Anne Lady Halkett's Meditations [1686-1688]

  • Women's Voices and Life Writing
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Title
Anne Lady Halkett's Meditations [1686-1688]
Author
  • Halkett, Anne
Document Type
  • Notes
  • Diary
Date
24 Jan 1686 - 18 May 1688
Biography
Lady Anne Halkett (nee Murray), was an autobiographer and religious writer. She was born in 1622 to Thomas Murray, tutor to King James I’s children, and Jane Drummond Murray, governess to the king’s children. Anne was educated by her mother as well as having extensive religious education. Anne’s first love was Thomas Howard; however, her mother prevented the marriage because he was not wealthy. Anne then had a relationship with Royalist Joseph Bampfield, whom she worked with on behalf of the Royalist cause during the Civil War. After Anne found out that Bampfield was married, she moved to Scotland and stayed with the Countess of Dunfermline at Fyvie Castle, where she practised medicine. Anne later became a governess for the daughters of Sir James Halkett. In 1656 she became his second wife, and they were married for 14 years. After James died on 24 September 1670, Anne was left financially unstable until James II offered her a pension for her services during the Civil War. Anne died in 1699.
Copyright and Source Archive
Material sourced from the National Library of Scotland