Thieves Steal Rosary Beads Owned By Mary, Queen Of Scots, In $1.4 Million Castle Heist

The beads were displayed in Arundel Castle and believed to have been held by Mary, Queen of Scots, just before her execution in 1587.

Arundel Castle is nearly 1,000 years old and is rightfully protected as a British historic site. 

On the outskirts of London, its curated grounds and the treasures displayed within are once again drawing crowds as lockdown restrictions are lifted. Unfortunately, art thieves recently took advantage of the situation — and boosted $1.4 million worth of artefacts.

Mary Stuart was crowned Queen of Scotland six days after birth. She later not only lost three of her husbands but was betrayed by her own cousin, Queen Elizabeth I — and forced to abdicate the throne. Denounced as a traitor, Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed for treason at Fotheringhay Castle in 1587.

Adding to the missing artefact’s historical significance is that it’s possible Mary used the rosary in her final moments. Accused of plotting her royal cousin’s assassination, she may have held the beads while reciting her very last prayers before execution. 

Despite Arundel Castle having recently reopened for visitors, the thieves appeared to have snuck in through a window. Alarms sounded within minutes, at around 10:30 p.m., according to Smithsonian. Nonetheless, the perpetrators had already grabbed the rosary and several coronation cups gifted to Mary and fled. Police have already discovered that the items were snatched from a display cabinet and found an abandoned car on fire in a nearby village.