3-057-718 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Trial of Mary, Queen of Scots in the Great Chamber at Fotheringhay castle, 14-15 Oct 1586. Mary's cousin, Elizabeth I was sympathetic to her plight when she was forced to flee to England in 1567. However, as a Catholic with a claim to the English throne, Mary was a focus for plots, and she was confined to prison. Eventually she was brought to trial for complicity in a conspiracy, and executed at Fotheringhay castle, Northamptonshire. Robert Beale was an official of Queen Elizabeth's council who carried the death warrant for Mary to Fotheringhay castle. His papers include sketches of the trial and execution of Mary. This sketch shows Mary entering the hall. From papers and correspondance relating to Mary, Queen of Scots.