John Balfour

John Balfour was a Scottish courtier or servant at the court of Mary of Guise and Mary, Queen of Scots. He was a valet in the Queen's Chamber and performed tasks related to the royal wardrobe. Servais de Condé and Toussaint Courcelles were his colleagues. His family is unclear. Another man, also recorded as "Master John Balfour" was an official of the Scottish mint in this period. He was frequently tasked with buying materials for the queen's costume. In October 1566 he bought materials in Edinburgh to send to the queen at Stirling Castle. These included gold and silver thread and needles for embroidery. In March 1562 he bought the cloth which Mary gave to 19 maidens on "Skyris Thursday" or Maundy Thursday at Falkland Palace. In May he bought gold passementerie for the wedding gown of Lady Fleming and linen for shirts and collars for one of the queen's fools. In July he refurbished the beds at Falkland Palace and bought yellow and violet satin for a gown for Mademoiselle Rallay.