The execution of Mary Stuart at Fotheringhay Castle

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

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