Monday (or later) MAIN: Mary QOS and Darnley/Murder MOST FOUL: I am their Queen and so they call me, but they use me not so…they must be taught to know their duties Mary Staurt

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 This section of the plan shows the bodies of Lord Darnley and his servant in the garden.

  • why are the men half naked?
  • how did the bodies get there?
  • what might the chair have been used for?
  • are there any obvious marks on the bodies?
  • who do you think the dagger belonged to?
  • how do you think they died?

The National Archives

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/kirk-o-field/

 

 

 

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Related image

Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll, PC

Born: c. 1532, an epileptic he succeeded to the earldom in 1558.  Active in the Reformation Parliament of 1560, but John Knox thought him too tolerate of other religions.  A prominent member of the Privy and Council and the powerful magnate in the Western Highlands.

 

 

Married:  (1) 1 Jul 1553 (div. 23 Jun 1573) Lady Jean Stuart (dsp. 7 Jan 1587/8), illegitimate daughter of James V, King of Scotland, by his mistress Elizabeth Bethune, dauhter of Sir John Bethune of Creich  Divorced 1564

 

 

Mary was dining with Rizzio and her half-sister Jean, countess of Argyll in a small closet just off her bedchamber upstairs in the tower of the Palace of Holyroodhouse that had been built by and named after her father, James V.   When Rizzio, her Italian Secretary was attached, and murder by her husband Darnley and a group of Lairds.   The Freelance History Writer

 

 

Married:  (2) 5 Aug 1573 Lady Janet Cunningham (Married:  (2) 1583 Humphrey Colquhoun of Luss;  dsp. 1584), 2nd dau. of Alexander Cunningham, 5th Earl of Glencairn, by his second wife and cousin Janet Cunningham, daughter of Sir John Cunningham of Caprington

 

 

…with Murray he advised and supported Mary Queen of Scots, who regarded him with great favour. It was about this time that William Cecil, afterwards Lord Burghley, referred to Argyll as “a goodly gentleman universally honoured of all Scotland.” Owing to his friendship with Mary, Argyll was separated from the party of Knox, but he forsook the queen when she determined to marry Lord Darnley; he was, however, again on Mary’s side after Queen Elizabeth’s refusal to aid Murray in 1565.

 

 

After Darnley’s murder he separated himself from Murray and commanded Mary’s soldiers after her escape from Lochleven, and by his want of courage and resolution was partly responsible for her defeat at Langside in May 1568. Soon afterwards he made his peace with Murray.

 

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According to the Encyclopedia Britannica:   Argyll was probably an accomplice in the murder of Rizzio; he was certainly a consenting party to that of Darnley, and… but it is possible that he was accessory to the regent’s murder in 1570.”  (James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray

 

 

After this event Argyll became lord high chancellor of Scotland, and he died on the 12th of September 1573 without issue and was succeeded by: half-brother

Note: Justiciar of Scotland 1558;  Privy Councillor 1571;  Lord High Chancellor of Scotland 1572/3

 

 

So this particular gentlemen is not only associated with the murders of Rizzio and Darnley but also the Regant Morley–James Stuart.   He was good at being involved in plots where there was little close up danger to him?  But he didn’t do so well in battle as he is counted to the loss of Mary’s cause due to issues of “courage,”

 

 

Inveraray Castle Ancestral home Argylls

Image result for inveraray castle

Iveraray Castle 

is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell and the iconic, must-see visitor attraction on the West Coast of Scotland.  It has been the seat of the Dukes of Argyll, chiefs of Clan Campbell, since the 18th century. which means it came after our laird’s death.

There are bunches of events and activities there to see and things to do

https://www.inveraray-castle.com/

 

a more contemporary castle to these events would be

Kilmartin Castle/Argyll, Scotland

https://www.celticcastles.com/castles/kilmartin-castle/

Kilmartin Castle was originally built in 1550 for John Carswell, Rector of Kilmartin Glen and later Bishop of The Isles, where he lived for around 15 years before moving to his new residence at Carnasserie Castle (now ruined), just 1.5 miles north of Kilmartin.

The castle was passed to and held by the Campbell Clan, one of the largest and most powerful of the Highland clans. After many years in the hands of the Campbell Clan, the castle was abandoned and left to rack and ruin for well over 200 years.

Now, following an extensive refurbishment and some much needed TLC, Kilmartin Castle is available to rent on a self-catered basis; the perfect Scottish retreat for walkers, nature-lovers, couples, families and friends alike.

 

Kilmartin Castle

 

 

“Bothwell awaited us by the way, accompanied with a great force, and led us with all diligence to Dunbar…Albeit we found his doings rude, yet were his words and answers gentle.”  Mary of Scotts

 

 

 

 

Image result for death of darnley

 

 

 

 

 

And while that takes care of the Lairds who are suspected there were  others:
A soldier who found the two bodies in the orchard was first found innocent on the crime but was later tried and found guilty and summarily executed.
One novel I read even blamed Thomas Nelson, Darnley’s servant and one of the few survivors of the explosion, as the master spy and eventually the man who carried out that plot including the explosion and the murder of the Queen’s consort with the help of some hired Scottish help.  He had a valet as well William Taylor, two grooms, Andrew McCaig and Master Glen but according to Weir there is no mention of guards, given Darnley’s unpopularity that seems odd at the very least.   Nelson did testify that the King’s “rich bed ” and the tapestries were removed shortly before the explosion at the queen’ orders which she stated was due to medical baths he was receiving which she felt would damage these, which seems to further incriminate
One of her French attendants name (REALLY!) Paris is said to have by his presence at a certain time and place to signal Mary that plans were all in place to cue her to make excuses that would keep her from returning for the night to Kirk o’Fields.
Sandy Durham one of the royal household was accused by one of Mary’s who alleges that he had made several request to have a leave from his service and goes on to claim that the man who did get to go home before the explosion, was a spy for Darnley’s enemies.
Where did Mary Queen of Scots live?
Stirling Castle
Mary was crowned Queen of Scotland in the Chapel Royal, aged only nine months. It’s said that she howled non-stop throughout the ceremony.
Stirling Castle is of course in Stirling Scotland which is the castle that guards the pass to the highlands—there are all manner of tours that go here, or at least stop here as part of their adventure—but you can also take a train from Edinburgh for instance (I’ve done it—easy and the train depot is convenient to visiting the castle and of course the rest of the ancient town)
check what you can see and do at this site

Image result for wolsey and the murder of darnley

 

So who did it.   I’m leaning towards the Lords, all of which were involved in the murder of Rissio and at least one of which is expected to have been involved by the first record murder (as apposed to battle)/assassination of the Regent James Stuart.    By sticking together they protected and alibied each other and as some of the most power men in the land it was unlikely that they would fall from the King Concort’s death.

 

 

Was Mary involved:  Oh yes—did she participated active—no I don’t think so, but I believe she knew about it—the fact that she didn’t go back to Kirk o’Fields the night of the explosion being just one of the tells.   Though she had no active part she most certainly was miserable and quite possibly did a Henry II—save me from this horrid person who is destroying my life—-but since the victim wasn’t a powerful church official she didn’t have to do penance for it—however it would eventually destroy her reign and lead to her escape to England where eventually she would be executed for plotting against Elizabeth—-again something she took no active part of, but most certainly wanted rid of this woman who was on the throne that she felt she was more entitled to.

 

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter—to make a comment all you have to do is become a subscriber—it’s free and I don’t bother you (well unless you keep showing up as your penance) with any mailers or anything….SOOOO let me know.

 

We’ll do another murder mystery in awhile but on to something different next Monday (or Tuesday at latest)

 

Wed. are my Memory days

 

and
Fridays are Odds and Ends—the little things that have little in common except an interest in my crazy mind—but that I thought some of you might find interesting as well.
Later
Statue of Mary, Queen of Scots in Linlithgow, Scotland
Statue of Mary, Queen of Scots in Linlithgow, Scotland

Private Tours Visiting Areas important to Mary

Rabbie’s has a sight that outlines places related to Mary and different tours that will take you there:  https://www.rabbies.com/en/blog/guide-places-connected-mary-queen-scots

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