06/04/2020
At the foot of Elizabeth I's tomb in Westminster Abbey is a tragic collection of magnificent tombs to lost royal children. This one in particular is Princess Mary Stuart
She was the first child born to James I and Queen Anne after their coronation to the English throne. She was also the first royal child born to an English monarch in 68 years, so although she was a daughter, there was much rejoicing on her birth on the 8th April 1605.
She was Christened at Greenwich Palace on the 5th May in a robe of purple velvet trimmed with gold and ermine and with a train long enough to be supported by two Countesses.
Her Godparents were Ulrik of Denmark, Lady Arbella Stuart and Dorothy Percy, Countess Northumberland.
Her household was established at Stanwell in the care of Lord and Lady Knyvet, who built new lodgings for the infants staff, took tentative care of their royal charge and received £20 a week for expenses.
However, at 17 months old Mary contracted a violent cold which turned to pneumonia.
After lingering for several feverish days she died on the 16th Sept 1607.
She was buried in a private ceremony at the foot of Elizabeth, with a monument crafted by Maximilian C**t. Her little effigy shows her in a mature dress beyond her age, with a traditional ruff carved from ivory.
Her inscription reads: I, Mary, daughter of James, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland and of Queen Anne, received into Heaven in early infancy, found joy to myself, but left longings for my parents, on the 16th Sept 1607. Ye congratulators, condole: she lived only 1 year 5 months and 88 days.
