圣十字架宫7

The royal chateau at Blois is still one of the finest palaces in the country.

It's certainly more elaborate than the Scottish castles of Mary's birth.

French royal chateaux were masterpieces of architectural virtuosity,

reflections of the elegance of the French court,

while in Scotland they were more defensive fortresses.

But then, to be fair, given the cold and rather more drizzly climate,

it would hardly be very practical to build your staircase

on the outside of a Scottish palace and with no windows.

Inside, Mary would have found the chateau lavish.

With every surface decorated,

she'd have seen how the symbols and insignia of royalty proclaimed a sense of majesty.