JOHN BROWN

JOHN BROWN

.

John Brown was born on the 8th December, 1826.

In 1842, he started work at Balmoral as a farmhand, then a stableboy.

Outdoor workers were known as Ghillies.

Queen Victoria first mentions him in her diary, in 1849, describing a trip they took to Dhu Loch, with John Brown accompanying them.

In 1851, John Brown became a permanent Ghillie at Balmoral.

Prince Albert enjoyed Brown's company, and allowed him freedoms only a trusted servant would have.

With Albert's untimely death in 1861, Victoria retreated to Osborne house, on the Isle of Wight.

Victoria asked Brown to bring her Highland pony from Balmoral, and accompany her on rides.

Brown became known as 'The Queen's Highland Servant' and took his orders exclusively from Victoria, and nobody else.

From then on, Brown was constantly at Victoria's side, until his death nearly 20 years later.

Rumours that Victoria and Brown were in a relationship swirled-

a romance, a secret marriage, and Victoria calling herself Mrs Brown.

Brown was allowed many privileges which infuriated Victoria's family.

She gave him gifts, created medals for him, and treated him far more than a normal servant.

In March, 1883, Brown fell into a coma and died.

He had been ill, with a fever and chills, but was still working seven days a week.

His cause of death was Erysipelas, a streptococcial infection.

Victoria's diary entry says-

"I'm terribly moved by a loss that robs me of a person who has

served me with so much devotion and loyalty, and has done so

much for my personal well-being.

With him, i not only lose one servant-but a real friend"

John Brown was buried in the cemetery at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral.

The inscription on his grave marks the very real real affection Victoria had for him.

"This stone is erected in affectionate and grateful

remembrance of John Brown, the devoted and faithful

personal attendant and beloved friend of Queen Victoria, in

whose service he had been for 34 years.

Born at Crathienaird on 8 Decr. 1826 died at Windsor Castle

27th March 1883.

That friend on whose fidelity you can count /that friend given

to you by circumstances/over which you have no control/was

God's own gift.

Well done good and faithful servant/Thou hast been faithful

over a few things/I will make thee ruler over many

things/Enter through into the joy of the Lord"

Just as she had done with Albert, Victoria ordered everything in Brown's room to remain as it was.

A statue was erected in his honour at Balmoral.

Victoria stated, when she died, she wished to be buried with a lock of his hair, a photograph, and his mother's wedding ring.

These wishes were carried out without the knowledge of the Queens family, by her private physician

.

https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/john-brown/

.

https://ko-fi.com/thetudorintruders