George Kirke

George Kirke (died 1675) was a Scottish-born courtier and Member of Parliament for Clitheroe. He was a son of George Kirke, a servant of James VI of Scotland. George Kirke senior was keeper of the chamber door to Prince Charles in Scotland at Dunfermline Palace and was given a pension for his long service, with other servants of the Prince in March 1605. Career George Kirke, younger, was a page to Prince Henry. He became a Groom of the Chamber to Prince Charles in 1613. Kirke went to Spain in 1623 during Prince Charles' Spanish Match. The goldsmith George Heriot, who died in 1623, bequeathed to him either a diamond or piece of gold or silver plate worth £50. He continued as a groom of the bedchamber to King Charles and gentleman of the robes. His accounts detail purchases of fabric and tailoring for the king. He provided costume for the masque Coelium Britannicum in February 1634, and bought diamonds and pearls for robes worn on St George's day 1639.