Necklace, locket & pendant, known as Penicuik Jewels, associated with Mary, Queen of Scots

This gold necklace, locket and pendant date from the late 16th century. Known as the 'Penicuik Jewels', they are said to have belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots. They were long preserved by the Clerks of Penicuik as relics of Mary.

The necklace has 14 large oval beads of filigree work divided by smaller circular beads. The enamelled locket has painted miniatures showing a man and a woman, said to be Mary and her son James. The pendant was probably formerly attached to the locket.

The Clerks of Penicuik had a connection with Mary, Queen of Scots, through marriage. In the 17th century a member of the family married a granddaughter of Giles Mowbray, one of the Queen's servants during her English imprisonment. It is possible that the necklace is made from the beads of bracelets given by the Queen to Giles Mowbray, just before her death.

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