughter of the Earl of
Seafield. They are in their eleventh year of a happy marriage.
We reside in Argyll House a good Protestant home situated in Mar’s Wark
below Stirling Castle. The year ahead does not go at all well as there
are rumours that King Charles 1 while residing in England, turned down
an invitation to return to Scotland to rebuild his Palaces. Instead,
James V11 Duke of Albany and heir to the throne is coming to seek
support for his Roman Catholic ideology.
A messenger has arrived from James to tell the Earl of his impending
visit in four days time. Requested by King Charles the Earl must give
the troublesome James and his entire Courtiers, board and lodging for as
long as is deemed necessary. This did not go down well at all with the
Earl and Lady Anna. They are deeply troubled as to the consequences
James would bring.
The Earl gathered all his family members together in the High dining
room to tell them of the forthcoming visit of James. He was fearful for
the safety of himself, Lady Anna and what it would mean for the future,
which he put in Gods hands.
The Earl had tried to raise an army earlier in the year without much
success. Other people within Stirling did not deem it necessary. The
Earl had warned them of the impending circumstances if they did not
heed his warning of an uprising.
James Statter
