The Silver Casket

Today's the day . . . . . . . . . for Mary Queen of Scots

Last night we went to a preview of the new exhibition at Kirkcudbright Art Gallery, which centres on a beautiful silver casket that belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots.  The casket has become particularly famous because it allegedly contained eight letters and some sonnets, said to have been written by Mary to the Earl of Bothwell - and they were  found in this casket after Mary's arrest in 1567.

The text of the letters was taken to imply that Queen Mary had colluded with Bothwell in the murder of her husband, Lord Darnley.  The letters formed a vital part of the evidence in the trials - that eventually led to Mary's execution on 5th February 1587.  The originals of these letters were destroyed, perhaps by Mary's son, James VI.  Copies have survived in both French and Scots translations, but the accuracy these copies and the authenticity of the text continues to be debated.

This morning, we went to an event at the gallery - a performance by costumed actors recreating how things might have been, the night before Mary's execution at Fotheringhay Castle.  It was powerful stuff that has remained with us for most of the day.  The Casket is on loan to Kirkcudbright Art Gallery until 27th April 2025.  

Do come and see it, if you're anywhere near .........................