The Last Days of Mary Stuart, and the journal of Bourgoyne her physician — John Shaqi
The Last Days of Mary Stuart, and the journal of Bourgoyne her physicianCowan, Samuel
History
The Last Days of Mary Stuart, and the journal of Bourgoyne her physician
Cowan, Samuel
Mary, Queen of Scots, 1542-1587 -- Death and burial
“This lady was removed hither on the 25th of this month by Sir Walter
Aston, Mr. Bagott, Mr. Gresley, Mr. Littleton, Mr. Chetwynd, and
others to the number of one hundred and forty horses at the least. At
the coming out of Sir Walter Aston's gate she said with a low voice,
weeping, to some poor folks who were there assembled, 'I have nothing
for you; I am a beggar as well as you; all is taken from me,' and when
she came to the gentlemen she said, weeping, 'Good gentlemen, I am not
witting or privy to anything intended against the Queen.' She visited
Curle's wife (who was delivered of child in her absence) before she
went to her own chamber, bidding her to be of good comfort, and that
she would answer for her husband in all things that might be objected
against him. Curle's child remaining unchristened, and the priest
removed before the arrival of this lady, she desired that my minister
might baptize the child with such godfathers and godmothers as I would
procure, so as the child might bear her name. This being refused, she
came shortly after into Curle's wife's chamber, and laying the child on
her knee, she took water out of the basin, and casting it upon the face
of the child said, 'Mary, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost,' calling the child by her own name Mary. This
may not be found strange in her who maketh no conscience to break the
laws of God and man.
“At the coming hither Mr. Darell delivered the keys as well of her
chamber as of her coffers to Bastian, which he refused by direction
from his mistress, who required Mr. Darell to open her chamber door,
which he did; and then this lady, finding that her papers were taken
away, said in great choler that two things could not be taken from
her: her English blood and her Catholic religion, which both she would
keep until her death, adding further these words: 'Some of you will be
sorry for it,' meaning the taking away of her papers. I was not present
when these words were spoken, but no doubt they reached me, in what
sense she only knoweth. I may be sorry for others, but I know there is
nothing in her papers that can give me cause to be sorry for myself.
I am deceived also that she is not hasty to see me or speak with me,
only she sent to know if I would convey her letter to Her Majesty,
which I refused, saying that no letters should pass out of this house
without orders from above. She made the like request at Sir Walter
Aston's house, which I also refused and desired your direction thereon.
I received yours of the 25th, by which you continue to increase my joy
by your report of Her Majesty's gracious acceptance of my unworthy
services. God be thanked that so many of the principal conspirators are
apprehended, and God make us thankful for his singular mercies.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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