The Daily Mail recently reported that thieves broke into Arundel Castle and stole more than £1M worth of gold and silver treasures. Among the items stolen are the gold rosary beads that Mary Queen of Scots had with her when she was beheaded in 1587.
A spokesman for Arundel Castle Trustees said: ‘The stolen items have significant monetary value, but as unique artifacts of the Duke of Norfolk’s collection [they] have immeasurably greater and priceless historical importance.
A follow-up article in the paper has put forth the theory that a crooked collector is behind the theft. There is no specific evidence to show this is true, but the case is now the subject of an international investigation. Hopefully, the items will be found before someone decides to melt them down. Their historical value is far greater than the value of the metal.