The public are to be given a rare chance to see the last letter by Mary Queen of Scots, which was written just hours before she was beheaded.
Mary penned the letter in the cell where she had been imprisoned for 19 years by her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.
Mary tells her brother-in-law, King Henri III of France, that she is “to be executed like a criminal at eight in the morning”.
The manuscript will be on show at Perth Museum for three months.
It will be the first time in a generation that the letter will be on prolonged public display.
The manuscript is usually kept in secure storage at the National Library of Scotland (NLS).
Chris Cassels, head of archives and manuscript collections, said it was incredibly special to see it “in the flesh”.
“It is indeed really critically important in that it gives us an insight into Mary’s final hours on earth. It is indeed obviously testimony to how she views herself in those final moments,” he said.
Mary Stuart was nine months old when she was crowned Queen of Scots following the death of her father, James V, in 1542.
She was raised in France, where she married the heir to the throne, the Dauphin Francis.
Mary was widowed by the age of 18 and returned to Scotland to rule as queen at a time when her Catholicism was viewed with suspicion.
A newly discovered letter penned by Mary Queen of Scots is going on display, but its preservation requires careful control of light exposure. Experts warn that bright or ultraviolet light could cause irreversible damage to the fragile document.
“We need to monitor, control, and reduce the amount of light the letter receives,” explained a conservator.”That’s how we protect it for future generations.”
The letter will be exhibited for three months at Perth Museum, starting January 23rd. It’s a meaningful addition to the museum’s collection, according to Ashleigh Hibbins, head of audiences.
“It’s a huge coup for us,” Hibbins said. “Mary had strong ties to this area and spent considerable time in Perthshire.”
Most famously,she was accused of being involved in the murder of Lord Darnley at Kirk o’ Field,near Edinburgh,in 1567. She later fled to England, where she was eventually executed in 1587 after nearly 19 years in captivity.
The letter’s contents remain confidential, but museum officials promise it offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of the controversial queen. The exhibition will also showcase other artifacts related to Mary’s time in Scotland.
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