Murder of David Rizzio

Mary‘s appointment of the Italian musician, David Rizzio as her Private Secretary was resented by her nobles. Some whispered that he had become Mary’s lover and that the child she was carrying was his. He was undoubtedly favoured, gifted 150 ells of the fine green taffeta, silk and velvet for his bed furnishings, black velvet for his clothing and 6 lengths of cloth of gold from the royal store. But Mary’s nobles and Darnley plotted against him.  

I know that if it takes effect which is intended , David [Rizzio] with the consent of the King, shall have his throat cut within these ten days. Thomas Randolph the English Ambassador in Scotland, 1566

  Portrait of David Rizzio. The Royal Collection

Rizzio was murdered in the queen’s presence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse but Mary appeared to  forgive Darnley. When her son, James, was born she turned her attention to the preparations for a splendid baptism and raided the royal stores to bedeck her palaces in textile magnificence. Darnley did not attend. Soon afterwards he fell ill and came to Kirk o’ Field in Edinburgh to convalesce. But on 10 February 1567 it was demolished in an explosion. Darnley was found strangled in its grounds.

Contemporary sketch of the scene of Darnley’s assassination.
British National Library