EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBMary, Queen of Scots Letter Signed
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $5 |
| $50 | $10 |
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
About Auction
LiveOct 12, 2022
RR Auction support@rrauction.com
View Full Catalog (660)
- Lot Description
Exemplary LS in Scots, signed "Marie R," one page, 8.25 x 12, "Holyrood" ("At our abbey of Halirudehous"), March 23, 1566/7, written to William Keith, the 3rd Earl Marischal. Queen Mary summons the Earl Marischal to a significant parliamentary event in Edinburgh on April 14, strongly urging his attendance. In part (translated): "There are various matters to be discussed touching the welfare of our realm and…issues relating to the prosperity of our cousin the Earl of Huntly" [in Scots: "Thair is divers effaces to be intreated for the welffair of or. realme and…thingis concernyng the weill of our cousing the erle of hwntlie"]. The Queen adds that his "good counsel and advice" [in Scots: "guid counsall and adwyis"] would be very beneficial. With address, later docket to reverse, and very slight traces of a red wax seal. In fine condition, with eight neat slits from the original string closure, with only one affecting two words and not the signature. Accompanied by a handsome hunter green cloth presentation folder emblazoned with "Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots" on the front in gold.
Third Earl Marischal William Keith, to whom this letter is written, was the Uncle of George Gordon, 5th Earl of Huntly and Lord Chancellor of Scotland. Huntly, a major conspirator of the time, had allied himself with the 4th Earl of Bothwell James Hepburn, Lord High Admiral of Scotland, and third husband-to-be of Mary, Queen of Scots. Huntly accompanied Bothwell and Mary to visit her second husband, Lord Darnley, shortly before his February 10, 1567 death; Darnley's residence was destroyed by an explosion and he was found murdered in the garden.
Bothwell was immediately accused of the crime and stood trial on April 12: having packed Edinburgh with armed supporters, he was soon acquitted. In the meantime, Huntly persuaded his sister, Lady Jean Gordon, to divorce Bothwell, leaving him free to wed Mary. As payment for his assistance, Huntly's family estates were to be restored and—as is foreshadowed in this letter—an Act of Parliament on April 19 delivered on that promise. Mary wed Bothwell on May 15, 1567, and with her reputation destroyed, she abdicated the throne on July 24, 1567. An exceptionally clean and attractive document of great rarity, boasting impressive historical content.
Past sales history: RR Auction, Remarkable Rarities, January 22, 2015. - Shipping Info
-
Bidder is liable for shipping and handling and providing accurate information as to shipping or delivery locations and arranging for such. RR Auction is unable to combine purchases from other auctions or affiliates into one package for shipping purposes. Lots won will be shipped in a commercially reasonable time after payment in good funds for the merchandise and the shipping fees are received or credit extended, except when third-party shipment occurs. Bidder agrees that service and handling charges related to shipping items which are not pre-paid may be charged to a credit card on file with RR Auction. Successful international Bidders shall provide written shipping instructions, including specified Customs declarations, to RR Auction for any lots to be delivered outside of the United States. NOTE: Declaration value shall be the item’(s) hammer price and RR Auction shall use the correct harmonized code for the lot. Domestic Bidders on lots designated for third-party shipment must designate the common carrier, accept risk of loss, and prepay shipping costs.
-
- Buyer's Premium
