James Cockburn of Skirling
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James Cockburn of Skirling was a Scottish landowner, captain of Edinburgh Castle, and supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots. His castle at Skirling was demolished by Regent Moray.
Mary, Queen of Scots signs abdication papers at Lochleven Castle
Carving of a piper said to have come from Skirling castle
Casket letters
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The Casket letters were eight letters and some sonnets said to have been written by Mary, Queen of Scots, to the Earl of Bothwell, between January and April 1567. They were produced as evidence agains
James Cockburn of Skirling
…come from the castle. In September 1568, James Cockburn attended the conference at York as one of Mary's commissioners, where Regent Moray produced the Casket letters. He signed a statement made by his brother-in-law Lord Herries, a narrative of recent events, known as the "Book of Complaints". On 16 October he signed…
Mary in captivity, c. 1580
Some historians claim that the letters were written by the queen's lady, Mary Beaton
In 1571, the Duke of Norfolk was accused of trying to cover up the letters.
Regent Moray first showed the letters to Norfolk at the King's Manor, in York