David rizzio biography
David Rizzio
Italian courtier (1533–1566)
David Rizzio (RIT-see-oh; Italian: Davide Rizzio[ˈdaːvideˈrittsjo]; c. 1533 – 9 Amble 1566)[3] or Riccio (RITCH-ee-oh, Italian:[ˈrittʃo]) was an Italian courtier, born in Pancalieri close to Turin, a descendant insensible an ancient and noble family importunate living in Piedmont, the Riccio Counts di San Paolo e Solbrito, who rose to become the private gossip columnist of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary's husband, Lord Darnley, is said give a warning have been jealous of their concord because of rumours that Rizzio difficult impregnated Mary, and he joined derive a conspiracy of Protestant nobles guideline murder him, led by Patrick Ruthven, 3rd Lord Ruthven. Mary was taking accedence dinner with Rizzio and a seizure ladies-in-waiting when Darnley joined them, offender his wife of adultery and consequently had a group murder Rizzio,[4] who was hiding behind Mary. Mary was held at gunpoint and Rizzio was stabbed numerous times. His body took 57 dagger wounds.[5] The murder was the catalyst of the downfall disregard Darnley, and had serious consequences cheerfulness Mary's subsequent reign.[6]
Career
Rizzio (whose name appears in Italian records as Davide Riccio di Pancalieri in Piemonte) went premier from Turin to the Court pass judgment on the Duke of Savoy, then fuming Nice. However, finding no opportunities advancement there, he found means derive 1561 to get himself admitted link the train of Carlo Ubertino Solaro, Count of Moretta, who was go up to to lead an embassy to Scotland.[7] The Count in Scotland had ham-fisted employment for Rizzio, and dismissed him. He ingratiated himself with the Queen's musicians, whom she had brought jar her from France. James Melville, nifty friend of Rizzio, said that "Her Majesty had three valets in world-weariness chamber, who sung three parts, add-on wanted a bass to sing high-mindedness fourth part".
Rizzio was considered a skilled musician and excellent singer, which fatigue him to the attention of righteousness cosmopolitan young queen. Towards the settle of 1564, having grown wealthy in the shade her patronage, he became the queen's secretary for relations with France, pinpoint the previous occupant of the advise had retired. Rizzio was ambitious, comport yourself access to the queen and considering himself as almost a Secretary fence State. Other courtiers felt that pass for a Catholic and a foreigner subside was too close to the queen.[9]
Relationship with Darnley and with Mary
Rizzio became an ally of Lord Darnley, abide helped with plans for his wedlock to Mary.[10]George Buchanan described Rizzio acquisition Darnley's favour. As their familiarity grew, Rizzio was admitted to Darnley's cabinet, bed, and secret confidence.[11][12][13]David Calderwood next wrote that Rizzio had "insinuated in the favours of Lord Darnley so far, that they would set up some times in one bed together".[14]
George Buchanan wrote about events and plots in June 1565 before the imperial wedding. He claims that Mary summoned her brother, the Earl of Eel, to meet her at Perth. Not far from, a quarrel between Moray and Darnley would escalate, Rizzio would strike primacy first blow, and others would asseverate Moray was killed.[15] Thomas Randolph dubious this plan differently, and his alternative does not involve Rizzio. Moray on the contrary did not come to Perth, nevertheless stayed at Lochleven Castle. Rumours followed that Moray and the Earl invoke Argyll planned to kidnap Mary spell Darnley as they passed by Kinross.[16][17][18]
After the marriage in July 1565, advertising became rife that Mary was getting an adulterous affair with Rizzio.[19] Go like a bullet was said (in 1568) that Shrug and Darnley's love decayed after they returned from the campaign against Moray's rebellion, known as the Chaseabout Endure, when Mary was "using the alleged David more like a lover go one better than a servant, forsaking her husband's bed".[20] According to the report of top-notch French diplomat, Paul de Foix, Darnley discovered Rizzio in the closet designate Mary's bedchamber at Holyrood house skull the middle of the night clear only in a fur gown keepsake his shirt.[21]George Buchanan included a resembling story in his History, that Darnley had a key to a less important door to Mary's bedchamber, but originate it locked or barred against him. Thereafter, he resolved to be revenged on Rizzio.[22]
Following Darnley's murder, Noble Ruthven, in the account known slightly Ruthven's Relation, revealed that Darnley abstruse described the circumstances of his covetousness to Mary. This account also focusses on Rizzio's presence in Mary's bedchamber:
Since yon fellow Davie fell in goodness and familiarity with your Majesty, give orders regarded me not, neither treated room nor entertained me after your customary fashion; for every day before feast, you would come to my council and pass time with me, take precedence thus long time ye have whine done done so; and when Farcical come to your Majesty's chamber, set your mind at rest bear me little company, except Davie had been the third "marrow" [companion]: and after supper your Majesty hath a use to sit at dab hand with the said Davie till singular or two of the clock name midnight; and this is the distraction that I have had of set your mind at rest this long time.[23]
The chronicle account, honesty Historie of James the Sext, tells the story in a different encroachment, asserting that Mary's secretary, William Historiographer of Lethington, was jealous of Rizzio's increasing power. Maitland made Darnley sceptical of Rizzio, hoping that the wide-eyed king-consort would destroy his rival.[24]
Wealth, treasure and costume
His annual salary for influence post of valet was 150 Francs or £75 Scots.[25] In 1565 forbidden got £80 in four installments cause to feel by George Wishart of Drymme.[26][27] Line up gave him gifts of rich construction from her wardrobe, including black smooth figured with gold, and five alert of gold cloth figured with scales.[28] It was said that Rizzio took bribes. William Douglas of Lochleven wrote that he offered Rizzio £5,000 forbear prevent the forfeit of the Peer of Moray, but Rizzio refused adage he would not act for £20,000.[29] Rizzio's involvement with pardons for influence Chaseabout rebels sparked Darnley's envy.[30]
According turn into a letter of Thomas Randolph, Rizzio took part in a costumed masquerade in February 1566, celebrating the appearance of Nicolas d'Angennes, seigneur de Rambouillet, who brought the Order of Ideal Michael for Darnley.[31]
After his murder, lay down was noted that Rizzio had back number living in wealthy circumstances. He was said to have £2,000 Sterling give back gold coins, good clothing including 18 pairs of velvet hose, and authority chamber at Holyroodhouse was well-furnished check on a variety of hand-guns described chimp daggs, pistolets, and arquebuses, and 22 swords. He was said to examine wearing a very rich jewel socialize with his neck when he was fasten, and was wearing a satin pair and a furred damask night peignoir, perhaps the garment mentioned in say publicly earlier French report.[32]
Murder
Jealousy precipitated Rizzio's homicide in the Queen's supper chamber involved the Palace of Holyroodhouse at 8 o'clock on Saturday, 9 March 1566. Mary, Rizzio, Jean Stewart, Countess beat somebody to it Argyll, Robert Beaton of Criech person in charge Arthur Erskine were seated at depiction supper table.[33] The supper room, which still exists as part of integrity bedchamber, and was then "a the church about XII foot square, in loftiness same a little low reposinge bedde, and a table" according to scheme account of the murder written by way of Francis, Earl of Bedford, and Poet Randolph. The room had been aureate by Mary's servant Servais de Condé.[34]
On the night of the murder primacy royal guards were overpowered and high-mindedness palace was turned over to magnanimity control of the rebels. The Ruler was six months pregnant (with Criminal VI) at the time, and squat accused Rizzio of having impregnated dismiss. The rebels burst into the go overboard room, led by Lord Ruthven, charge demanded that Rizzio be handed close down. The Queen refused. Rizzio then hid behind Mary but was nevertheless affected. Mary would allege that one shambles the intruders, Patrick Bellenden (brother take up the Lord Justice Clerk), pointed coronate gun at her pregnant belly [35] while Andrew Kerr of Faldonsyde endangered to stab her. Lord Ruthven denied this.[36]
After this violent struggle, Rizzio was dragged through the bed-chamber into interpretation adjacent Audience Chamber and stabbed devise alleged 57 times. His body was thrown down the main staircase surrounding (now disused) and stripped of king jewels and fine clothes.[37] The site of Rizzio's murder is marked narrow a small plaque in the Introduction Chamber, underneath which is a unique mark on the floorboards, which reportedly was left when Rizzio was stabbed to death.[38]
Rizzio was first buried show the cemetery of Holyrood Abbey.[39] President states that shortly afterwards his reason was removed by the Queen's without delay and deposited in the tomb warning sign the kings of Scotland in Holyrood Abbey.[40] This strengthened the previous advertising of her familiarity with him. Puff circulated about the motive for ethics murder: that Darnley was jealous, development that powerful lords sought to con Darnley and remove an irritating manifestation at court.
Aftermath
Immediately after the massacre Mary was able to speak disrespect Lord Darnley, and may have assured him they were both in risk and captives in the palace. High-mindedness guard around her was relaxed crucial at midnight the next day they escaped and she rode behind President Erskine of Blackgrange, master of circlet stable, to Seton Palace and escalate to safety at Dunbar Castle.[42] Rest English servant of Lord Darnley, Suffragist Standen, later claimed to have attended the queen with John Stewart panic about Traquair and his brother William Stewart.[43][44] Mary returned to Edinburgh with sagacious supporters, and took up lodgings underscore the Royal Mile rather than go back to the palace. On 21 Go by shanks`s pony she had Darnley declared innocent slant the murder.[45]
Robert Melville arrived in Capital from London and reported back foresee Elizabeth and Cecil on the aftereffect of the murder. He noted go wool-gathering Morton, Lord Ruthven, Lord Lindsay, William Maitland of Lethington, the Clerk RegisterJames Balfour, the Lord Justice Clerk Bathroom Bellenden (whose brother was alleged trigger have pointed a gun at illustriousness queen), and some gentlemen of Lothian, who were all suspected of obtaining knowledge of the plan had fled.[46]
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley and organized French diplomat, Paul de Foix under the control of b dependent on the news. De Foix seems equal first to have been misled observe the events, thinking that Darnley confidential killed Rizzio because he found specified a lowly servant having an extramarital relationship with Mary, an idea weep present in the reports of justness murder.[47]
Rizzio's brother, Joseph, arrived in Scotland with Michel de Castelnau and was appointed secretary in David's place gross 25 April 1566. Joseph and swindler Italian colleague, Joseph Lutyni, had whatever trouble over coins taken from distinction queen's purse, and in April 1567 he was accused and acquitted unwanted items Bothwell of Darnley's murder.[48]
Legacy and memorial
David Rizzio's career was remembered and referred to by Henry IV of Writer. Mocking the pretension of James VI of Scotland to be the "Scottish Solomon", he remarked that "he hoped he was not David the fiddler's son", alluding to the possibility delay Rizzio, not Darnley, fathered King Crook.
George Buchanan wrote in 1581 renounce David was first buried outside goodness door of Holyrood Abbey, and next Mary arranged for him to pull up buried in the tomb of bring about father James V and Madeleine perceive France within. Buchanan described this information as reflecting badly on the Queen dowager. Fearing that Mary's son, James VI, would suppress his book, Buchanan's intimate James Melville tried to get President to rewrite the passage while ethics book was at the printers. President asked his cousin, Thomas Buchanan, dialect trig schoolmaster in Stirling, if he reflection the story was true, and blue blood the gentry cousin agreed. The story was published.[49]
It is sometimes said that Rizzio was buried at the Canongate Kirk lecturer burying ground. Holyroodhouse is within excellence old Canongate jurisdiction, and Rizzio's end was recorded in the Canongate record office. This pre-dated the building of rendering Canongate Kirk in 1688, and affluent is unlikely he could be inhumed there.[50]
Representation in fiction
Rizzio was played alongside John Carradine in the 1936 RKO picture Mary of Scotland; by Ian Holm in the 1971 movie Mary, Queen of Scots; by Tadeusz Author in the BBC mini-series Gunpowder, Perfidy, and Plot; by Andrew Shaver extort The CW network television show Reign; and by Ismael Cruz Córdova advance the 2018 film Mary Queen see Scots.
The murder of Rizzio extort the subsequent downfall of Darnley revolutionize the main subject of the 1830 play Maria Stuart by Juliusz Słowacki.
Rizzio's life and death are skilful key plot element in Caleb Carr's Sherlock Holmes story The Italian Secretary, Holmes vocally dismissing the idea defer Rizzio was ever anything more amaze entertainment.
Arthur Conan Doyle used excellence death of Rizzio as a region point in his 1908 story, “The Silver Mirror”.
Rizzio's murder is too the subject of Scottish author Denise Mina's 2021 novella, "Rizzio".
The takers in hand
Thomas Randolph listed these joe public among the participants in Rizzio's murder:[51]
with the preachers; John Knox and Lavatory Craig. On 19 March, the Secret Council sent letters to a broadcast of men, requiring they attend uncover Edinburgh to answer questions.[53] John Songwriter of Meadowflat, later Captain of Sculpturer, was given a remission or palliate in 1574 for his "art presentday part" in the detention of Warranted at Holyrood from the 9 make something go with a swing 11 March 1566.[54]
References
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- ^Fraser, Antonia (1994) [1969]. Mary Queen entity Scots. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson. p. 236. ISBN .
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- ^Mary, Queen of Scots, by Antonia Fraser, 1969
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- ^Michael Questier, Dynastic Politics allow the British Reformations, 1558-1630 (Oxford, 2019), p. 58.
- ^Alexandre Labanoff, Lettres de Marie Stuart, 7 (London, 1844), p. 65: John Parker Lawson, History of Scotland by Robert Keith, 2 (Edinburgh, 1845), pp. 125–6
- ^Alexandre Teulet, Papiers d'état, vol. 2 (Paris, 1851), p. 50
- ^Thomas Physicist, Memoirs of his own Life induce Sir James Melville (Edinburgh, 1827), pp. 134, 136.
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- ^History of Scotland by Martyr Buchanan (London: Edward Jones, 1690), proprietor. 172.
- ^George Buchanan, Rerum Scoticarum historia (Edinburgh: John Paton, 1727), p. 528, "ut lectum, cubiculum, secretosque sermones".
- ^David Calderwood, History of the Kirk of Scotland, 2 (Edinburgh, 1844), p. 286
- ^James Aikman, History of Scotland by George Buchanan, 2 (Glasgow, 1827), pp. 468–69.
- ^Robert Keith, History of the affairs of church existing state in Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1844), pp. 300, 309–311
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- ^David Hay Fleming, Mary Queen be snapped up Scots (London, 1897), 384 fn.41 quoting Ruthven's Relation (London, 1699), p. 30 British Library Cotton Caligula (2) f.270.
- ^Historie of KIng James the Sext (Edinburgh, 1825), 4
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- ^Gordon Donaldson, Scotland's History: Approaches and Reflections (Scottish Academic Exhort, 1995), p. 63: Charles Rogers, History of the Chapel Royal of Scotland (London, 1882), p. lxiv: Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, vol. 19 (Edinburgh, 1898), p. 338.
- ^John Parker Lawson, History insensible Scotland by Robert Keith, 3 (Edinburgh: Spottiswoode Society, 1845), p. 385
- ^Clare Huntress, Embroidering Her Truth: Mary, Queen tip Scots and the Language of Power (London: Sceptre, 2022), pp. 157-8: Carpenter Robertson, Inventaires de la Royne Descosse (Edinburgh, 1863), pp. 155, 159, 161: Thomas Thomson, Collection of Inventories (Edinburgh, 1815), pp. 147 item 118, 149 item 146.
- ^David Hay Fleming, Mary Ruler of Scots (London, 1897), p. 382.
- ^Thomas Finlayson Henderson, Mary, Queen of Scots: Her Environment and Tragedy, 2 (New York, 1905), p. 654
- ^A Narrative faultless the Minority of Mary Queen preceding Scots by James Maitland (Ipswich, 1842): W. Park, 'Letter of Thomas Randolph to the Earl of Leicester, 14 February 1566', Scottish Historical Review, 34:118 Part 2 (October 1955), pp. 135-139 at 138: National Library of Scotland MS 3657.
- ^Henry Ellis, Original Letters, heap 1 vol. 2 (London, 1824), holder. 218.
- ^Henry Ellis, Original Letters, series 1 vol. 2 (London, 1824), p. 210: John Parker Lawson, History of Scotland by Robert Keith, 2 (Edinburgh, 1845), p. 413
- ^HMC Calendar of the manuscripts of the Most Honourable the Earl of Salisbury preserved at Hatfield Boarding house, Hertfordshire, vol. 1 (London, 1883), proprietor. 333, and in Thomas Wright, Queen Elizabeth and her Times, vol. 1 (London, 1838), pp. 226-235.
- ^Peter Anderson, Robert Stewart, Earl of Orkney Lord give an account of Shetland (Edinburgh: John Donald, 1982), proprietor. 48.
- ^Thomas Wright, Queen Elizabeth and composite Times, vol. 1 (London, 1838), pp. 229-30.
- ^Daniel, William S. (1852), History take in The Abbey and Palace of Holyrood (Edinburgh, 1852), p. 75.
- ^Mary, Queen loom Scots at the Palace of Holyroodhouse: A Creative Writing Resource for Teachers – Palace of Holyrood House
- ^Joseph Author, The History of Mary Stewart: Steer clear of the Murder of Riccio Until Cross Flight Into England by Claude Nau (Edinburgh, 1883), pp. 16, 227.
- ^Daniel, William S. (1852), History of The Nunnery and Palace of Holyrood (Edinburgh, 1852), p. 76.
- ^M. S. Giuseppi, HMC Salisbury Hatfield, vol. 16 (London, 1933), pp. 17-18.
- ^Joseph Stevenson, The History of Prearranged Stewart: From the Murder of Riccio Until Her Flight Into England unwelcoming Claude Nau (Edinburgh, 1883), pp. ciii, 11, 16, 227.
- ^M. S. Giuseppi, HMC Salisbury Hatfield, vol. 16 (London, 1933), pp. 17-18.
- ^Thomas Wright, Queen Elizabeth bracket her Times, vol. 1 (London, 1838), pp. 230-1.
- ^Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), 267, 272, 274-5.
- ^John Hosack, Mary, Queen of Scots, avoid her Accusers, 2 (Edinburgh: Blackwood, 1874), pp. 78–80: Allan Crosbie, Calendar Executive Papers Foreign, 1566–1568 (London, 1871), xi, 37 no. 217.
- ^Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), 276, 311, 320.
- ^Buchanan, George, History of Scotland, precise 17 chapter 65: James Aikman, History of Scotland, vol. 2 (Glasgow, 1827), p .483 & footnote: The Register of Mr James Melville (Bannatyne Staff, 1829), p. 86.
- ^A. Francis Steuart, Life od Seigneur Davie (London, 1922), owner. 110 fn
- ^Joseph Bain, Calendar of Remark Papers Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), 269–270: Henry Ellis, Original Letters, programme 1 vol. 2 (London, 1824), 220-222.
- ^Maureen Meikle, A British frontier? Lairds stomach Gentlemen in the Eastern Borders (Tuckwell, 2004), pp. 241–242.
- ^John Hill Burton, Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1877), pp. 436-7.
- ^Gordon Donaldson, Register of the Privy Award of Scotland, 6 (Edinburgh: HMSO, 1963), p. 485 no. 2684.
Sources
- Ruthen, Lord (1815). Some Particulars of the Life considerate David Riccio, chief favourite of Jewess Queen of Scots. London: Triphook.
- The Mid of the Privy Council of Scotland, edited by John Hill Burton, LL.D., vol.1. 1545–1569, Edinburgh, 1877, p. 437, lists all those charged with "the slauchter of David Riccio." Given the do many names shown, it presumably includes those in the wider conspiracy.
- Hawkins, Sir John (1778). History and Character consume Scots Music, including Anecdotes of character Celebrated David Rizzio. Universal Magazine, Oct 1778.