Murder of Lord Darnley
Murder of Lord Darnley is in 1559-1579 Elizabeth I Accedes.
On 10 Feb 1567 Henry "Lord Darnley" Stewart (age 21) was murdered at Kirk O Field. Around two in the morning two barrels of gunpowder exploded beneath his room. His body and that of his valet William Taylor were found outside, surrounded by a cloak, a dagger, a chair, and a coat. Darnley was dressed only in his nightshirt. There were no visible marks on the body. He was buried at Holyrood Abbey, Holyrood.
On 24 Feb 1567 Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 33) wrote to her cousin Mary Queen of Scots (age 24) regarding the murder of Mary's husband Henry "Lord Darnley" Stewart (deceased) as follows:
Madam (age 24),
My ears have been so astounded and my heart so frightened to hear of the horrible and abominable murder of your husband (deceased) and my own cousin that I have scarcely spirit to write: yet I cannot conceal that I grieve more for you than him. I should not do the office of a faithful cousin and friend, if I did not urge you to preserve your honour, rather than look through your fingers at revenge on those who have done you that pleasure as most people say. I counsel you so to take this matter to heart, that you may show the world what a noble Princess and loyal woman you are. I write thus vehemently not that I doubt, but for affection. [Translated from the French; extract - lines 1-12]
On 02 Jun 1581 James Douglas 4th Earl Morton (age 65) was executed for his part in the murder of Lord Darnley.
