Bolton Castle Prison of Queen Mary
Imprisonment of Mary Queen of Scots in the North of England
Mary Queen of Scots spent six months imprisoned in luxury at Bolton Castle, North Yorkshire. She was to spend nearly two decades as a prisoner of Queen Elizabeth I.
Mary Queen of Scots, cousin of Queen Elizabeth I, spent six months of her life as a prisoner in Bolton Castle, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire. However, she wasn't confined to a cell, or even to one building. Mary’s imprisonment at Bolton Castle was one of luxury, comfort and privilege, but also of personal sadness.
Imprisonment on English Soil
Mary arrived at Bolton Castle in July 1568. She had become a prisoner of her cousin Queen Elizabeth as soon as she set food on English soil. Mary was wanted in her homeland for the alleged murder of her husband, Lord Darnley and had fled Scotland believing she’d be restored to her throne with the help of her cousin and fellow queen, Elizabeth.
Even today, the castle seems remote and exposed, towering over the surrounding valleys. It must have seemed a quiet and lonely place to Mary, who had been brought up in the luxurious surrounding of the French Court and then enjoyed the bustle and excitement of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.
Mary brought a train of 51 servants with her to Bolton Castle and she was allocated a magnificent set of rooms, in keeping with her royal status. These included the Solar; a warm, sunny sitting room, two large bedchambers and a large hall. She also had use of a ‘garderobe’, which was an indoor toilet, considered very sophisticated and hygienic for its day.
Gaolers of Mary Queen of Scots
Mary’s gaolers were Sir Francis Knollys and the 9th Baron Scrope. Both men were loyal servants of Queen Elizabeth, and as such, were expected to make sure that their important prisoner couldn’t escape. Despite their vigilance, Mary had a great deal to amuse her during her stay. She regularly received visits from members of the local nobility and was allowed to hunt in the area around the castle under supervision. She even managed to briefly escape her prison but was recaptured after two hours.
Mary’s servants were allowed to come and go as they pleased, but many of them were loyal and stayed with her wherever in England she was moved. Mary was aged only twenty-six when she came to Bolton Castle and had a further nineteen years of imprisonment before her execution in 1587. From Bolton, she was moved further south, to Tutbury fortress in Staffordshire and each move would take her nearer to her end.
Mary and Elizabeth were curious about each other but were never to meet in person. Mary never gave up hope that she would meet her royal cousin and plead for her freedom face-to-face. Sadly for her, the only escape from almost two decades of imprisonment was death.
Bolton Castle is open throughout the year. Opening hours for April – September 10am-5pm, October – March 10am-5pm. Tel 0044 1969 623981
