Mary prohibited from writing Elizabeth—She surrenders her
life to God, and is willing to die—Paulet still insolent—The
Queen remonstrates with him—She thinks they will murder her
secretly—Denied the use of a priest—Paulet resents secret
murder—Mary's dignities—The daïs and rod discontinued—Paulet and
Melville quarrel—Arrival of the Sheriff and the Earls of Kent
and Shrewsbury—She receives them in her bedchamber—Shrewsbury
announces sentence of death; to take place next morning—Mary's
calm and pathetic reply—Takes leave of her servants: gives them
her blessing and distributes presents to them—She writes her
will—Names of those to be present at her death—Her last words and
the scene of execution as recorded by Bourgoyne—Author's summing
up and conclusion.
“_Sunday, 22nd January 1587._—Her Majesty sent Bourgoyne to tell Paulet
that on the report that he had made she wished to speak to him but it
was too late, and she wished it to be taken to him to think over it (I
think she feared I would be detained like the others). Bourgoyne said
to Paulet that Her Majesty found the manner of proceeding towards her
very strange: that she, preparing for death, had wished to write to the
Queen, as had been allowed, even invited by Buckhurst and Beale, and
again allowed by him; that she had given him a letter with the promise
and assurance to keep it safely, in which she had treated of nothing
which could hurt anyone, neither of business, nor of things concerning
the country, nor the State, nor the person of the Queen; that it was
not even to obtain favour, nor pardon, nor escape, having resolved to
offer her body and her life gratefully, and with great contentment, for
the cause of God and His Church, for which she was ready to die and
shed her blood—not esteeming herself worthy to do this, as she had many
times protested; she had only written about her _Will_, as much for her
_Will_ as her funeral, which it was necessary to do in the religion
which she professed. She had received no answer, at which she was not
only astonished, but she was not sure that the Queen had received her
letter; consequently she had prepared another, but he had refused to
send it; and although he had promised to write to the Court, to see if
she could send the letter, which was ready, she did not yet know if
she could send it. He said he had permission, and had sent the Queen's
letter; that it did not follow though he had permission once, he had
permission always. He assured her that Elizabeth had received her
letter, but he had received no answer, and therefore could not give her
one. He would never presume to inquire what the Queen had written—it
was all one to him, and he was not the man to keep back letters if
he had got them; and pressed to say if he had been prohibited from
allowing her to write, answered that he had already said he had no
orders to send her letters. On the second point he was told she was in
great trouble to know the reason why she was separated from her two
servants. The Queen of England had sent her a priest to prepare her
for death and give consolation, and now, when it was more than ever
necessary, they had taken him away; that having asked him to assist at
her last end, when she was nearest to her death, she was deprived of
him. There were none so criminal that they did not give them a minister
of their religion to conduct them to execution and console them, and
all the consolation she now had in her affliction in captivity came
from her religion. She regretted infinitely not to be able to make
her prayers to her contentment, assist at the Mass, and do the duties
of a good Christian. The Queen had promised not to trouble her in her
religion, and said it was not for religion they accused her. Her priest
harmed no one, mingled in nothing but saying the prayers; it would have
been better not to have offered his services than to take him away in
her great extremity. She could see that, not content with afflicting
her body, they tried if that were possible to make her lose her soul,
which could not be. She had such hope in God, that He would help her in
this, as He had done before. She saw that their intentions were to take
away her servants, one after the other; carry her away secretly from
here, to make her die at their pleasure or murder her secretly.
“This she did not regret, as having no consolation near her as she
had hoped. She could do nothing without her papers, and she required
a priest to assist and communicate with her. They might leave her
this consolation seeing they had got everything they could desire as
against the greatest enemy that could be found. One could do nothing
more grievous than take away life. The rest is not only cruelty, it is
inhuman and is denounced even by the wickedest of people. Paulet said
that he did not think Her Majesty wished to have her priest near her,
but he could assure her that he was not far away. He was neither in
France nor in Scotland, nor out of the house; and he saw no reason why
she might not have him when necessary. When he heard of Her Majesty
being massacred or killed secretly he indignantly protested that there
was no danger of such an outrage, and they had no right to suspect him
of such a thing. Bourgoyne said there was no idea of such a charge
against him. Paulet said there was no more danger for Her Majesty than
for his wife, his children, or himself. As for him, he was not the man
to do such an act, and was indignant that he should be suspected of
such a thing, for he was an honest man and a gentleman. He would not
take such dishonour upon himself as to exercise such cruelty or behave
like a Turk. Upon which they said that perhaps they did not mistrust
him, but there were many people in England who were enemies of Her
Majesty, and whom she suspected much, and whom she knew would spare
nothing to do her harm. It was principally those that she feared. Then
she complained that her steward had been taken from her, and wanted
to know the reason; if he had done anything injurious to anyone which
might concern Elizabeth. They, without her having asked him, had
offered him to her. He was of their own religion, and she did not think
he could have done them any harm. Paulet said Melville was an honest
man; that he was not separated because he had offended Her Majesty nor
done anything on his own account, but there were certain reasons, and
it had to be done. At last Bourgoyne said Her Majesty feared to send
anyone, as they might be detained one after the other. Paulet said she
must not anticipate that as all her servants were in the house, and he
thought she need not vex herself about it.
“_Monday, 23rd January._—Melville got leave to speak to Paulet. Before
this he had not been allowed to do so, although he had asked for it.
We were full of suspicion and fear until the evening of the same day
about five p.m., when the porter came to Her Majesty's chief baker
to say that he must not carry the rod before Her Majesty's dinner.
Upon which the Queen was very much astonished and thought of sending
to ask the cause; but Paulet would receive nobody, saying it was too
late. Next day he would hear them. If it was because he had prohibited
the carrying of the rod it would be useless, as it should have been
prohibited when Melville was taken away.
“_Tuesday, 24th January._—Her Majesty sent Bourgoyne to say to Paulet
that she had so far got over the fear about her life and murder
because of his disposition towards her. Having been warned of his
new prohibitions, she had come back to the same doubt, as she could
not but think they were doing it with the intention of taking away
from her all conveniences and state and dignity, the more easily to
accomplish their evil designs. She was much astonished that he would
forbid a thing of so little consequence, that could neither hurt nor
profit anyone. He could prohibit her servants as he pleased from doing
her any honour, but he had been warned not to prevent them from doing
their duty, as they had sworn to do, to Her Majesty's pleasure. He had
no authority over them, especially touching their service. Paulet said
Her Majesty did herself great wrong, and did wrong to the Queen and
State of England, to the Council and to himself, to suppose that they
would undertake anything so unworthy and so outrageous as to kill her
either by night or by day, stab or massacre her secretly or suddenly.
This touched him to the heart to hear such a speech, and displeased
him to think that he could commit such an act of butchery, or permit
it to be done. They had talked enough about that the day before; Her
Majesty was a woman of reason, of great mind, and practical, and he
wondered she would torment herself about this. She knew they had taken
away her daïs, her steward, and her priest, and now she took offence
at a trifle, for having taken away the rod they carried before her at
meals. She was wrong, being attainted and a convicted and condemned
woman. Bourgoyne said she had cause to be angry, seeing they showed
such ill-will for a thing of so little consequence, and she remembered
they had done the same to King Richard, whom they had degraded from
all honour and dignity. He was suddenly put to death, murdered in a
moment, and she feared the same thing might be done to her. Immediately
Paulet flew into a rage and said they must not bring him such unworthy
messages, and that Bourgoyne had invented them. Bourgoyne said he only
repeated the Queen's words, and neither added to them nor diminished
them. After much discussion they separated.
[Illustration: GEORGE TALBOT, SIXTH EARL OF SHREWSBURY,
_From the Collection of the present Earl_.]
“_Friday, 3rd February._—Melville asked to speak to Paulet, but was
refused. Paulet said if he came on the part of the Queen, he could not
speak to him, being separated. If he came on his own account, he could
tell the porter. He also refused to allow him to write, for the same
reason. Upon his wishing to know if he had offended his mistress or
Paulet, or why they kept him apart, might he have his letters delivered
to him, or might he be allowed to return to Her Majesty, or go back to
his own country. It would be easier to go to the kitchen to communicate
with the Queen's women by the window of the hall, where he might also
see the Queen. He wished also to be better lodged, being one of two in
one chamber. He was answered that he had offended no one; he would have
his letters in due time, and they would see about his lodging; for the
rest, nothing could be changed.
“_Saturday, 4th February 1587._—Her Majesty sent Bourgoyne to say she
was ill, and to beg Paulet to allow him to go out and gather herbs in
some of the adjoining gardens. Paulet said she would get everything
she wished if she put it in writing; and being pressed by Bourgoyne to
allow him to go, said he could not answer to this, but must communicate
with Drury, and on Monday he would have his reply. Paulet being pressed
not to delay for fear Her Majesty might get seriously ill, and it was
necessary that the remedy should be given her to-morrow. Immediately
after Bourgoyne left, Paulet sent to say he could go if he wished,
although he thought it was imprudent. Bourgoyne and the apothecary went
to gather the herbs, and the Queen began her cure next day.
“_Monday, 6th February._—The Dean of Peterborough and some others dined
with Paulet. After dinner, Beale arrived alone, consulted with Paulet,
and then returned to the village.
“_Tuesday, 7th February._—Several arrived, amongst whom was the
Sheriff, as we thought; after dinner the Earls of Kent and Shrewsbury,
at whose coming we were greatly astonished and in great fear, having
for three days imagined all kinds of things as to Her Majesty's end,
fearing the blow was certain. They sent asking an audience of her.
She answered that she was in bed, but if they were much pressed she
would get up if they gave her a little time. After hearing that it
was of great importance, she prepared to receive them in her chamber,
at the foot of her bed, namely, the two earls, with Beale, Paulet,
and Drury (Shrewsbury with head uncovered), together with the others,
who did not uncover all the time they spoke to her. Shrewsbury began
to say that Elizabeth had sent them to tell her that after having
acted honourably in her affairs of which she was accused, and found
guilty and therefore condemned, he had been sent by the Queen in order
that she might hear her sentence read. He, Kent, and Beale had been
commissioned to put it into execution. Thereupon Beale commenced to
read a writing on parchment with the Great Seal of England and yellow
wax hanging therefrom, in which Her Majesty was named “Marie Stuart,
daughter of James V., formerly called Queen of Scotland and Dowager of
France,” etc. This being read, Her Majesty firmly, and without emotion,
answered that she thanked them for news so welcome; that they did her
a great benefit in retiring her from this world, with which she was
quite content because of the misery she saw in it, being in continual
affliction, and of no use or profit to anyone. She had long expected
this, and had waited for it from day to day for eighteen years. She was
Queen born and Queen anointed, near relation to the Queen of England,
granddaughter of Henry VII., and had had the honour to be Queen of
France. Throughout her life she had only had misfortune, and she was
very glad that it had pleased God, by their means, to take her away
from so many troubles; she was ready and willing to shed her blood
in the cause of God, her Saviour, her Creator, as also the Catholic
Church, for the maintenance of which she had always done what was
possible; loving the Queen her good sister and the island as dearly as
herself, as she had often shown, having offered in every way to take
order, so that everything should come to a good issue and be arranged
peacefully. She had always been rejected, thrust back—held prisoner
without having merited it, having come of her own free will into the
country in hope of succour. With the Queen she was in full agreement,
and might have arranged everything so that each would have been content
if she had been allowed an interview. And at last Her Majesty swore
on the Bible, which she had near her, that she had neither sought nor
attempted the death of the Queen nor of any other person. She was
told by Shrewsbury and Kent that this Bible was the version of the
Pope, and therefore it did not count. She was offered the Dean of
Peterborough for her consolation, by whom she could learn what was the
true religion, for her salvation. They said she had always remained in
what they taught her in her youth, and that she had continued in that,
because no one had led her to know the truth; and now it was time,
when she had but a few hours to remain in this world, that she should
recognise the true religion, and remain no longer in these follies of
popery and abomination; that they had the true word of God; that she
could make comparison when she had spoken with the minister—she could
choose afterwards; that they spoke in a good conscience, desiring
that she should be right at her death, and be converted to God. Her
Majesty said she had been a long time instructed and well versed in
her religion; she knew well what she ought to know for her salvation
and conscience; she had not only read and heard the wisest men of
the Catholic religion, but also those of the Protestant; she had
communicated with them and heard them preach, but had heard nothing
which could in the least turn her from her first faith; that having
come into this country to the dwelling of Lord Shrewsbury, to please
everyone and show that she only acted for her conscience, she had heard
the ablest of their preachers for a whole Lent. At last she gave it
up, which Lord Shrewsbury confirmed, asking her to continue. She found
no edification; having lived till now in the true religion, it was
not the time to change. Now she must remain firm and constant, as she
intended to do; and rather than fail she would lose ten thousand lives,
if she had them, shed her blood, and endure the tortures which they
could inflict. Therefore, in order to console her, would they let her
see her priest, to prepare her for death: it was all she wished for.
They told her that could not be; it was against their conscience, which
would accuse them if they did so, knowing that it was against God and
their religion; that, as much as possible, they should hinder and take
away such abominations, which offended God and their consciences; but
she would be allowed to see a minister. Her Majesty said she would do
nothing of the kind, and would have nothing to do with him; she wished
neither to see nor hear him, and they need not trouble themselves
any more trying to persuade her, for she saw they wished her to lose
both body and soul. She hoped God would have mercy on her. She was
already prepared, and He who knew her heart would pardon her. She was
astonished that at the end they denied those things which the Queen
had granted her; they had taken her priest, and when he became more
necessary they denied him to her, a thing that was very cruel. It was
told her that they did not know who had granted her a priest, but it
would be a burden on their conscience if they allowed him to come to
her. And intermingled with much conversation, it was told her as to
her condemnation that it was found she could not live without danger
to the life of the Queen and of religion, and that of all those who
were occupied with her there was not one who could show the contrary.
She complaining of her son, they said he had done his duty, and she
must die in charity. She said she pardoned everybody and accused
nobody, but in God's cause she could follow the example of David: pray
God to confound and punish his enemies, and pardon her sins. At last,
being pressed to see the minister, she asked when she must die; the
answer was, to-morrow, about eight o'clock in the morning. She again
asked for her priest, and said she could not make her _Will_, not
having received her papers, for which she had written, and made Paulet
write that there was nothing which could be of any use to Elizabeth.
She wanted to arrange with her treasurer, and not to disappoint her
other servants. They told her that Wade, who had them, was in France.
Then Her Majesty asked about her burial. They told her she could not
be buried in France. As to her servants, they had no orders, but they
saw nothing that would hinder them from doing as she desired, and have
their gifts. She asked where her servants were, and what had become
of Nau. They said they did not know. She asked if she was to die, and
he be saved. They said they did not know, but he had not escaped. Her
Majesty said she would die for the life of him who accused her and
caused her death to save himself; then she was told she was no longer
in the hands of Paulet, but that the earls, from now, would give her in
charge to him, to deliver her up when they came.
“Then the servants of Her Majesty, crying out in tears, said the time
was too short to arrange her affairs—one night was not enough; she
would leave her servants destitute of all means, and to have pity
upon them; that it seemed by their commission they had power to make
the execution when they would—would it please them to defer it for a
little time? The answer was that it could not be so. Her Majesty sent
for her servants after supper, gave them a lecture on charity between
themselves, and took leave of them in a long speech, giving them
pardon for all, begged of them to pray God for her, admonished each in
particular, requesting them to live in friendship among themselves, and
to give over all past enmity and ill-will, showing how much reason,
wisdom, and constancy she had. Then she parted her clothes among
them, to each something, as conveniently as she could. In the night,
after having slept some hours, she wrote her last _Will_, as fully as
she could, and for the little time that she had gave orders for her
movables, for the journey of her servants, and distributed to each some
money, according to her will.
“In the morning, she admonished anew her servants, and then remained
in prayer until the Sheriff arrived about nine o'clock, who led her
away without allowing any of her servants to follow her. At the foot
of the steps she found Melville, who took leave of her kneeling, who
showed how difficult such an adieu was to support, and grieved that he
must see such a spectacle after being so long separated from her. Her
Majesty had asked the day before that Paulet would allow Melville to
come before her death. At her earnest request they allowed Melville,
Bourgoyne, Jervis, Gourgon, Didier, Jane Kennedy, and Elspeth Curle to
be present, at which, by the witness of all, she showed her great and
royal courage, her constancy, above all her firmness to her religion
and piety. After having spoken some words to those of whom she had
spoken the day before to the lords, Her Majesty refused flatly to hear
the minister, who insisted. She protested more zealously than ever,
prayed to God apart in Latin, while the Dean did so according to his
religion. After a few words Her Majesty recommended her servants to
the Lords, and then gave them her benediction, prayed anew, moving
everyone to pity, until, standing up, she made her two maids take off
her veil, her mantle with train, and her stomacher, begging of them
not to weep. Then anew she knelt down, holding her hands to heaven,
holding the crucifix of wood which she had carried from her chamber,
and did not release it until the end; made her eyes be bandaged by her
maids, and without any other bands raised her head and extended her
neck, which she kept quite rigid, and praying, waited the blow without
any movement. As long as she could speak she repeated with a loud voice
the words, '_In manus tuus domine commendo_' ('Into Thy hands, O Lord,
I commend my spirit'), and immediately her spirit passed away, and the
Queen of Scots was delivered from all her cares.”
Bourgoyne adds nothing more. There can be no doubt that the cruel
and inhuman conduct of Elizabeth, Walsingham, and Paulet, of which
he had been so long an eye-witness, had fairly overwhelmed him with
grief, and the last tragic scene had prevented him adding another
word. This _Journal_ can never be disregarded as a great factor in the
consideration of Mary's unfortunate career, and particularly regarding
her relations with Elizabeth and her position in the Babington
Conspiracy.
CONCLUSION
It is difficult to read this _Journal_ without emotion, more
particularly when we think that the Royal victim had committed no crime
and was absolutely innocent of any plot affecting the life of the Queen
of England. After the kidnapping outrage her execution was clearly
decided upon in the mind of Elizabeth, and it would have been better
to have had the execution then than to have tormented Mary for another
six months. No sooner was this outrage completed than the first
step towards the death of Mary was taken, under date 13th September,
as recorded by Bourgoyne, when her personal servants, part of her
household, were separated from her by force, and they never saw her
again. On the 9th October following the remainder were separated from
her in the same offensive way, and only her four maids of honour were
left to attend her.
Four days after this the commissioners arrived from London to undertake
the trial, which lasted three days, a trial that was remarkable for its
illegal procedure:—
(_a_) By refusing to permit the accused to be defended by counsel.
(_b_) Compelling the accused to defend herself.
(_c_) Refusing to surrender to the accused her own papers to enable
her to make her defence; which papers were surreptitiously seized by
Elizabeth's order some time previously.
(_d_) For having its decision “cut and dry” before the trial took place.
These points have all been proved up to the hilt. The trial was
undoubtedly the greatest farce in English history, and we think would
be very generally denounced by the English people as an outrage on
their national honour and an event that materially affected the
prestige of their country. Had the vilest criminal been sentenced to
death he would have been treated with indulgence and kindness up to
his execution. Not so Queen Mary. In the estimation of Elizabeth no
amount of torture was too much to administer, and she compelled it to
be administered. It is evident from the record that Paulet had _carte
blanche_ after the sentence to treat her with greater severity than
ever.
On the 19th November she wished to send a letter to Elizabeth
respecting her will and arrangements for her funeral, and on Paulet
being asked to forward it he replied that “he must first read it
before it was sealed, as she (Queen Mary) might put something within
of which he wished to be assured because of his mistress.” On 19th
December Paulet was so insolent as to warn her “that it was her duty to
thank the Queen (Elizabeth) for favours since her arrival in England
and since, as she was much indebted to her!” On 12th January Paulet
informed her that he could send no letters of hers to the Court without
being authorised to do so. Mary wished to know if he had letters
prohibiting him from sending her letters, but he replied that he could
not answer particular questions; and so the torture of the poor captive
was carried on from day to day.
On 20th January Paulet informed Sir Andrew Melville that he must leave
his mistress and appear no more before her. Melville was the master of
her household, and probably her most devoted and faithful friend and
counsellor. The separation of Melville was the greatest calamity that
could have befallen her. Thus they deprived her of the services of her
priest and also of her steward, and on 23rd January Paulet's porter
informed her chief baker that he must no longer carry the rod before
dinner; the rod was an emblem of royal dignity. Mary remonstrated with
Paulet, stating that it would neither hurt nor profit anyone; but
Paulet was immovable, and Mary had to stand the insult.
On 4th February, four days before the execution, Mary was ill, and her
physician recommended herbs from the garden to cure her trouble. It
will scarcely be credited that Paulet in a brutal manner refused to
allow the herbs to be gathered—but afterwards he consented. All this
persecution was by order of the Queen of England. Why, it may naturally
be asked, was the Queen of Scots tortured in this manner after she had
been tried and condemned and sentence of death pronounced? Surely her
condemnation might have satisfied Elizabeth without resorting to those
miserable tactics—cruelly insulting her and killing her by inches.
Paulet, who was an uneducated man, was capable of administering the
coarsest treatment, in all which he was supported by his mistress and
received from her many expressions of gratitude for carrying out her
wishes and keeping the Queen of Scots in constant misery. We may well
ask, Was Elizabeth a woman, or was she a fiend in human form?
On 7th February, the day before the execution, the Earls of Shrewsbury
and Kent, and Beale, Drury, and Paulet, desired an interview with
her, but she was ill and in bed. They, however, insisted on seeing
her, and were reluctantly admitted, Shrewsbury being the only one
who had the common decency to uncover his head. What these rude and
uncultivated men, all foes of hers, wanted was simply to read the
death-sentence, which, had they been gentlemen, any two of them might
have read the paper and the others remained outside; or, considering
their errand, they might have had as much consideration for the Queen
as to wait till she got up and dressed. This document showed the cloven
foot of Elizabeth. It described Mary as “formerly Queen of Scotland
and Dowager of France,” which was an insulting reference; and her
crime was that she had attempted to assassinate Elizabeth. When the
paper was read Mary swore on the Bible that she had never sought, nor
attempted to seek, the life of Elizabeth. In place of receiving this
in solemn silence, seeing they had no authority to discuss anything
with her, they with incredible insolence informed her that her Bible
was the Pope's version and not binding. They offered her the Dean of
Peterborough for consolation, “from whom she would learn what was
the true religion, that she might no longer remain in the follies of
Papistry and abomination.” The offer she rejected with scorn. On being
informed that she was to die the following morning, she requested that
her priest might help her to make her will; also that she wished to be
buried in France. Both requests were refused, whether with or without
Elizabeth's knowledge is not recorded. It was a disgraceful incident to
all concerned.
And so we have arrived at the close of this great tragedy, and the
spirit of the Queen of Scots has gone for ever beyond the jurisdiction
of its royal persecutor. Mary's reputation has been dragged through
the mire, and every effort made by adverse critics to slander her fair
fame, but no authentic proof has been produced against her, no proof
that will stand investigation. Her traducers have been compelled to
fall back on forged or fabricated documents, and these have been freely
put before us with the view of influencing the public mind against her.
It is evident from the most careful research that there is no authentic
evidence to connect her either with the Darnley murder, the Casket
Letters, or the Babington Conspiracy, while the Bothwell marriage was
by the Ainslie Bond compulsory. Her life was full of trouble, and her
last days were made bitter by suffering and distress. Can we wonder,
after perusing Bourgoyne's _Journal_, that Mary Stuart regarded the
scaffold with feelings of gratitude, and rejoiced that her captivity
was at last concluded?
“When the day of toil is done,
When the race of life is run,
Father, grant Thy wearied one
Rest for evermore.”