Translatation

Monday 7 June 2021

Arundel Castle: Ladders found in Mary Queen of Scots beads theft

 Police have released images of ladders used by thieves to break into Arundel Castle and steal historic artefacts worth more than £1m.

A set of gold rosary beads carried by Mary Queen of Scots at her execution in 1587 was among items taken on 21 May.

Police hope the owners of the paint-splattered ladders will "realise that they are now missing" and come forward.

The stolen artefacts were of "priceless historical importance", a spokesman for the castle said.

Officers arrived at the scene in West Sussex within minutes of being called by staff who were alerted by a burglar alarm at about 22:30 BST, police said.

The ladders had been used to access to the dining room area, where thieves forced a window to gain entry, Sussex Police said.

The stolen items - which also included several coronation cups given by Mary to the Earl Marshal - were taken from a display cabinet in an area of the castle that is usually open to the public.

The gold rosary is of "little intrinsic value as metal" but as a piece of "the nation's heritage it is irreplaceable," police said.

Det Insp Alan Pack said: "The ladders have clearly been well used over some years. The long ladder has distinctive black and yellow paint splashings and each has some worn labelling.

"We hope that someone in the decorating or building trade, or maybe someone who just had them at home, will realise that they are now missing them, and will contact us."

Reacting to news of the theft last month, Professor Kate Williams of Reading University said that most of the monarch's belongings had been "despoiled" or burned after she was executed.

"We had one tiny memorial of Mary Queen of Scots - and now it has gone," she said. 
 

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