English: MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS (1542-1587). Document signed ('Marie') as Queen of France, Blois, 12 November 1559.

In French, on vellum, one membrane, 235 x 580mm, countersigned by Mary's secretary, Pierre de Grantrye, papered seal. Provenance: sale at Sotheby's, 16 December 2004, lot 36.

The 16-year old Queen of France and Scotland appoints a cupbearer. Mary appoints Philibert du Croc as her first cupbearer ("premier eschançon") after the death of the previous incumbent. The document orders her 'Chevalier d'honneur', the 'maistresse de n[ot]re hostel' and the 'contrerolleur [sic] de n[ot]re chambre' to enter du Croc's name in the accustomed way and to accord to him the accustomed prerogatives and fees of his office.

The appointment dates from the young Mary's brief reign as Queen of François II of France, which was to end with François's death just over a year later. Philibert du Croc was to reappear in Mary's story a few years later as French ambassador to Scotland: he attempted, with limited success, to mediate between the two sides during the Battle of Carberry Hill (15 June 1567), which effectively ended Mary's reign.