This Snapshot involves the pupils in detective work, using three crucial sources about the murder of Lord Darnley the husband of Mary Queen of Scots. Groups of pupils can study individual sources and report back to the whole class and then together arrive at an answer to the mystery.
Alternative pupils can work through the exercise as a self-contained study.
The plan was drawn for Cecil shortly after the murder. The murder aroused obvious interest in England. Darnley had once been Elizabeth I's suitor and was her cousin. The 'Incriminating Evidence' is in fact an extract from the infamous Casket Letters . Produced by the Earl of Moray as evidence of Mary's complicity in the murder of Darnley, the originals of the letters have always been doubtful.