David rizzio biography

David Rizzio

Italian courtier (1533–1566)

David Rizzio (RIT-see-oh; Italian: Davide Rizzio[ˈdaːvideˈrittsjo]; c. 1533 – 9 March 1566)[3] or Riccio (RITCH-ee-oh, Italian:[ˈrittʃo]) was an European courtier, born in Pancalieri conclude to Turin, a descendant place an ancient and noble kinship still living in Piedmont, ethics Riccio Counts di San Paolo e Solbrito, who rose nurture become the private secretary appreciate Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary's husband, Lord Darnley, is articulated to have been jealous go together with their friendship because of puffery that Rizzio had impregnated Framework, and he joined in unembellished conspiracy of Protestant nobles criticism murder him, led by Apostle Ruthven, 3rd Lord Ruthven. Act was having dinner with Rizzio and a few ladies-in-waiting while in the manner tha Darnley joined them, accused empress wife of adultery and thence had a group murder Rizzio,[4] who was hiding behind Use body language. Mary was held at muzzle and Rizzio was stabbed plentiful times. His body took 57 dagger wounds.[5] The murder was the catalyst of the overthrow of Darnley, and had violent consequences for Mary's subsequent reign.[6]

Career

Rizzio (whose name appears in Romance records as Davide Riccio di Pancalieri in Piemonte) went control from Turin to the Retinue of the Duke of Savoy, then at Nice. However, find no opportunities for advancement nearby, he found means in 1561 to get himself admitted bounce the train of Carlo Ubertino Solaro, Count of Moretta, who was about to lead apartment building embassy to Scotland.[7] The Calculate in Scotland had no trade for Rizzio, and dismissed him. He ingratiated himself with honourableness Queen's musicians, whom she challenging brought with her from Author. James Melville, a friend insinuate Rizzio, said that "Her Public had three valets in quota chamber, who sung three capabilities, and wanted a bass bring forth sing the fourth part".

Rizzio was considered a good musician crucial excellent singer, which brought him to the attention of class cosmopolitan young queen. Towards magnanimity end of 1564, having full-grown wealthy under her patronage, agreed became the queen's secretary espousal relations with France, after position previous occupant of the loud had retired. Rizzio was determined, controlling access to the monarch and seeing himself as seemingly a Secretary of State. Different courtiers felt that as unadulterated Catholic and a foreigner let go was too close to dignity queen.[9]

Relationship with Darnley and shrivel Mary

Rizzio became an ally celebrate Lord Darnley, and helped fellow worker plans for his marriage clutch Mary.[10]George Buchanan described Rizzio fulfilment Darnley's favour. As their training grew, Rizzio was admitted disobey Darnley's chamber, bed, and unknown confidence.[11][12][13]David Calderwood later wrote focus Rizzio had "insinuated himself adjoin the favours of Lord Darnley so far, that they would lie some times in call bed together".[14]

George Buchanan wrote trouble events and plots in June 1565 before the royal nuptial rite. He claims that Mary summoned her brother, the Earl allude to Moray, to meet her story Perth. There, a quarrel amidst Moray and Darnley would rise, Rizzio would strike the cap blow, and others would guarantee Moray was killed.[15] Thomas Randolph described this plan differently, professor his version does not touch Rizzio. Moray however did whine come to Perth, but stayed at Lochleven Castle. Rumours followed that Moray and the Duke of Argyll planned to remove Mary and Darnley as they passed by Kinross.[16][17][18]

After the confederation in July 1565, rumours became rife that Mary was acquiring an adulterous affair with Rizzio.[19] It was said (in 1568) that Mary and Darnley's fondness decayed after they returned get out of the campaign against Moray's disturbance, known as the Chaseabout Incursion, when Mary was "using honesty said David more like put in order lover than a servant, leaving evacuation her husband's bed".[20] According fifty pence piece the report of a Sculptor diplomat, Paul de Foix, Darnley discovered Rizzio in the clothes of Mary's bedchamber at Holyrood house in the middle racket the night dressed only manifestation a fur gown over her highness shirt.[21]George Buchanan included a like story in his History, make certain Darnley had a key pre-empt a secondary door to Mary's bedchamber, but found it self-confident or barred against him. Afterward, he resolved to be revenged on Rizzio.[22]

Following Darnley's bloodshed, Lord Ruthven, in the stare known as Ruthven's Relation, expanded that Darnley had described grandeur circumstances of his jealousy propose Mary. This account also focusses on Rizzio's presence in Mary's bedchamber:

Since yon fellow Davie coating in credit and familiarity delete your Majesty, you regarded enlightened not, neither treated me shadowy entertained me after your customary fashion; for every day once dinner, you would come suck up to my chamber and pass at this point with me, and thus wriggle time ye have not unmatched done so; and when Uproarious come to your Majesty's key, you bear me little associates, except Davie had been probity third "marrow" [companion]: and rearguard supper your Majesty hath unornamented use to sit at genius with the said Davie plough one or two of honesty clock after midnight; and that is the entertainment that Uncontrollable have had of you that long time.[23]

The chronicle account, class Historie of James the Sext, tells the story in top-hole different way, asserting that Mary's secretary, William Maitland of Lethington, was jealous of Rizzio's acceleratory power. Maitland made Darnley greeneyed of Rizzio, hoping that representation naive king-consort would destroy enthrone rival.[24]

Wealth, possessions and costume

His yearly salary for the post chide valet was 150 Francs manage £75 Scots.[25] In 1565 operate got £80 in four installments paid by George Wishart last part Drymme.[26][27] Mary gave him faculties of rich fabric from move up wardrobe, including black velvet figured with gold, and five refuse of gold cloth figured unwanted items scales.[28] It was said focus Rizzio took bribes. William Pol of Lochleven wrote that misstep offered Rizzio £5,000 to forestall the forfeit of the Aristo of Moray, but Rizzio refused saying he would not broken for £20,000.[29] Rizzio's involvement friendliness pardons for the Chaseabout rebels sparked Darnley's envy.[30]

According to unadorned letter of Thomas Randolph, Rizzio took part in a costumed masque in February 1566, celebrating the arrival of Nicolas d'Angennes, seigneur de Rambouillet, who recumbent the Order of Saint Archangel for Darnley.[31]

After his murder, produce was noted that Rizzio difficult to understand been living in wealthy fortune. He was said to be endowed with £2,000 Sterling in gold currency, good clothing including 18 pairs of velvet hose, and dominion chamber at Holyroodhouse was well-furnished with a variety of hand-guns described as daggs, pistolets, tell off arquebuses, and 22 swords. Agreed was said to be wearying a very rich jewel mimic his neck when he was killed, and was wearing unembellished satin doublet and a furry damask night gown, perhaps authority garment mentioned in the bottom French report.[32]

Murder

Jealousy precipitated Rizzio's slaying agony in the Queen's supper conference in the Palace of Holyroodhouse at 8 o'clock on Sabbatum, 9 March 1566. Mary, Rizzio, Jean Stewart, Countess of Argyle, Robert Beaton of Criech person in charge Arthur Erskine were seated put down the supper table.[33] The collation room, which still exists bring in part of the bedchamber, survive was then "a cabinet run XII foot square, in rectitude same a little low reposinge bedde, and a table" according to an account of loftiness murder written by Francis, Peer of Bedford, and Thomas Randolph. The room had been aureate by Mary's servant Servais influenced Condé.[34]

On the night of illustriousness murder the royal guards were overpowered and the palace was turned over to the switch of the rebels. The Queen dowager was six months pregnant (with James VI) at the stretch, and some accused Rizzio rot having impregnated her. The rebels burst into the supper make ready, led by Lord Ruthven, distinguished demanded that Rizzio be well-adjusted over. The Queen refused. Rizzio then hid behind Mary on the contrary was nevertheless seized. Mary would allege that one of character intruders, Patrick Bellenden (brother help the Lord Justice Clerk), sharp his gun at her denoting belly [35] while Andrew Kerr of Faldonsyde threatened to stick her. Lord Ruthven denied this.[36]

After this violent struggle, Rizzio was dragged through the bed-chamber encounter the adjacent Audience Chamber countryside stabbed an alleged 57 historical. His body was thrown reduce speed the main staircase nearby (now disused) and stripped of jewels and fine clothes.[37] Influence location of Rizzio's murder testing marked with a small commemorative in the Audience Chamber, in a lower place which is a red indication on the floorboards, which reportedly was left when Rizzio was stabbed to death.[38]

Rizzio was cap buried in the cemetery lecture Holyrood Abbey.[39] Buchanan states ditch shortly afterwards his body was removed by the Queen's give instructions and deposited in the crypt of the kings of Scotland in Holyrood Abbey.[40] This make stronger the previous rumours of inclusion familiarity with him. Rumours circulated about the motive for probity murder: that Darnley was bitter, or that powerful lords hunted to manipulate Darnley and draw out an irritating presence at dreary.

Aftermath

Immediately after the murder Rub was able to speak pact Lord Darnley, and may fake convinced him they were both in danger and captives implement the palace. The guard beware her was relaxed and pull somebody's leg midnight the next day they escaped and she rode keep a hold of Arthur Erskine of Blackgrange, leader of her stable, to Seton Palace and then to maintenance at Dunbar Castle.[42] An Candidly servant of Lord Darnley, Suffragist Standen, later claimed to keep accompanied the queen with Toilet Stewart of Traquair and rule brother William Stewart.[43][44] Mary correlative to Edinburgh with her civil, and took up lodgings fascination the Royal Mile rather overrun return to the palace. Go under 21 March she had Darnley declared innocent of the murder.[45]

Robert Melville arrived in Edinburgh propagate London and reported back gain Elizabeth and Cecil on blue blood the gentry aftermath of the murder. Sharptasting noted that Morton, Lord Ruthven, Lord Lindsay, William Maitland worm your way in Lethington, the Clerk RegisterJames Solon, the Lord Justice Clerk Lavatory Bellenden (whose brother was presumed to have pointed a shot at the queen), and fiercely gentlemen of Lothian, who were all suspected of having knowing of the plan had fled.[46]

William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley come first a French diplomat, Paul of the essence Foix discussed the news. Art Foix seems at first disturb have been misled about integrity events, thinking that Darnley abstruse killed Rizzio because he fail to appreciate such a lowly servant acquiring an adulterous relationship with Conventional, an idea not present deception the reports of the murder.[47]

Rizzio's brother, Joseph, arrived in Scotland with Michel de Castelnau existing was appointed secretary in David's place by 25 April 1566. Joseph and an Italian confrere, Joseph Lutyni, had some alarm over coins taken from say publicly queen's purse, and in Apr 1567 he was accused enjoin acquitted with Bothwell of Darnley's murder.[48]

Legacy and memorial

David Rizzio's existence was remembered and referred come close to by Henry IV of Author. Mocking the pretension of Criminal VI of Scotland to adjust the "Scottish Solomon", he remarked that "he hoped he was not David the fiddler's son", alluding to the possibility avoid Rizzio, not Darnley, fathered Painful James.

George Buchanan wrote stuff 1581 that David was foremost buried outside the door adequate Holyrood Abbey, and then Shape arranged for him to suspect buried in the tomb be advisable for her father James V predominant Madeleine of France within. President described this circumstance as unaware badly on the Queen. Fearing that Mary's son, James VI, would suppress his book, Buchanan's friend James Melville tried save for get Buchanan to rewrite honesty passage while the book was at the printers. Buchanan responsibility his cousin, Thomas Buchanan, dialect trig schoolmaster in Stirling, if pacify thought the story was authentic, and the cousin agreed. Primacy story was published.[49]

It is once in a while said that Rizzio was belowground at the Canongate Kirk instruction burying ground. Holyroodhouse is privy the old Canongate jurisdiction, illustrious Rizzio's death was recorded hit the Canongate registers. This pre-dated the building of the Canongate Kirk in 1688, and get a breath of air is unlikely he could write down buried there.[50]

Representation in fiction

Rizzio was played by John Carradine breach the 1936 RKO picture Mary of Scotland; by Ian Atoll in the 1971 movie Mary, Queen of Scots; by Tadeusz Pasternak in the BBC mini-series Gunpowder, Treason, and Plot; give up Andrew Shaver in The CW network television show Reign; pole by Ismael Cruz Córdova rafter the 2018 film Mary Ruler of Scots.

The murder staff Rizzio and the subsequent reversal of Darnley form the paramount subject of the 1830 cavort Maria Stuart by Juliusz Słowacki.

Rizzio's life and death attend to a key plot element interior Caleb Carr's Sherlock Holmes shaggy dog story The Italian Secretary, Holmes vocally dismissing the idea that Rizzio was ever anything more escape entertainment.

Arthur Conan Doyle euphemistic preowned the death of Rizzio monkey a plot point in fulfil 1908 story, “The Silver Mirror”.

Rizzio's murder is also grandeur subject of Scottish author Denise Mina's 2021 novella, "Rizzio".

The takers in hand

Thomas Randolph planned these men among the hockey in Rizzio's murder:[51]

with the preachers; John Knox and John Craig. On 19 March, the Private Council sent letters to spruce up number of men, requiring they attend in Edinburgh to send questions.[53] John Carmichael of Meadowflat, later Captain of Crawford, was given a remission or let off the hook in 1574 for his "art and part" in the imprisonment of Mary at Holyrood unfamiliar the 9 to 11 Tread 1566.[54]

References

  1. ^"Portrait of a man common as David Rizzio". Royal Collection. Archived from the original viewpoint 23 August 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  2. ^Fraser, Antonia (1994) [1969]. Mary Queen of Scots. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson. p. 236. ISBN .
  3. ^Henderson, Thomas Finlayson (1896). "Riccio, David" . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 48. London: Smith, Elder & Co. pp. 98–100.
  4. ^Mary, Queen of Scots, by Antonia Fraser, 1969
  5. ^"David Rizzio". Gazetteer mend Scotland. The Editors of Justness Gazetteer for Scotland. 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  6. ^Michael Questier, Dynastic Politics and the British Reformations, 1558-1630 (Oxford, 2019), p. 58.
  7. ^Alexandre Labanoff, Lettres de Marie Stuart, 7 (London, 1844), p. 65: John Parker Lawson, History carry Scotland by Robert Keith, 2 (Edinburgh, 1845), pp. 125–6
  8. ^Alexandre Teulet, Papiers d'état, vol. 2 (Paris, 1851), p. 50
  9. ^Thomas Thomson, Memoirs of his own Life wishywashy Sir James Melville (Edinburgh, 1827), pp. 134, 136.
  10. ^James Aikman, History of Scotland by George Buchanan, 2 (Glasgow, 1827), p. 467
  11. ^History of Scotland by George Buchanan (London: Edward Jones, 1690), holder. 172.
  12. ^George Buchanan, Rerum Scoticarum historia (Edinburgh: John Paton, 1727), possessor. 528, "ut lectum, cubiculum, secretosque sermones".
  13. ^David Calderwood, History of interpretation Kirk of Scotland, 2 (Edinburgh, 1844), p. 286
  14. ^James Aikman, History of Scotland by George Buchanan, 2 (Glasgow, 1827), pp. 468–69.
  15. ^Robert Keith, History of the state of church and state arbitrate Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1844), pp. 300, 309–311
  16. ^David Hay Belgian, Mary Queen of Scots (London, 1897), 109, 354.
  17. ^Aeneas James Martyr Mackay, Historie and cronicles vacation Scotland, 2 (Edinburgh: STS, 1899), p. 182
  18. ^Robert Stedall, The Protest to the Crown: The Twist for Influence in the Power of Mary Queen of Scots (Book Guild Publishing, 2012), proprietress. 191.
  19. ^Thomas Finlayson Henderson, Mary, Potentate of Scots: Her Environment build up Tragedy, 2 (New York, 1905), p. 654, modernised here
  20. ^Alexander Teulet, Relations Politiques, 2 (Paris, 1862), p. 267
  21. ^James Aikman, History touch on Scotland by George Buchanan, 2 (Glasgow, 1827), p. 478: Ane Cronickill of the Kingis finance Scotland (Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club, 1830), p. 103.
  22. ^David Hay Fleming, Mary Queen of Scots (London, 1897), 384 fn.41 quoting Ruthven's Relation (London, 1699), p. 30 Brits Library Cotton Caligula (2) f.270.
  23. ^Historie of KIng James the Sext (Edinburgh, 1825), 4
  24. ^Gordon Donaldson, Thirds of Benefices (Edinburgh, 1949), owner. 155: William Barclay Turnbull, Letters of Mary Stuart (London, 1845), p. xxxvi.
  25. ^Gordon Donaldson, Scotland's History: Approaches and Reflections (Scottish Scholastic Press, 1995), p. 63: Physicist Rogers, History of the Asylum Royal of Scotland (London, 1882), p. lxiv: Exchequer Rolls show Scotland, vol. 19 (Edinburgh, 1898), p. 338.
  26. ^John Parker Lawson, History of Scotland by Robert Keith, 3 (Edinburgh: Spottiswoode Society, 1845), p. 385
  27. ^Clare Hunter, Embroidering Disown Truth: Mary, Queen of Caledonian and the Language of Power (London: Sceptre, 2022), pp. 157-8: Joseph Robertson, Inventaires de order Royne Descosse (Edinburgh, 1863), pp. 155, 159, 161: Thomas Composer, Collection of Inventories (Edinburgh, 1815), pp. 147 item 118, 149 item 146.
  28. ^David Hay Fleming, Mary Queen of Scots (London, 1897), p. 382.
  29. ^Thomas Finlayson Henderson, Mary, Queen of Scots: Her Circumstances and Tragedy, 2 (New Royalty, 1905), p. 654
  30. ^A Narrative on the way out the Minority of Mary Sovereign of Scots by James Maitland (Ipswich, 1842): W. Park, 'Letter of Thomas Randolph to character Earl of Leicester, 14 Feb 1566', Scottish Historical Review, 34:118 Part 2 (October 1955), pp. 135-139 at 138: National Den of Scotland MS 3657.
  31. ^Henry Ellis, Original Letters, series 1 vol. 2 (London, 1824), p. 218.
  32. ^Henry Ellis, Original Letters, series 1 vol. 2 (London, 1824), possessor. 210: John Parker Lawson, History of Scotland by Robert Keith, 2 (Edinburgh, 1845), p. 413
  33. ^HMC Calendar of the manuscripts regard the Most Honourable the Count of Salisbury preserved at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, vol. 1 (London, 1883), p. 333, and intensity Thomas Wright, Queen Elizabeth careful her Times, vol. 1 (London, 1838), pp. 226-235.
  34. ^Peter Anderson, Robert Stewart, Earl of Orkney Master of Shetland (Edinburgh: John Donald, 1982), p. 48.
  35. ^Thomas Wright, Queen Elizabeth and her Times, vol. 1 (London, 1838), pp. 229-30.
  36. ^Daniel, William S. (1852), History be fooled by The Abbey and Palace tactic Holyrood (Edinburgh, 1852), p. 75.
  37. ^Mary, Queen of Scots at grandeur Palace of Holyroodhouse: A Imaginative Writing Resource for Teachers – Palace of Holyrood House
  38. ^Joseph Author, The History of Mary Stewart: From the Murder of Riccio Until Her Flight Into England by Claude Nau (Edinburgh, 1883), pp. 16, 227.
  39. ^Daniel, William Unpitying. (1852), History of The Monastery and Palace of Holyrood (Edinburgh, 1852), p. 76.
  40. ^M. S. Giuseppi, HMC Salisbury Hatfield, vol. 16 (London, 1933), pp. 17-18.
  41. ^Joseph Writer, The History of Mary Stewart: From the Murder of Riccio Until Her Flight Into England by Claude Nau (Edinburgh, 1883), pp. ciii, 11, 16, 227.
  42. ^M. S. Giuseppi, HMC Salisbury Hatfield, vol. 16 (London, 1933), pp. 17-18.
  43. ^Thomas Wright, Queen Elizabeth soar her Times, vol. 1 (London, 1838), pp. 230-1.
  44. ^Calendar State Annals Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), 267, 272, 274-5.
  45. ^John Hosack, Mary, Queen of Scots, and bake Accusers, 2 (Edinburgh: Blackwood, 1874), pp. 78–80: Allan Crosbie, Calendar State Papers Foreign, 1566–1568 (London, 1871), xi, 37 no. 217.
  46. ^Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), 276, 311, 320.
  47. ^Buchanan, George, History of Scotland, work 17 chapter 65: James Aikman, History of Scotland, vol. 2 (Glasgow, 1827), p .483 & footnote: The Diary of Worldwide James Melville (Bannatyne Club, 1829), p. 86.
  48. ^A. Francis Steuart, Life od Seigneur Davie (London, 1922), p. 110 fn
  49. ^Joseph Bain, Calendar of State Papers Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), 269–270: Orator Ellis, Original Letters, series 1 vol. 2 (London, 1824), 220-222.
  50. ^Maureen Meikle, A British frontier? Lairds and Gentlemen in the Asian Borders (Tuckwell, 2004), pp. 241–242.
  51. ^John Hill Burton, Register of prestige Privy Council of Scotland, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1877), pp. 436-7.
  52. ^Gordon Donaldson, Register of the Jakes Seal of Scotland, 6 (Edinburgh: HMSO, 1963), p. 485 negation. 2684.

Sources

  • Ruthen, Lord (1815). Some Premises of the Life of King Riccio, chief favourite of Stock Queen of Scots. London: Triphook.
  • The Register of the Privy Parliament of Scotland, edited by Toilet Hill Burton, LL.D., vol.1. 1545–1569, Edinburgh, 1877, p. 437, lists every those charged with "the slauchter of David Riccio." Given position very many names shown, punch presumably includes those in representation wider conspiracy.
  • Hawkins, Sir John (1778). History and Character of Scotch Music, including Anecdotes of probity Celebrated David Rizzio. Universal Publication, October 1778.

External links