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My interest in this topic goes back to a tanatalising reference in Nina Murdoch’s 1936 book Tyrolean June:
“Here in these woods of Pertisau (by the Achensee) rode the daughter of the poet James I of Scotland, Eleanor, who married Duke Sigismund (sic) of Tyrol. Falconry was her delight when she was not absorbed translating into German the French romance of the knight Pontis (sic), a copy of which you may still see in the little castle her husband prepared for her in Meran. Elfin slim she was and supple; and riding a-hawking in long brocaded gown with flowing sleeves fur-lines, her hair held in a golden net, she must have been as pretty a thing to come across as any woodland flower.” (p.26) Romanticised, certainly!
If we go to the Parish Church in Seefeld and look at the motifs over the south portal on the south side, we may be surprised to see the Scottish cross of St.Andrew and the Royal Scottish Lion Rampant.
If we visit Schloss Tirol by Meran and look at the carvings on the inner side of the door of the so-called Kaiserstube, we will see the Royal Court of Arms of Scotland. Likewise, when we visit the Landesfürstliche Burg in the centre of Meran itself.
If we go to the Basilica Church of Stams, up the Inn Valley, and look down into the crypt, we will see a figure representing Eleanor of Scotland. This is in fact her last resting place.
Why are these Scottish connections here in Tyrol?
Back in the mid-15thc. Sigmund, Duke of Tyrol, came to be called ‘the Wealthy, the Rich-o’-Coin’ (der Münzreiche). Why? This was largely due to the discovery of the silver mines of Schwaz in the Lower Inn Valley. For a time Tyrol came to be known as ‘Silver Land’. The English kings Henry VII and Henry VIII (he of the six wives) and Queen Elizabeth I of England minted many of their coins in London from Tyrolean silver. Sigmund reigned for 51 years. He was, by all accounts, a jovial, happy character. He is said to have had no fewer than 40 illegitimate children, but neither his first wife nor his second gave him a living male heir. His first wife was Eleanor, a Scottish princess, whom he married in 1448. She was one of the five daughters of King James I of Scotland, the first of the Stuart dynasty.
But we are jumping ahead. Let’s first turn to Sigmund. Born in 1427, he was the son of Duke Friedrich IV (he ‘of the Empty Purse’) and his second wife, Anna of Brunswick. Friedrich died in 1439 when Sigmund was only 12. Sigmund had to wait till he was 16 to be of majority age. So. Duke Friedrich of Styria (later Emperor Friedrich III and father of Maximilian), as guardian for the under-age Sigmund, took his ward to Graz. But only when he was 19 did Friedrich release him, after the Tyrolean nobility, including Oswald von Wolkenstein, had threatened to re-claim him by force.
In 1446, then, Sigmund took over the government of Tyrol, with territory also in Swabia, Würtemberg, Alsace, Switzerland and Vorarlberg. He lived first in the Neuer Hof (today the Goldenes Dachl) in Innsbruck, but then had the first Hofburg built. (See Dürer’s watercolour) It was only in 1477 that Emperor Friedrich III named Sigmund as Arch-Duke of Tyrol. Habsburg policy was to use Tyrol as a platform for European connections, both west and north-west. These connections were solemnized by strategic marriages. Sigmund was supposed to marry Radegonde, daughter of the King of France, but she died in 1445.
As for Scotland, since the marriage of James I’s eldest daughter, Margaret, to the Dauphin of France (later Louis XI) in 1436, Scotland had occupied a seat at the high table of Europe, diplomatically and commercially. Surprising perhaps, but its reputation was high in the courts of Europe: others of James I’s daughters married into the European aristocracy in Bretagne/ Brittany and the Low Countries, the Netherlands. In fact, during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Scotland always had close, cordial relations with France: this connection was called the ‘Auld Alliance’ and explains why Mary Stuart, Mary Queen of Scotland, was brought up in the French court and spoke French fluently.
Naturally, one wonders how the marriage came about between Eleanor, a princess of a tiny, turbulent kingdom in the distant North, and Sigmund, the ruler of this dukedom in the very heart of continental Europe, the Tyrol. James I (1394-1437), Eleanor’s father, was an exceptional king, cultured and a poet in his own right: “Sen word is thrall and thocht is fre,/ Keip veil thy tonge I coinsell th.” (Since words commit you and thoughts are free/ You’re advised to think before you speak.)
Compared to his rampant predecessors, he had no illegitimate children (as far as we know!), but one son and five daughters of his queen, Joan Beaufort. As for living conditions at the royal court at Linlithgow in the Kingdom of Fife, where the daughters were brought up, the Papal Legate Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomini (later Pope Pius III) complained about the raw climate, the short days in winter and the lack of any real comfort. (He is also taken aback by the use of a black substance used for fires, namely coal.)
After the brutal murder of James I by rebellious lords outside Perth in 1437, and very soon after the death of the Queen, their mother, Joanna and Eleanor, third and fourth daughters, were sent to their sister Margaret at the French court for protection. But, according to a manuscript in the possession of Melville, Earl of Leven, the sisters only heard of the death of their mother in Flanders, en route for France: “And quhen they war cum to Flaundres, their jornay thay war their advertised that the Quene their modir was deccissed in Scotland, and madame the Dophnis…in Chailons.”
So, misfortune seemed to follow the sisters: now their eldest sister Margaret was also dead. The King of France, Charles VII, received them kindly. He even wished at first that Eleanor should take the place of Margaret as his son’s, the Dauphin’, wife. But it was not possible to obtain the Pope’s consent to such a marriage.
Eleanor, then, at 14 was brought up with her sister at Blois on the Loire. Both exercised their love of literature, inherited from their cultivated father, by writing Rondeaus and Ballades, influenced by Charles d’Orleans, Alain Chartier and – surprisingly perhaps – Francois Villon. Court life also involved games, such as piquet (a card game not unlike poker) and tournaments at Chinon, Saumur and Tours. In 1447 they undertook a pilgrimage to Mont St.Michel on the border of Normandy and Brittany, now that there had been a two-year truce during the Hundred Years’ War between France and England, as a result of the Treaty of Tours of 1445.In the mid-15thc. Scotland was keen to widen its international relations, especially by arranging diplomatic marriages. This was even more important to Scotland since the ‘Auld Alliance’ with France had become more and more loose. To re-confirm the ‘Alliance’, the new king, James II, began negotiating for his remaining sisters to marry partners of Charles VII of France’s choice.
Charles acted as intermediary between Duke Sigmund and Scotland, even though Sigmund was only second choice for James II. An embassy from Sigmund arrived at Tours, under Ludwig von Landsee, Johann Pechl, Annenberg and Velseck, to seek the hand of Eleanor in marriage. At first, Charles was not happy with the arrangement and sent an emissary, William Monypenny, to Scotland. However, the engagement was signed on February 28, 1448, the marriage fixed for August 1. But delays in communicating back and forward with Tyrol prevented this. Furthermore, it took time to negotiate for Eleanor the (somewhat modest) dowry from Scotland and the generous gifts from Tyrol. Finally, it was agreed that she would receive, in name at least, three castles: Ambras, Imst and Hertenberg. In the event of the Duke’s demise she would receive, as a Dos, a Morgengabe, a form of widow’s pension, 10,000 Rhenish Gulden, made up from the incomes from the three castle estates, and supplemented, if necessary, from rent from Kaltern, the Saline in Hall and the customs station at Lueg, just short of the Brenner.
The marriage was legalized ‘per procura(tione)m’ , with Ludwig von Landsee representing Sigmund, at the Augustinian Priory of Beaumont-en-Veron, near Chinon, on Sunday September 8, 1448. Three weeks late, the Scottish representatives arrived in Tours.
For Eleanor’s long trip to the Tyrol, the sum of 3,300 Francs was provided. A French manuscript confirms:
“A Madame Helienor d’Escosse, duchesse de Hausteriche, la somme de IIImIIIc francs, que ledit seigneur lui a donnee et ordonnee ester baillee pour icelle faire convertir a son plaisir par ses gens et officiers en plusieurs choses qui lui estoient necessaires pour son partiment a aller en Hausteriche…”
The route planned was up the Loire, via Amboise and Blois to Orleans, then across to Sens, Troyes and Belfort, 141 leagues in 23 stages. But, due to political problems with Basel and with threats from Konstanz, the party had to detour via Besancon, down to Lyon, then past Geneva and Lausanne to Freiburg and Kempten.
A deputation of Sigmund’s knights met Eleanor at Kempten, then accompanied her via Füssen, Reutte, Landeck and the Reschenpass, down into the Vintschgau and along to Meran. They arrived mid-February, 1449. Sigmund was held up in Bozen, so he was not there to receive her. Records are scanty here. It is supposed the actual wedding ceremony, possibly a relatively modest affair, took place in Meran, rather than Bozen or Innsbruck, on February 24. As a result, the marriage made Sigmund a brother-in-law of the Dauphin of France. Charles VII’s Chancellor, Gaucourt, claimed the 10,000 Gold Ducats that Sigmund had agreed on. He also claimed 2,000 Gold coins to cover the cost of the bodyguards from Scotland to France.
For some 31 years the Scottish princess lived in Tyrol. Her literary gifts, her love of sport and her gentle manners gained her wide popularity. Fond of literary romances, she co-translated (with help from her German-speaking court) the late 12thc. Anglo-Norman knightly prose romance (an extended Chanson) Ponthus et la belle Sidoyne. It was published posthumously in 1485 in Augsburg, with 47 woodcuts. The act of translation can perhaps be seen as an indirect tribute to her late father, a bold knight and model of virtue, as well as a critical refracting mirror to be held up to her errant husband. While Sigmund, as hunter, pursued the stag and the chamois or absented himself as unfaithful husband on other adventures, Eleanor – accompanied by two or three of the 50 young ladies-in-waiting at court – followed the gentler sport of hawking.
Eleanor tolerated Sigmund’s many infidelities, showing understanding for his male, if not manly, weaknesses. Over her 50 maids-of-honour, however, she ruled as Hofmeisterin (Mistress-of-Court). It is clear from court regulations that have come down to us that her duties were many, varied – and strictly enforced. She regulated at what hour the young ladies had to retire to their bed-chambers. No letters or notes could be sent or received without her sanction! (On the other hand, there are indications that she was partial to wine, beer and schnaps.) The relationship between Sigmund and Eleanor had, it seems, quickly cooled, especially when it turned out that she could not bear a son that could survive. They tended to live apart: a distanced companionship. In his absence, she acted largely as regent. Her piety and generosity to the poor and afflicted were celebrated. She died on November 20, 1480 in Innsbruck, and is buried in Stams. She had also dedicated herself to the arts, as did Sigmund. At the court there were actively engaged a number of painters, jewelers, glass-stainers and sculptors. Foreign architects of repute were constantly employed.
Sigmund’s cannon foundry employed a world-wide reputation. His armourers were also famous. Many of the sovereigns of Europe commissioned suits of armour from the Mühlau workshops outside Innsbruck. So, the Kings of Naples, Portugal and Scotland, and the Elector of Mayence, among others, are known to have obtained plate armour that was so cleverly hardened that they were reputed to withstand cross-bow bolts. The suit which Sigmund later sent to King James III, son of his brother-in-law in Scotland, was an especially fine example, for it was gilt and very beautifully engraved. However, it is not clear if he wore it at the siege-battle of Sauchieburn in 1488, where he was killed.
In 1477 Sigmund moved the mint from Meran to Hall because of the proximity of silver and copper at Schwaz and because Hall was actually safer than Meran from Turkish threat. Also, Hall was easily reached from Innsbruck. At this time, too, Sigmund renewed and extended Tyrol’s administrative offices and financial controls. In 1486 he carried out monetary reform by introducing silver coinage. The Thaler, later the dollar, was introduced.
In 1477 Sigmund was named Arch-Duke by Emperor Friedrich III. As a result of his earlier strife with the Bishop of Brixen, Nicolaus Causanus, Sigmund had been excommunicated by the Pope. Only later was the ban and interdiction suspended. In 1484 the 57-year-old Arch-Duke married the 16-year-old Katharina of Saxony. But this marriage was also childless.
It is perhaps ironic that Sigmund, a financial reformer, almost bankrupted Tyrol with his lavish life-style. The Fuggers, who became his bankers, did not discourage his extravagance, as it put vast profits into their pockets. His territorial ambition was also costly: in 1487 he launched an attack on Venice, which led to no gain. In fact, it dealt the commerce of Tyrol a very serious and hard blow. In 1490, under pressure from the Tyrolean nobility, he had to relinquish power to Maximilian. He spent the last six years of his life in the Neuhof in Innsbruck, but moved round the seven castles built by him: Sigmundsried, Sigmundsfreud, Sigmundslust, Sigmundseck, Sigmundesruh, Sigmundskron and Sigmundsburg. The latter castle, the ruins of which can still be viewed on the islet in the middle of the Fernsteinsee, brings us back to our initial travelogue. Well before Nina Murdoch, in 1861 in fact, J. Gilbert and G.C. Churchill had described the descent from the Fernpass: “This pass is fine with forest gloom, especially in the southern side, where the road swings down into the vast wooded gulf, at the bottom of which appears the ruin of Sigmundsburg, in the midst of a reedy lake. The postillion, locking the wheels, went blissfully to sleep as we trundled down these zig-zags, waking up, by a kind of provision of nature, at all the corners.” (I trust you have not fallen asleep during our trip this evening…)
Sigmund died on March 4, 1496, in Innsbruck. He is buried in Stams alongside Eleanor of Scotland. So, the next time you visit the Parish Church in Seefeld, or the Landesfürstliche Burg in Meran, or Schloss Tyrol above Meran, or Stams, look out for motifs representing Scotland.
