Art Funded by you

The Last Letter of Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots, 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.

More information

Title of artwork, date

The Last Letter of Mary, Queen of Scots, 1587

Date supported

1918

Medium and material

Pen & ink on paper

Dimensions

Each: 31 x 20 cm

Gifted by

Rt Hon F Leverton Harris

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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