Maria Scotorum Regina et Franciæ Dotaria (Mary Queen of

Category

Library Item

Item no

13406

Title

Maria Scotorum Regina et Franciæ Dotaria (Mary Queen of Scotland)

Description

A portrait of a woman in 16th century clothing from the waist up. She wears an elaborate stiff white collar and a traditional white bonnet. A large chain with a cross hangs from her neck.

Artist / maker

Kay, John

Date

1793

Size

12.9 x 8.5 cm

Type

Etching

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The accompanying text in the volume begins as follows:
"Mary Queen of Scotland was done for an edition of Robertson's History of Scotland. The introduction to this Print of the Scottish Queen affords us the opportunity of mentioning a singular instance of regard to her memory, as displayed by one of her most enthusiastic admirers - the late Mr James Cumming, of the Lyon Office, the original Secretary of the Society of Scottish Antiquaries. In company with Mr Alexander Brown, librarian of the faculty of Advocates, Mr Andrew Bell, Mr William Smellie, and his son, after the glass had gone pretty freely round, Cumming burst into an immoderate and hysterical fit of crying. 'What the devil is the matter with you now?' said the elder Mr Smelie. 'Good _!' cried the antiquary, 'it is just this day two hundred years since Mary was beheaded!' to the no small amusement of the party (so sincere was his sorrow), it was found impossible to stop his crying, or to divert him from the subject, for a considerable time."

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Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Necklaces

Clothing and dress > Garments > Dresses

People > Adults > Women

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