Last letter of Mary, Queen of Scots written hours before she was beheaded for treason by Elizabeth I is to go on display
The last letter written by Mary, Queen of Scots before she was beheaded is to go on display.
Mary wrote to her brother-in-law King Henri III of France at 2am on Wednesday February 8, 1587, just six hours before she was put to death for treason on the orders of her cousin Queen Elizabeth I.
Imprisoned at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire, she wrote in French to Henri, telling him: 'Tonight, after dinner, I have been advised of my sentence: I am to be executed like a criminal at eight in the morning.'
The letter is held by the National Library of Scotland and rarely leaves the library's vaults, primarily for conservation reasons.
It last went on display for a single day at the National Library in 2017, when 'queues of people' formed along George IV Bridge in Edinburgh for the chance see it.
The public are now set to have the opportunity to see the famous manuscript once again when it goes on display in Perth Museum next year.
Mary, the mother of the future King James I of England, had been behind bars for 19 years.
She reigned as Queen of Scots from 1561 to 1567, but was forced to abdicate after a rebellion by Scottish lords.
The last letter written by Mary, Queen of Scots before she was beheaded is to go on display. Mary wrote to her brother-in-law King Henri III of France at 2am on Wednesday February 8, 1587, just six hours before she was put to death
Mary, the mother of the future King James I of England, had been behind bars for 19 years
Mary had a legitimate claim to the English throne through the fact that her grandmother was the sister of Henry VIII.
Considered a threat to Elizabeth, she was arrested and imprisoned after fleeing to England.
She then spent nearly two decades living under lock and key. She was beheaded after being implicated in what became known as the Babington Plot against Elizabeth.
In her letter to Henri, Mary explained her situation, saying that she had 'thrown myself into the power of the Queen my cousin', who she had 'suffered much' under for '20 years'.
She said she wanted to make her will but had been 'unable to recover anything of use to me'. Mary also wanted to be buried in France, where she had spent her early years.
The former queen added 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'.
Mary signed off her letter by saying: 'Your very loving and most true sister, Mary R'
Mary wrote to her brother-in-law King Henri III of France
She also said bravely: 'I scorn death and vow that I meet it innocent of any crime, even if I were their subject.'
Alison Stevenson, director of collections, access and research at the National Library of Scotland 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.'
The item is being loaned by the National Library as part of its Outwith: National Library around Scotland programme to mark the library's centenary.
The last letter of Mary, Queen of Scots will be on display at Perth Museum from Friday January 23 until Sunday April 26 2026.
The Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots display will be held at AK Bell Library, Perth from Friday January 23 until Saturday April 25 2026.
Access to both exhibitions is free.
