Mary II, Queen of Great Britain (1662-94)
Queen Mary's account book, 1678-89 1678-89
31.4 x 21.0 x 2.5 cm (book measurement (conservation)) | RCIN 1142245
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Bound in vellum, sewn on four thongs: initials FD on front board: ties on fore-edge, possibly once sealed with black seals with crowned WM monograms
Princess Mary, elder daughter of James, Duke of York and later Mary II, Queen of England, married William of Orange in November 1677 and lived with him in the Netherlands until February 1689, when she followed him to England after his successful invasion of late 1688. These accounts start from Mary's arrival in the Netherlands and end just before she moved back to England. They list the allowance she was given each quarter and the payments she made with it, which include those for clothing, furniture, pet birds and charitable gifts. Mary struggled to keep her sums accurate, and on 29 December 1689 she added this postscript:
‘I have in hast lookt over all my things & find my accounts much in disorder … ye faut has bin my own in all maner of carelesenes both as to keeping & casting up acount. Marie R.’Provenance
Given to Queen Elizabeth (1900-2002) by Major James Stirling-Home-Drummond-Moray in February 1946. The account book can be traced in his family back to Archibald Douglas, 1st Baron Douglas (1748-1827). The initials 'FD' written on the book's front cover refer to either Lord Douglas's wife, Frances Douglas, Lady Douglas (d. 1817) or to his daughter the Hon. Frances Douglas (later Moray-Stirling), who died in 1854.
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Creator(s)
Acquirer(s)
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Measurements
31.4 x 21.0 x 2.5 cm (book measurement (conservation))
Alternative title(s)
Queen Mary's account book, 1678-89. []
