Robert Ayton

Sir Robert Ayton (Aytoun or Aiton), courtier, poet and philosopher, was buried in the south ambulatory of Westminster Abbey on February 28th 1638 (New Style dating), near the steps leading up to Henry VII's chapel. He has no readable gravestone.

His life

He was born at Kinaldie Castle in Fife, Scotland in 1570, one of four sons of Andrew Ayton (died 1589) and his wife Mariona or Mary (Lundie or London). He attended St Andrew's University with his brother John. He wrote poems in several languages, including French and Scots, and has been credited with writing the original version of Auld Lang Syne. Robert became secretary to Anne of Denmark, queen of James I (and VI of Scotland), and later to Henrietta Maria, queen of Charles I. Many of his poems were addressed to the King and he was knighted in 1612. He was also a Privy Councillor, Master of Requests and Master of the hospital of St Katherine by the Tower. He died unmarried in the Palace at Whitehall on 25th February 1638.

Monument

His monument was erected by his nephew John, who was his heir and a Gentleman Usher to Prince Charles. It includes a bronze bust of Robert. This has in the past been attributed to Francesco Fanelli, but this is now disputed and it may be by I. Besnier. The bust is flanked by standing figures of Apollo and Athene, who originally wore crowns and held a wreath over the bust. A bronze cartouche of arms appears above: "on a cross engrailed between four crescents, a rose". The motto means "And plucked they will give forth an odour". The inscription plate, in the form of a sheep's skin, has a Latin inscription which can be translated:

The monument of the noble Sir Robert Aiton, adorned with all virtue and erudition, especially poetry; of the ancient and illustrious family of Aiton originating from the castle of Kinaldie among the Scots, appointed Gentleman of the Bedchamber by the noble King James, sent to Germany to deliver the royal book to the Emperor and princes of the Empire, private secretary first to Queen Anne then to Queen Mary, and Master of the Hospital of St Catherine, he yielded his soul to the Creator and here his mortal remains are deposited awaiting the second coming of the Redeemer. Leaving behind Charles and Mary, he sees Anne again, and the ornament of the court changes his honour for high Olympus. He died unmarried in Whitehall not without great honour, to the grief and lamentation of all, aged 68, in the year of human salvation 1638. This monument was erected to the best of uncles by John Aiton

Below on the stone work are the words (translated):

Here lies the glory of the Muses, of his native land, and of the Court: a pattern of virtue at home and abroad, not such as may be imitated.

Further information

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

See the website of the Ayton Family Society

His will is at The National Archives, Kew, Surrey

Adam White A Biographical Dictionary of London tomb sculptors c.1560-c.1660, Walpole Society vol. 61, 1999 and Addenda to this, 2009.