Bible used by King Charles I at the time of his death to go up for sale

A Bible said to have been held by King Charles I on the scaffold in the moments before his execution is expected to fetch up to £30,000 at auction next month.

The ‘Stoneywood’ Bible was printed in Cambridge in 1637 and is reputed to have been taken by Mary, Queen of Scots ’ Dunfermline-born grandson to his execution for high treason in 1649.

A note with the volume says it was presented “upon that awful occasion to ( Wi l l i a m ) Juxon, Bishop of London, who assisted the devotions of his unfortunate monarch”.

The Bible features an “exceptionally fine embroidered binding” in blue velvet and gold and silver thread, almost identical to a 1638 companion prayer book kept in the Royal Collection.

The 383-year-old book, which was later kept for generat ions at

Stoneywood near Aberdeen, also comes with a blue silk bookmark with silver and gold thread.

It will go under the hammer at Bonhams’ sale of Fine Books, Atlases, Manuscripts and Historical Photographs in London on December 17, with an estimate of £20,000-30,000.

Matthew Haley, head of

Bonhams’ books and manuscripts department, said: “According to legend, this Bible was used by Charles I at the time of his death and given to Bishop Juxon who was with him on the scaffold.

“The king put it into the hands of the bishop with the word ‘ remember’. If so, it would make this Bible one of the last things ever touched by Charles I.

“It came to us through our Edinburgh office.

“We do handle embroidered bindings of the 17 th Century but to see one of this size and of such an incredibly elaborate quality and style – and to then have royal provenance – is extraordinary.

“When we opened the box and saw it, it was breathtaking. It has been preserved almost as a relic.

“It is a beautiful object that has captured people’s imagination through the centuries.”

The ‘Stoneywood’ Bible.