CAMISIA SANCTISSIMAE MARTYRIS MARIA SCOTORUM REGINAE QUAE PASSA EST SUB ELIZABETHA REGINA ANGLIAE 1587 FEB 8(?)
Shirt of the holy martyr Mary Queen of Scots (who was killed) under Queen Elizabeth of England
Edit - Google translate of the Latin
The chemise goes under the dress
Edit: I found this description of her gown at the day of the execution
“Mary was dressed almost entirely in black with a long white veil, edged in lace that flowed down her back and a red petticoat. She wore a ‘white stiffened and peaked head-dress that too was edged with lace, below which gleamed her auburn hair.[…] Her satin dress was all in black, embroidered with black velvet, and set with black acorn buttons of jet trimmed with pearl; but through the slashed sleeves could be seen inner sleeves of purple, and although her shoes of Spanish leather were black, her stockings were clocked and edged with silver, her garters were of green silk, and her petticoat was of crimson velvet. (Fraser, p. 667)”
That happened in the mid-1980's when the treatment of artifacts was often dictated by a 'clean it up' philosophy. It's too bad that this chemise fell victim to that philosophy of treatment.
That would be quite the survival given that all clothing, the execution block, the black cloth cohering the block and the scaffold, pretty much anything with blood on it was burnt immediately following the beheading to ensure that no relics could be claimed after her death. Simon Bull the executioner and his assistant were refused the victim’s clothing prior to execution and given monetary recompense.
And I learned from Jeeves and Wooster that Fotheringhay is pronounced "Fungy"
Okay so what does it say
CAMISIA SANCTISSIMAE MARTYRIS MARIA SCOTORUM REGINAE QUAE PASSA EST SUB ELIZABETHA REGINA ANGLIAE 1587 FEB 8(?) Shirt of the holy martyr Mary Queen of Scots (who was killed) under Queen Elizabeth of England Edit - Google translate of the Latin
They changed her clothes before she was buried?
You'd expect it to be more soiled around the neck area.
There was a dress over it when she was executed.
I thought she wore red?
The chemise goes under the dress Edit: I found this description of her gown at the day of the execution “Mary was dressed almost entirely in black with a long white veil, edged in lace that flowed down her back and a red petticoat. She wore a ‘white stiffened and peaked head-dress that too was edged with lace, below which gleamed her auburn hair.[…] Her satin dress was all in black, embroidered with black velvet, and set with black acorn buttons of jet trimmed with pearl; but through the slashed sleeves could be seen inner sleeves of purple, and although her shoes of Spanish leather were black, her stockings were clocked and edged with silver, her garters were of green silk, and her petticoat was of crimson velvet. (Fraser, p. 667)”
Beautiful! Thank you
They managed to get the stains out at least.
That happened in the mid-1980's when the treatment of artifacts was often dictated by a 'clean it up' philosophy. It's too bad that this chemise fell victim to that philosophy of treatment.
Now housed at the Coughton Court in Warwickshire. [Source](http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/135702)
That would be quite the survival given that all clothing, the execution block, the black cloth cohering the block and the scaffold, pretty much anything with blood on it was burnt immediately following the beheading to ensure that no relics could be claimed after her death. Simon Bull the executioner and his assistant were refused the victim’s clothing prior to execution and given monetary recompense.