Imprisonment in Lochleven Castle
Instead of being restored to her throne, Mary found herself a prisoner at Lochleven Castle. And it was at Lochleven Castle that Mary turned to embroidery to lessen the tedium of captivity and provide mental solace. Servais de Conde sent her:
A dozen and a half little flowers painted on canvas and traced out in black silk’ along with ‘silk and gold and silver thread for their stitching.
A dozen and a half little flowers painted on canvas and traced out in black silk’ along with ‘silk and gold and silver thread for their stitching.
View from Lochleven Castle
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Letter sent from Mary to Robert Melville on 3 September 1567
Extract translates as:
Robert Melville, you shall not fail to send with this bearer to me half an ell of incarnate satin and half an ell of blue satin. Also cause Servais my concierge, to send me more twisted silk if there is any left; and sewing gold and silver. Also a doublet and skirt of white satin, another of incarnate, another of black satin and skirts of the same…Also a loose gown of taffeta. Also you have failed to send the gown and other clothes that I had Lady Livingstone send me and also you shall not fail to send my maidens clothes for they are naked, and I marvel that you have not sent them some since departing from me, together with the cambric and linen cloth of which I gave you a reminder…. |