John Tennent

John Tennent of Listonshiels (died c. 1549) was a servant and companion of James V of Scotland. He kept an account of the king's daily expenses which is an important source document for the Scottish royal court.

Tennent's court positions were pursemaster and yeoman of the wardrobe. He was given livery clothes as a servant in the king's chamber in 1529. As pursemaster he daily accompanied the king, paying his small debts and handing over the sums the king gave in alms or as tips to workmen and beggars. At St Andrews, on 19 May 1540, James gave 44 shillings to two Dutchmen who played and danced for him on the shore. James twice paid out for farm animals killed by accident with a culverin, a new portable gun. John was also yeoman of the crossbow.

Tennent's other main rôle was yeoman and master of the wardrobe. The wardrobe was a large establishment which officially employed almost 40 individuals over the personal reign. There were embroiderers, tailors, a laundry, tapestry men, and carts to transport the clothes, tapestries, and cloths-of-estate between the king's palaces. Tennent was in charge of the Honours of Scotland and ordered a new case to be made for a sword in March 1539. This may have been the sword sent by Pope Paul III in 1537, now lost. He was appointed keeper of the palace and park of Holyroodhouse in November 1540.

When James V went to France in 1536, he first met a prospective bride, Marie de Vendôme, daughter of Charles, Duke of Vendôme, at St. Quentin in Picardy. It is said that at their meeting James instructed Tennent to pretend to be him and they exchanged clothes. This story appears in four sixteenth century chronicles. Adam Abell and George Buchanan mention the disguise; only John Lesley names Tennent; Lindsay of Pitscottie's version is the most elaborate but does not identify the servant. As Lesley's translator put it;

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