Mary Queen of Scots House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queen Mary's House |
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Mary Queen of Scots' House, Jedburgh
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| Type | towerhouse |
| Location | Jedburgh |
| Built | 16th century |
Queen Mary's House is a historic building in Jedburgh, Scotland. It was built in the 1500s. This house is famous because Mary, Queen of Scots, might have stayed here in 1566. Today, it is a museum that tells the story of Queen Mary's life. It has been open to visitors since 1930.
History of the House
Queen Mary's House was built in the 1500s. It stands in the town of Jedburgh, close to the Jed Water river. People believe the first entrance was from Canongate Bridge. This area is now part of the garden.
An artist and astronomer named Nathaniel Everett Green drew the house in a watercolour painting. This helped record what it looked like long ago.
In 1777, a doctor named Dr. Lindsay and his wife, Jean, lived in the house. Ten years later, their daughters showed the famous poet Robert Burns around Jedburgh. Dr. Lindsay's grandson, Robert Armstrong, later owned the house. He worked in the Russian army and led the Saint Petersburg Mint. Robert allowed his aunts to live there until 1869.
Another artist, Arthur Perigal the younger, painted the house in 1879. His painting shows the house in a countryside setting. But the house has always been in the town.
In 1928, the house was given to the town of Jedburgh. This gift came from F. S. Oliver, a director of Debenhams. He lived nearby in Edgerston. The house was fixed up by architect John Wilson Paterson. It opened as a museum in 1930. In 1971, it became a very important historic building.
What the House Looks Like
Queen Mary's House is made of stone. It has three main floors and a tall four-story tower. The roof was once made of straw, then tiles. Now, it has grey slate tiles.
You can visit the building for free. Inside, you can walk up a stone spiral staircase. Each room has old items and displays. These displays explain the house's history. They also tell about Queen Mary's life.
The house has large grounds outside. There are pear trees planted in the 2000s. These trees are like the ones grown in Jedburgh long ago. Pear farming used to be very important in the town.
Queen Mary's Visit to Jedburgh
Mary, Queen of Scots, came to Jedburgh in October 1566. She brought many people with her to hold a special court meeting. She paid £40 to rent a house for her stay.
While in Jedburgh, Queen Mary heard news. Her friend, James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, was hurt at Hermitage Castle. She made a difficult trip to see him. She returned to Jedburgh feeling very ill. People sent fruits like pomegranates and lemons from Edinburgh. These were thought to be good for her health.
Mary's husband, Lord Darnley, was hunting nearby. When he heard Mary was ill, he came to Jedburgh. But it is said she did not welcome him.
Some historical writings say that Darnley stayed in a small cottage nearby. They also say that Bothwell stayed in the same house as Mary, on a lower floor. Mary later said she wished she had died in Jedburgh. She felt her life became much worse after that visit. She was later forced to give up her crown. She tried to escape to England. But she was put in prison and, much later, executed. For the last thirty years, Queen Mary's House has shared this important story.
