George Nicholson

George Nicholson or Nicolson (floruit 1577–1612), was an English diplomat in Scotland. Resident in Scotland George Nicholson was not an ambassador in Scotland but a resident agent. He had been a servant of Robert Bowes for many years. Nicholson, Christopher Shepherdson, and William Wood were mentioned as servants of Bowes in the will of Isotta de Canonici, the wife of the Italian writer Giacomo Castelvetro, who died in Edinburgh in 1594. Bowes became unwell in 1597 and intended Nicholson should take his place. On 6 December 1597 Queen Elizabeth of England wrote a letter of accreditation for Nicholson as the English resident, to be delivered to King James VI of Scotland. Nicholson was to get 13s-4d per day and the help of the Governor of Berwick-upon-Tweed to convey his letters. Nicholson was soon treated as an ambassador in all but name. Most of his letters were sent to the Secretary, Sir Robert Cecil. His network of contacts at the Scottish court built on the organisation built by Bowes and the English courtier Roger Aston, and he came treat James VI in a familiar way. Nicholson played cards with James VI at Falkland Palace in May 1602. Cecil from time to time reminded him of his low status as a resident agent, rather than an ambassador, a representative of a monarch and usually a member of the aristocracy. Nicholson may have been insensitive, or lacked some tact, notably he came to Dunfermline seeking an audience with the king on 3 June 1602 while the court was in mourning for the death of the infant Duke Robert. The Treasurer, Sir George Home sent him away.