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On this Day in History ... 8th February
08 Feb is in February.
1308 Coronation of Edward II and Isabella
1461 Creation of Garter Knights by Henry VI
Events on the 8th February
Florence of Worcester. 08 Feb 1139. A new Abbot at Gloucester. 1139. The feast of our Lord's Nativity being passed, and that of the Purification of St. Mary, his mother, drawing nigh, the venerable father Walter, abbot of Gloucester, gave up the ghost about the third hour of the day, after holding his preferment nine years and a half; he was buried by the venerable abbots, Reynold of Evesham, and Roger of Tewksbury, on the sixth of the ides [the 8th] of February. After his interment, two of the brethren were sent to Cluni to fetch our1 lord-elect, Gilbert; king Stephen having, on the report of his eminent worth, and at the request of Milo, his constable, conferred upon him at London the preferment of the abbey of Gloucester. Theobald (age 49), archbishop of Canterbury, Simon, bishop of Worcester, Roger, bishop of Coventry, Robert, bishop of Exeter, and Reynold, abbot of Evesham, having been unanimously chosen, proceeded by the pope's command to the threshold of St. Peter. On their arrival, they were received with great honour by the apostolic see, and allowed seats in the Roman council, a circumstance without parallel for many ages before. Having there freely opened their business, they returned home with joy, bringing with them the synodal decrees, now recorded far and wide throughout England. The two monks who had been sent to bring over the lord-abbot Gilbert, also returned in safety, and presented him to king Stephen, who received him graciously, and conferred on him, to hold freely, the fief of the church of Gloucester. He came to Worcester on the feast of Whitsuntide, which fell on the third of the ides [the 11th] of June, and was there ordained, with great rejoicings and divine lauds, by the venerable Robert, bishop of Hereford; and going from thence on the following day, was installed at Gloucester with great joy and exultation, and the acclamations of the commonalty of both orders, in a manner befitting such a man in the Lord.
Note 1. It has been supposed, from this expression, that the continuator was a monk of Gloucester; but he speaks thus of the new abbot as belonging to his own diocese of Worcester.
On 08 Feb 1250 the Battle of Mansoura was fought between Crusaders led by King Louis IX of France (age 35) commanded by Robert Capet Count of Artois (age 33) and Ayyubid forces.
Robert Capet Count of Artois and William Longespée (age 42) were killed.
Alexander Giffard fought; possibly killed.
On 08 Feb 1263 Afonso Burgundy was born to Alfonso III King Portugal (age 52) and Beatrice Queen Consort Portugal (age 21). He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.41%.
On 08 Feb 1291 Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal was born to Denis I King Portugal (age 29) and Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal (age 20). He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
Close Rolls Edward II 1307-1313. 08 Feb 1308 King Edward II of England (age 23). Dover, Kent [Map]. To William Leybourne. Order to attend the king's coronation with his wife on Sunday next after the feast of St Valentine.
The like to seventy others in various counties.
On 08 Feb 1461 King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 39) created four Garter Knights two of whom would be killed nine days later at the Second Battle of St Albans:
181st Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 32).
182nd William Bonville 1st Baron Bonville (age 68).
183rd Thomas Kyriell (age 65).
184th John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 61).
Patent Rolls Edward IV 1462. 08 Feb 1462. Appointment of Laurence, Bishop of Durham (age 42), the king's kinsman John, Earl of Worcester (age 34), Robert Botell, prior of St. John of Jerusalem in England, John Wenlok of Wenlok, knight, and Master Robert Stillington (age 42), doctor of laws, keeper of the privy seal, as ambassadors to treat with the king's kinsman John de He, Earl of Rosse and lord of the Isles.
On 09 Feb 1498 John Welles 1st Viscount Welles (age 48) died in London. Viscount Welles, Baron Welles extinct. His will reads ...
In the name of oure Lorde Jeshu, Amen. I, John, Viscounte lorde Wellis, uncle to the Kynge (age 41), oure soveraigne lorde, and brodre to the right noble prynces, Margaret, countes of Richemond (age 54), naturall and dere modre to oure said soveregne lord, beyng of goode and hole memory, ye viij daie of February, the yere of oure Lorde God 1498, and in the xiiij yere of the regne of our saide soverayne lorde, make this my testament. My bodie to be buried in suche place as [to] the kynge, the quene (age 31), my lady, his moder, and my lady, my wife (age 28), shalbe thought, most convenyent, and the costis and charge of the same burying, the obsequyes, masses, funeralles and all oder thynges therto convenyent and necessarie. And also I remyt the makyng of my tumbe to the ordre and discrecionn of my saide soverayne lady the quene, my lady his modre, and my wife. And after these charges and costis aforesaid had and done, I will that all the dettis nowe by me dewe or to be dewe be treuly contented and paied. And I will that to the honour of Almighty God in the aulter afore which my bodie shall next lie my executors shall delyver a pair of candelstickes of silver, a masse booke covered with clothe of goolde, a chales of silver and gilte, a vestament of blewe velvet enbrodered with my armes, a pair of litle cruettes of silver and parcellis gilte, and a crosse of silver p[arcell] gilt, which 1 will do remayne there to serve Almyghty God with for ever and in noo oder place. Also I geve and bequethe to my dere beloved lady and wife Cecille, for terme of her life, all my castelles, manors, landes and tenements, aswell suche as I have purchased as all odre duryng only her life, whome I trust above all oder, that if my goodes and catallis wilnot suffice for the performance of this my laste will, that she will thenne of the revenues of the profittes of my inheritance perform this my laste will. Also I will that a preste be founde for ever after my said wifes decease to sey masse daily for my sowle and all Cristen sowles at the said aulter of the yerely revenues of my purchased landes, and over which my saide lady hath promysed me faithfully to purchase to the same entent if my saide purchased landes suffice not therto. And I will yt suche residue as shall fortune to be of my goodes that my saide dere beloved lady aud wife have theym to her owne use. And I make executors the saide Cecill, my dere beloved wife, and Sr Raynold Bray (age 58), knyght, and in my mooste humble wise beseche my said soverayne lorde the kyng and the quenes grace, my lady the kynges modre, to be supervisours.
Hall's Chronicle 1522. 08 Feb 1522. This time the eighth dale of February, the Lord Dacres (age 54) Warden of the Marches of Scotland entered into Scotland with five hundred men, by the King’s commandment, and there proclaimed that the Scots should come into the King’s peace, by the first day of March following, or else to stand at their perils, the Duke of Albany (age 38) being then within five miles, with a mighty power of Scots.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 08 Feb 1544. The viij day of Feybruarij was commondyd by the quene (age 27) and the bysshope of London (age 44) that Powlles and evere parryche that thay shuld syng Te Deum Laudamus, and ryngyng for the good vyctory that the quen('s) grace had aganst Wyatt (age 23) and the rebellyous of Kent, the wyche wher over-come, thankes be unto God, with lytyll blud-shed, and the reseduw taken and had to presun, and after wher dyvers of them putt to deth in dyvers places in Londun and Kent, and prossessyon evere wher that day for joy.
Foxe's Book of Martyrs. 08 Feb 1555. The next day, which was the eighth of February, he was led to the place of execntion in the park without the city, going in an old gown and a shirt, barefooted, and ofttimes fell flat on the ground, and prayed. When he was come nigh to the place, the officer appointed to see the execution done, said to Master Saunders, that he was one of them which marred the queen's realm with false doctrine and heresy, "wherefore thou hast deserved death," quoth he; "but yet, if thou wilt revoke thine heresies, the queen hath pardoned thee: if not, yonder fire is prepared for thee." To whom Master Saunders answered, "It is not I, nor my fellow preachers of God's truth, that have hurt the queen's realm, but it is yourself, and such as you are,which have always resisted God's holy word; it is you which have and do mar the queen's realm. I do hold no heresies; but the doctrine of God, the blessed gospel of Christ, that hold I; that believe I; that have I taught; and that will I never revoke." With that, this tormentor cried, "Away with him." And away from him went Master Saunders with a merry courage towards the fire. He fell to the ground, and prayed: he rose up again, and took the stake to which he should be chained in his arms, and kissed it, saying, "Welcome the cross of Christ! welcome everlasting life!" and being fastened to the stake, and fire put to him, full sweetly he slept in the Lord.
On 08 Feb 1575 Richard Myddelton (age 66) died. Brass memorial at St Marcella's Church, Denbigh [Map].
Richard Myddelton: Before 1509 he was born to Fulke Myddelton of Llansannan. In 1541 Richard Myddelton and Jane Dryhurst were married. They had nine sons and seven daughters. In 1542 Richard Myddelton was elected MP Denbigh Boroughs. In 1563 Humphrey Llwyd aka Lluyd lived at Denbigh Castle by permission of Sir John Salusbury [Note. Some sources say Richard Myddelton] who was then the Lord of the Manor of Denbigh.
The Letter Books of Amias Paulet Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots Published 1874 Marys Execution. Poulet (age 54), as has already been said, was made Chancellor of the Garter in April, 1587, but he did not retain this preferment for a whole year. He continued in the Captaincy of Jersey up to his death, but he appears to have resided in and near London. In the British Museum are two letters from him of small importance. One, addressed to the Lord High Admiral, is dated, "From my poor lodging in Fleet Street [Map], the 14th of January, 1587," about "right of tenths in Jersey, belonging to the Government." The other, "From my little lodge at Twickenham, the 24th of April, 1588," "on behalf of Berry," whose divorce was referred by the Justices of the Common Pleas to four Doctors of the Civil Law, of whom Mr. Doctor Caesar, Judge of the Admiralty, to whom the letter was written, was one.
His name also occurs in a letter, from Walsingham to Burghley, dated May 23, 1587, while Elizabeth still kept up the farce of Burghley's disgrace for despatching Mary Stuart's death-warrant. "Touching the Chancellorship of the Duchy, she told Sir Amias Poulet that in respect of her promise made unto me, she would not dispose of it otherwise. But yet hath he no power to deliver the seals unto me, though for that purpose the Attorney is commanded to attend him, who I suppose will be dismissed hence this day without any resolution." And on the 4th of January following, together with the other lords of the Council, he signed a letter addressed by the Privy Council to the Lord Admiral and to Lord Buckhurst, the Lieutenants of Sussex, against such Catholics as "most obstinately have refused to come to the church to prayers and divine service," requiring them to "cause the most obstinate and noted persons to be committed to such prisons as are fittest for their safe keeping: the rest that are of value, and not so obstinate, are to be referred to the custody of some -ecclesiastical persons and other gentlemen well affected, to remain at the charges of the recusant, to be restrained in such sort as they may be forthcoming, and kept from intelligence with one another." On the 26th of September, in the year in which this letter was written, 1588, Sir Amias Poulet died.
Poulet was buried in St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. [Map]. When that church was pulled down to be rebuilt, his remains, with the handsome monument erected over them, were removed to the parish church of Hinton St. George. After various panegyrics in Latin, French, and English inscribed on his monument, a quatrain, expressive apparently of royal favour, pays the following tribute to the service rendered by him to the State as Keeper of the Queen of Scots: Never shall cease to spread wise Poulet's fame; These will speak, and men shall blush for shame: Without offence to speak what I do know, Great is the debt England to him doth owe.Execution of Mary Queen of Scots.
Original Letters Illustrative of English History Second Series Volume III. Ellis notes that "the present narrative is from the Lansdowne MS. 51. art. 46. It is indorsed in Lord Burghley's hand, "8 Feb. 1586. The Manner of the Q. of Scotts death at Fodrynghay, wr. by Ro. Wy. [Possibly Richard Wigmore?]
A Reporte of the manner of the execution of the Sc. Q. performed the viijth. of February, Anno 1586 [modern dating 1587] in the great hall at Fotheringhay [Map], with relacion of speeches uttered and accions happening in the said execution, from the delivery of the said Sc. Q. to Mr Thomas Androwes Esquire Sherife of the County of Northampton unto the end of said execution..
THE READER shall now be presented with the Execution of the Queen of Scots (age 44) which was to the Court or three Statements of this Transaction were There was a Short one copies of which are Manuscripts Jul F vi foll 246 266 b and b Another a Copy of the Account of the Earl to the Lords of the Council dated on the day is MS Calig C ix fol 163 And there is a Office somewhat longer said to have been drawn evidently one of her servants present Narrative is from the Lansdowne MS in Lord Burghley s hand 8 Feb 1586 of Scotts death at Fodrynghay wr by Ro Wy Queen s death have been dressed up from writers but it is here given accurate and entire.
First, the said Scottish Queen, being carried by two of Sir Amias Paulett's (age 54) gentlemen, and the Sheriff (age 46) going before her, came most willingly out of her chamber into an entry next the Hall [Map], at which place the Earl of Shrewsbury (age 59) and the Earl of Kent (age 46), commissioners for the execution, with the two governors of her person, and divers knights and gentlemen did meet her, where they found one of the Scottish Queen's servants, named Melvin [NOTE. Possibly Andrew Melville of Garvock Steward], kneeling on his knees, who uttered these words with tears to the Queen of Scots, his mistress, "Madam, it will be the sorrowfullest message that ever I carried, when I shall report that my Queen and dear mistress is dead." Then the Queen of Scots, shedding tears, answered him, "You ought to rejoice rather than weep for that the end of Mary Stuart's troubles is now come. Thou knowest, Melvin, that all this world is but vanity, and full of troubles and sorrows; carry this message from me, and tell my friends that I die a true woman to my religion, and like a true Scottish woman and a true Frenchwoman. But God forgive them that have long desired my end; and He that is the true Judge of all secret thoughts knoweth my mind, how that it ever hath been my desire to have Scotland and England united together. Commend me to my son, and tell him that I have not done anything that may prejudice his kingdom of Scotland; and so, good Melvin, farewell;" and kissing him, she bade him pray for her.
Then she turned to the Lords and told them that she had certain requests to make unto them. One was for a sum of money, which she said Sir Amyas Paulet knew of, to be paid to one Curle her servant; next, that all her poor servants might enjoy that quietly which by her Will and Testament she had given unto them; and lastly, that they might be all well entreated, and sent home safely and honestly into their countries. "And this I do conjure you, my Lords, to do.".
Answer was made by Sir Amyas Paulet, "I do well remember the money your Grace speaketh of, and your Grace need not to make any doubt of the not performance of your requests, for I do surely think they shall be granted.".
"I have," said she, "one other request to make unto you, my Lords, that you will suffer my poor servants to be present about me, at my death, that they may report when they come into their countries how I died a true woman to my religion.".
Then the Earl of Kent, one of the commissioners, answered, "Madam, it cannot well be granted, for that it is feared lest some of them would with speeches both trouble and grieve your Grace, and disquiet the company, of which we have had already some experience, or seek to wipe their napkins in some of your blood, which were not convenient." "My Lord," said the Queen of Scots, "I will give my word and promise for them that they shall not do any such thing as your Lordship has named. Alas! poor souls, it would do them good to bid me farewell. And I hope your Mistress (age 53), being a maiden Queen, in regard of womanhood, will suffer me to have some of my own people about me at my death. And I know she hath not given you so straight a commission, but that you may grant me more than this, if I were a far meaner woman than I am." And then (seeming to be grieved) with some tears uttered these words: "You know that I am cousin to your Queen [NOTE. They were first-cousin once-removed], and descended from the blood of Henry the Seventh [NOTE. She was a Great Granddaughter of Henry VII King England and Ireland 1457-1509], a married Queen of France [NOTE. She had married Francis II King France King Consort Scotland], and the anointed Queen of Scotland.".
Whereupon, after some consultation, they granted that she might have some of her servants according to her Grace's request, and therefore desired her to make choice of half-a-dozen of her men and women: who presently said that of her men she would have Melvin, her apothecary, her surgeon, and one other old man beside; and of her women, those two that did use to lie in her chamber.
After this, she being supported by Sir Amias's two gentlemen aforesaid, and Melvin carrying up her train, and also accompanied with the Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen aforenamed, the Sheriff going before her, she passed out of the entry into the Great Hall [Map], with her countenance careless, importing thereby rather mirth than mournful cheer, and so she willingly stepped up to the scaffold which was prepared for her in the Hall, being two feet high and twelve feet broad, with rails round about, hung and covered with black, with a low stool, long cushion, and block, covered with black also. Then, having the stool brought her, she sat her down; by her, on the right hand, sat the Earl of Shrewsbury and the Earl of Kent, and on the left hand stood the Sheriff, and before her the two executioners; round about the rails stood Knights, Gentlemen, and others.
Then, silence being made, the Queen's Majesty's Commission for the execution of the Queen of Scots was openly read by Mr. Beale, clerk of the Council (age 46); and these words pronounced by the Assembly, "God save the Queen." During the reading of which Commission the Queen of Scots was silent, listening unto it with as small regard as if it had not concerned her at all; and with as cheerful a countenance as if it had been a pardon from her Majesty for her life; using as much strangeness in word and deed as if she had never known any of the Assembly, or had been ignorant of the English language.
Then one Doctor Fletcher, Dean of Peterborough (age 42), standing directly before her, without the rail, bending his body with great reverence, began to utter this exhortation following: "Madam, the Queen's most excellent Majesty," &c, and iterating these words three or four times, she told him, "Mr. Dean, I am settled in the ancient Catholic Roman religion, and mind to spend my blood in defence of it." Then Mr. Dean said: "Madam, change your opinion, and repent you of your former wickedness, and settle your faith only in Jesus Christ, by Him to be saved." Then she answered again and again, "Mr. Dean, trouble not yourself any more, for I am settled and resolved in this my religion, and am purposed therein to die." Then the Earl of Shrewsbury and the Earl of Kent, perceiving her so obstinate, told her that since she would not hear the exhortation begun by Mr. Dean, "We will pray for your Grace, that it stand with God's will you may have your heart lightened, even at the last hour, with the true knowledge of God, and so die therein." Then she answered, "If you will pray for me, my Lords, I will thank you; but to join in prayer with you I will not, for that you and I are not of one religion.".
Then the Lords called for Mr. Dean, who, kneeling on the scaffold stairs, began this prayer, "O most gracious God and merciful Father," &c, all the Assembly, saving the Queen of Scots and her servants, saying after him. During the saying of which prayer, the Queen of Scots, sitting upon a stool, having about her neck an Agnus Dei, in her hand a crucifix, at her girdle a pair of beads with a golden cross at the end of them, a Latin book in her hand, began with tears and with loud and fast voice to pray in Latin; and in the midst of her prayers she slided off from her stool, and kneeling, said divers Latin prayers; and after the end of Mr. Dean's prayer, she kneeling, prayed in English to this effect: "For Christ His afflicted Church, and for an end of their troubles; for her son; and for the Queen's Majesty, that she might prosper and serve God aright." She confessed that she hoped to be saved "by and in the blood of Christ, at the foot of whose Crucifix she would shed her blood." Then said the Earl of Kent, "Madam, settle Christ Jesus in your heart, and leave those trumperies." Then she little regarding, or nothing at all, his good counsel, went forward with her prayers, desiring that "God would avert His wrath from this Island, and that He would give her grief and forgiveness for her sins." These, with other prayers she made in English, saying she forgave her enemies with all her heart that had long sought her blood, and desired God to convert them to the truth; and in the end of the prayer she desired all saints to make intercession for her to Jesus Christ, and so kissing the crucifix, and crossing of her also, said these words: "Even as Thy arms, O Jesus, were spread here upon the Cross, so receive me into Thy arms of mercy, and forgive me all my sins.".
Her prayer being ended, the executioners, kneeling, desired her Grace to forgive them her death; who answered, "I forgive you with all my heart, for now, I hope, you shall make an end of all my troubles." Then they, with her two women, helping of her up, began to disrobe her of her apparel; she never changed her countenance, but with smiling cheer she uttered these words, "that she never had such grooms to make her unready, and that she never put off her clothes before such a company.".
Then she, being stripped of all her apparel saving her petticoat and kirtle, her two women beholding her made great lamentation, and crying and crossing themselves prayed in Latin; she, turning herself to them, embracing them, said these words in French, "Ne criez vous; j'ay promis pour vous;" and so crossing and kissing them, bade them pray for her, and rejoice and not weep, for that now they should see an end of all their mistress's troubles. Then she, with a smiling countenance, turning to her men servants, as Melvin and the rest, standing upon a bench nigh the scaffold, who sometime weeping, sometime crying out aloud, and continually crossing themselves, prayed in Latin, crossing them with her hand bade them farewell; and wishing them to pray for her even until the last hour.
This done, one of the women having a Corpus Christi cloth lapped up three-corner ways, kissing it, put it over the Queen of Scots' face, and pinned it fast to the caul of her head. Then the two women departed from her, and she kneeling down upon the cushion most resolutely, and without any token or fear of death, she spake aloud this Psalm in Latin, "In te, Domine, confido, non confundar in eternum," &c. [Ps. xxv.]. Then, groping for the block, she laid down her head, Putting her chin over the block with both her hands, which holding there, still had been cut off, had they not been espied. Then lying upon the block most quietly, and stretching out her arms, cried, "In manus tuas, Domine," &c, three or four times. Then she lying very still on the block, one of the executioners holding of her slightly with one of his hands, she endured two strokes of the other executioner with an axe, she making very small noise or none at all, and not stirring any part of her from the place where she lay; and so the executioner cut off her head, saving one little grisle, which being cut asunder, he lifted up her head to the view of all the assembly, and bade "God save the Queen." Then her dressing of lawn falling off from her head, it appeared as grey as one of threescore and ten years old, polled very short, her face in a moment being so much altered from the form she had when she was alive, as few could remember her by her dead face. Her lips stirred up and down a quarter of an hour after her head was cut off.
Then Mr. Dean said with a loud voice, "So perish all the Queen's enemies;" and afterwards the Earl of Kent came to the dead body, and standing over it, with a loud voice said, "Such end of all the Queen's and the Gospel's enemies.".
Then one of the executioners pulling off her garters, espied her little dog which was crept under her clothes, which could not be gotten forth but by force, yet afterward would not depart from the dead corpse, but came and lay between her head and her shoulders, which being imbrued with her blood, was carried away and washed, as all things else were that had any blood was either burned or clean washed; and the executioners sent away with money for their fees, not having any one thing that belonged unto her. And so, every man being commanded out of the Hall, except the Sheriff and his men, she was carried by them up into a great chamber lying ready for the surgeons to embalm her.
08 Feb 1587. Robert Beale (age 46) was an eye-witness to the Execution of Mary Queen of Scots. Those indicated include 1 George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 59), 2 Henry Grey 6th Earl Kent (age 46), 3 Amyas Paulett. The drawing appears to show three events rather than a moment in time: her being led into the Hall, her being disrobed and being beheaded.
On 08 Feb 1587 Mary Queen of Scots (age 44) was beheaded in the Great Hall at Fotheringay Castle, Northamptonshire [Map].
George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 59), Henry Grey 6th Earl Kent (age 46), Richard Knightley (age 54) and Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton (age 13) witnessed her execution.
There are few extant original sources describing Mary's execution. Those that do exist are somewhat contradictory. They include The letter-books of Sir Amias Poulet, Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, the Calendar of State Papers, Spain (known as the Simancas), Volume 4, 1587-1603 and Beale's sketch of the execution. The most reliable primary source appears to be Jebb's De vita et rebus gestis serenissimæ principis Mariæ Scotorum Reginæ published in French.
The Letter Books of Amias Paulet Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots Published 1874 Marys Execution. The inventory of the property of the Queen of Scots (age 44), alluded to in the foregoing letter, is printed in Prince Labanoff's collection, in which it occupies more than twenty pages. Poulet (age 54) compiled it by summoning Mary's servants before him, and requesting each of them to give him a written note of all that the Queen had given them. A comparison of this inventory, made after Mary's death, with a former one, dated June 13, 1586, which Prince Labanoff found amongst M. de Chateauneuf's papers enables us to see that Mr. Froude has been led into a curious error respecting Mary Stuart's dress at the scaffold by the anonymous writer whose account he follows in preference to the narratives drawn up by responsible witnesses. It may seem to be of little importance, but as Mr. Froude has chosen to represent the last moments of Mary's life as "brilliant acting throughout," he should at least have been accurate in his details. He even goes so far as to say that she was deprived of the assistance of her chaplain for "fear of some religious melodrame." As to her dress, he says, "She stood on the black scaffold with the black figures all around her, blood-red from head to foot. Her reasons for adopting so extraordinary a costume must be left to conjecture. It is only certain that it must have been carefully studied, and that the pictorial effect must have been appalling." And he quotes from the Vray Rapport the words, "Ainsy fut executee toute en rouge. [Translation: So was executed all in red.]".
The rouge was not "blood-red," but a dark red brown. Blackwood says that she wore, with a pourpoint or bodice of black satin, "une Juppe de vellours cramoisi brun," and the narrative called La Mort de la Royne d'Escosse says the same. There it is in the June inventory, "Une juppe de velloux cramoisy brun, bandee de passement noir, doublee de taffetas de couleur brune." In the inventory taken after her death it is wanting. As it happens, if she had wished to be "blood-red," she might have been so, for in the wardrobe there was "satin figure incarnat," "escarlate," and "satin incarnate." These figure both in the June and February inventories. When she was dressed "the most neatly that she could and better than usual1," she said to her maids of honour, "My friends, I would have left you sooner this attire than that of yesterday, but it is necessary that I go to death a little honorably, and that I have something more than the ordinary2." "The tragedy ended," continues Blackwood, "The poor maidens, careful of the honor of their mistress, addressed themselves to Paulet her guardian, and begged him that the executioner no longer touch the body of Her Majesty, and that it be allowed for them to undress her, after the crowd would have withdrawn, so that no indignity might be done to the body, promising to return the spoil, and all that he might ask. But this cursed and frightful Cerberus harshly sent them away, commanding them to leave the hall. Meanwhile, the executioner removed her shoes, and handled her at his discretion. After he had done all that he wished, the body was carried into a chamber adjoining that of her servants, securely locked for fear that they might enter to render their respects. This greatly increased their distress, they saw her through the keyhole half-covered with a piece of coarse cloth that had been torn from the billiards table, which we have spoken of above, and prayed to God at the door, which Paulet noticing, had the hole plugged3.".
The executioner snatched from her hand the little gold cross that she took from her neck. "Her Majesty took from her neck a gold cross, which she wanted to give to one of her ladies, saying to the master of works, 'My friend, this is not for your use, leave it to this lady she will give you in Silver more than it is worth;' he snatched it from her hands very rudely, saying, 'It is my right.' It would have been a wonder if she had found courtesy in an English executioner, who had never been able to find it among the most honorable of the country, except as much as they could derive profit from it4." It was worthy of Poulet to insist that, even though everything Mary wore was to be burnt and the headsman was to lose his perquisites lest he should sell them for relics, it was to be by his hands that they should be taken from the person of his victim.
Note 1. "le plus proprement qu'elle put et mieux que de coutume"
Note 2. "Mes amies, je vous eusse laisse plustost cet accoustrement que celui d'hier, sinon qu'il faut que j'aille a la mort un peu honnorablement, et que j'aye quelque chose plus que le commun"
Note 3. "La tragédie finie" continues Blackwood "les pauvres damoiselles, soigneuses de rhonneur de leur maistresse s'adresserent a Paulet son gardien, et le prierent que le bourreau ne touchast plus au corps de sa Majeste, et qu'il leur fust permis de la despouiller, apres que le monde seroit retire, afin qu'aucune indignite ne fust faitte au corps, promettant de luy rendre la despouille, et tout ce qu'il pourroit demander. Mais ce maudict et espouventable Cerbere les renvoya fort lourdement, leur commandant de sortir de la salle. Cependant le bourreau la dechausse, et la manie a sa discretion. Apres qu'il eust fait tout ce qu'il voulust, le corps fut porte en une chambre joignante celle de ces serviteurs, bien fermee de peur qu'ils n'y entrassent pour luy rendre leurs debvoirs. Ce qui augmenta grandement leur ennuy, ils la voyoient par le trou de la serrure demy couverte d'un morceau de drop de bure qu'on avoit arrache de la table du billard, dont nous avous parle cy dessus, et prioyent Dieu a la porte, dont Paulet s'appercevant fist boucher le trou".
Note 4. "Sa Majeste osta hors de son col line croix d'or, qu'elle vouloit bailler a mie de ses filles, disant au maistre d'oeuvres, Mon amy, cecy n'est pas k vostre usage, laissez la a cette damoiselle elle vous baillera en Argent plus qu'elle ne vaut; il luy arracha d'entre les mains fort rudement, disant, C'est mon droit. C'eust este merveille qu'elle eust trouve courtoisie en un bourreau Anglois, qui ne I'avoit jamais sceu trouver entre les plus honestes du pais, sinon tant qu'ils en pouvoient tirer de profit."
The Letter Books of Amias Paulet Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots Published 1874 Marys Execution. Several narratives of the execution exist. The most complete, attributed to Bourgoin, is printed in Jebb. Sir H. Ellis and Robertson print the official report of the Commissioners. Then there is Chateauneuf's Report to Henry III, February 27, 1587, N.S., in Teulet, and a narrative drawn up for Burghley by R. W. (Richard Wigmore). Blackwood also furnishes an interesting and trustworthy description. The anonymous Vray Rapport will be found in Teulet. Mr. Froude appears to have selected it, partly because it was possible to expand the Realistic description of the dissevered head, and in particular the inevitable contraction of the features, into the gross and pitiless caricature which he permits himself of the poor wreck of humanity; partly too, because the Vray Rapport, in direct contradiction to the other accounts, supports his assertion that Mary was "dreadfully agitated" on receiving the message of death from the two Earls. To convey the impression that the writer was bodily present on that occasion, Mr. Froude introduces him as "evidently an eye-witness, one of the Queen of Scots' (age 44) own attendants, probably her surgeon." But the narrative shows us that the writer, whoever he was, could not have been one of Mary's attendants, nor even acquainted with them, for he designates the two ladies who assisted their mistress at the scaffold as "deux damoiselles, I'une Francoise nommee damoiselle Ramete, et l'autre Escossoise, qui avait nom Ersex." There were no such names in Mary's household. The two ladies were both Scottish, Jane Kennedy and Elspeth Curie, Gilbert Curle's sister. Mr. Froude says, "Barbara Mowbray bound her eyes with a handkerchief." It was Jane Kennedy who performed for her this last service.
Poulet's (age 54) inventory, amongst other things, contains the following entry: "Memorandum that the Priest claimeth as of the said late Queen's gift, a silver chalice with a cover, two silver cruets, four images, the one of our Lady in red coral, with divers other vestments and necessaries belonging to a Massing Priest." When the scaffold had been taken away, the Priest was allowed to leave his room and join the rest of the household. On the morning after the execution he said Mass for Mary's soul; but on the afternoon of that day Melville and Bourgoin were sent for by Poulet, who gave orders that the altar should be taken down, and demanded an oath that Mass should not be said again. Melville excused himself as he was a Protestant and not concerned; the physician stoutly refused. Poulet sent for the Priest, and required the coffer in which the vestments were kept to be brought to him. Du Preau, who was evidently a timid man, took the oath that Poulet insisted on, little thinking that he was pledging himself for six months. "II jura sur la bible de ne faire aucune office de religion, craignant d'estre resserre en prison".
08 Feb 1587. This watercolour was made for a Dutch magistrate who compiled an album of historical prints and drawings in 1613. Mary's clothes were burnt to prevent supporters keeping them as relics, and this scene is shown on the far left. The colour of her clothes being black and brown is consistent with the description in the Letter Books of Amias Paulet.
The Death of Mary Queen of Scots. 08 Feb 1587. Her Majesty (age 44), as well as her attendants, thought that they intended to sever her head in the French manner, with a sword. Thus, while she was sitting, assuming that this was how they would proceed, she held herself rigidly, extending her neck with joined hands, without being bound in any way. Clutching her crucifix, which she never let go of, she recited aloud, "In te, Domine speravi," and so on, with great fervor. Then, the two executioners took her, one on each side, by the shoulders, and made her kneel. Wanting to lay her down, and she, expecting the blow, extended her neck as if singing, continuously praying to God. They continued to lay her down on her stomach the length of her body, making her place her neck on a block prepared for this purpose, towards the end of the scaffold. Having placed their hand under her chin, perhaps to allow her to speak freely, it was removed for fear that it might be cut off with her head. The master executioner, wielding a wide axe with a blade like those used to split wood, delivered a blow as she loudly said, "In manus tuas." This poorly aimed blow only touched the back of her head and did not penetrate deeply. He struck again for the second time, cutting a significant portion of the neck, which he finished severing on the third attempt.
Calendar of State Papers of Spain Volume 4 1587 1603. 28 Feb 1587. Paris [Map]. Bernardino De Mendoza (age 47) to the King (age 59). Note. Assumed to be the Spanish King Philip II.
The English ambassador sent the confidant (i.e., Charles Arundel (age 54)) to me this morning to say that as it was so important that your Majesty should be informed instantly of the news he had received last night from England, that he sent to tell me of it, and openly to confess me his anxiety to serve your Majesty. He offered himself entirely through me, in the assurance that your Majesty would not order him to do anything against the interest of his mistress the Queen (age 53), who however, he could plainly see, had not long to live now that she had allowed the execution of the Queen of Scotland (age 44). It happened in this way. The Lord Treasurer (age 66) being absent through illness, the earl of Leicester (age 54), Lord Hunsdon (age 60), Lord Admiral Howard (age 51) and Walsingham (age 55), had represented to the Queen that the Parliament would resolutely refuse to vote any money to maintain the war in Holland, or to fit out a naval force to help Don Antonio, unless she executed the Queen of Scotland. Under this pressure she consented to sign a warrant, as they called it, that the Parliament might see, but which was not to be executed, unless it were proved that the Queen of Scotland conspired again against her life. As Secretary Walsingham was ill this warrant was taken to the Queen for her signature by Davison (age 46), and after she had signed it she ordered him not to give it to anyone unless she gave him personally her authority to do so. Davison, who is a terrible heretic and an enemy of the Queen of Scotland, like the rest of the above-mentioned, delivered the warrant to them. They took a London executioner and sent him with the warrant to the justice of the county where the Queen of Scotland was. The moment the justice received it, on the 8th [NOTE. Appears to be a typo; original says 18th], he entered the Queen of Scotland's chamber with Paulet (age 54) and Lord Grey (age 46), who had charge of her, and there they had her head cut off with a hatchet in the presence of the four persons only. The Queen orders her ambassador to inform this King of it, and assure him, as she will more fully by a special envoy, that the deed was done against her will, and although she had signed the warrant she had no intention of having it carried out. She cannot avoid blaming herself for having trusted anyone but herself in such a matter. The ambassador is begging earnestly for an audience and is keeping the matter secret until he tells the King. In order that no time may be lost in informing your Majesty, I send this special courier in the name of merchants, by way of Bordeaux, whence he will go post to Irun; and as God has so willed that these accursed people, for His ends, should fall into "reprobrium sensum," and against all reason commit such an act as this, it is evidently His design to deliver those two kingdoms into your Majesty's hands. I thanked the ambassador in general terms for his offer, saying that I would give an account thereof to your Majesty. As I have formerly said, it will be most advisable to accept it, and pledge him to give us notice of any machinations here and in England against us. He reports that the fitting out of ships continues but in no greater number than he previously advised, although the rumour is current here that there would be 60 English, besides the Hollanders, but that the crews, etc. were not raised and no time fixed for the departure. The ambassador says he will have full information on the point when a gentleman of his has arrived whom he had sent to England to gain intelligence, as Cecil only writes now to say that the execution of the Queen of Scotland has been against his will, as he, the ambassador knew; and that the King, her son, was in great danger of suffering a similar fate. The execution was known in London on the 20th when the executioner returned, and great bonfires had been lit for joy all over the countryside. They did not even give her time to commend her soul to God. .
On 08 Feb 1601 Thomas Smythe (age 43) was visited by Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex (age 35) at his house Gracechurch Street [Map]. Smythe was later accused of complicity in the Essex Rebellion, he was examined before the Privy Council. He was fired from his office of Sheriff of and committed to the Tower of London [Map].
On 08 Feb 1601 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley (age 61) and three others were held hostage by Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex (age 35) at Essex House. Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley attempted to rouse London but his support never materialised. When he returned to Essex House he found the hostages gone. Essex House was besieged by the Queen's men under Charles Howard 1st Earl Nottingham (age 65). Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton (age 27) surrendered. Charles Danvers (age 33) and Christopher Blount (age 36) took part. Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland (age 24) was implicated and was imprisoned for several months. He was fined £30000; a staggering amount three times more than any other conspirator.
After 08 Feb 1601 Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton (age 27) was sentenced to death during the Essex Rebellion. Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 67) on the advice of Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury (age 37) commuted the punishment to life imprisonment.
Diary of Anne Clifford 1616. 08 Feb 1616. Upon the 8th day of February I came to London, my Lord Bishop of St. David’s riding with me in the coach and Mary Neville. This time I was sent for up by my Lord about the composition with my Uncle of Cumberland (age 57).
On 08 Feb 1625 Thomas Beaumont 1st Viscount of Swords (age 43) died from wounds received duelling. His son Sapcote Beaumont 2nd Viscount Beaumont of Swords (age 11) succeeded 2nd Viscount Beaumont of Swords, 2nd Baronet Beaumont of Cole Orton.
On 08 Feb 1635 Bishop John Cosins (age 40) was appointed Master of Peterhouse College, Cambridge University [Map].
On 08 Feb 1645 Thomas Hamilton 3rd Earl Haddington (age 19) died of consumption. His brother John Hamilton 4th Earl Haddington (age 19) succeeded 4th Earl Haddington.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1660. Wednesday. A little practice on my flageolet, and afterwards walking in my yard to see my stock of pigeons, which begin now with the spring to breed very fast. I was called on by Mr. Fossan, my fellow pupil at Cambridge, and I took him to the Swan [Map] in the Palace yard, and drank together our morning draft. Thence to my office, where I received money, and afterwards Mr. Carter, my old friend at Cambridge, meeting me as I was going out of my office I took him to the Swan [Map], and in the way I met with Captain Lidcott, and so we three went together and drank there, the Captain talking as high as ever he did, and more because of the fall of his brother Thurlow (age 43). Hence I went to Captain Stone, who told me how Squib had been with him, and that he could do nothing with him, so I returned to Mr. Carter and with him to Will's, where I spent upon him and Monsieur L'Impertinent, alias Mr. Butler, who I took thither with me, and thence to a Rhenish wine house, and in our way met with Mr. Hoole, where I paid for my cozen Roger Pepys (age 42) his wine, and after drinking we parted. So I home, in my way delivering a letter which among the rest I had from my Lord to-day to Sir N. Wheeler [Note. Another source has this as W Wheler probably being Sir William Wheler Baronet (age 49).]. At home my wife's brother (age 20) brought her a pretty black dog which I liked very well, and went away again. Hence sending a porter with the hamper of bottles to the Temple [Map] I called in my way upon Mrs. Jem, who was much frighted till I came to tell her that her mother (age 35) was well. So to the Temple [Map], where I delivered the wine and received the money of my cos. Roger that I laid out, and thence to my father's (age 59), where he shewed me a base angry letter that he had newly received from my uncle Robert about my brother John (age 19), at which my father was very sad, but I comforted him and wrote an answer. My brother John has an exhibition granted him from the school. My father and I went down to his kitchen, and there we eat and drank, and about 9 o'clock I went away homewards, and in Fleet Street [Map], received a great jostle from a man that had a mind to take the wall1, which I could not help?.
Note 1. This was a constant trouble to the pedestrian until the rule of passing to the right of the person met was generally accepted. Gay commences his "Trivia" with an allusion to this ... "When to assert the wall, and when resign-" and the epigram on the haughty courtier and the scholar is well known.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1663. Another story was how Captain Ferrers and W. Howe both have often, through my Baroness Castlemaine's (age 22) window, seen her go to bed and Sir Charles Barkeley (age 33) in the chamber all the while with her. But the other day Captn. Ferrers going to Sir Charles to excuse his not being so timely at his arms the other day, Sir Charles swearing and cursing told him before a great many other gentlemen that he would not suffer any man of the King's Guards to be absent from his lodging a night without leave. Not but that, says he, once a week or so I know a gentleman must go..., and I am not for denying it to any man, but however he shall be bound to ask leave to lie abroad, and to give account of his absence, that we may know what guard the King (age 32) has to depend upon. The little Duke of Monmouth (age 13), it seems, is ordered to take place of all Dukes, and so to follow Prince Rupert (age 43) now, before the Duke of Buckingham (age 35), or any else.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1663. Another story was how my Baroness Castlemaine's (age 22), a few days since, had Mrs. Stuart (age 15) to an entertainment, and at night began a frolique that they two must be married, and married they were, with ring and all other ceremonies of church service, and ribbands and a sack-posset in bed, and flinging the stocking; but in the close, it is said that my Baroness Castlemaine, who was the bridegroom, rose, and the King (age 32) came and took her place with pretty Mrs. Stuart. This is said to be very true.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1663. Lord's Day. Up, and it being a very great frost, I walked to White Hall, and to my Lord Sandwich's (age 37) by the fireside till chapel time, and so to chappell, where there preached little Dr. Duport, of Cambridge, upon Josiah's words,-"But I and my house, we will serve the Lord". But though a great scholler, he made the most flat dead sermon, both for matter and manner of delivery, that ever I heard, and very long beyond his hour, which made it worse.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1664. Up, and by coach called upon Mr. Phillips, and after a little talk with him away to my Lord Sandwich's (age 38), but he being gone abroad, I staid a little and talked with Mr. Howe, and so to Westminster in term time, and there met Mr. Pierce, who told me largely how the King (age 33) still do doat upon his women, even beyond all shame; and that the good Queen (age 25) will of herself stop before she goes sometimes into her dressing-room, till she knows whether the King be there, for fear he should be, as she hath sometimes taken him, with Mrs. Stewart (age 16); and that some of the best parts of the Queen's joynture are, contrary to faith, and against the opinion of my Lord Treasurer (age 56) and his Council, bestowed or rented, I know not how, to my Lord Fitz-Harding (age 34) and Mrs. Stewart, and others of that crew that the King do doat infinitely upon the Duke of Monmouth (age 14), apparently as one that he intends to have succeed him. God knows what will be the end of it!
On 08 Feb 1665 Thomas Povey (age 51) proposed Samuel Pepys (age 31) as a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1665. Up and by coach to my Lord Peterborough's (age 43), where anon my Lord Ashly (age 43) and Sir Thomas Ingram (age 50) met, and Povy (age 51) about his accounts, who is one of the most unhappy accountants that ever I knew in all my life, and one that if I were clear in reference to my bill of £117 he should be hanged before I would ever have to do with him, and as he understands nothing of his business himself, so he hath not one about him that do. Here late till I was weary, having business elsewhere, and thence home by coach, and after dinner did several businesses and very late at my office, and so home to supper and to bed.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1666. So to White Hall to see my Lord Sandwich (age 40), and then home to my business till night, and then to bed.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1666. Thence to Captain Cocke's (age 49), where Mr. Williamson (age 32), Wren (age 37), Boldell and Madam Williams, and by and by Lord Bruncker (age 46), he having been with the King (age 35) and Duke (age 32) upon the water to-day, to see Greenwich, Kent [Map] house, and the yacht Castle is building of, and much good discourse.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1666. Up, and all the morning at the office. At noon to the 'Change [Map], expecting to have received from Mr. Houbland, as he promised me, an assignment upon Viner (age 35), for my reward for my getting them the going of their two ships to Tangier [Map], but I find myself much disappointed therein, for I spoke with him and he said nothing of it, but looked coldly, through some disturbance he meets with in our business through Colonell Norwood's (age 52) pressing them to carry more goods than will leave room for some of their own. But I shall ease them.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1667. At last moved to have Lord Bruncker (age 47) desired to return, which he did, and I read the petty warrants all the day till late at night, that I was very weary, and troubled to have my private business of my office stopped to attend this, but mightily pleased at this falling out, and the truth is Sir W. Pen (age 45) do make so much noise in this business of his, and do it so little and so ill, that I think the King (age 36) will be little the better by changing the hand. So up and to my office a little, but being at it all day I could not do much there.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1667. It is said that the King (age 36) do intend himself in this interval to take away Lord Mordaunt's (age 40) government, so as to do something to appease the House against they come together, and let them see he will do that of his own accord which is fit, without their forcing him; and that he will have his Commission for Accounts go on which will be good things.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1667. At noon Lord Bruncker (age 47), Sir W. Batten (age 66), Sir W. Pen (age 45), and myself to the Swan in Leadenhall Street to dinner, where an exceedingly good dinner and good discourse. Sir W. Batten come this morning from the House, where the King (age 36) hath prorogued this Parliament to October next. I am glad they are up. The Bill for Accounts was not offered, the party being willing to let it fall; but the King did tell them he expected it. They are parted with great heartburnings, one party against the other. Pray God bring them hereafter together in better temper!
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1667. Thence to the office, and there begun the account which Sir W. Pen (age 45) by his late employment hath examined, but begun to examine it in the old manner, a clerk to read the Petty warrants, my Lord Bruncker (age 47) upon very good ground did except against it, and would not suffer him to go on. This being Sir W. Pen's clerk he took it in snuff, and so hot they grew upon it that my Lord Bruncker left the office. He gone (Sir) W. Pen ranted like a devil, saying that nothing but ignorance could do this. I was pleased at heart all this while.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1668. Up, and to the office, where sat all day, and at noon home, and there find cozen Roger (age 50) and Jackson (age 28) by appointment come to dine with me, and Creed, and very merry, only Jackson hath few words, and I like him never the worse for it. The great talk is of Carr's (age 31) coming off in all his trials, to the disgrace of my Lord Gerard (age 50), to that degree, and the ripping up of so many notorious rogueries and cheats of my Lord's, that my Lord, it is thought, will be ruined; and, above all things, do skew the madness of the House of Commons, who rejected the petition of this poor man by a combination of a few in the House; and, much more, the base proceedings (just the epitome of all our publick managements in this age), of the House of Lords, that ordered him to stand in the pillory for those very things, without hearing and examining what he hath now, by the seeking of my Lord Gerard himself, cleared himself of, in open Court, to the gaining himself the pity of all the world, and shame for ever to my Lord Gerard. We had a great deal of good discourse at table, and after dinner we four men took coach, and they set me down at the Old Exchange [Map], and they home, having discoursed nothing today with cozen or Jackson about our business. I to Captain Cocke's (age 51), and there discoursed over our business of prizes, and I think I shall go near to state the matter so as to secure myself without wrong to him, doing nor saying anything but the very truth.
Pepy's Diary. 08 Feb 1669. Up, and dressed myself; and by coach, with W. Hewer (age 27) and my wife, to White Hall, where she set us two down; and in the way, our little boy, at Martin, my bookseller's shop, going to 'light, did fall down; and, had he not been a most nimble boy (I saw how he did it, and was mightily pleased with him for it), he had been run over by the coach. I to visit my Lord Sandwich (age 43); and there, while my Lord was dressing himself, did see a young Spaniard, that he hath brought over with him, dance, which he is admired for, as the best dancer in Spain, and indeed he do with mighty mastery; but I do not like his dancing as the English, though my Lord commends it mightily: but I will have him to my house, and show it my wife. Here I met with Mr. Moore, who tells me the state of my Lord's accounts of his embassy, which I find not so good as I thought: for, though it be passed the King (age 38) and his Cabal (the Committee for Foreign Affairs as they are called), yet they have cut off from £9000 full £8000, and have now sent it to the Lords of the Treasury, who, though the Committee have allowed the rest, yet they are not obliged to abide by it. So that I do fear this account may yet be long ere it be passed-much more, ere that sum be paid: I am sorry for the family, and not a little for what it owes me.
Evelyn's Diary. 08 Feb 1677. I went to Roehampton, Surrey, with my Lady Duchess of Ormond (age 61). The garden and perspective is pretty, the prospect most agreeable.
Evelyn's Diary. 08 Feb 1678. Supping at my Lord Chamberlain's (age 60) I had a long discourse with the Count de Castel Mellor, lately Prime Minister in Portugal, who, taking part with his master, King Alphonso (age 34), was banished by his brother, Don Pedro (age 28), now Regent; but had behaved himself so uncorruptly in all his ministry that, though he was acquitted, and his estate restored, yet would they not suffer him to return. He is a very intelligent and worthy gentleman.
On 08 Feb 1809 Brownlow Bertie 5th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 79) died without male issue at Grimsthorpe, South Kesteven. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Swinstead [Map] on 17 Feb 1809. Duke Ancaster and Kesteven, Marquess Lindsay extinct. His third cousin Albermarle Bertie 9th Earl Lindsey (age 64) succeeded 9th Earl Lindsey.
Sculpted by Richard Westmacott (age 33). A handsome white marble wall tablet in Grecian style depicting deceased and wife on a catafalque with mourning female figure, flanked by mother, children and angel. Above a scrolled cornice with Ducal coronet and palm. Beneath a rectangular inscription panel, flanked by scrolled brackets.
On 08 Feb 1825 John Chetwynd-Talbot (age 45) died. Monument at St Mary the Virgin Church, Ingestre [Map] above.
John Chetwynd-Talbot: On 04 Apr 1779 he was born to John Chetwynd-Talbot 1st Earl Talbot and Charlotte Augusta Hill Countess Talbot. Before 08 Feb 1825 he was appointed Rector of St Mary the Virgin Church, Ingestre.
The Diary of George Price Boyce 1858. 08 Feb 1858. February 8. On the road stopped to see the Princess Royal (age 17) accompanied by her husband, the Prince Frederick of Prussia (age 26), Prince Albert (age 38) and the Prince of Wales (age 16) go by on her departure from England. She was flushed, and her eyes swollen and red and she had evidently been crying. The snow, the first this year, was falling and driving into her face. Yet she kept her veil up and bowed to the throng who lined the roads.
Note. Frederick and Victoria had married on the 25th of January 1858.
On 08 Feb 1869 Sewallis Edward Shirley 10th Earl Ferrers (age 22) was appointed Deputy Lieutenant Staffordshire.
After 08 Feb 1889. Monument [Map] to Charlotte Eva Edwards wife of Ebenezer Wood Edwards Vicar of Ruabon from 1862 to 1897. Signed Gaffin & Co but Thomas Gaffin and his son Thomas Gaffin were both dead; it isn't clear who was running the company?
On 08 Feb 1911 Frederick Archibald Vaughan Campbell 3rd Earl Cawdor (age 63) died. His son Hugh Campbell 4th Earl Cawdor (age 41) succeeded 4th Earl Cawdor of Castlemartin in Pembrokeshire, 5th Baron Cawdor of Castlemartin in Pembrokeshire. Joan Emily Thynne Countess Cawdor (age 38) by marriage Countess Cawdor of Castlemartin in Pembrokeshire.
09 Feb 1911. Times Newspaper Obituaries. DEATH OF LORD CAWDOR. We record with much regret that Lord Cawdor died peacefully in his sleep at 5:45 yesterday morning, a few days before his 64th birthday. Baroness Cadogan (age 67) and the members of their family were present. He had keen ill for some time. We announced on November 30 that he was suffering from an attack of tonsilitis. Just before Christmns be caught a chill while recoveing from this attack, and had to enter a nursing home. Early in January his illness began to take a serious turn and since then, though he rallied wonderfully from time to time, he steadily lost strength. Royal Sympathy. The King and Queen Alexandra (age 66) have sent telegms expressing deep sympathy with the family.
On 08 Feb 1915 Charles Stewart Vane-Tempest-Stewart 6th Marquess Londonderry (age 62) died. His son Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart 7th Marquess of Londonderry (age 36) succeeded 7th Marquess Londonderry. Memorial at St Mary's Church, Long Newton [Map].
09 Feb 1915. Times Newspaper Obituaries. The news of the death of the Marquess of Londonderry (deceased), which occurred at Wynyard, Stockton-on-Tees, yesterday morning, will be received with profound regret far beyond the circle of his personal friends or of the members of the Unionist Party. Lord Londonderry had not been entirely well for some little time past. For a fortnight, it seems, he had been suffering from sciatica. Last week he caught a chill, from which pneumonia developed. On Sunday his condition was seen to be critical. During the night he collapsed, and the end came at 9.30 yesterday morning. Lady Londonderry (age 58), who had been in constant attendance on him during his illness, was present at the last, as also were Lady Ilchester (age 38) and Lord Herbert Vane-Tempest (age 52).
The London Gazette 32606. THE GRAND PRIORY OF THE ORDER OF THE HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM IN ENGLAND.
Chancery of the Order,
St. John's Gate, Clerkenwell, London, E.G. 1,
8th February, 1922.
The King has been graciously pleased to sanction the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England: --
Knight of Justice.
The Earl of Onslow (age 45), O.B.E.
Lady of Justice.
The Countess of Onslow, C.B.E.
Knights of Grace.
Lionel Henry Oust, C.V.O., Litt.D.
Major-General Sir Vere Bonamy Fane, K.C.B., K.JO.I.K.
Colonel George Abraham Moore, C.M.G., D.S.O., M.D.
Alexander Gordon Paterson, M.D.
Honorary Knight of Grace.
Major Roger de la Harpe, M.D.
Ladies of Grace.
Marietta, Mrs. RaJli, Alicia Frances Jane, Miss Lloyd Still, C.B.E., Margaret Miss Cudrarth.
Esquire.
Captain Lionel George Archer Cust (age 25), R.A.
The London Gazette 32906. Central Chancery Of The Orders Of Knighthood. St. James's Palace; S.W.1, 8th February, 1924
The King has been, graciously pleased to signify His Majesty's intention of conferring a Peerage of the United Kingdom on the following:
To be Baron.
Sir John George Butcher, Bart., K.C., J.P., Member of Parliament for the City of York, 1892-1906, 1910-23. Served on many Select and other Committees of the House of Commons.
Pricy Councellors.
The KING has been graciously pleased to declare that the following shall be sworn of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council:
Sir James Tynte Agg-Gardner, M'.P., Member of Parliament for Cheltenham 1874-80, 1885-95, 1900-06, and since April, 1911. Chairman of House of Commons Kitchen Committee.
Lieutenant-Colonel Wilfrid William Ashley, J.P., D.L., M.P., Member of Parliament since 1906, for Blackpool 1906-18, for Fylde 1918-22, for New Forest and Christchurch since November, 1922. Unionist Whip 1911-13. Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Transport, 1922-23. Under Secretary of State for War, 1923 to January, 1924.
Captain the Honourable Edward Algernon Fitzroy, J.P., D.L., M.P., Member of Parlia ment for South Northamptonshire, now the Daventry Division.;-1900-06 and since 1910. Deputy Chairman of .Committees,, House of Commons, 1922-23.
Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Walter Edward Guinness, D.S.O., M.P., Member of Parliament for Bury St. Edmunds since August, 1907. Under Secretary of State for War, 1922-23. Financial Secretary to the Treasury, 1923 to January, 1924.
Sir Herbert Nield, K.C., J.P., D.L., M.P., Member of Parliament for Baling since 1906. Member of the Council of the National Unionist Association and Chairman, 1923-24. Chairman of the Association of Conservative Clubs. Recorder of York since 1917. Deputy Chairman, Middlesex Magistrates.
Baronets
The King has been graciously pleased to signify His Majesty's intention of conferring Baronetcies of the United Kingdom on the following:
William Henry Barber, Esq. For political services in Birmingham. A generbus benefactor to the University of Birmingham.
The Right Honourable Sir Clement Anderson Montague Barlow, K.B.E-., LL.D., Member of Parliament for South Salford, December, 1910-23. Minister of Labour, October. 1922 to January 1924. Parliamentary Secre tary to Ministry of Labour, April, 1920 to October, 1922. Senior .Government- Dele-, gate at the International Labour .Confer-, ences, Genoa, 1920 and'Geneva, 1921 and. 1922.
Major Harry Barnston, M.A., J.P., D.L., M.P., Member of Parliament for Eddisbury Division of Cheshire since 1910. Comptroller of His Majesty's Household, 1921 to January, 1924.
Sir Otto John Beit, K.C.M.G., LL.D. (Hon.). For services rendered to the Imperial College of Science and Technology at South Kensington.
Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Page Croft (age 42) C.M.G., T.D., J.P., D.L., M.P., Member of Parliament for Christchurch Division, January, 1910-18, for Bournemouth since 1918.
Sir Herbert Hambling, J.P. For important services rendered to the Air Ministry on financial and commercial matters.'
Sir John Sutherland Harmood-Banner, J.P., D.L., M.P., Member of Parliament for Everton Division of Liverpool since 1905.
John Mackintosh MacLeod, Esq., LL.D., D.L., Member, of Parliament for Central Division of Glasgow, 1915-18, for Kelvingrove Division, 1918-22. Honorary Treasurer of the Western Divisional Council of the Scottish Unionist Association since 1893, and of Glasgow Conservative Club since 1895. Member of General Assembly Church of Scotland and of Committee on Union of Scottish Presbyterian Churches.
John Denton Marsden, Esq., J.P., For public and political services in Grimsby. Principal of the Consolidated Steam Fishing and Ice Cpmpany, Limited. A large supporter of charities in Great Grimsby and District.
Births on the 8th February
On 08 Feb 1263 Afonso Burgundy was born to Alfonso III King Portugal (age 52) and Beatrice Queen Consort Portugal (age 21). He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.41%.
On 08 Feb 1291 Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal was born to Denis I King Portugal (age 29) and Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal (age 20). He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 08 Feb 1591 Hervey Bagot 1st Baronet was born to Walter Bagot (age 34) and Elizabeth Cave (age 29) in Checkley, Staffordshire.
On 08 Feb 1609 Bernardino Fernández de Velasco 6th Duke of Frías was born to Juan Fernández de Velasco y Tovar 5th Duke of Frías (age 59) and Joana de Córdoba y Aragón.
On 08 Feb 1641 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh was born to Arthur Jones 2nd Viscount Ranelagh (age 31) and Katherine Boyle Viscountess Ranelagh (age 25).
On 08 Feb 1657 Robert Perceval was born to John Perceval 1st Baronet (age 27) and Catherine Southwell.
On 08 Feb 1664 William Seymour was born to Edward Seymour 4th Baronet (age 31) and Margaret Wale.
After 08 Feb 1673 Hester Bellingham Lady Graham was born to Henry Bellingham (age 29) and Frances Bethell (age 33).
On 08 Feb 1675 Henry Thynne was born to Thomas Thynne 1st Viscount Weymouth (age 35) and Frances Finch Viscountess Weymouth (age 25).
In 08 Feb 1699 Anne Vesey Lady Bingham was born to Agmondisham Vesey (age 22).
On 08 Feb 1737 Henrietta Bentinck Countess Stamford and Warrington was born to William Bentinck 2nd Duke Portland (age 27) and Margaret Cavendish Harley 2nd Duchess Portland (age 21) at Welbeck Abbey, Nottinghamshire [Map].
On 08 Feb 1771 Louisa Wilmot Lady Cave was born to Robert Mead Wilmot 2nd Baronet (age 39) and Mary Woolett (age 36) in Petersham, Surrey.
On 08 Feb 1775 Thomas Liddell 1st Baron Ravensworth was born to Henry George Liddell 5th Baronet (age 25).
On 08 Feb 1779 Willoughby Bertie was born to Willoughby Bertie 4th Earl of Abingdon (age 39) and Charlotte Warren.
On 08 Feb 1780 Rebecca Du Pre Lady Egerton was born to Josias Du Pre and Rebecca Alexander.
On 08 Feb 1816 George Edward Waldegrave 7th Earl Waldegrave was born to John James Waldegrave 6th Earl Waldegrave (age 30).
On 08 Feb 1836 Alice Mary Egerton was born to Wilbraham Egerton 1st Baron Egerton Tatton (age 29) and Charlotte Elizabeth Loftus Baroness Egerton Tatton.
On 08 Feb 1836 Captain Eustace John Wilson-Patten was born to John Wilson aka Wilson-Patten 1st Baron Winmarleigh (age 33).
On 08 Feb 1838 Joshua Thellusson Rowley 5th Baronet was born to Charles Robert Rowley 4th Baronet (age 38) and Maria Louisa Vanneck (age 26).
On 08 Feb 1842 John Brunner 1st Baronet was born to Reverend John Brunner (age 41) at Everton, Lancashire.
On 08 Feb 1847 Francis William Bouverie Douglas was born to Archibald William Douglas 8th Marquess Queensberry (age 28) and Caroline Clayton Marchioness Queensbury (age 26).
On 08 Feb 1853 Mildred Venables-Vernon was born to Augustus Henry Vernon 6th Baron Vernon (age 24) and Harriet Frances Maria Anson Baroness Vernon (age 25).
On 08 Feb 1868 Walter Rothschild 2nd Baron Rothschild was born to Nathan Meyer 1st Baron Rothschild (age 27) and Emma Louise von Rothschild Baroness Rothschild (age 24). Coefficient of inbreeding 3.91%.
On 08 Feb 1875 William Strutt was born to Henry Strutt 2nd Baron Belper (age 34) and Margaret Coke Baroness Belper (age 22).
On 08 Feb 1883 Coulson Churchill Fellowes was born to William Henry Fellowes 2nd Baron de Ramsey of Ramsey Abbey (age 34) and Rosamond Jane Frances Spencer-Churchill (age 35).
On 08 Feb 1885 Second Lieutenant Oda Louis David Mackay Simpson was born to Walter Grindlay Simpson 2nd Baronet (age 41) and Ann Fitzgerald Mackay Lady Simpson (age 28). He was educated at Eton College [Map].
On 31 Oct 1890 Gerald Leslie Brockhurst was born to Arthur Brockhurst (age 31) and Amelia Ward (age 29) at 106 Summer Road, Edgbaston. Their fourth son. He was baptised at St Thomas' Church, Birmingham on 08 Feb 1891 where his father's Trade is given as Coal Merchant.
On 08 Feb 1911 Rupert Baring 4th Baron Revelstoke was born to Cecil Baring 3rd Baron Revelstoke (age 47) and Maude Baring nee Lorillard (age 34).
On 08 Feb 1914 Robert Grosvenor 5th Baron Ebury was born to Francis Egerton Grosvenor 4th Baron Ebury (age 31).
On 08 Feb 1914 George Milles 4th Earl Sondes was born to Henry Milles (age 46).
On 08 Feb 1934 Francis Grosvenor 8th Earl Wilton was born to Robert Grosvenor 5th Baron Ebury (age 20).
On 08 Feb 1953 Jane Meriel Grosvenor Duchess Roxburghe was born to Robert George Grosvenor 5th Duke Westminster (age 42) and Viola Maud Lyttelton Duchess Westminster (age 40). Coefficient of inbreeding 1.63%.
Marriages on the 8th February
Before 08 Feb 1542 Oliver St John 1st Baron St John (age 20) and Agnes Fisher Baroness St John Bletso (age 16) were married.
On 08 Feb 1562 James Stewart 1st Earl of Moray Regent (age 31) and Agnes Keith Countess Moray and Argyll (age 31) were married at Holyrood. She by marriage Countess Moray. She the daughter of William Keith 4th Earl Marischal (age 55) and Margaret Keith Countess Marischal. He the illegitmate son of King James V of Scotland and Margaret Erskine (age 46). They were fourth cousins. He a great grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 08 Feb 1650 Conyers Darcy 2nd Earl Holderness (age 28) and Frances Howard (age 23) were married. She the daughter of Thomas Howard 1st Earl Berkshire (age 62) and Elizabeth Cecil Countess Berkshire (age 54). He the son of Conyers Darcy 1st Earl Holderness (age 51) and Grace Rokeby Countess Holderness (age 50).
On 08 Feb 1683 Charles Paulet 2nd Duke Bolton (age 22) and Frances Ramsden were married. His second marriage. He the son of Charles Paulet 1st Duke Bolton (age 53) and Mary Scrope 6th Marchioness Winchester.
Before 08 Feb 1688 John Gell 2nd Baronet (age 75) and Katherine Packer of Shelingford Lady Gell were married.
On 08 Feb 1711 John Fleming 6th Earl Wigtown (age 38) and Mary Keith Countess Wigtown were married. She by marriage Countess Wigtown. She the daughter of William Keith 9th Earl Marischal (age 47) and Mary Drummond Countess Marischal (age 36). He the son of William Fleming 5th Earl Wigtown and Henrietta Seton Countess Wigtown. They were second cousin once removed.
Before 08 Feb 1792 Herbert Croft 5th Baronet (age 41) and Sophia Cleave were married.
On 08 Feb 1793 Richard Sutton 1st Baronet (age 59) and Anne Porter Baroness Sutton were married. She by marriage Lady Sutton of Norwood Park in Nottinghamshire. He the son of Robert Sutton and Judith Tichborne Countess Sunderland.
On 08 Feb 1793 George Byng 6th Viscount Torrington (age 25) and Elizabeth Langmead were married.
On 08 Feb 1812 Thomas Noel-Hill 2nd Baron Berwick (age 41) and Sophia Dubochet (age 17) were married at St Marylebone Church. The difference in their ages was 23 years.
On 08 Feb 1832 Charles Marsham 2nd Earl Romney (age 54) and Mary Elizabeth Townshend Countess Romney (age 32) were married. She by marriage Countess Romney. The difference in their ages was 22 years. He the son of Charles Marsham 1st Earl Romney and Frances Wyndham Countess Romney.
On 08 Feb 1858 Richard William Penn Curzon Howe 3rd Earl Howe (age 35) and Isabella Maria Katherine Anson Countess Howe (age 26) were married. He the son of Richard William Penn Curzon Howe 1st Earl Howe (age 61) and Harriet Georgiana Brudenell Countess Howe.
On 08 Feb 1864 Leopold George Agar-Ellis 5th Viscount Clifden (age 34) and Harriet Stonor Viscountess Clifden (age 27) were married.
On 08 Feb 1899 Matthew White Ridley 2nd Viscount Ridley (age 24) and Rosamond Cornelia Gwladys Guest Viscountess Ridley were married.
On 08 Feb 1917 Hugh William Fortescue 5th Earl Fortescue (age 28) and Margaret Helen Beaumont Countess Fortescue (age 24) were married. He the son of Hugh Fortescue 4th Earl Fortescue (age 62) and Emily Ormsby-Gore Countess Fortescue (age 57).
On 08 Feb 1921 Alec Hardinge 2nd Baron Hardinge (age 26) and Helen Mary (age 19) were married.
Deaths on the 8th February
Florence of Worcester. 08 Feb 1139. A new Abbot at Gloucester. 1139. The feast of our Lord's Nativity being passed, and that of the Purification of St. Mary, his mother, drawing nigh, the venerable father Walter, abbot of Gloucester, gave up the ghost about the third hour of the day, after holding his preferment nine years and a half; he was buried by the venerable abbots, Reynold of Evesham, and Roger of Tewksbury, on the sixth of the ides [the 8th] of February. After his interment, two of the brethren were sent to Cluni to fetch our1 lord-elect, Gilbert; king Stephen having, on the report of his eminent worth, and at the request of Milo, his constable, conferred upon him at London the preferment of the abbey of Gloucester. Theobald (age 49), archbishop of Canterbury, Simon, bishop of Worcester, Roger, bishop of Coventry, Robert, bishop of Exeter, and Reynold, abbot of Evesham, having been unanimously chosen, proceeded by the pope's command to the threshold of St. Peter. On their arrival, they were received with great honour by the apostolic see, and allowed seats in the Roman council, a circumstance without parallel for many ages before. Having there freely opened their business, they returned home with joy, bringing with them the synodal decrees, now recorded far and wide throughout England. The two monks who had been sent to bring over the lord-abbot Gilbert, also returned in safety, and presented him to king Stephen, who received him graciously, and conferred on him, to hold freely, the fief of the church of Gloucester. He came to Worcester on the feast of Whitsuntide, which fell on the third of the ides [the 11th] of June, and was there ordained, with great rejoicings and divine lauds, by the venerable Robert, bishop of Hereford; and going from thence on the following day, was installed at Gloucester with great joy and exultation, and the acclamations of the commonalty of both orders, in a manner befitting such a man in the Lord.
Note 1. It has been supposed, from this expression, that the continuator was a monk of Gloucester; but he speaks thus of the new abbot as belonging to his own diocese of Worcester.
On 08 Feb 1250 the Battle of Mansoura was fought between Crusaders led by King Louis IX of France (age 35) commanded by Robert Capet Count of Artois (age 33) and Ayyubid forces.
Robert Capet Count of Artois and William Longespée (age 42) were killed.
Alexander Giffard fought; possibly killed.
On 08 Feb 1322 Thomas de Multon 1st Baron Multon (age 45) died. His son John de Multon 2nd Baron Multon Egremont (age 14) succeeded 2nd Baron Multon Egremont.
On 08 Feb 1387 Adam Everingham 2nd Baron Everingham of Laxton (age 80) died. Baron Everingham of Laxton abeyant between his two grand-daughters Joan Everingham (age 25) and Katherine Everingham (age 24).
On 08 Feb 1443 Alice Beauchamp Baroness Sudeley (age 77) died at Lillesdon, Somerset.
Before 08 Feb 1462 Beatrix Sinclair Countess Douglas and Avondale (age 64) died.
On 09 Feb 1498 John Welles 1st Viscount Welles (age 48) died in London. Viscount Welles, Baron Welles extinct. His will reads ...
In the name of oure Lorde Jeshu, Amen. I, John, Viscounte lorde Wellis, uncle to the Kynge (age 41), oure soveraigne lorde, and brodre to the right noble prynces, Margaret, countes of Richemond (age 54), naturall and dere modre to oure said soveregne lord, beyng of goode and hole memory, ye viij daie of February, the yere of oure Lorde God 1498, and in the xiiij yere of the regne of our saide soverayne lorde, make this my testament. My bodie to be buried in suche place as [to] the kynge, the quene (age 31), my lady, his moder, and my lady, my wife (age 28), shalbe thought, most convenyent, and the costis and charge of the same burying, the obsequyes, masses, funeralles and all oder thynges therto convenyent and necessarie. And also I remyt the makyng of my tumbe to the ordre and discrecionn of my saide soverayne lady the quene, my lady his modre, and my wife. And after these charges and costis aforesaid had and done, I will that all the dettis nowe by me dewe or to be dewe be treuly contented and paied. And I will that to the honour of Almighty God in the aulter afore which my bodie shall next lie my executors shall delyver a pair of candelstickes of silver, a masse booke covered with clothe of goolde, a chales of silver and gilte, a vestament of blewe velvet enbrodered with my armes, a pair of litle cruettes of silver and parcellis gilte, and a crosse of silver p[arcell] gilt, which 1 will do remayne there to serve Almyghty God with for ever and in noo oder place. Also I geve and bequethe to my dere beloved lady and wife Cecille, for terme of her life, all my castelles, manors, landes and tenements, aswell suche as I have purchased as all odre duryng only her life, whome I trust above all oder, that if my goodes and catallis wilnot suffice for the performance of this my laste will, that she will thenne of the revenues of the profittes of my inheritance perform this my laste will. Also I will that a preste be founde for ever after my said wifes decease to sey masse daily for my sowle and all Cristen sowles at the said aulter of the yerely revenues of my purchased landes, and over which my saide lady hath promysed me faithfully to purchase to the same entent if my saide purchased landes suffice not therto. And I will yt suche residue as shall fortune to be of my goodes that my saide dere beloved lady aud wife have theym to her owne use. And I make executors the saide Cecill, my dere beloved wife, and Sr Raynold Bray (age 58), knyght, and in my mooste humble wise beseche my said soverayne lorde the kyng and the quenes grace, my lady the kynges modre, to be supervisours.
On 08 Feb 1515 William I Landgrave of Hesse (age 48) died. His brother William II Landgrave of Hesse succeeded I Landgrave Hesse.
On 08 Feb 1587 Mary Queen of Scots (age 44) was beheaded in the Great Hall at Fotheringay Castle, Northamptonshire [Map].
George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 59), Henry Grey 6th Earl Kent (age 46), Richard Knightley (age 54) and Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton (age 13) witnessed her execution.
There are few extant original sources describing Mary's execution. Those that do exist are somewhat contradictory. They include The letter-books of Sir Amias Poulet, Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots, the Calendar of State Papers, Spain (known as the Simancas), Volume 4, 1587-1603 and Beale's sketch of the execution. The most reliable primary source appears to be Jebb's De vita et rebus gestis serenissimæ principis Mariæ Scotorum Reginæ published in French.
On 08 Feb 1617 Edward Talbot 8th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 55) died. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His fourth cousin George Talbot 9th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 50) succeeded 9th Earl of Shrewsbury, 9th Earl Waterford.
On 08 Feb 1622 Richard Molyneux 1st Baronet (age 62) died. His son Richard Molyneux 1st Viscount Molyneux (age 28) succeeded 2nd Baronet Molyneux of Sefton. Mary Caryll Viscountess Molyneux (age 25) by marriage Lady Molyneux of Sefton.
On 08 Feb 1623 Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter (age 80) died. He was buried at Chapel of St John the Baptist, Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son William Cecil 2nd Earl Exeter (age 57) succeeded 2nd Earl Exeter, 3rd Baron Burghley. Elizabeth Drury Countess Exeter (age 45) by marriage Countess Exeter.
On 08 Feb 1625 Thomas Beaumont 1st Viscount of Swords (age 43) died from wounds received duelling. His son Sapcote Beaumont 2nd Viscount Beaumont of Swords (age 11) succeeded 2nd Viscount Beaumont of Swords, 2nd Baronet Beaumont of Cole Orton.
On 08 Feb 1633 Henry Shirley 2nd Baronet (age 45) died. His son Charles Shirley 3rd Baronet (age 9) succeeded posthumously 3rd Baronet Shirley of Staunton Harold in Leicestershire.
On 08 Feb 1637 Anne Lyon Countess Erroll died.
On 08 Feb 1645 Thomas Hamilton 3rd Earl Haddington (age 19) died of consumption. His brother John Hamilton 4th Earl Haddington (age 19) succeeded 4th Earl Haddington.
On 08 Feb 1651 Richard Newport 1st Baron Newport (age 63) died. His son Francis Newport 1st Earl Bradford (age 30) succeeded 2nd Baron Newport of High Ercall in Shropshire. Diana Russell Countess Bradford by marriage Baroness Newport of High Ercall in Shropshire.
On 08 Feb 1654 John Talbot 10th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 53) died. His son Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 31) succeeded 11th Earl of Shrewsbury, 11th Earl Waterford.
On 08 Feb 1681 Christopher Wyvill 3rd Baronet (age 66) died. His son William Wyvill 4th Baronet (age 36) succeeded 4th Baronet Wyvill of Constable Burton in Yorkshire.
On 08 Feb 1688 John Gell 2nd Baronet (age 75) died. His son Philip Gell 3rd Baronet (age 37) succeeded 3rd Baronet Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire. Elizabeth Fagge Lady Gell by marriage Lady Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire.
Between 08 Feb 1699, the date of her will, and 02 May 1700, the date her will was proved, Judith Adrian Lady Crispe died. She was buried with her husband at St Mildred's Church, Bread Street.
On 08 Feb 1759 Anne Ogilvy Countess Hopetoun (age 49) died.
On 08 Feb 1774 Thomas Belasyse 1st Earl Fauconberg (age 74) died. His son Henry Belasyse 2nd Earl Fauconberg (age 31) succeeded 2nd Earl Fauconberg, 5th Viscount Faunconberg, 6th Baronet Belasyse of Newborough.
On 08 Feb 1783 Anne Daines Viscountess Barrington (age 93) died.
On 08 Feb 1807 Dorcas Stevenson 1st Baroness Dufferin and Claneboye (age 81) died. Her son James Blackwood 2nd Baron Dufferin and Claneboye of Ballyleidy and Killyleagh in County Down (age 51) succeeded 2nd Baron Dufferin and Claneboye of Ballyleidy and Killyleagh in County Down.
On 08 Feb 1809 Brownlow Bertie 5th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 79) died without male issue at Grimsthorpe, South Kesteven. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Swinstead [Map] on 17 Feb 1809. Duke Ancaster and Kesteven, Marquess Lindsay extinct. His third cousin Albermarle Bertie 9th Earl Lindsey (age 64) succeeded 9th Earl Lindsey.
Sculpted by Richard Westmacott (age 33). A handsome white marble wall tablet in Grecian style depicting deceased and wife on a catafalque with mourning female figure, flanked by mother, children and angel. Above a scrolled cornice with Ducal coronet and palm. Beneath a rectangular inscription panel, flanked by scrolled brackets.
On 08 Feb 1817 Elizabeth Holsworth Lady Carew (age 88) died.
On 08 Feb 1833 William Fitzwilliam 4th and 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam (age 84) died. His son Charles Wentworth-Fitzwilliam 5th and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam (age 46) succeeded 5th Earl Fitzwilliam, 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam, 7th Baron Fitzwilliam of Liffer in Donegal.
On 08 Feb 1851 Nicholas Vansittart 1st Baron Bexley (age 84) died. Baron Bexley of Bexley in Kent extinct.
On 08 Feb 1865 Emma Lascelles Baroness Portman (age 55) died.
On 08 Feb 1877 Augustus Clifford 1st Baronet (age 88) died. His son William John Cavendish Clifford 2nd Baronet (age 63) succeeded 2nd Baronet Clifford of the Navy.
On 08 Feb 1882 George Henry Lowther 4th Earl Lonsdale (age 26) died at a house in London he had purchased for Connie Gilchrist (age 17) and other girls of the Gaiety Theatre. He bequeathed the house, and a sizeable legacy, to Gilchrist. His brother Hugh Cecil Lowther 5th Earl Lonsdale (age 25) succeeded 5th Earl Lonsdale, 6th Viscount Lowther, 6th Baron Lowther. Grace Cecilie Gordon Countess Lonsdale (age 27) by marriage Countess Lonsdale.
On 08 Feb 1884 Montagu Bertie 6th Earl of Abingdon (age 75) died. His son Montagu Arthur Bertie 7th Earl of Abingdon (age 47) succeeded 7th Earl Abingdon, 11th Baron Norreys of Rycote.
On 08 Feb 1890 Henry Bentinck Boyle 5th Earl Shannon (age 56) died.
On 08 Feb 1911 Frederick Archibald Vaughan Campbell 3rd Earl Cawdor (age 63) died. His son Hugh Campbell 4th Earl Cawdor (age 41) succeeded 4th Earl Cawdor of Castlemartin in Pembrokeshire, 5th Baron Cawdor of Castlemartin in Pembrokeshire. Joan Emily Thynne Countess Cawdor (age 38) by marriage Countess Cawdor of Castlemartin in Pembrokeshire.
09 Feb 1911. Times Newspaper Obituaries. DEATH OF LORD CAWDOR. We record with much regret that Lord Cawdor died peacefully in his sleep at 5:45 yesterday morning, a few days before his 64th birthday. Baroness Cadogan (age 67) and the members of their family were present. He had keen ill for some time. We announced on November 30 that he was suffering from an attack of tonsilitis. Just before Christmns be caught a chill while recoveing from this attack, and had to enter a nursing home. Early in January his illness began to take a serious turn and since then, though he rallied wonderfully from time to time, he steadily lost strength. Royal Sympathy. The King and Queen Alexandra (age 66) have sent telegms expressing deep sympathy with the family.
On 08 Feb 1915 Charles Stewart Vane-Tempest-Stewart 6th Marquess Londonderry (age 62) died. His son Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart 7th Marquess of Londonderry (age 36) succeeded 7th Marquess Londonderry. Memorial at St Mary's Church, Long Newton [Map].
On 08 Feb 1950 Margaret Bethune Black Baroness Aberdare died.
On 08 Feb 1953 Arthur Somers Cocks 7th Baron Somers (age 88) died. His son John Somers Cocks 8th Baron Somers (age 45) succeeded 8th Baron Somers.
On 08 Feb 1965 Ruth Buxton Countess Chichester died.
On 08 Feb 1969 Francis Stapleton-Cotton 4th Viscount Combermere (age 81) died. His son Michael Wellington Stapleton-Cotton 5th Viscount Combermere (age 39) succeeded 5th Viscount Combermere, 5th Baron Combermere, 10th Baronet Cotton of Combermere in Cheshire.
On 08 Feb 1973 Beatrice Eleanor Paget Countess Pembroke and Montgomery (age 89) died.
On 08 Feb 2013 Guy Francis Boileau 8th Baronet (age 77) died. His son Nicholas Edmond George Boileau 9th Baronet (age 48) succeeded 9th Baronet Boileau of Tacolneston Hall in Norfolk.
On 08 Feb 2019 Caroline Sheila Ley Countess Lowther (age 75) died.