The Most Lovely And Cruel Princess

A French courtier and poet called Chastelard was just one of the many people who fell madly in love with Mary Queen of Scots. The young queen was a great fan of poetry and more than happy to accommodate the Frenchman’s work at her court. Mary’s enemies used Chastelard’s evident pining as ammunition against her, implying that the two had an improper relationship.

Mary was adamant that their relationship was entirely innocent, even though Chastelard had been caught hiding in her room at Holyrood Palace. To avoid a public trial, he was given a firm warning before the incident was quickly covered up. When the Queen visited Rossend Castle in Burntisland, the poet decided it was time to try again.

Mary was halfway through getting changed when Chastelard was discovered hiding under her bed. If the pair ever did have a secret relationship, there was no way it could carry on now. With the Queen of Scots’ reputation on the line, she had to distance herself from any suggestion they were having an affair.

Lovestruck Chastelard was accused of an assassination attempt instead. The poet was dragged to St Andrews for execution, his last words wishing farewell to the "most lovely and cruel of princesses".