This is a medallion which was struck to commemorate the marriage of Mary Stuart with the Dauphin of France – Francois. This medallion shows the busts in profile of Mary and Francois, facing each other with the arched crown of Scotland above them. Round the coin is the inscription FRAN.ET.MA.D.G.R.R.SCOTOR.DELPHIN.VIEN

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It is inscribed “Marie royne descosse en leage de neuf ans ed six mois lan 1552. Au mois de juillet” This drawing as a girl forms one of a series of portraits of the French Court which were purchased in Florence by Frederick Howard about 1760 and were kept at Castle Howard until 1889 when the whole series was purchased by the Duc d’Aumale and were moved to Chantilly.

This portrait is interesting as being the earliest authenticated and completed portrait in colours known to exist. It appears to have always been in the Royal Collection as far back as the days of Charles I, Mary Stuart’s grandson.

This miniature is painted on a flat rich ultramarine blue background and all gold objects are painted with gold.

In the history of Scotland published at Rome in 1578 by John Lesley, Bishop of Ross, under the title “De origine, moribus et rebus gestis Scotorum” an engraved plate which contains medallion portraits of Mary Stuart and also her son James VI at the age of twelve. John Lesley was one of Mary Stuart’s most trusted friends and councillors and wrote the Latin history while representing her at the Papal Court in Rome.

The execution of Mary Stuart at Fotheringhay Castle from a drawing in Beale’s MSS.

This sketch by Robert Beale shows the entry of the Queen into the hall.

Dr Richard Fletcher , Dean of Peterborough who had been summoned to assist with spiritual admonition stands below the scaffold on the right of the sketch.

Mary Stuart had been permitted to take six of her own men and women and chose from her manservants her faithful servant Robert Melvin with “her poticary, surgeon and one other old man besides”. These four are shown standing at the far end of the hall. From her women she selected Jane Kennedy and Elizabeth Curle – they are shown assisting the Queen with her dress

Mary Stuart by the artist Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619
This was painted when Mary Stuart had been a prisoner for ten years. The latin inscription on it reads: MARIA D.G.SCORTAE PUSSIMA REGINA FRANCAE DOTARIA ANNO AETIS REGNIQ 36 ANGLICAE CAPTIVAT 10 S H 1578

My signal has disappeared when I dig!

Check the following:

• Make sure that you havent excavated the find and placed it over a large piece of buried iron which is cancelling out the signal
• Check it hasnt fallen back into the hole you have excavated
• Check its not stuck to your shovel

What should I do if the landowner insists that finds should not be reported?

You have a difficulty. The landowner is within his rights – unless the finds are treasure, in which case you have no choice. However, our advice would be not to detect at all on land belonging to someone who wishes to withhold information about finds. If you are not in a position to report finds it is best not to seek them.

Why are recording and reporting important?

Even objects apparently loose in ploughsoil have an historic setting. Some items will be genuine losses and could appear anywhere, but many will come from archaeological sites (e.g. settlements, cemeteries, buildings) where the remains may survive under the ploughsoil or nearby. The plotting of finds can produce patterns which are of historical significance including pottery scatters etc.. The reporting of even a single find can add to existing knowledge. If you suspect that an object is undisturbed in its original context (for example. in a container, or below the ploughsoil) leave it where it is and call for help from your local archaeology unit.

A broken piece of plain pottery can be just as interesting and important as a brooch in excellent condition. If you are out detecting, surface scatters of non-metallic materials such as pottery, flints and bulding materials should be reported, even when detector results are negative.

Can Archaeologists seize finds ?

No! Museums and archaeological bodies do not have the power to confiscate finds.

Human remains and disused burial grounds are also protected by law. A licence from the Home Office is required before disturbing any human remains where their presence is known or suspected. If you disturb or discover human remains accidentally then you must inform the Coroner as well as the County Archaeological Service.

A lot of detectorists are going to come across cemeteries in the course of their activities – you must bear in mind that it is an offence to exhume any human remains without first obtaining the necessary lawful permissions – see the following:

http://www.lincsheritage.org/lincs/radio/remains.html http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/section.asp?pageType=1&docId=28081 (scroll down).

If you dig up a firearm you must immediately hand it in to the police

 

No painted portrait of Mary Stuart is known to exist as actual Queen of France. This engraving however was published at Antwerp by Hieronymous Cock recording the accession.

The portrait is encased in an oval frame on which is the inscription

MARIA SCOTAE REGINA FRANCOVM REGIS CONICNX ANN 1559