Mary Queen of Scots Interest: A white-metal mounted yew writing slope
19th century
The white metal mounts engraved with thistles and foliage inscribed with verse 'This relic of Queen Mary's yew, that once by Crookston Castle grew, whose spreading boughs and foliage green, oft' shelter'd Scotia's beauteous queen', the lid with central plaque engraved with a presentation inscription, under a white metal plaque, the yew interior fitted with gilt tooled red leather skiver, 40.5cm wide x 25cm deep x 12cm high, (15 1/2in wide x 9 1/2in deep x 4 1/2in high)
Footnotes:
The yew relates to a yew tree that stood in the grounds of Crookston Castle in Pollok, Glasgow. This was the family home to Lord Darnley's branch of the Stewart family. It is believed that Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley concluded their agreement of marriage beneath this tree. The tree was felled in 1816.