The Murder of David Rizzio

by john smither in History, March 9, 2011

David Rizzio came from an ancient and noble family from the Turin area of northern Italy. He became the private secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots and problems arose through her husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. Darnley was said to have been jealous of the Italian courtier, not happy of the friendship between Rizzio and his wife. One rumour circulated that Rizzio had in fact made Mary pregnant. Darnley joined a conspiracy of protestant nobles that was led by Patrick Ruthven to murder the Italian.

The murder led to Darnley’s downfall as well as having serious consequences for Mary. David Rizzio first came to Mary’s attention through his singing and by 1564 he had become her secretary. Many within the close circles of the royal court felt he was too close to the queen and rumours circulated that the couple were having an adulterous affair.

At the time of the murder the queen was seven months pregnant with the future James VI, Ruthven led a mob into her private dining room after overpowering her guards. Ruthven wanted Rizzio handed over to him but the queen refused and shielded him. After a violent struggle Rizzio was stabbed more than 50 times, he was thrown down a staircase and all his jewelry and clothes were ripped from his body. Within two hours he had been buried. The queen ordered his body be moved and placed into an area reserved for the Kings of Scotland, further strengthening the links between them, Darnley was outraged at this.

In the aftermath of the murder it was seen by many as an attempt by the Scottish nobles and Queen Elizabeth in England to destabilize the Scottish Queen. Rumours emerged that Elizabeth funded the murder, she did provide sanctuary for those guilty of the murder. Nobles also believed that with Rizzio out of the way the Queen would quietly move to one side allowing the nobles to have the power in Scotland. Mary surprised them all by fleeing the castle where she was a virtual prisoner and returning within a week with an army of 8,000. The rebels were forced to flee to England, Mary honoured her friend with a lavish funeral far grander than a secretary would expect.

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Joseph, Rizzio’s brother arrived in Edinburgh to take the place of his late brother as secretary. Later, he was accused but acquitted of the murder of Darnley. King Henry IV of France later mocked King James VI of Scotland with a remark hoping he was not the fiddlers son, a clear indication to Rizzio and not Darnley being the father of King James VI of Scotland and the I of England.