THE "LENNOX JEWEL"

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 963, 13 March 1917, Page 4

THE "LENNOX JEWEL"

Lady Edmonstone's appointment as j an extra lady to Princess Christian led ■ to much being written about the well-1 known Scottish baronet's wife from the j social point of view—her good looks. J jewels, accomplishments, etc., but there was little reference to the Edmonstones, one of the oldest families in Scotland, who have taken a prominent part in the public affairs of Scotland for five centuries, nor to their ancient seat, Duntreath, Stirlingshire, which Sir Archibald Edmonstone's fifteenth century ancestor obtained through marriage to a Princess of the Royal House of Scotland. Sir Archibald lias the blood of the royal Stuarts in his veins, for Sir William Edmonstono, Knight, married Robert-Ill's daughter, Mary, and the husband of Princess - Christian's new "lady" is their de scendant. Duntreath, a beautiful old place on ■he bank of Blanc Water at the foot of Hie Campsie Hills, occupies three sides of a quadrangle, the fourth never having been finished. On the north side is a chapel which, tradition alleges, fell with a crash in the middle of Divine Service at the time of the national change of religion. The park is particularly beautiful, the whole place, indeed, is delightful, but of greater interest is the fact that Duntreath was !ho seat of the Celtic Earls of Lennox, and is situated in what is known as the '' Lennox Country.'' I The country of the Lennox always | brings, to mind the fourth Earl of Leu-I nox (of the line which succeeded the former Earls) who in September 1571 was shot by an assassin while riding from Stirling on the road by the Campsie Hills, and from this great Scots statesman one naturally passes to the "Lennox jewel," one of King Edward's great, treasures. Matthew Stuart, Earl of Lennox, married Lady Margaret Douglas (daughter of the Queen-Dowager of Scotland, Margaret Tudor, Henry VI IT. 's haughty sister, by her second husband, flic Earl of Angus), and the Lennox jewel is a locket designed by his widow in commemoration of many happy years of wedded life. Lennox's enemies called him crafty, and a time-server, but in those warlike days men had to plot to keep their own heads upon their shoulders. There were opinions, perhaps, as to the Earl's loyalty to the Crown, but there was no doubt whatever as to his devotion to his wife—"his most sweet Madge." Throughout their lives they were true to their love for each other. This devotion Lady Lennox tried to express in the quaint lettering and emblems of her jewel—a heart of gold, two or three inches across, enamelled and enriched with gems. It has concealed springs, revolving doors, angels, death's heads," clasped hands, flames and darts, and rhyming mottoes. The jewel is a cryptic work, and possibly more quaint than beautiful, but it tells clearly of devotion and love. Dominating everything is' a simple device—a marguerite turned to the setting sun. Lady Margaret wore this jewel till her death at Hackney six years after her beloved husband had died. She passed away aged sixty-two, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, where her monument, may be seen. Their son, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, born at Temple Newsam, near Leeds, wedded his young kinswoman, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Lennox's infant grandson, was crowned King of Scots as James VI. (later he was our James I.) on Mary's abdication. The Earl of Lennox was Regent of Scotland, and in this capacity had just presided over the opening of Parliament at Stirling, with the little five-year-old King seated on the throne, his noble grandsire standing by. A splendidlooking man was Lord Lennox. His early years had been passed in France, he had won glory in the Italian wars, and served in the famous Scots bodyguard of the French Kings. His lofty stature, his knightly prowess, skill at trials at arms, his valour, and his handsome looks had made him perhaps the most admired of the cavaliers at the French Court. Bis unfortunate son, Daruley, was dead, and Lennox was trying to keen Darnley's son on the Stuarts' shaky throne. The ceremony of opening Parliament had passed off brilliantly, marred only by a comment of the little King, which seemed to a superstitious people an ill omen. The speech Lennox had so carefully taught his grandson was delivered, and then ! the child, catching sight of the tattered fringe of the canopy stretched above the Royal dais, called out: "" Pai i liamcut has got ane hole in it! t which all started in horror and alar:... Their fear was justified. Not many hours later some hireling of the Hamiltons, who hated the Regent, shot him from behind a hedge. The wound was mortal, but the old soldier kept his saddle, and did not dismount until the charger had carried him to his grandson. "Is the child well?" he demanded, fearful lest the conspirators might also have struck at their King. "A'l is well," he said, and died that evening. September 4, 1571, after having been Regent little more, than a year.