Tuesday Trivia: Mary Stuart’s Final Words

In the 2007 film Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Mary Stuart (played by Samantha Morton) utters something to the executioner just prior to her beheading—words unintelligible thanks to the mournful vocal number in the background. Though much about this epic film leaves a lot to be desired in the way of historical accuracy, according to many chroniclers, the axe man knelt down and asked her to forgive them her death, and she answers with “I forgive you with all my heart,” which Mary clearly mouths in the movie. Her final words before the axe came down on her head were said to be, in Latin, “Into thy hands, O LORD, I commit my spirit,” similar to Christ’s last words before dying on the cross (Luke 23:46).

~ by Lady Ashley on August 11, 2009.