An exhibition on the life and death of Mary Queen of Scots opens on Good Friday with a lock of her hair supplied by Paul Fraser Collectibles at its centre.
The exhibit is being hosted at Pool House, Poolewe, Wester Ross.
The historic house is on the banks of Loch Ewe in north-west Scotland. A picture-perfect setting to celebrate Scottish history.
John White with the lock of Mary Queen of Scot's hair at the new exhibition.
Mary Queen of Scots, The Exhibition is the work of John White, a private collector who has amassed a wonderful selection of Mary Queen of Scots artefacts.
They will come together in public for the first time in an immersive show that recreates the life of one of British history’s most compelling figures.
Among the items on display will be a Tudor beheading axe along with a block carved from Fotheringay Castle timber, contemporary costumes, and the embroidery on which Mary worked as she awaited her death.
Tudor power politics was a brutal business. This axe will go on show tomorrow.
And a lock of Mary's famous red hair that we are delighted to have supplied to John.
Paul Fraser, founder of Paul Fraser Collectibles said: “There’s nothing more personal and more evocative than hair, and it played a particular role in Mary’s life, death, and legend.
“All our clients are passionate and dedicated collectors who treasure the items they buy from us. But it’s particularly rewarding to see an item we’ve supplied go on public display.
"I’m sure it will help bring Mary’s story to life for thousands of people, connecting them to our history in a way a book, film or webpage never can.
"And, of course, we have guaranteed its authenticity as we do for every item we sell."
The show opens on Good Friday in Pool House.
It may be the oldest way of celebrating popular heroes. Our churches are full of physical relics of saints - many of highly debated authenticity.
There’s a sometimes grisly connection to public executions too.
Mary was beheaded in Fotheringhay Castle in 1587 - convicted of treason against Elizabeth I (with whom she shared a great grandfather) after letters showed she had approved of a plot to assassinate the queen and replace her on the throne.
As a Catholic potential rival to the Tudor dynasty, Mary had already spent 18 years in confinement when she was executed.
Her son, James VI of Scotland, did put the Stuart line on the English throne when he became James I of England on the death of Elizabeth in 1603.
In life, death, and cultural afterlife Mary has attracted dedicated followers and a host of stories.
Mary's story still attracts fans, as these modern souvenirs show.
The Stuart claim to the English throne lived on, becoming the Jacobite cause, over which much blood was shed.
Mary’s own life - plotting, love affairs, murders, her execution on the order of her own cousin - was packed with incident. It is romantic and tragic - a bright and lively young woman who had the misfortune to be born the heir to a contested throne.
Mary has been a romantic heroine to generations of movie goers.
The first film to feature her was shot by Thomas Edison as early as 1895.
Since then she has been played on screen by Katharine Hepburn, Vanessa Redgrave, Elizabeth Taylor (as an actress playing Mary), Samantha Morton, and Saoirse Ronan.
The Nazis made a propaganda film using her story to portray the English as cold and calculating; designed to encourage Scottish resentment at the Union.
She has featured in novels, plays, musicals, operas, song and in numerous paintings, many focusing on her execution, which has become the defining moment of her story.
In a theatrical last touch, Mary dropped a petticoat to reveal a bright red dress, the colour of martyrdom for Catholics.
Her hair is also a key part of that story.
Mary’s bright red hair is well known. It was something she shared with her cousin, Elizabeth.
After she had been beheaded the executioner bent to exhibit her head to the crowd. He dislodged a red wig in the process that showed Mary’s trademark red hair had long succumbed to the ill-health her long confinement caused.
Is that story really true?
Visitors to Mary Queen of Scots: The Exhibition may find out.
The exhibition is at Pool House, Poolewe until October 29, 2024.
