and two Flemish colleagues from the royal artillery met the town's master wrights to discuss how the new timberwork of Tolbooth belfy and steeple would be hauled into position. The following Monday the work began, and in the next week the framework of the belfry, called a "brandrauth" was raised by 28 men "by force at once." In the autumn of 1555, Mansioun was based on the island of Inchkeith where he was in charge of horses and winches during the building of a fortress designed by a Siennese architect Lorenzo Pomarelli for Mary of Guise. An altarpiece for Chapel Royal at Holyrood Palace In May 1559 Mary of Guise had a new altarpiece installed in the Chapel Royal at Holyrood House. Exchequer documents show that she ordered paintings from Flanders for the altarpiece, and Andrew Mansioun contributed to making the frame. Mary, Queen of Scots On 28 December 1561, Mary, Queen of Scots made him 'Master Wrycht and Gunnare ordinare' for life. For this, Andrew had a monthly salary of £8-6s-8d. In August 1579, on his death, the position was given to his son Francis. Mary, Queen of Scots had her own French carpenter in her household to make and mend her furniture, beds, coffers and palace fixtures, Nicolas Guillebault. He was described as a valet de fourriére and menusier. His companion was Pierre Somville or Domville. There are several payments to "Nycolas Guillebank" in the treasurer's accounts, which show that he did some upholstery, but they do not give much detail of his work. The queen is known have had the configuration of some of her beds altered. It has been suggested a payment of £120 Scots in May 1566 was for making a cradle in expectation of the birth of Prince James at Edinburgh Castle. "Nicholace Gilbout" was paid for uphostering a chair for James VI at Stirling Castle with blue velvet in October 1567. Life and family Little is known of Andrew's origins, but the Scottish exchequer records consistently describe him as French. As one of the royal gunners, Andrew was hurt defending Edinburgh Castle from the English invasion of 1544 that opened the war of the Rough Wooing. One of his own cannon had backfired, and in June 1544 he was given 44 shillings to pay for treatment to his hand. Later, his salary or pension was increased to compensate him for his hand's lameness.