Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587), Queen of Scotland 1542-1567
Letter signed, 1562
Estimate: £8,000 - £10,000
Auction: 18 June 2025 from 10:00 BST
Description
Letter signed ("Marie R.") asking the Laird of Kilravock to contribute to maintaining law and order in the region, dated 3rd November 1562, 20 lines in a secretarial hand with Mary's signature below, 20.5 x 30.5cm, laid-down at corners only onto mount according to professional archival standards [Rose, Shaw & Innes pp.238-239]
Footnote
As with several letters in the collection, this example (signed only by Mary) demonstrates the Crown’s reliance on the Roses of Kilravock to help keep the peace in the Highlands:
“Traist friend, we greteyou wele; we doubt nocht bot ye haue bene informit vpoun quhat occasion we haue bene sa lang constrenit to remayne in thir north partis. Now we haue put end to sum of our gretest bissines, and is myndit to retire ws to the south, levand behind ws sick ordour as we vnderstand may keip tranquillite, rest and quietness amangis our trew subiectes; Quhairupoun we have thocht guid to wryte vnto yow as ane our special freindis that best may serue for that purpos, being assurit that ye ar of sufficient power, gif ye will employ yourself that way, to do us seruice; And therefore prayis yow effectuislie, as ye will declare yow our gude and obedient subiect, to gif diligent heid and attendance that guid reull and ordour be kept within your awin boundis;…Ans alswa that ye permit nor suffer na rebels to remain or be resset within your boundis, bot gif it sal happin ony sick to resort within the samyn, that ye eaus thame to be apprehendit to the effect thaj may be presented before our iustice and his deouties, to be punist for their demeritis…”