Manuscript of `The Life and Tragedy of the roiall Lady Mary, late Queene of Scotts. Together with the speeches and accidents at her Execution in Fotheringham Castell the 8th day of February 1586`.
Scope and Contents
The poem is preceded by a dedicatory letter from John Woodward to James Douglas, `one of his Majesties Secretaries for Scottland` (folio 2). Dr Lohmann attributes the authorship of the poem to Woodward, but it is probable that his name is included because he had the manuscript copied for presentation. Adv.MS.33.7.14 contains a similar dedication by him. Dr Lohmann identifies Douglas as Sir James Douglas of Spott, but he may have been the youngest brother of Archibald Douglas of Whittinghame (see ‘Registrum Magni Sigilli’, page 742).
The poem is followed (folio 48) by a description of Mary`s execution.
A trimmed engraved portrait of Mary by Renold Elstrack, taken from ‘Baziliwlogia’ has been pasted in opposite the title page (see ‘Engraving in England’, volume ii, page 132 and plate 63d).
Dates
- Creation: 17th century.
Extent
0.00 Linear metres (ii + 56 folios. Octavo.)
Language of Materials
English
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
17th-century vellum binding gilt-stamped with fleurons and acorns; ties missing. It is related to the bindings of Adv.MSS.31.3.19 and 33.7.14 and British Museum Add.MS.30,075.
Custodial History
The manuscript was bought by the Advocates’ Library at the sale of Sir Robert Sibbald`s library, 1723.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented, 1925, by the Faculty of Advocates to the nation on the foundation of the National Library of Scotland.
Existence and Location of Copies
Microfilm available: Mf.Sec.MSS.699 (manuscript may not have been filmed in full).
Bibliography
The description of Mary’s execution has been printed by Henry Ellis from British Museum, Lansdowne MS.51 in ‘Original letters illustrative of English history’, 2nd series, volume iii (London, 1827), pages 113-118.
‘Registrum Magni Sigilli’ (1634-1651).
Holland, Henry. ‘Baziliwlogia’ (London, 1618).
Hind, Arthur M. ‘Engraving in England’ (Cambridge, 1955).
Genre / Form
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland
- Date
- 13 04 2015
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Prepared Using Local Descriptive Rules
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk