The Penicuik Jewels
A a personal gift for the devoted servant of Mary Queen of
Scots, Giles Mowbray.
Did they belong to a queen?
This gold necklace, locket and pendant date from the late 16th
century. Known as the 'Penicuik Jewels', they are said to have
belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots. They were long preserved by the
Clerks of Penicuik as relics of Mary.
What are they?
The necklace has 14 large oval beads of filigree work divided by
smaller circular beads and would have originally contained perfume.
The enamelled locket has painted miniatures showing a man and a
woman, said to be Mary and her son James. The pendant was probably
formerly attached to the locket.
What is the story?
The Clerks of Penicuik had a connection with Mary, Queen of
Scots, through marriage. In the 17th century, a member of the
family married a granddaughter of Giles Mowbray, one of the Queen's
servants during her English imprisonment. It is possible that the
necklace is made from the beads of bracelets given by the Queen to
Giles Mowbray, just before her death in 1587.
Mary's magnificent jewellery collection
Mary took great pleasure in a magnificent jewellery collection.
She brought many splendid pieces from France in 1561. In Scotland
she inherited jewels from her mother and continued to buy new
items: there were finger rings, pendants, bracelets, belts,
earrings, buttons, crucifixes, rosaries and furs complete with
bejewelled gold heads!
All were made of gold, enriched with enamelling in bright
colours and set with precious stones especially rubies, diamonds,
emeralds and sapphires.