1) Thanks to the Royal Collection Trust on Instagram, I reminded that today is the anniversary of the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Fotheringay Castle. I became fascinated by Mary at the same time I discovered the Presidents and First Ladies in third grade. (Thanks Mom and Dad for that World Book Encyclopedia!) That’s no small reason why I sat her at Etiquetteer’s right in that list of 13 dinner guests from all history.
A sample of Mary’s embroidery I saw at the V&A in August, 2019.
2) Mary was beautiful, powerful, headstrong, emotional, devout, and a talented needlewoman. Unable to avoid execution, she at least stage managed it superbly, for History. Who else would think to wear a tawny velvet petticoat and sleeves so that the blood wouldn’t clash with her white linen underclothes?! Nor did she enter the room as a penitent, but as an anointed queen in a gigantic black velvet robe of state spangled with gold. As I’ve said before, it’s all about accessorizing!
2a) I may have to take some time today to reread the relevant chapters of her biography by Stefan Zweig.
3) Then of course there’s Monty Python’s eternal imagining of the scene.
