Bequests to the King.
Robertson's Inventories.
Before the birth of her son, Mary made a will, of which no copy is extant. But Mr. Joseph Robertson found an inventory of her jewels, made at the same time, with marginal notes, in the Queen's own handwriting, indicating their disposition. There are fifteen entries "Au Roy," from which we quote the most interesting marginal note:—
| It was with this that I was married, to the King, who gave it me. | A diamond ring enamelled in red. |
There are also bequests to the Crown of Scotland, the Earl and Countess of Lennox, and the Earl of Murray, also a jewel with the marginal note:—
"To Joseph {Riccio}, which his brother gave me."
At the end of the first section of the inventory, there is the following note in Mary's hand:—
"I wish that these provisions be carried out in case that the child does not survive me, but if it live, it is to inherit everything. Marie R."
QUEEN MARY'S SIGNET-RING AND MONOGRAM.
Mary's Will as described in the "Book of Articles" (cf. [p. 144]).
Hosack's Mary, vol. i. p. 525.
This her rooted disdain still continuing a little before her deliverance of her birth in May or June 1566, in making of her latter will and testament, she named and appointed Bothwell among others to the tutele {guardianship} of her birth {child} and issue, and government of the realm in case of her decease, and unnaturally excluded the father from all kind of cure and regiment over his own child, advancing Bothwell above all others to be lieutenant-general.... She disponit also her whole moveables to others beside her husband.
BIRTH OF A PRINCE
ELIZABETH'S RECEPTION OF THE NEWS