Fun history factoid of the day: The Elizabethans were absolutely batshit-mad for pearls, especially Elizabeth. Apparently, she took advantage of the Scottish Protector’s desperate need for money after Mary’s exile from Scotland, and got three or four ropes of Mary’s pearls, plus at least 15 pearls “the size of nutmegs” for a bargain price.
I wonder if she ever felt weird wearing them after Mary’s execution.
(information from “Tudor and Jacobean Jewellery”, D. Scarisbrick)
