Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-01
Long the Edinburgh Home of
Mary, Queen of Scots.
WAS BRILLIANT IN ITS DAY
Famous Old Abbey and Its Great
Resources.
R1zz1o's TRAGIC DEATH STORY
Incidents in the Life of an Unfor-
tunate Sovereign-Priuce Con-
sorts Curious Fountain.


sorts Curious Fountain.
BY WILLIAM F.. CURTIS.
Special Correspondence Of The Star and the
Chicago Record Herald.
EDINBURGH September %. 1905.
Holyrood Abbey was founded by King
David | in fulfllment OF vow that he
would build and Augustinian monastery
on the spot where his life was miracu-
lousy saved. Being out from Edinburgh
Castle hunting one day in 1924, the king
became separated from his companions
and was thrown from his horse. Just as
he was about to he gored by a great
stag, the story goes a miraculous mist
rolled up about him and a hand appeared
grasping a cross. When the mist van
,shed the stag had taken flight. The in
cident was perpetuated by the erection
of the beautiful church Of Holyrood.
which now stands roofess. When James
VI was told about the devotion Of his
ancestor and his generosity TO the church
he replied:
"Humph. David was sair saunct "a
sore saint to the Groom"
Rich Monks and Right of Sanctuary.
AS soon as the abbey was built a COL
ony of monks was transferred from a
monastery at st. Andrews. and they re-
ceived a generous endowment from the
king. The resources of the establish
ment afterward became very large and
included vast tracts OF land in different
parts of the kingdom and many privileges
and franchises that brought heavy reve-
nues. The monks were also endowed
with the privileges Of trial by wager OF
battle. by water. by red-hot irons and
the right OF sanctuary. which meant
that any person who succeeded In finding
refuge within the abbey walls was i'm
mune from arrest for any crime he might
have committed. In the center OF Can
nongate street, a few hundred yards
from the abbey and at what used to be
the city limits, there Is a cross. known
as the debtors cross Any man who sue
ceeded in getting beyond it In the direc-
ton of the abbey was safe from the i'm
portunities of his creditors and from
any legal processes they might bring.
This right of sanctuary lost much of
its importance when the laws permitting
imprisonment for debt were repealed.
The Abbey of Hollywood became the
most splendid as we'll as the most aristo-
cratic monastic establishment in Scot
land. and contained sumptuous apart
ments for the entertainment of royalty.
nobility and visitors of all ranks 1t
was one of the favorite resorts of the
Scottish kings. and they usually lodged |
there when they visited Edinburgh
James I and his queen lived at the abbey
almost all their reign. and at Hollywood
she gave birth to twins. one OF whom
succeeded to the throne as James II and
was crowned, married and buried there:
Pleasantries of the Mob.
James Nv began the construction Of the
present palace adjoining the monastery.
and it was finished in its present form by
James V. Since that time it has seen
many disasters. 1t has been plundered
several times partially burned and wholly
dismantled. and the roof was stripped of
its lead lining for bullets by Lord Somer-
set. The ruin of the abbey was accom-
plished by an Edinburgh mob at the time
of the revolution when the buildings were
burned. the monuments in the royal
chapel destroyed. the royal mausoleums
opened and the bones Of kings and queens
and mobiles scattered about in horrible
manner. The head of Queen Nagdalene. |
still retaining lifelike appearance. and
the long rudy tresses for which she was |
upon pike. while the skull of Lord |
Darnley, second husband of Mary Queen |
of Scots, was kicked about like a foot |
ball.
What They Say Of Queen Mary.
Mary Queen of Scots remained here dur |
ing the greater part of her residence in |
Edinburgh and the palace Of Hollywood is |
associated with her more closely than
with any of the other Scottish rulers. |
While she lived here occurred the most
passionate and tragic incidents of her life
her marriages with Darnley and Both
we'll. the murder of RiZzio in her pres
ence and of Darnley a few blocks distant
with her knowledge and probably with
her approval. Her rooms are preserved
she occupied them. as nearly as posi-
BILE and the public is admitted to them
every afternoon. The most interesting
feature is a narrow little secret ctairway
by which they could be reached from the
courtyard. BY these means the assas-
sins Of Rizzio entered and were conducted
by Darnley to Marys rooms above. and
the attendant showed us the closet in
which she tried to hide the body after
the assassins had crept away.
How Rizzio Was Done or
Her account of the assassination Of her
Italian private secretary. whom Darnley
suspected OF being her lover. was as cool
and Indifferent as il he had been an en-
tire stranger. She tells how she was
seated with the Countess of Argyle and
other domestic servitors" in a quiet man.
when the king. our husband. came to
in our cabinet and placed him beside
US at our supper. In the mean |
time the Lord Ruthven with his accom-
plices took entry perforce in our cabinet. |
and there seeing our secretary. David
clared ne had to speak with him. In this
instant We required the king, our hus-
band. II he knew anything of that enter |
prise. who denied the same. Also we
commanded the Lord Ruthven. under pain |
Of treason, to avoid himself forth OF our |
presence. lie (RiBzio) then for refuge !
took safer guard. having retired him be- |
hind our back. but Ruthven with his
completes cast down our table upon our
self. put violent hands on him. struck
him over our shoulder with whinyards
,daggers). one part OF them standing be- |
fore our face with Bonded days Cooked
pistols. most cruelty took him out Of our |
cabinet and at the entry OF our chamber
gave him fifty-siX strokes with whin |
yards and swords. lr doing whereof We
were not only struck with great dread
but also by sundrie considerations were
most Justly induced to take extreme fear
of our life
Secret Marriage With Boutwell,.
Mary was not deceived by the Jealous
Darnley's protestations Of innocence in
this matter. more especially as his own
dagger covered with blood was found
afterward. and this effectually killed her
little remaining love for him. The bold
Earl of BOthWelI became her next lover