Mary of Guise (1515-1560), Queen of James V Scotland, Regent of Scotland for Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1560)
Five letters, signed, 1555-1559
Estimate: £3,000 - £5,000
Auction: 18 June 2025 from 10:00 BST
Description
Letter signed, 17th [or 27th] June 1555. Asking the Laird of Kilravock to meet with the earl of Atholl on the 6th August “as ye will schaw you obedient and reddie to sett forwardt the seruice and auctorite of oure derrest dochter agains her rebellouris and jnobedient subjects…”, written in light of an ordinance for passing upon the Highland rebels, 15 lines written in a secretarial hand, signed “Marie R.” below, 15 x 20.5cm [Rose, Shaw & Innes p.219];
Letter signed, 2nd September 1556. 14 lines written in a secretarial hand, signed “Marie R.” below, 20 x 27cm;
Letter signed 12th May 1557. Regarding the murder of Donald McLeod of Dunvegan by John “of Mynyenes” [Iain Dubh], stating: “Johnne og McCloyde of Mynyenes, in the moneth of Merche last be past, cruelly murthirit and slew vmquhile Williame [in fact Donald] McCloyde of Dunvegane…” and asking the Laird of Kilravock and his kinsmen to be ready “vpone vi houris wairning” to retake the castle, 12 lines (with an additional sidenote) written in a secretarial hand, signed “Marie R.” below, 14.5 x 21cm [Rose, Shaw & Innes pp.222-223];
Letter signed 6th October 1557. Granting the Laird of Kilravock license to remain at home rather than convening with the army at “Falowmure” due to his “malidye of syatik and dolour in his left syde”, 14 lines written in a secretarial hand, signed “Marie R.” below, 20.5 x 31cm [Rose, Shaw & Innes p.224];
Letter signed 10th August 1559. Regarding the appointment of George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, to the Protestant Lords of the Congregation, writing: “we haif apprevit it in all things, albeit was taken without our avise”, however: “we are informit, the saidis Lordis of the Congregatioune intendis schortlie to convene all sic personis as will assist to thame, for interprising of sum heich purpois aganis our auctorite…”, and asking the Laird of Kilravock to be ready to come to her aid, 20 lines written in a secretarial hand, signed “Marie R.” below, 16 x 20.5cm [Rose, Shaw & Innes p.76] (5)
Footnote
Mary of Guise married James V of Scotland in 1538 and was the mother of his only surviving legitimate child, Mary - later Mary, Queen of Scots. Just six days after her birth in 1542, Mary became queen upon her father's death. Her first regent was James Hamilton, Duke of Châtellerault, who relinquished the role in April 1554 in favour of Mary of Guise, having been led to believe he would then be named heir to the throne.
Mary of Guise’s regency coincided with the early stages of the Scottish Reformation. In 1560, a group of Protestant nobles known as the Lords of the Congregation seized control of Parliament, established a Reformed Protestant Church, and rejected the authority of the Pope. As a French Catholic ruling a country increasingly sympathetic to Protestantism, Mary found herself in a precarious position.
The final letter presented here, dated 10th August 1559, reflects her mounting concern over the growing influence of the Lords of the Congregation, who were being joined by many of the kingdom’s trusted nobles. By July 1559, Mary had withdrawn to Dunbar after Edinburgh fell to the Lords, and shortly thereafter she signed the Articles of Leith, pledging religious tolerance. This letter was written in the immediate aftermath, offering a poignant glimpse into her political anxieties and the fragile balance of power in Scotland on the eve of religious revolution.