The Last Letter of Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots (1542 - 1587)

National Library of Scotland

1587

The last letter of Mary, Queen of Scots, addressed to her brother-in-law, Henry III, King of France, on the eve of her execution at Fotheringay Castle in Northamptonshire, 8th February 1587. The letter is perfectly preserved and is one of the few works of purely historical interest to be acquired through the Art Fund (arousing considerable debate at the time). Written in French, it announces Mary's sentence of death and implies she saw herself as a religious martyr.

• Medium: pen & ink on paper
• Dimensions: each: 31 x 20cm
• ArtFunded in: 1918

Provenance

Collection of Morrison

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