A nice Stirling story in today's Caledonian Mercury.
http://heritage.caledonianmercury.com/2012/01/23/archive-reveals-scotland-overtook-england-in-historic-transport-stakes/003444
It reports the finding of a wage receipt by Jehan de Bonlommoye, who is described as maitre charotier des chariots branles to the queen Marie de Guise. That would translate as coachman or charioteer and as the receipt is dated in May 1552.
That is two years before Mary Tudor in England had a carriage - they were wildly impractical and were really items of display and prestige.
One of the most delightful aspecs is that the florid signature is actually written by someone else and Jehan acknowledges his wages with his 'sign' - a spoked wheel!
You can see an image of the document in the report. Or find more about the Exchecquer Records of Scotland via www.nas.gov.uk/guides/exchequer.asp.
http://heritage.caledonianmercury.com/2012/01/23/archive-reveals-scotland-overtook-england-in-historic-transport-stakes/003444
It reports the finding of a wage receipt by Jehan de Bonlommoye, who is described as maitre charotier des chariots branles to the queen Marie de Guise. That would translate as coachman or charioteer and as the receipt is dated in May 1552.
That is two years before Mary Tudor in England had a carriage - they were wildly impractical and were really items of display and prestige.
One of the most delightful aspecs is that the florid signature is actually written by someone else and Jehan acknowledges his wages with his 'sign' - a spoked wheel!
You can see an image of the document in the report. Or find more about the Exchecquer Records of Scotland via www.nas.gov.uk/guides/exchequer.asp.
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