Anne Halkett

Anne Halkett (née Murray) (c. 1623 – 1699), also known as Lady Halkett, was an English religious writer and autobiographer.

Early life Halkett's father Thomas Murray was tutor to King James I's children. He later became Provost of Eton College. Her mother, Jane Drummond Murray, was governess to the king's children. When Thomas Murray died, Halkett was educated by her mother. She learned French, dancing, medicine, music, needlework, religion and surgery. Her religious education was extensive, and she read the Bible, said daily prayers and regularly attended church. In 1639 Dr Robert Johnstone, a friend of the jeweller George Heriot, bequeathed her a diamond ring.

Personal life Halkett's first romantic relationship was with Thomas Howard. Although Howard was from a distinguished family, he was not wealthy. This meant that marriage between them would be economically damaging to both families. Halkett's emotions were caught between the economic difficulties the marriage would result in, and the pain and loss of credibility that Howard would suffer if she did not marry him. To prevent Halkett from making an imprudent decision, her mother guarded her by having another person sleep in Halkett's room and forbidding her from seeing Howard again. Rather than disobey her mother, Halkett said goodbye to him while wearing a blindfold. Her relationship with Howard created a rift between her and her mother that lasted for fourteen months. Although Howard vowed never to marry another woman, he later broke this promise. Halkett reported in her writing that his marriage was known to be unhappy.

Halkett had a relationship with the Royalist Colonel Joseph Bampfield. She collaborated with him in several daring manoeuvres on behalf of the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. Halkett seems to have lived with Bampfield under the promise of marriage. She practised medicine in Scotland, Bampfield came to see her at Fyvie.

In June 1652, she stayed a few days at Floors Castle with the Countess of Roxburghe. On her return to Edinburgh she stayed with Sophia Lindsay, the pregnant wife of Sir Robert Moray in Lord Tweeddale's house in the Canongate. Sophia Lindsay died in childbirth a few days after Christmas. In February, Anne Murray moved to a lodging in Blackfriar's Wynd.

She later became a governess in the household of Sir James Halkett,

Halkett was happily married to Sir James for 20 years. When he died she was left with insufficient funds to support her family, and made her living by teaching children of nobility

Written work Halkett's writings include an extensive autobiography (c. 1677), religious meditations, and Instructions for Youth.