Helenor Hay, Countess of Linlithgow (c. 1552–1627) was a Scottish courtier and writer.
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Early life
Born c. 1552, she was the eldest daughter of Andrew Hay, 8th Earl of Erroll by his first wife, and cousin, Lady Jean Hay, only child of William Hay, 6th Earl of Erroll. her name was often spelled "Helenor" in records, and her daughter Anne once wrote her name "Hellionor", although she herself signed several letters as "Eleanor".
Career
Helenor and her husband were the keepers of Linlithgow Palace and from 1596, Princess Elizabeth, although she was believed by some to be unsuitable as a professed Catholic. The household at Linlithgow for the Princess included Margaret Kennedy, Lady Ochiltree, Alison Hay and her sister Elizabeth Hay. Alison Hay was Princess Elizabeth's nurse. Elizabeth Hay brushed the Princess' hair, for which she was bought hairbrushes and combs. Anne of Denmark was able to visit her daughter at Linlithgow as often as she liked, while she found it less easy to visit her son Prince Henry at Stirling Castle.
The Countess took some religious instruction from Patrick Simson, minister of Stirling, who was also involved in the religious conversion of Marie Stewart, Countess of Mar.
