Mary Queen of Scots, also known as Marie Stuart, also known as Mary I, is one of the most fascinating characters of the 1500’s. Married three times and possibly partially responsible for her second husband’s death, Mary was tried for treason and executed in 1587.
Because she was crowned at 9 months and six days old, and because of her multiple marriages, Mary Queen of Scots had the opportunity to amass a considerable amount of jewelry during her life. She had crown jewels, of course, but also had a personal collection that included many pearls, other precious gems, gold, and silver. Two ruby chains that belonged to her contained two rubies each, two diamonds each, and twenty four pearls each.
Her mantle was totally encrusted in jewels. Her crown was made out of fine gold and shone with emeralds, diamonds, rubies and pearls. She inherited many jewels from her great grandfather Henry VII, so she had in her possession many Tudor pieces.
Many of Queen Mary’s fifty dresses were adorned with pearls and other jewels, and embroidered with gold and silver. Most of her crepe veils were also adorned with pearls and other jewels. While much of Mary’s property has been scattered into the wind, and the fate of what was arguably her most valuable piece of jewelry likely lies in the current queen’s jewelry collection.
This valuable piece is a six stranded pearl necklace/rosary that contains more than 600 pearls. Queen Elizabeth I, the cousin of Mary’s who ordered her imprisonment, bought this valuable piece as she was a collector of pearls. The pearls were appraised by a variety of people who had interest in them, and they were estimated to be worth sixteen thousand crowns. Elizabeth I paid twelve thousand crowns for them.
The pearls are not all white. In fact, old reports say that the larger pearls were “like black muscades,” a rare variety of pearl that has a purple hue. Despite the fact that many jewelers from all over Europe tried to buy the valuable pearls, Elizabeth was given preference. The reason Mary was in the process of selling her treasures is related to her relationship with James Hepburn, the 4th Earl of Bothwell. It is rumored that Bothwell was Mary’s second husband’s murderer. Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley was the name of that second husband. His death is shrouded in mystery. He reportedly died of strangulation in the garden of his home.
It is thought that Bothwell was the culprit, and there is a lot of speculation as to whether or not Mary was involved. There were conflicting stories – some say that Bothwell was a bad guy and that Mary was forced to marry him. Others say that Mary was infatuated with Bothwell and that they plotted the murder of Lord Darnley together.
It is known that Mary showered jewels upon Bothwell. Not the famous pearls, however, as they were safely and promptly sold to Queen Elizabeth I, who said they were “of unparalleled beauty.”
Author Resource:
Piper Smith is the VP of Marketing for Museum Way Pearls, a leading provider of pearl jewelry such as Tahitian pearl necklaces and pearl stud earrings. Museum Way Pearls can be found online at: http://www.museumwaypearls.com .
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