Linlithgow Palace - Prie-dieu and Cushion

Description: This small room is called an oratory. It is a private chapel where the queen could worship in privacy of her own chambers.

Mary Queen of Scots was a Catholic. In 1560, the year before she returned to Scotland, there had been a religious Reformation. The Scottish Parliament had declared in favour of the Protestant religion. Dramatic changes were made to cathedrals, churches and chapels across Scotland. Religious images were painted over with whitewash and statues of saints pulled down. The Catholic mass was outlawed.

Changing deeply felt religious beliefs was not easy for many people. Mary would be able to say her Catholic prayers in the privacy of the Oratory. See could kneel on the embroidered cushion and place her prayer book on the small prayer desk called a 'prie-dieu'

Teleport to the Chapel to see the changes made during the Scottish Reformation.

James V kneeling on a cushion in front of a Catholic prayer bench called a 'prie-dieu'.	Prie-dieu and Cushion Location: King's Oratory Description: This small room is called an oratory. It is a private chapel where the queen could worship in privacy of her own chambers. Mary Queen of Scots was a Catholic. In 1560, the year before she returned to Scotland, there had been a religious Reformation. The Scottish Parliament had declared in favour of the Protestant religion. Dramatic changes were made to cathedrals, churches and chapels across Scotland. Religious images were painted over with whitewash and statues of saints pulled down. The Catholic mass was outlawed. Changing deeply felt religious beliefs was not easy for many people. Mary would be able to say her Catholic prayers in the privacy of the Oratory. See could kneel on the embroidered cushion and place her prayer book on the small prayer desk called a 'prie-dieu' Teleport to the Chapel to see the changes made during the Scottish Reformation.
The decorated ceiling of the oratory with 'unicorn bosses' as it can be see today.
Related links: The kneeling cushion in front of the prie-dieu (prayer desk) is embroidered by hand. Embroidery was a favourite hobby of Mary's. Click here to go to the Victoria and Albert Museum website to see a fish embroidered by Mary whilst she was in captivity after 1570.