Mary Queen of Scots sent letter begging for her life to Vatican before execution

Published December 28, 2011 |

The Vatican Secret Archives have been the holder of many important historical documents. Now and exhibition will be held at the Capitoline Museums in Rome from February to September 2012. The exhibit, titled “Lux in arcana aE" The Vatican Secret Archives reveals itself” will have 100 original documents dating from the 8th to the 20th century on display. Gavin Madeley of the Daily Mail reports on the upcoming exhibition and one letter from Mary, Queen of Scots to Pope Sixtus V asking for help in particular.

The fragile parchment text, bearing royal insignia, was sent in hope to a pope by a deposed monarch begging for her life.

Yet while the letter addressed to Sixtus V failed to save Mary, Queen of Scots, from the executioneraE�s axe, the document itself did survive buried in the depths of the VaticanaE�s so-called Secret Archives.

Jealously guarded for centuries, it is now among 100 of the most historically significant items of confidential correspondence due to go on public display for the first time in a special exhibition in Rome.

The priceless collection spans more than a millennium, from the 8th century to modern times and features a cast of historical characters who have crossed swords with a succession of Pontiffs, from Knights Templar to Galileo, Martin Luther and Henry VIII.

Chris Rivait

Chris loves history and hopes that Yesteeyear becomes a place where everyone can share their history knowledge. Chris owns an Internet Marketing company, Arrivait Marketing. He has a wonderful wife and four great children.