1587, in England.
After more than eighteen years of captivity, Marie Stuart, former queen of Scotland and France, is condemned to death by her cousin, Elisabeth I.
As she climbs the scaffold, a golden rosary adorned with a crucifix hangs from the waistband of her robe.
An object of great historical value which was stolen from Arundel Castle in southern England last Friday.
To read also: Marie Stuart: crowned at 9 months, beheaded at 44 years old
Hard news for the castle, former residence of the Dukes of Norfolk, which had just reopened its doors after several months of closure due to the health crisis. In addition to the rosary, several crowning cups offered by Marie Stuart to Count Marshal, as well as gold and silver objects were stolen, for a total amount of more than one million euros. They were in a display case in the part of the castle open to the public, according to the
Guardian
.
“
The stolen items have significant monetary value, but as unique items in the Duke of Norfolk's collection they are of immeasurable and inestimable historical significance
,” a spokesperson for the castle administrators said.
Indeed, Marie Stuart is one of the most famous historical figures of the United Kingdom, and her life has inspired many directors, notably John Ford in
Marie Stuart
in 1936, with Katharine Hepburn, or more recently Josie Rourke in
Marie Stuart. , Queen of Scots
, released in 2018.
Read also: Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie, a duel at the top in
Marie Stuart, Queen of Scots
It must be said that the fate of Marie Stuart is fascinating: born in 1542, she is the only legitimate child of King Jacques V of Scotland. She ascended to the throne in just a few days, but spent most of her childhood in France, while Scotland was ruled by regents. After the death of her first husband, the Dauphin of France, Marie returned to Scotland and married Henry Stuart, with whom she had a son. Henry is assassinated a year later, and Marie marries the one who is then her alleged murderer, triggering the wrath of the people. The queen must abdicate, and escapes in the hope of receiving help from her cousin, Elizabeth I. The latter will eventually condemn her to imprisonment for accusations of treason and conspiracy to murder, before deciding her beheading in 1587.
The thieves of the royal artifacts have yet to be arrested, and, with little clue at their disposal, the police have called for witnesses. Only a burnt car, abandoned near the castle and probably used for the burglary, was found.