During the 16th century several members of the Curle family were in 
attendance to Mary queen of Scots.  Gilbert Curle was her Scottish secretary 
and his wife Barbara Curle (nee Barbara Mowbray) daughter of Lord John 
Mowbray.  Gilbert has served Mary for 20 years as secretary.  she also had a 
French secretary, Jacques Nau.

Barbara Curle, Gilbert's wife and his sister, Elizabeth Curle were among Mary 
Queen of Scots most faithful ladies-in-waiting.  Gilbert was arrested and 
imprisoned in England when the conspirators seized Mary.

Mary Queen of Scots tried to comfort Gilbert Curle's wife Barbara, and as they 
had been separated from the priest, Mary baptised Barbara's baby, giving it 
the name of Mary.  The brothers of this baby were James and Hippolytus.  Both 
became Jesuits after the Curle's fled from England and Hippolytus erected a 
monument in the Church of St Andres, Antwerp to his mother Barbara and his 
Aunt Elizabeth Curle.

Barbara Curle was dispensed with when Mary's conspirators reduced her 
household but Elizabeth curle remained as one of Mary Queen of Scots faithful 
attendants until her execution at Fotheringhay Castle.

With a Jane Kennedy, Elizabeth Curle helped undress Mary prior to her 
execution.  Elizabeth is said to have received the last kiss from Mary Queen 
of Scots.

Gilbert Curle died in 1609.  There is a portrait of the execution scene at 
Fotherignhay Castle which was bequethed to Hippolytus Curle by his Aunt 
Elizabeth.  On the left of the full-scale protrait of Mary Queen of Scots is a 
small scene of the Queen kneeling at the block and on the right is shown 
Elizabeth Curle and Jane Kennedy.

Pictures of this portrait and the monuments at Antwerp can be seen in "Mary 
Queen of Scots" by Antonia Fraser.

The Curle family received several gifts from Mary Queen of Scots.  A relic 
consisting of a mother of pearl crucifix with gold mounts of antique form and 
design was given personally to a family member on the eve of her execution in 
1587.  According to accounts the crucifix has been handed down through the 
generations of Gilbert Curle's family and is now owned by a Mrs Dora Bradley 
in Melbourne, Australia.

Another bequest was to the infant child of Gilbert Curle and Barbara ?Curle 
(presumably Mary). It was a little white enamelled bear with two small rings, 
one with five small opals and a tiny chain fo coral and mother of pearl.

After the death of their mistress the Curles left England and settled at 
Antwerp. Barbara Curle died on July 31, 1616, aged 57, leaving two sons, James 
and Hippolytus, who both became Jesuit priests. Elizabeth Curle died on May 
29, 1620, aged 60, after living a pious life of celibacy. Both were buried in 
the church of St Andrew at Antwerp, in which Hippolytus Curle erected a 
monument to the memory of his mother and aunt.