Remembering Mary Queen of Scots' execution in a village near Peterborough
A special service is to take place in Fotheringhay near Peterborough, followed by flowers being laid at the remains of the adjacent Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was executed.
The service, on Sunday at 11am at St Mary and All Souls Church, and flower laying at 12.30pm, is to commemorate Mary’s execution there, on 8 February 1587. Mary was only 44 years old when she died, and the church bells will toll that number as part of the service.
The Service will be led by Vicar Rev Annie and will include an address by Elisabeth Manson, President of the Mary Queen of Scots Society; and prayers written by Mary Queen of Scots read by Jane Collier, a member of the Society and also a performer.
Two local pupils from Warmington School will read poems written about Mary, one published in 1861 and one from 1992.
The church has a permanent memorial to Mary, featuring a maquette of Mary.
After the Service, there will be a short walk to the Mound where Elisabeth will say some verses from Robert Burns poem ‘Lament of Mary Queen of Scots on the Approach of Spring’ and Jane will read some verses from Psalm 31, which Mary recited while on the execution platform. Flowers will then be laid at the place where the Great Hall of the Castle is understood to have been. The flowers will be tied with Stewart tartan ribbon, to reflect Mary’s family heritage.
There are wild thistles growing on the Mound, which are known as ‘Mary’s tears’.
All are welcome to come to the Service and the flower laying at the Mound.
President Elisabeth Manson commented: “We are so grateful to the people the Warmington Benefice, and St Mary’s and All Souls Church especially, for remembering Mary in this way. Her life and death had a profound effect on our country’s history and so it is appropriate that we take time to reflect, and learn too, about the life and contribution of this influential and devout sovereign.”
Rev Annie Goldthorp said: “It is a real pleasure to welcome the Mary Queen of Scots Society to Fotheringhay and to host her commemoration service at St Mary and All Saints. Mary is such an important historical figure, and with Fotheringhay being the place of her execution, we all feel it is important to keep a permanent memorial to her in our church. I look forward to welcoming those attending.”