3-011-640 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Loan Collection, South-Kensington, 1862. 'The gold rosary and crucifix of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. The heads are large and entirely of gold, and were originally enriched with enamel, some faint traces of which are still perceptible on the larger ones. Pendent pearls are attached to the crucifix. According to tradition, this precious object was presented by the Pope to Queen Mary, and was the one worn by her at her execution, 1586. On the scaffold she charged her faithful servant, Sir Andrew Melville, the Master of her Household, to convey the rosary, as a last token, to the Earl and Countess of Arundel, who had befriended her in her long imprisonment. It came into the possession of the Dukes of Norfolk as part of the collection of the celebrated Thomas, Earl of Arundel, and was presented by the late Charles, Duke of Norfolk, to Mr. Henry Howard, of Corby Castle. It is said that a servant took it into her head that the rosary ought to be cleaned, and, without saying a word to any one, boiled it some time in water. When taken out the enamel was found to have dropped off. Philip H. Howard, Esq.'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.