Did Queen Mary's Casket Play Role in Her Death?

Mary I of Scotland, or Mary, Queen of Scots is one of the most iconic monarchs in British history. She had an incredible impact on both Scottish and English history, and her life was one of tragedy, romance, and drama. But did you know she is also partly responsible for one of the finest examples of a French silver casket we have today? Known as the Mary, Queen of Scots Casket, it is one of the few lasting caskets of its era, with no other examples being of such high quality. It was also a key artifact in the intrigue that led to her downfall.
The Origins of the Casket
The Mary, Queen of Scots Casket was made in Paris at the end of the fifteenth or early sixteenth century. We know this thanks to the two makers’ stamps that are embossed onto the external underside panel. The mark is of a crowned  fleur-de-lis, identifying the casket as unmistakably Parisian. After 1506,  King Louis XII  ordered goldsmiths to start using a new mark, which means the casket was made before then. It is believed that the casket was given to Mary by her first husband, Francis II of France.
Read Full Article »


Comment
Show comments Hide Comments


Related Articles