David Rizzio

    

David Rizzio
Biographical Information
In History:	David Rizzio
Title:	Private Secretary to the Queen
Born:	1533
Died:	Winter of 1561
Age:	27-28
Height:	5'10
Gender:	Male
Nationality:	Italian
Status:	Deceased
Religion:	Protestant
Originally From:	Turin, Italy
Affiliations:	Kingdom of Italy
Relationship Information
Interests:	Cardinal Odomo's Secretary
Character Information
First Appearance:	Uncharted Waters
Last Appearance:	Coup de Grace
Portrayed By:	Andrew Shaver
GALLERY

"You will have love or an heir, but not both. If you choose a child, it will be a son, and he will rule both nations. England and Scotland, united at last, and in peace."

—David Rizzio to Queen Mary

David Rizzio is a businessman coming from Turin, now advisor to Queen Mary. David was revealed to be a homosexual, using it as a leverage for Mary. However, his threat to Lord Ruthven proved to be deadly, as Ruthven, desperately wanting to seal the secret about his sexuality, accused David of adultery and ordered his execution in front of Mary.

Biography

Early Life

David Rizzio was traveling from Italy to Scotland, but after his cart broke, he was captured by druids. Among them was Sebastian whose spirit guided him to deliver a message to Mary Stuart.

Season 4

David, looking tired and dishevelled, waddles to Mary and Bothwell and delivers a message: "You will have love or an heir, but not both. If you choose a child, it will be a son, and he will rule both nations. England and Scotland, united at last, and in peace. This is your fate." —David Rizzio He passes out right after. When he wakes up, Mary is tending to him while Bothwell has gone to get the physician. He recounts his story of how he got here. Mary and Bothwell return to court with David and leave him at the infirmary to recover. James cannot believe they brought back what he calls a "vagrant" in the woods, but Mary believes his prophecy. Because of the prophecy, David earns Mary's ear, and thus following his recovery, he begins assisting her in preparations for her wedding with Lord Darnley. One of the esteemed guests in attendance is Catherine de Medici, someone who David is very excited to meet. The Knotting Game is set to begin and Darnley is nowhere to be found, so David suggests starting the game without him. The game is a success and the guests enjoy themselves, but Mary's unease over Darnley's absence continues to grow. She has Catherine talk to Lady Lennox to trip her into revealing Darnley's whereabouts, during which Catherine learns that Darnley is meeting with Cardinal Adomo. David goes to Mary and Catherine and tells them that since he is sleeping with Cardinal Adomo's secretary, he has access to his bedchambers and can find out where he and Darnley are meeting. When asked as to why he would go to such lengths, David explains that he was sent here to help the Queen of Scots. In the weeks following Mary and Darnley's wedding, David has been helping Darnley plan his coronation. He has also risen in rank, becoming Mary's private secretary. David is giving Darnley suggestions on the orchestra that is to play during his coronation when Mary comes in in. She pulls David aside and tells him that she has invited Lord Hamilton to court in hopes that he will stay for King Darnley's coronation. But as there is bad blood between the Hamilton and Darnley families, she wants to keep Darnley in the dark about his arrival and asks for David's help in ensuring that their paths don't cross. InDead of Night In The Shakedown In Coup de Grace  Lord Ruthven, the Lord Treasurer was accepting bribes, and other financial wrongdoing. David found some discrepancies in the privy council ledger. David had found proof that in addition to cheating The Crown, Ruthven was also swindling his fellow Nobles. Mary Stuart tells David she doesn't know how to thank him for all he's done for her. With her brother, James Stuart, gone, and Greer away she felt she could trust him with her life. Ruthven and King Darnley were both involved, with Ruthven even lead the murder of David in place of the missing Lord Bothwell in front of the very pregnant Queen Mary. InA Bride. A Box. A Body. - (Mentioned) The next morning, Lord Bothwell and his men took back the castle from Lord Ruthven and his army. For the crimes of high treason and insurrection against the crown, and the murder of David, Lord Ruthven was sentenced to death, by Queen Mary. In All It Cost Her - (Mentioned) After Mary Stuart son, Prince James is returned to her she is reminded of the prophecy Sebastian sent her through David. That her heir would unite both Scotland and England in peace.

Notes

• Was revealed to be homosexual.
• Was sent to Scottish court to reveal a message to Mary Stuart and possibly also help her afterward.
• Private secretary to Mary.

Historical Notes

• David Rizzio was an Italian courtier, born close to Turin, a descendant of an ancient and noble family living in Piedmont.
• There is evidence that David Rizzio was sexually involved with a man.
• David Rizzio and Mary, Queen of Scots had known each other for approximately 5 years as they had met in 1561, after Mary's return to Scotland, until his death in 1566.
• David Rizzio was murdered on March 9, 1566. Mary, Queen of Scots who was 7 months pregnant, was held at gunpoint while Rizzio was stabbed numerous times. He was stabbed 56 times by King Darnley, and his friends. His murder was lead by Lord Ruthven.
• On 2 April 1566, Lord Ruthven sent their testimony on David Rizzio's murder to Queen Elizabeth I, declaring they had acted the best for King Darnley, Mary Stuart, and state and religion.

Appearances

Season Four
With Friends Like These	A Grain of Deception	Leaps of Faith	Playing With Fire	Highland Games	Love & Death	Hanging Swords	Uncharted Waters
Pulling Strings	A Better Man	Dead of Night	The Shakedown	Coup de Grace	A Bride. A Box. A Body.	Blood in the Water	All It Cost Her