THE ASSASSINATION OF DAVID RIZZIO.
It was on the evening of Saturday the 9th of March 1566,[124] that the
conspirators determined to strike the blow, which was either to make or
mar them.[125] The retainers of Morton, and the other Lords his
accomplices, assembled secretly in the neighbourhood of the Palace, to the
number of nearly five hundred. They were all armed, and when it became
dark, Morton, who took the command, led them into the interior court of
Holyroodhouse, which, in his capacity of Lord High Chancellor of the
kingdom, he was able to do, without much difficulty or suspicion. It had
been arranged, that he should remain to guard the entry to the palace,
whilst Ruthven, with a select party, was to proceed to the Queen's
chamber. Patrick Lord Ruthven was exactly the sort of person suited for a
deed of cowardice and cruelty, being by nature cursed with dispositions
which preferred bigotry to religion, and barbarism to refinement. He was
now in the forty-sixth year of his age, and had been for some months
confined to a sick-bed, by a dangerous disease.[126] Though scarcely able
to walk, he nevertheless undertook to head the assassins. He wore a
helmet, and a complete suit of armour concealed under a loose robe.[127]
Mary, altogether unsuspicious of the tragedy about to be performed, sat
down to supper, as usual, at seven o'clock. There were with her only her
illegitimate sister, the Countess of Argyle, her brother the Lord Robert
Stuart, and her Foreign Secretary, David Rizzio. Beaton, her Master of the
Household, Erskine, an inferior attendant, and one or two other servants
of the Privy Chamber, were in waiting at a side-table; or, in the words of
Stranguage, "tasting the meat taken from the Queen's table, at the
cupboard, as the servants of the Privy Chamber use to do."[128] It is a
curious and interesting fact, that notwithstanding all the changes which
time has wrought on the Palace of Holyrood, the very cabinet in which Mary
supped, on this eventful evening, as well as the adjoining rooms and
passages through which the conspirators came, still exist, in nearly the
same state in which they were in the year 1566. The principal staircase,
in the north-west tower, leads up to the Queen's chamber of
presence;--passing through this apartment, a door opens into Mary's
bedroom, where her own bed yet stands, although its furniture is now
almost in tatters. It was in the small closet or cabinet off her bed-room,
containing one window, and only about twelve feet square, that Mary sat at
supper on the 9th of March, two hundred and sixty-two years ago.
Communicating with Darnley's chamber, immediately beneath, there was, and
is, a private passage into Mary's bedroom, by which it could be entered,
without previously passing through the presence-chamber. The approach to
this passage from the Queen's room is concealed by a piece of wainscot,
little more than a yard square, which hangs upon hinges in the wall, and
opens on a trap-stair. It had been originally proposed to seize Rizzio in
his own apartment; but this plan was abandoned, for two reasons; _first_,
because it was less certain, since it was often late before Rizzio retired
for the night, since he sometimes did not sleep in his own room at all,
but in that of another Italian belonging to the Queen's household, named
Signor Francis, and since there were back-doors and windows, through which
he might have effected his escape; and, _second_, because it would not
have so much intimidated Mary, and would have made it necessary to employ
another party to secure her person--the chief object of the
conspirators.[129]
To ascertain whether there was any thing to hinder the execution of their
design, Darnley, about eight o'clock, went up the private stairs, and,
entering the small room where his wife was supping, sat down familiarly
beside her. He found, as he expected, his victim Rizzio in attendance,
who, indeed, owing to bad health, and the little estimation in which he
was held by the populace, seldom went beyond the precincts of the
palace.[130] He was dressed, this evening, in a loose _robe-de-chambre_ of
furred damask, with a satin doublet, and a hose of russet velvet; and he
wore a rich jewel about his neck, which was never heard of after his
death.[131] The conspirators having allowed sufficient time to elapse, to
be satisfied that all was as they wished, followed the King up the private
way, which they chose in order to avoid any of the domestics who might
have been in the presence-chamber, and given an alarm. They were headed by
the Lord Ruthven, and George Douglas, an illegitimate son of the late Earl
of Angus, and the bastard brother of Darnley's mother, the Lady Lennox; a
person of the most profligate habits, and an apt instrument in the hands
of the Earl of Morton. These men, followed by as many of their accomplices
as could crowd into the small room where Mary sat, entered abruptly and
without leave; whilst the remainder, to the number of nearly two score,
collected in her bedroom. Ruthven, with his heavy armour rattling upon his
lank and exhausted frame, and looking as grim and fearful as an animated
corpse, stalked into the room first, and threw himself unceremoniously
into a chair. The Queen, with indignant amazement, demanded the meaning of
this insolent intrusion, adding, that he came with the countenance, and in
the garb of one who had no good deed in his mind. Turning his hollow eyes
upon Rizzio, Ruthven answered, that he intended evil only to the villain
who stood near her. On hearing these words, Rizzio saw that his doom was
fixed, and lost all presence of mind; but Mary, through whose veins flowed
the heroic blood of James V., and his warlike ancestors, retained her
self-possession. She turned to her husband, and called upon him for
protection; but perceiving that he was disposed to remain a passive
spectator of the scene, she ordered Ruthven to withdraw under pain of
treason, promising, that if Rizzio was accused of any crime, it should be
inquired into by the Parliament then assembled. Ruthven replied only by
heaping upon the unfortunate Secretary a load of abuse; and, in
conclusion, declared the determination of the conspirators to make
themselves masters of Rizzio's person. Rizzio, scarcely knowing what he
did, pressed close into the recess at the window, with his dagger drawn in
one hand, and clasping the folds of Mary's gown with the other. In spite
of every threat, he remained standing behind her, and continually
exclaiming in his native language, and in great agitation, _Giustizia!
Giustizia!_ Mary's own person was thus exposed to considerable danger, and
the assassins desired Darnley to take his wife in his arms and remove her
out of the way. The confusion and terror of the scene now increased a
hundredfold;--the master of the household, and the three or four servants
of the privy-chamber, attempted to turn Lord Ruthven out of the room;--his
followers rushing to his support, overturned the supper-table, threw down
the dishes and the candles, and, with hideous oaths, announced their
resolution to murder Rizzio. Their own impetuosity might have frustrated
their design; for, had not the Countess of Argyle caught one of the
candles in her hand as it was falling, they would have been involved in
darkness, and their victim might have escaped.
The first man who struck Rizzio was George Douglas. Swords and daggers had
been drawn, and pistols had been presented at him and at the Queen; but no
blow was given, till Douglas, seizing the dirk which Darnley wore at his
side, stabbed Rizzio over Mary's shoulder, though, at the moment, she was
not aware of what he had done. The unhappy Italian was then forcibly
dragged out into the bed-room, and through the presence-chamber, where the
conspirators, gathering about him, speedily completed the bloody deed,
leaving in his body no fewer than fifty-six wounds. He lay weltering in
his gore at the door of the presence-chamber for some time; and a few
large dusky spots, whether occasioned by his blood or not, are to this day
pointed out, which stain that part of the floor. The body was afterwards
thrown down the stairs, and carried from the palace to the porter's lodge,
with the King's dagger still sticking in his side. He was obscurely buried
next day; but, subsequently, more honourably near the Royal vault in
Holyrood Chapel.[132]
Such was the unhappy end of one who, having come into Scotland poor and
unbefriended, had been raised, through the Queen's penetration and his own
talents, to an honourable office, the duties of which he discharged with
fidelity. If his rise was sudden, his fall was more so; for, up to the
very day of his assassination, many of the Scottish nobility, says
Buchanan, "sought his friendship, courted him, admired his judgment,
walked before his lodgings, and observed his levee." But death no sooner
put an end to his influence, than the memory of the once envied Italian
was calumniated upon all hands. Knox even speaks approvingly of his
murder, (as he had formerly done of that of Cardinal Beaton), assuring us
that he was slain by those whom "God raised up to do the same"--an error,
indicating a distorted moral perception, from the reproach consequent on
which, his biographer, M'Crie, has unsuccessfully endeavoured to defend
him.[133] The Reformer adds to his notice of Rizzio, a story which suits
well the superstitious character of the times, and which Buchanan has
repeated. He mentions, that there was a certain John Daniot, a French
priest, and a reputed conjuror, who told Rizzio "to beware of a bastard."
Rizzio, supposing he alluded to the Earl of Murray, answered, that no
bastard should have much power in Scotland, so long as he lived; but the
prophecy was considered to be fulfilled, when it was known that the
bastard, Douglas, was the first who stabbed him.[134]
In the meantime, the Earl of Morton, who had been left below, to guard the
gates, being informed that Rizzio was slain, and that Ruthven and Darnley
retained possession of the Queen's person, made an attempt to seize
several of the nobility who lodged in the palace, and whom he knew to be
unfavourable to his design of restoring the banished Lords. Whether it was
his intention to have put them also to death, it is difficult to say; but
it is at all events not likely that he would have treated them with much
leniency. The noblemen in question, however, who were the Earls of Huntly,
Bothwell, and Athol, the Lords Fleming and Livingston, and Sir James
Balfour, contrived, not without much difficulty, to effect their escape.
The two first let themselves down by ropes at a back window; Athol, who
was supping in the town with Maitland, was apprised of his danger, and did
not return to Holyrood that night. He, or some of the fugitives, hastened
to the Provost of Edinburgh, and informed him of the treasonable
proceedings at the Palace. The alarm-bell was immediately rung; and the
civic authorities, attended by five or six hundred of the loyal citizens,
hastened down to Holyrood, and called upon the Queen to show herself, and
assure them of her safety. But Mary, who was kept a prisoner in the closet
in which she had supped, was not allowed to answer this summons, the
conspirators well knowing what would have been the consequences. On the
contrary, as she herself afterwards wrote to her ambassador in France, she
was "extremely threatened by the traitors, who, in her face, declared,
that if she spoke to the town's people they would cut her in collops, and
cast her over the walls." Darnley went to the window, and informed the
crowd that he and the Queen were well, and did not require their
assistance; and Morton and Ruthven told them, that no harm had been done,
and beseeched them to return home, which, upon these assurances, they
consented to do.
A scene of mutual recrimination now took place between Mary and her
husband, which was prolonged by the rude and gross behaviour of Ruthven.
That barbarian, returning to the Queen's apartment, after having imbrued
his hands in the blood of Rizzio, called for a cup of wine, and having
seated himself, drained it to the dregs, whilst Mary stood beside him.
Being somewhat recovered from the extreme terror she had felt when she saw
her Secretary dragged away by the assassins, she rebuked Ruthven for his
unmannerly conduct; but he only added insulting language to the crimes he
had already committed. Perceiving, however, that her Majesty was again
growing sick and ill, (and even without considering, what the conspirators
well knew, that she was in the seventh month of her pregnancy, her
indisposition will excite little wonder), he proposed to the King that
they should retire, taking care to station a sufficiently strong guard at
the door of Mary's chamber. "All that night," says Mary, "we were detained
in captivity within our chamber, and not permitted to have intercommunion
scarcely with our servant-women."[135]
Next morning, although it was Sunday, the conspirators issued a
proclamation in the King's name, and without asking the Queen's leave,
proroguing the Parliament,--and commanding all the temporal and spiritual
lords, who had come to attend it, to retire from Edinburgh. Illegal as it
was, this proclamation was obeyed; for Morton, and his accomplices, had
the executive power in their own hands, and Mary's more faithful subjects
were taken so much by surprise, that they were unable to offer any
immediate resistance. Mary herself was still kept in strict confinement;
and the only attempt she could make to escape, which was through the
assistance of Sir James Melville, failed. Sir James was allowed to leave
the Palace early on the forenoon of Sunday; and, as he passed towards the
outer gate, Mary happened to be looking over her window, and called upon
him imploringly for help. "I drew near unto the window," says Melville,
"and asked what help lay in my power, for that I should give. She said,
'Go to the Provost of Edinburgh, and bid him, in my name, convene the town
with speed, and come and relieve me out of these traitors' hands; but run
fast, for they will stay you.'" The words were scarcely spoken, before
some of the guards came up, and challenged Sir James. He told them, he
"was only passing to the preaching in St Giles's Kirk," and they allowed
him to proceed. He went direct to the Provost, and delivered his
commission from the Queen; but the Provost protested he did not know how
to act, for he had received contrary commands from the King; and, besides,
the people, he said, were not disposed to take up arms to revenge Rizzio's
death. Sir James was, therefore, reluctantly obliged to send word to Mary,
by one of her ladies, that he could not effect her release. In the course
of the day, Mary was made acquainted with Rizzio's fate, and she lamented
the death of her faithful servant with tears. Between seven and eight in
the evening, the Earls of Murray and Rothes, with the other banished
Lords, arrived from England. During the whole of the night, and all next
day, the Queen was kept as close a prisoner as before.
Morton and his accomplices, however, now found themselves in a dilemma.
They had succeeded in bringing home their rebel friends, in proroguing or
dissolving the Parliament, in conferring upon Darnley all the power he
wished, in murdering Rizzio, and in chasing from Court the nobles who had
formed part of the administration along with him. But to effect these
purposes, they had grossly insulted their lawful sovereign, and had turned
her own palace into a prison, constituting themselves her gaolers. Having
achieved all their more immediate objects, the only remaining question
was--what were they to do with the Queen? If they were to set her at
liberty, could they expect that she would tamely forget the indignities
they had offered her, or quietly submit to the new state of things they
had established? Had they, on the other hand, any sufficient grounds for
proceeding to further extremities against her? Would the country allow a
sovereign, whose reign had been hitherto so prosperous, to be at once
deprived of her crown and her authority?[136] Daring as these men were,
they could hardly venture upon a measure so odious. Besides, Darnley,
always vacillating, and always contemptible, was beginning to think he had
gone too far; and, influenced by something like returning affection for
his beautiful consort, who was probably in a month or two to make him a
father, he insisted that the matter should now be allowed to rest where it
was, provided Mary would promise to receive into favour the Lords who had
returned from banishment, and would grant a deed of oblivion to all who
had taken a part in the recent assassination. Morton, Ruthven, Murray, and
the rest, were extremely unwilling to consent to so precarious an
arrangement; but Darnley overruled their objections. On Monday evening,
articles were drawn up for their security, which he undertook to get
subscribed by the Queen; and, trusting to his promises, all the
conspirators, including the Lords who had just returned, withdrew
themselves and their retainers from Holyroodhouse, and went to sup at the
Earl of Morton's.[137]
As soon as Mary found herself alone with Darnley, she urged, with all the
force of her superior mind, every argument she could think of, to convince
him how much he erred in associating himself with the existing cabal. She
was not aware of the full extent to which he was implicated in their
transactions; for he had assured her, that he was not to blame for
Rizzio's murder, and as yet she believed him innocent of contriving it.
She spoke to him therefore, with the confidence of an affectionate wife,
with the winning eloquence of a lovely woman, and with the force and
dignity of an injured Queen. She at length satisfied him, that his best
hopes of advancement rested in her, and not on men who having first
renounced allegiance to their lawful Queen, undertook to confer upon him a
degree of power which was not their's to bestow. Darnley further learned
from Mary, that Huntly, Bothwell, Athol, and others, had already risen in
her behalf, and yielding to her representations and entreaties, he
consented that they should immediately make their escape together. At
midnight, accompanied only by the captain of the guard and two others,
they left the palace, and rode to Dunbar without stopping.
In a few days, Mary having been joined by more than one half of her
nobility, found herself at the head of a powerful army. The conspirators,
on the other hand, seeing themselves betrayed by Darnley and little
supported by the country, were hardly able to offer even the shadow of
resistance to the Queen. Still farther to diminish the little strength
they had, Mary resolved to make a distinction between the old and the new
rebels; and, influenced by reasons on which Morton had little calculated,
she consented to pardon Murray, Argyle, and others, who immediately
resorted to her, and were received into favour. After remaining in Dunbar
only five days, she marched back in triumph to Edinburgh, and the
conspirators fled in all directions to avoid the punishment they so justly
deserved. Morton, Maitland, Ruthven, and Lindsay betook themselves to
Newcastle, where, for aught that is known to the contrary, they occupied
the very lodgings which Murray and his accomplices had possessed a week or
two before.
The whole face of affairs was now altered; and Mary, who for some days had
suffered so much, was once more Queen of Scotland. "And such a change you
should have seen," says Archbishop Spottiswood, "that they who, the night
preceding, did vaunt of the fact (Rizzio's murder) as a godly and
memorable act, affirming, some truly, some falsely, that they were present
thereat,--did, on the morrow, forswear all that before they had affirmed."
But it was not in Mary's nature to be cruel, and her resentments were
never of long continuance. Two persons only were put to death for their
share in Rizzio's slaughter, and these were men of little note. Before the
end of the year, most of the principal delinquents, as will be seen in the
sequel, were allowed to return to Court. Lord Ruthven, however, died at
Newcastle of his old disease, a month or two after his flight thither. His
death occasioned little regret, and his name lives in history only as that
of a titled murderer.[138]