Pierre de Bocosel de Chastelard facts for kids

Pierre de Bocosel de Chastelard (born 1540, died 1563) was a French poet. He came from a noble family in Dauphiné, France. His grandfather was the famous knight, Chevalier de Bayard. Chastelard is remembered for his strong feelings for Mary, Queen of Scots.

Chastelard's Life and Time in Scotland

Chastelard first worked for a powerful French noble, Constable Montmorency. Later, he joined the household of Marshal Damville. In 1561, he traveled with Marshal Damville to Scotland. They were part of the group escorting Mary, Queen of Scots, back to her home country.

After returning to Paris, Chastelard soon went back to Scotland. He carried letters for Queen Mary from Montmorency. He also brought poems from his teacher, Pierre de Ronsard, a famous poet. Mary rewarded Ronsard for his poems.

Chastelard developed deep admiration for Queen Mary. It is said that she seemed to enjoy his company. They exchanged poems, and Mary often showed she liked his presence and conversations. Chastelard was often welcomed in her private rooms.

Trouble at Holyrood Palace

One day, Chastelard hid under Queen Mary's bed at Holyrood Palace. He was found by her maids or chamber staff. Mary forgave him for this action. They continued to be friendly.

However, Chastelard made the same mistake again. He was discovered a second time hiding under her bed, this time at Burntisland. He was immediately arrested.

Arrest and Execution

Chastelard was sentenced and executed the next morning, on February 22, 1563, in St Andrews. He faced his fate bravely. On his way to the execution, he read a poem by his teacher, Ronsard, called Hymne de la mort (Hymn of Death). Just before his execution, he turned towards Holyrood Palace. He said a famous farewell to Mary: "Adieu, toi si belle et si cruelle, qui me tues et que je ne puis cesser d’aimer" (farewell to you, so beautiful and so cruel, who kill me and whom I cannot stop loving).

This story comes from the Memoirs of Brantôme, a writer whose accounts are not always fully reliable. Despite this, Chastelard's life and death show us how wild and dramatic life could be in those times.

Thomas Randolph's Account

The English diplomat Thomas Randolph also wrote about Chastelard's arrest in his letters to William Cecil. Randolph noted that Chastelard was a servant of Monsieur D'Anville. When Chastelard arrived in Scotland in November 1561, Mary showed him special favor. She let him ride a horse that was a gift from her half-brother, Lord Robert Stewart. Chastelard also gave her a book of his own poems.

The Incidents and Execution

On February 14, 1563, which was St. Valentine's Day, Chastelard was found in the Queen's room. He was under her large bed at Rossend Castle in Burntisland. Queen Mary ordered her half-brother, the Earl of Moray, to execute him right away. However, Chastelard was taken to St Andrews instead.

Randolph also wrote that Chastelard had tried to hide in Mary's room before, at Holyroodhouse. Chastelard claimed he had been caught in a private area, but witnesses insisted he was under the bed. He was executed a week later at the Market Cross of St Andrews on a market day. Mary was comforted by her lady-in-waiting, Mary Fleming, after the event.