(Vol. viii., p. 293.)
I possess a cast of this medal as described by your correspondent W.
FRASER, but which is a little indistinct in some of the letters of its
inscriptions. The yew-tree represented on it is generally supposed to be
that which stood at Cruikston Castle nearly Paisley; and its motto "Vires"
may perhaps have been intended to denote its natural strength and
durability. The date of the medal being 1566, and Mary's marriage with Lord
Darnly having taken place on July 29, 1565, the yew-tree may have been
introduced to commemorate some incident of their courtship, and gives
likelihood to the common tradition. I once had a small box composed partly
of its wood, and of {445} that of the "Torwood Oak" near Stirling, which
was presented to me about thirty-five years ago by an aged lady, whose
property it had been for a long time previously, and who placed much value
on it as a relic. Though visiting Cruikston Castle in early life, I never
heard of there being any feeling of "superstition" connected with such
little objects as the crosses, &c. which were long made from the wood of
the yew-tree. They are all, I think, to be viewed simply as curiosities
associated with the historical interest of the place, and similar examples
are to be found among our people in the numerous _quaichs_ (drinking-cups)
and other articles which have been formed from the "Torwood Oak" that
protected the illustrious Sir William Wallace from his enemies; from his
oak at Elderslie, said to have been planted by his hand, two miles to the
west of Paisley; and lately from such scraps of the old oaken rafters of
the Glasgow Cathedral as could be obtained in the course of its modern
repairs.
As respects the yew-tree immediately concerned, some notices of its remains
may be found in a work entitled _The Severn Delineated_, by Charles Taylor,
Glasgow, 1831, at page 82. The author, who was a very curious local
antiquary, died in 1837, aged forty-two. As his book is now scarce, I may
be excused from subjoining rather a long extract, but which also throws
some light on other particulars of this subject:
"Retreating from Househill (a seat in the vicinity) to Cruikston
Castle, the country is rich, and the scenery delightful. The castle
itself might be the subject of volumes, as it has been the theme of
many a poet, and the subject of many a painter's pencil. Its name is
known all over the world, or may be so, from the circumstance of its
once having been the residence of Mary Queen of Scots and Henry Lord
Darnly; and though the famed yew-tree decks not now the 'hallowed
mould,' as the poet expresses himself,
'Is there an eye that tearless could behold
This lov'd retreat of beauty's fairest flower?'
About three years ago a large fragment fell from the south wing of this
ruin, despite of all the attention Sir John Maywell paid to keep it up.
The founder of this castle was one De Croc; hence the name Crockston,
Crocston, or Cruikston. This family (says Crawfurd), failing in ane
heiress, she was married to Sir Alexander Stewart of Torbolton, second
son to Walter, the second of that name, Great Stewart of Scotland, and
of this marriage are descended the families of Darnly and Lorn."
Cruikston is now the property of Sir John Maywell of Nether Pollock. Of the
trunk of the once--
" . . . . . green yew,
The first that met the royal Mary's view;
When bright in charms the youthful princess led
The graceful Darnly to her throne and bed."--
Lady Maywell ordered to be made by an ingenious individual, at
Pollockshaws, an exact model of the castle, and some table and other
utensils, which are still in preservation at Pollock. Before its removal,
many are the snuff-boxes, toddy ladles, &c. that have been made of it, and
are still in preservation by the curious. The following couplet, composed
by the late Mr. W. Craig, surgeon, is inscribed on one of these ladles,
which has seen no little service:
"Near Cruikston Castle's stately tower,
For many a year I stood;
My shade was of the hallow'd bower;
Where Scotland's queen was woo'd."
Another medal of Queen Mary's, of considerable size, of which I have seen a
cast many years since, contained the following inscriptions:
"O God graunt patience in that I suffer vrang."
The reverse has in the centre:
"Quho can compare with me in grief,
I die and dar nocht seek relief."
With this legend around:
"Hourt not the [heart symbol] quhais [heart whose] joy thou art."
"They all appear [says Mr. Pinkerton] to have been done in France by
Mary's directions, who was fond of devices. Her cruel captivity could
not debar her from intercourse with her friends in France; who must
with pleasure have executed her orders as affording her a little
consolation."