The final letter written by Mary, Queen of Scots, in the hours before her death, will go on display in Perth later in January giving everyone a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to see the “precious” historic manuscript.



The tragic monarch wrote the poignant letter at 2am on Wednesday 8 February 1587, just six hours before her execution at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire for conspiring against her cousin Queen Elizabeth I.

Written in French, it was addressed to Henry III of France – brother of Mary’s late first husband Francois II – asking that he put her affairs in order.

In it, she states: “I am to be executed like a criminal at eight in the morning. I have not had time to give you a full account of everything that has happened, but if you will listen to my doctor and my other unfortunate servants, you will learn the truth, and how, thanks be to God, I scorn death and vow that I meet it innocent of any crime.”

The letter was kept in the archives of the Scots College in Paris until the French Revolution, and now forms part of the collection of the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh.

Rarely seen, it will go on display at Perth Museum from 23 January until 26 April as part of “OUTWITH: National Library around Scotland”, a programme of loans, events and activities at locations around the country being held to mark the National Library’s centenary.

While the vast majority of the Library’s collections can be accessed by anyone in the reading rooms, the fragile letter leaves the vaults only in very special circumstances, primarily for conservation reasons.

The letter, which will be free to view, will form the centrepiece of an exhibition and events programme bringing Mary’s story and connections to Perthshire to life.

Other items from the National Library’s collections will be on display nearby at AK Bell Library, to complement the letter in an exhibition entitled “The Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots”.

Alison Stevenson, Director of Collections, Access and Research at the National Library, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for people to see the Last Letter.

“The last time it was on public display was back in 2017 for one day only, and there were queues of people forming along George IV Bridge, Edinburgh.

“We are delighted to partner with Culture Perth and Kinross to bring the letter to Perth Museum, as well as a range of collections and events to AK Bell Library.

“The whole point of the ‘OUTWITH’ programme is to take our collections, our people and our services to parts of Scotland beyond the Central Belt.”

Ashleigh Hibbins, Head of Audiences and Learning at Culture Perth and Kinross, said: “We are so proud to welcome Mary, Queen of Scots’ last letter to Perth Museum, the first time this precious piece of history has travelled north of Edinburgh in the modern era.

“Perth and Kinross is at the heart of Mary’s story, particularly her imprisonment, abdication, and dramatic escape from Lochleven Castle.

“Mary’s poignant last words will be displayed within a wider immersive exhibition, directly above the Stone of Destiny and objects from the reigns of her son and grandson, so we really do view this as a homecoming.”

Mary Stuart was born in 1542, the only legitimate child of King James V. She became Queen of Scots at only six days old following the death of her father, but spent most of her childhood in France while Scotland was ruled by regents.

Mary returned to Scotland in 1561 not long after the death of her husband, Francois, at the age of 16, and she later married Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, who was murdered in 1567.

She later married the main suspect, James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, but was imprisoned and forced to give up her crown in favour of her one year old son, James VI.

She fled to England to find the protection of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, but was confined in various castles for 19 years before being beheaded.

At the time of the French Revolution, the last letter passed into the hands of the Chevalier d`Hervilly, and subsequently became the property of Messieurs Feuillet de Conches and B Fillon. Eventually it became part of the celebrated collection of autographs formed by the great 19th-century collector Alfred Morrison.

In 1917 the letter was bought from Morrison’s widow by 26 subscribers and presented to the Scottish nation through the National Art Collections Fund (now Art Fund) in 1923.

It was held by the Advocates Library until 1925, when it was presented to the National Library of Scotland on its foundation.

Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, said: “Mary, Queen of Scots is one of the most well-known figures in Scottish history.

“Her last letter, penned just hours before her execution, is a priceless record from somebody who lived over 400 years ago and we owe an immense debt of gratitude to all those who have preserved it from her hand to the care of our national library.

“Scotland’s history belongs to all of us so I am delighted that it is going on display in Perth, as part of the library’s centenary celebrations.

“Due to its age this letter is rarely on display, so I would strongly encourage people across Scotland and beyond to make the most of this opportunity, before it goes back into storage for safekeeping.”



This is the text of the letter


“Queen of Scotland

8 Feb. 1587

Sire, my brother-in-law, having by God’s will, for my sins I think, thrown myself into the power of the Queen my cousin, at whose hands I have suffered much for almost twenty years, I have finally been condemned to death by her and her Estates. I have asked for my papers, which they have taken away, in order that I might make my will, but I have been unable to recover anything of use to me, or even get leave either to make my will freely or to have my body conveyed after my death, as I would wish, to your kingdom where I had the honour to be queen, your sister and old ally.

Tonight, after dinner, I have been advised of my sentence: I am to be executed like a criminal at eight in the morning. I have not had time to give you a full account of everything that has happened, but if you will listen to my doctor and my other unfortunate servants, you will learn the truth, and how, thanks be to God, I scorn death and vow that I meet it innocent of any crime, even if I were their subject.

The Catholic faith and the assertion of my God-given right to the English crown are the two issues on which I am condemned, and yet I am not allowed to say that it is for the Catholic religion that I die, but for fear of interference with theirs. The proof of this is that they have taken away my chaplain, and although he is in the building, I have not been able to get permission for him to come and hear my confession and give me the Last Sacrament, while they have been most insistent that I receive the consolation and instruction of their minister, brought here for that purpose.

The bearer of this letter and his companions, most of them your subjects, will testify to my conduct at my last hour. It remains for me to beg Your Most Christian Majesty, my brother-in-law and old ally, who have always protested your love for me, to give proof now of your goodness on all these points: firstly by charity, in paying my unfortunate servants the wages due them – this is a burden on my conscience that only you can relieve: further, by having prayers offered to God for a queen who has borne the title Most Christian, and who dies a Catholic, stripped of all her possessions.

As for my son, I commend him to you in so far as he deserves, for I cannot answer for him. I have taken the liberty of sending you two precious stones, talismans against illness, trusting that you will enjoy good health and a long and happy life. Accept them from your loving sister-in-law, who, as she dies, bears witness of her warm feeling for you. Again I commend my servants to you. Give instructions, if it please you, that for my soul’s sake part of what you owe me should be paid, and that for the sake of Jesus Christ, to whom I shall pray for you tomorrow as I die, I be left enough to found a memorial mass and give the customary alms.

This Wednesday, two hours after midnight.
Your very loving and most true sister,   Mary R

To the most Christian king, my brother-in-law and old ally.”