RemitBee is an online and mobile money transfer company allowing people to send money to family and friends in 45 Countries

RemitBee

remitbee

Welcome Founders! See other interviews here. Hey Hackers, Remitbee has been nominated in HackerNoon's annual Startup of the Year awards in Toronto, Canada. Please vote for us here: . https://hackernoon.com/startups/north-america/north-america-toronto-canada Read more about us below to understand why we deserve your vote. Meet Remitbee Money Transfer and FX Team is a customized platform specifically crafted for individuals and businesses in Canada, aiming to simplify cross-border payments. The platform's primary focus is to facilitate seamless transactions for small business owners and individuals residing in Canada, making it their go-to choice. Remitbee understands the unique needs of its Canadian users and provides an intuitive platform that is easy to navigate and operate. Remitbee My Role As a senior marketing coordinator at Remitbee, my crucial role is to raise awareness and promote our tailor-made platform, which empowers individuals and businesses in Canada to achieve significant cost savings on cross-border money transfers while simplifying the complex process. How We're Disrupting the Cross-border Remittances and Currency Exchange Industry By offering lower fees compared to traditional remittance providers, Banks and new-age players and currency exchange services, we disrupt the industry by providing cost-effective solutions for cross-border transactions most times, our fee is low as $0.0. (Not exaggerating! ) Competitive Fees: Our intuitive and user-friendly platform simplifies the process of remittances and USD/CAD currency exchange. User-Friendly Interface: We leverage technology to facilitate fast and efficient transactions, reducing the time it takes to transfer funds across borders and improving the overall customer experience. Speedy Transactions: We ensure transparency in fees and rates, eliminating hidden fees and providing customers with clear and upfront information about the costs associated with their transactions. Transparent charges: Remitbee is a FINTRAC-regulated business and we prioritize the security of customer data and adhere to stringent compliance standards, giving users peace of mind when transacting with us. Security and Compliance: We continually innovate our platform with new features and services that cater to the evolving needs of our customers, staying ahead of traditional providers in terms of functionality and convenience. Innovative Features: We put our customers at the forefront of everything we do, constantly seeking feedback and incorporating their suggestions to enhance our services and exceed their expectations. Customer-Centric Approach: Our platform enables individuals and businesses to save money by offering competitive exchange rates and eliminating unnecessary fees, disrupting the traditional costly remittance and currency exchange processes. Focus on Savings: We offer a wide range of payment methods, including online transfers, bill payment, debit cards, and Interac, all the major banks in Canada, giving our customers flexibility and convenience in managing their cross-border transactions. Diverse Payment Options: Standing Out from The Crowd Small business owners and individuals alike can benefit greatly from Remitbee's tailored services. Whether you're managing international transactions or sending money across borders, Remitbee simplifies the process, saving you valuable time and effort. One standout feature of Remitbee is its zero-fee currency exchange service for transactions involving Canadian dollars (CAD) and United States dollars (USD). With this service, customers enjoy the best exchange rates available in the market, coupled with the lowest fees. This translates into significant savings on money transfers, allowing you to retain more of your hard-earned money. By choosing Remitbee, you're not only gaining access to a platform built specifically for Canadians but also unlocking a cost-effective solution for your currency exchange needs. With Remitbee's efficient interface, unbeatable exchange rates, and minimal fees, you can confidently handle your cross-border payments without worrying about excessive costs or complicated processes. Our Predictions/Thoughts on the International Money Transfer and Currency Exchange Industry in 2023 The international money transfer and currency exchange industry in 2023 is undergoing a significant transformation due to advancements in technology. Fintech solutions like blockchain, AI, and mobile apps are streamlining processes, improving security, and enhancing the customer experience, making cross-border transactions faster, more efficient, and cost-effective. Technological Advancements: In 2023, the industry is witnessing increased scrutiny of compliance and regulation. Governments and regulatory bodies are tightening oversight to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and fraud. Businesses are investing in robust compliance frameworks, KYC procedures, and anti-money laundering measures to adhere to regulations and maintain customer trust. Compliance and Regulation Focus: With globalization and digital connectivity, there is a rising demand for seamless cross-border payments. Customers expect convenience, speed, security, competitive rates, and low fees. Businesses are focusing on user-friendly platforms, global expansion, and strategic partnerships to meet evolving customer needs and stay competitive. Growing Demand for Seamless Payments: What word defines the state of International money remittance and currency exchange in 2023? Digitalization is the word that defines the state of international money remittance and currency exchange in 2023.  As digital platforms and fintech solutions continue to emerge, traditional methods of remittance and currency exchange are quickly becoming obsolete. These innovations offer convenience, speed, and cost-effectiveness, making it easy for both individuals and businesses to transfer funds internationally. Moreover, the digitalization of these processes has also led to enhanced security measures and improved transparency, instilling confidence in users. Overall, digitalization has transformed the state of international money remittance and currency exchange, paving the way for a more interconnected and efficient global financial ecosystem. Why we decided to participate in HackerNoon's Startup of the Year awards We decided to participate in HackerNoon's Startup of the Year awards because it provides us with an invaluable opportunity to showcase our Canada-based money transfer and currency exchange business on a prestigious platform. Being recognized as a leading startup in the industry can significantly boost our visibility, credibility, and reputation. It allows us to reach a wider audience, attract potential investors, partners, and customers, and ultimately propel our growth trajectory. Moreover, the awards serve as a validation of our hard work, innovation, and commitment to providing exceptional services in the fintech space. We are excited about the opportunity to compete among other outstanding startups and gain recognition for our efforts. Final Thoughts In summary, Remitbee Online excels in providing competitive charges, diverse payment options, and a user-friendly experience tailored to the Canadian market. Its commitment to affordability, convenience, and customer satisfaction sets it apart from competitors and traditional banks. With Remitbee, customers can enjoy fast and efficient international money transfers, supported by excellent customer service whenever needed. See in action  and  join the millions of trusted customers and save hard-earned money. Remitbee Remitbee has been nominated as Startup of the Year in Toronto, Canada. Vote for us today! This content contribution comes from Dini Elizabeth Jose, who serves as the Senior Marketing Coordinator at Remitbee Inc.

Simplifying Cross-Border Payments - Interview with Startups of the Year Nominee, Remitbee

Simplificación de los pagos transfronterizos: entrevista con el nominado a Startups del año, Remitbee

Simplifier les paiements transfrontaliers - Entretien avec le nominé des startups de l'année, Remitbee

सीमा-पार भुगतान को सरल बनाना - वर्ष के नामांकित व्यक्ति, रेमिटबी के स्टार्टअप के साथ साक्षात्कार

国境を越えた支払いの簡素化 - スタートアップ オブ ザ イヤーにノミネートされた Remitbee へのインタビュー

Simplificando pagamentos transfronteiriços - Entrevista com o candidato a startups do ano, Remitbee

Đơn giản hóa thanh toán xuyên biên giới - Phỏng vấn Ứng cử viên khởi nghiệp của năm, Remitbee

简化跨境支付 - 采访年度初创公司提名者 Remitbee

PayPal Abandoned Me; Crypto Saved Me

পেপ্যাল আমাকে পরিত্যাগ করেছে; ক্রিপ্টো আমাকে বাঁচিয়েছে

PayPal hat mich im Stich gelassen; Krypto hat mich gerettet

PayPal me abandonó; Cripto me salvó

PayPal m'a abandonné ; La crypto m'a sauvé

पेपाल ने मुझे छोड़ दिया; क्रिप्टो ने मुझे बचाया

PayPal は私を見捨てたが、暗号通貨は私を救った

PayPal이 나를 버렸습니다. 암호화폐가 나를 구해줬어요

PayPal me abandonou; A criptografia me salvou

PayPal оставил меня; Крипто спасло меня

PayPal Beni Terk Etti; Kripto Beni Kurtardı

PayPal đã bỏ rơi tôi; Tiền điện tử đã cứu tôi

PayPal 抛弃了我；加密货币拯救了我

How to Integrate React and AngularJS via Webpack Module Federation

Chaos in Code: AI Assistants Clash in a Battle for Digital Supremacy

SECRET THOUGHTS OOZE OUT.

BUSINESS LETTERS

309 Stories To Learn About Smart Contracts

Of my doubts concerning the Law; and of the Patriots or Galileans;

A PLAN PROPOSED.

ROGER CARBURY AND PAUL MONTAGUE

Unity Realtime Multiplayer, Part 2: TCP, UDP, WebSocket Protocols

ইউনিটি রিয়েলটাইম মাল্টিপ্লেয়ার, পার্ট 2: টিসিপি, ইউডিপি, ওয়েবসকেট প্রোটোকল

Unity Realtime Multiplayer, Teil 2: TCP-, UDP- und WebSocket-Protokolle

Multijugador en tiempo real de Unity, Parte 2: Protocolos TCP, UDP y WebSocket

Unity Realtime Multiplayer, partie 2 : TCP, UDP, protocoles WebSocket

यूनिटी रीयलटाइम मल्टीप्लेयर, भाग 2: टीसीपी, यूडीपी, वेबसॉकेट प्रोटोकॉल

Unity リアルタイム マルチプレイヤー、パート 2: TCP、UDP、WebSocket プロトコル

Unity 실시간 멀티플레이어, 2부: TCP, UDP, WebSocket 프로토콜

Unity Realtime Multiplayer, Parte 2: Protocolos TCP, UDP, WebSocket

Unity Gerçek Zamanlı Çok Oyunculu, Bölüm 2: TCP, UDP, WebSocket Protokolleri

Unity Realtime Multiplayer, Phần 2: Giao thức TCP, UDP, WebSocket

Unity 实时多人游戏，第 2 部分：TCP、UDP、WebSocket 协议

$14 billion. That’s the estimated value of the ransomware industry—a community of threat actors and networks who target vulnerable businesses for monetary gain. And although the ransomware industry has experienced a significant since 2022, it remains a credible threat to any organization's revenue, stability and even long term existence. revenue drop In this article, I’ll explain how ransomware works, the average ransom payment and other hidden costs that companies incur post-attack. What Is Ransomware? Ransomware is a portmanteau of two words that you may already know—ransom + malware. It is a type of malware that encrypts victims’ files or accounts to deny them access until a ransom is paid. Looking back at the most prominent ransomware incidents of the last decade, you’ll find that corporations (not individuals), are the most likely targets of ransomware attacks. The rationale behind this is that such organizations have plenty of money to spare, and a lot to lose if their digital assets---i,e., company files, customer data, financial records and accounts--- are compromised. Let’s discuss how ransomware penetrates a network and what happens afterward. How Ransomware Works Ransomware penetrates devices and networks through phishing attacks, unsafe installations, compromised wireless networks or Remote Desk Protocol (RDP). RDP allows hackers to access and compromise computers remotely and execute malicious code. Typically, when a ransomware infects a system, the victim(s) may find a —often called a ransom note—on their system, detailing how to supply the ransom and recover the encrypted files. .txt/.html file Attackers typically receive ransom in the form of digital currencies such as cryptocurrencies, gift cards and vouchers, to protect their anonymity. Because the aforementioned financial platforms are mostly independent of credit card or personal records, tracing and prosecuting the hackers behind the attack is quite difficult. Another downside of ransomware attacks is that paying the ransom is a gamble. There’s no guarantee that you’ll recover your files even after processing the payment. Types Of Ransomware According to , there are three standard categories of ransomware namely; locker ransomware, crypto-ransomware and scareware. Simplilearn Locker ransomware Locker ransomware, as the name implies, ‘locks’ the victim out of their system. It completely takes over their screen and prevents them  from using any—even the most basic computer functions until the requested ransom is remitted. This type of ransomware can halt operations within an organization because access to computers and by extension, files, is completely restricted. Crypto-ransomware Crypto-ransomware encrypts valuable files stored locally on a computer or mobile device. It’s nearly impossible to find the decryption key for this malware unless the malware variant is old and its key is already available on the internet. Scareware This type of ransomware uses scare tactics to induce you into paying a ransom under the guise of paying for an antivirus solution. I’ll explain. Scareware is fake software that claims to have detected a virus on your computer and when you click on the pop-up message, directs you to a page, where you’ll make payment in exchange for the virus being eliminated. Some scareware function as lockerware, completely disabling your standard computer functions. Others never do any damage to your files but instead, flood your screen with pop-up alerts that may be difficult to get rid of. Breakdown of Costs Incurred Due to A Ransomware Attacks On An Organization In 2023 and the years prior, the true cost of ransomware attacks is far more than meeting the hackers’ financial demands. When a company’s digital assets are held hostage by a threat actor, it triggers an expensive chain of events that may eventually lead to a company’s demise. Here is the breakdown of the factors that make ransomware attacks even more costly than the ransom itself. To decrypt a victim’s files or devices, cybercriminals demand sums ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to a few millions. The ransom size may be directly influenced by your company’s size and worth as known to the public. recent Cost of a Data Breach report revealed that the average ransom payment is about $812,360.  Considering all other factors such as downtime, assets lost and crisis management, the ransom payment may form the smallest fraction of the overall cost incurred from a ransomware attack. The Ransom Payment: IBM’s According to top managed service providers, downtime and recovery post-attack may cost nearly 50 times more than the ransom itself. What then makes up this added cost? IBM’s report attributes it to lost business—due to crippled operations—, notification (of customers and shareholders), escalation and post-breach response. In February, Dole Food Company, a leading supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables in North America announced that it had been subject to a ransomware attack and consequently, would halt operations within the region. During a quarterly conference call, the CEO Rory Byrne allegedly announced that the food giant incurred costs north of $5 million from the attack. That’s a classic example of how malware attacks cripple businesses and cause them to lose funds in a bid to recover and bolster their security infrastructure. Downtime and Recovery: Studies have shown that although over half of ransomware victims pay the ransom, only  4% ever retrieve all their data intact. The rest either regain a fraction of it or nothing at all. Data stolen from these attacks are usually resold on the dark web as entry-points for a new series of cybercrimes. Note that a company’s digital assets including manuscripts, photos, financial records, SaaS accounts, etc, directly contribute to organizational productivity. And considering the fortune spent in creating, acquiring and organizing those assets, restarting the entire cycle can further stretch an already thin budget. Loss of Digital Assets: When a ransomware attack hits, the company is required to alert stakeholders of the incident and extent of damage done. Admitting to being attacked by ransomware may inspire two reactions. Appreciation from customers for the swift notification and distrust from investors. If a publicly traded company admits to losing control of their network to hackers, the company’s reputation and consequently, may plummet.  If customers can’t trust you to keep their data safe, why should they remain in business with you?’ Although the dent on your company's reputation is reversible overtime, most don’t recover. In fact, shut down within six months following a cyber attack. Companies like Code Spaces, Travelex and the Heritage Company are just a few examples of companies that went out of business following cyberattacks. Loss of Credibility: stock prices 60%of companies Ransomware attacks can result in exposure of customer data and failure to honor terms of service. Such occurrences give aggrieved parties legal grounds to sue the hacked company for contractual and compliance violations. As such, additional expenses are incurred to hire legal counsel, pay required fines and fund out-of-court- settlements. Moreover, prohibits ransom payments to any sanctioned individual or jurisdiction including North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba and the Crimean Peninsula. Based on its strict liability principle, the OFAC will also penalize ransom-payers even if they were unaware of the hackers’ sanctioned status. Legal Costs: OFAC's new advisory To Pay The Ransom Or Not? Almost every well-meaning body, from law enforcement agencies to frowns on paying cybercriminals. The reason is quite simple. Ransom payment encourages cybercriminals to target more victims. security experts From a business perspective however, pragmatism is key. First, identify what kind of malware you’re dealing with. Cybercriminals may deploy scareware—which doesn’t encrypt any data at all—to trick victims into paying or downloading dangerous software. Then, conduct a cost-benefit analysis. Consider the pros and cons of paying the ransom—i.e., the costs (financial and otherwise) of decrypting the files independently vs paying the hackers. Compliance violations, legal expenses and remediation costs should be top of mind when deciding to pay the ransom. Note that once you’ve paid the initial ransom, data recovery is not guaranteed and you can be targeted again. However, some cybercriminals prefer to cut ‘clean deals’ because their reputation is crucial to the ransomware business model. Security technologist Gary Sockrider estimates that of the time, hackers decrypt the systems post-ransom. 65-70% Preventive Measures Against Ransomware Attacks I’ll kick this off by mentioning that it’s impossible to be 100% safe from malware attacks. As your security architecture gets tighter, hackers gain even more sophisticated skills to bypass the framework. However, implementing some preventive measures can reduce your chances of suffering ransomware attacks.  Below are some low-cost measures to prevent cyberattacks. Backing up files onto a cloud environment is great, but cloud storage can also be affected by ransomware due to the file synchronization process that occurs between your local and cloud storage. Having a backup on a separate flash drive enables you to continue business operations on entirely different networks, with little downtime, whether you decide to pay the ransom or not. Backup all files: Older versions of software are often vulnerable to data breaches, because they most likely contain security loopholes that hackers may capitalize on. Companies’ way of solving such security situations is by offering regular updates, which may include security patches, fixing the previous loopholes in the older versions. True, automatic updates can be pesky and happen in the middle of work, but it works best because there’s no room for forgetfulness, unlike with manual situations where I.T teams or personnel may completely forget to update the software. It also helps that sometimes, automatic updates sometimes let you pick a time for the updates to happen. Always keep systems updated: Free antivirus software isn’t a good option, unless it’s for personal devices. You need one that can meet your personal or organization’s security needs effectively. When picking out antivirus software, look out for features like cost, OS compatibility, automatic updates, technical support, user-friendliness, real-time scanning and protection, and most importantly anti-ransomware capabilities.Some popular software plans  that offer anti-ransomware functions include Bitdefender Antivirus plus,  Kaspersky Total Security Premium, and Norton 360 Antivirus. Install Antivirus Software: Safe Surfing: Adopting safe browsing practices can reduce the likelihood of malware penetration. When surfing the web, verify the website’s security level before installing files or sharing any details with it. Usually, your computer will alert  you if you’re visiting an unsafe website. However, one sign you should look out for is a padlock icon right next to the site link as highlighted in the image below. The padlock icon symbolizes the presence of the HTTPS protocol which ensures secure communication over a network and across the internet. In summary… The implications of ransomware attacks extend far more than the ransom payment. When data breaches occur, sensitive records can be exposed or compromised. This in turn results in legal battles, marred reputation and lost wages. However, the situation can be salvaged if there's a solid incident response team on call. While they strive to neutralize the threat, security analysts can explore other options like nomoreransom.org. The No More Ransom Project offers a repository of decryption keys and tools for various ransomware variants. It’s an affordable way to recover encrypted data without paying the hackers.

The True Cost of Ransomware Attacks in 2023

Yet next day, May 24th, 1820

Mary Stuart by Alexandre Dumas, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here . Chapter X MARY STUART - CHAPTER X Two hours after the execution, the body and the head were taken into the same hall in which Mary Stuart had appeared before the commissioners, set down on a table round which the judges had sat, and covered over with a black serge cloth; and there remained till three o’clock in the afternoon, when Waters the doctor from Stamford and the surgeon from Fotheringay village came to open and embalm them—an operation which they carried out under the eyes of Amyas Paulet and his soldiers, without any respect for the rank and sex of the poor corpse, which was thus exposed to the view of anyone who wanted to see it: it is true that this indignity did not fulfil its proposed aim; for a rumour spread about that the queen had swollen limbs and was dropsical, while, on the contrary, there was not one of the spectators but was obliged to confess that he had never seen the body of a young girl in the bloom of health purer and lovelier than that of Mary Stuart, dead of a violent death after nineteen years of suffering and captivity. When the body was opened, the spleen was in its normal state, with the veins a little livid only, the lungs yellowish in places, and the brain one-sixth larger than is usual in persons of the same age and sex; thus everything promised a long life to her whose end had just been so cruelly hastened. A report having been made of the above, the body was embalmed after a fashion, put in a leaden coffin and that in another of wood, which was left on the table till the first day of August—that is, for nearly five months—before anyone was allowed to come near it; and not only that, but the English having noticed that Mary Stuart’s unhappy servants, who were still detained as prisoners, went to look at it through the keyhole, stopped that up in such a way that they could not even gaze at the coffin enclosing the body of her whom they had so greatly loved. However, one hour after Mary Stuart’s death, Henry Talbot, who had been present at it, set out at full speed for London, carrying to Elizabeth the account of her rival’s death; but at the very first lines she read, Elizabeth, true to her character, cried out in grief and indignation, saying that her orders had been misunderstood, that there had been too great haste, and that all this was the fault of Davison the Secretary of State, to whom she had given the warrant to keep till she had made up her mind, but not to send to Fotheringay. Accordingly, Davison was sent to the Tower and condemned to pay a fine of ten thousand pounds sterling, for having deceived the queen. Meanwhile, amid all this grief, an embargo was laid on all vessels in all the ports of the realm, so that the news of the death should not reach abroad, especially France, except through skilful emissaries who could place the execution in the least unfavourable light for Elizabeth. At the same time the scandalous popular festivities which had marked the announcement of the sentence again celebrated the tidings of the execution. London was illuminated, bonfires lit, and the enthusiasm was such that the French Embassy was broken into and wood taken to revive the fires when they began to die down. Crestfallen at this event, M. de Chateauneuf was still shut up at the Embassy, when, a fortnight later, he received an invitation from Elizabeth to visit her at the country house of the Archbishop of Canterbury. M. de Chateauneuf went thither with the firm resolve to say no word to her on what had happened; but as soon as she saw him, Elizabeth, dressed in black, rose, went to him, and, overwhelming him with kind attentions, told him that she was ready to place all the strength of her kingdom at Henry III’s disposal to help him put down the League. Chateauneuf received all these offers with a cold and severe expression, without saying, as he had promised himself, a single word about the event which had put both the queen and himself into mourning. But, taking him by the hand, she drew him aside, and there, with deep sighs, said— “Ah! sir, since I saw you the greatest misfortune which could befall me has happened: I mean the death of my good sister, the Queen of Scotland, of which I swear by God Himself, my soul and my salvation, that I am perfectly innocent. I had signed the order, it is true; but my counsellors have played me a trick for which I cannot calm myself; and I swear to God that if it were not for their long service I would have them beheaded. I have a woman’s frame, sir, but in this woman’s frame beats a man’s heart.” Chateauneuf bowed without a response; but his letter to Henry III and Henry’s answer prove that neither the one nor the other was the dupe of this female Tiberius. Meanwhile, as we have said, the unfortunate servants were prisoners, and the poor body was in that great hall waiting for a royal interment. Things remained thus, Elizabeth said, to give her time to order a splendid funeral for her good sister Mary, but in reality because the queen dared not place in juxtaposition the secret and infamous death and the public and royal burial; then, was not time needed for the first reports which it pleased Elizabeth to spread to be credited before the truth should be known by the mouths of the servants? For the queen hoped that once this careless world had made up its mind about the death of the Queen of Scots, it would not take any further trouble to change it. Finally, it was only when the warders were as tired as the prisoners, that Elizabeth, having received a report stating that the ill-embalmed body could no longer be kept, at last ordered the funeral to take place. Accordingly, after the 1st of August, tailors and dressmakers arrived at Fotheringay Castle, sent by Elizabeth, with cloth and black silk stuffs, to clothe in mourning all Mary’s servants. But they refused, not having waited for the Queen of England’s bounty, but having made their funeral garments at their own expense, immediately after their mistress’s death. The tailors and dressmakers, however, none the less set so actively to work that on the 7th everything was finished. Next day, at eight o’clock in the evening, a large chariot, drawn by four horses in mourning trappings, and covered with black velvet like the chariot, which was, besides, adorned with little streamers on which were embroidered the arms of Scotland, those of the queen, and the arms of Aragon, those of Darnley, stopped at the gate of Fotheringay Castle. It was followed by the herald king, accompanied by twenty gentlemen on horseback, with their servants and lackeys, all dressed in mourning, who, having alighted, mounted with his whole train into the room where the body lay, and had it brought down and put into the chariot with all possible respect, each of the spectators standing with bared head and in profound silence. This visit caused a great stir among the prisoners, who debated a while whether they ought not to implore the favour of being allowed to follow their mistress’s body, which they could not and should not let go alone thus; but just as they were about to ask permission to speak to the herald king, he entered the room where they were assembled, and told them that he was charged by his mistress, the august Queen of England, to give the Queen of Scotland the most honourable funeral he could; that, not wishing to fail in such a high undertaking, he had already made most of the preparations for the ceremony, which was to take place on the 10th of August, that is to say, two days later,—but that the leaden shell in which the body was enclosed being very heavy, it was better to move it beforehand, and that night, to where the grave was dug, than to await the day of the interment itself; that thus they might be easy, this burial of the shell being only a preparatory ceremony; but that if some of them would like to accompany the corpse, to see what was done with it, they were at liberty, and that those who stayed behind could follow the funeral pageant, Elizabeth’s positive desire being that all, from first to last, should be present in the funeral procession. This assurance calmed the unfortunate prisoners, who deputed Bourgoin, Gervais, and six others to follow their mistress’s body: these were Andrew Melville, Stewart, Gorjon, Howard, Lauder, and Nicholas Delamarre. At ten o’clock at night they set out, walking behind the chariot, preceded by the herald, accompanied by men on foot, who carried torches to light the way, and followed by twenty gentlemen and their servants. In this manner, at two o’clock in the morning, they reached Peterborough, where there is a splendid cathedral built by an ancient Saxon king, and in which, on the left of the choir, was already interred good Queen Catharine of Aragon, wife of Henry VIII, and where was her tomb, still decked with a canopy bearing her arms. On arriving, they found the cathedral all hung with black, with a dome erected in the middle of the choir, much in the way in which ‘chapelles ardentes’ are set up in France, except that there were no lighted candles round it. This dome was covered with black velvet, and overlaid with the arms of Scotland and Aragon, with streamers like those on the chariot yet again repeated. The state coffin was already set up under this dome: it was a bier, covered like the rest in black velvet fringed with silver, on which was a pillow of the same supporting a royal crown. To the right of this dome, and in front of the burial-place of Queen Catharine of Aragon, Mary of Scotland’s sepulchre had been dug: it was a grave of brick, arranged to be covered later with a slab or a marble tomb, and in which was to be deposited the coffin, which the Bishop of Peterborough, in his episcopal robes, but without his mitre, cross, or cope, was awaiting at the door, accompanied by his dean and several other clergy. The body was brought into the cathedral, without chant or prayer, and was let down into the tomb amid a profound silence. Directly it was placed there, the masons, who had stayed their hands, set to work again, closing the grave level with the floor, and only leaving an opening of about a foot and a half, through which could be seen what was within, and through which could be thrown on the coffin, as is customary at the obsequies of kings, the broken staves of the officers and the ensigns and banners with their arms. This nocturnal ceremony ended, Melville, Bourgoin, and the other deputies were taken to the bishop’s palace, where the persons appointed to take part in the funeral procession were to assemble, in number more than three hundred and fifty, all chosen, with the exception of the servants, from among the authorities, the nobility, and Protestant clergy. The day following, Thursday, August the 9th, they began to hang the banqueting halls with rich and sumptuous stuffs, and that in the sight of Melville, Bourgoin, and the others, whom they had brought thither, less to be present at the interment of Queen Mary than to bear witness to the magnificence of Queen Elizabeth. But, as one may suppose, the unhappy prisoners were indifferent to this splendour, great and extraordinary as it was. On Friday, August 10th, all the chosen persons assembled at the bishop’s palace: they ranged themselves in the appointed order, and turned their steps to the cathedral, which was close by. When they arrived there, they took the places assigned them in the choir, and the choristers immediately began to chant a funeral service in English and according to Protestant rites. At the first words of this service, when he saw it was not conducted by Catholic priests, Bourgoin left the cathedral, declaring that he would not be present at such sacrilege, and he was followed by all Mary’s servants, men and women, except Melville and Barbe Mowbray, who thought that whatever the tongue in which one prayed, that tongue was heard by the Lord. This exit created great scandal; but the bishop preached none the less. The sermon ended, the herald king went to seek Bourgoin and his companions, who were walking in the cloisters, and told them that the almsgiving was about to begin, inviting them to take part in this ceremony; but they replied that being Catholics they could not make offerings at an altar of which they disapproved. So the herald king returned, much put out at the harmony of the assembly being disturbed by this dissent; but the alms-offering took place no less than the sermon. Then, as a last attempt, he sent to them again, to tell them that the service was quite over, and that accordingly they might return for the royal ceremonies, which belonged only to the religion of the dead; and this time they consented; but when they arrived, the staves were broken, and the banners thrown into the grave through the opening that the workmen had already closed. Then, in the same order in which it had come, the procession returned to the palace, where a splendid funeral repast had been prepared. By a strange contradiction, Elizabeth, who, having punished the living woman as a criminal, had just treated the dead woman as a queen, had also wished that the honours of the funeral banquet should be for the servants, so long forgotten by her. But, as one can imagine, these ill accommodated themselves to that intention, did not seem astonished at this luxury nor rejoiced at this good cheer, but, on the contrary, drowned their bread and wine in tears, without otherwise responding to the questions put to them or the honours granted them. And as soon as the repast was ended, the poor servants left Peterborough and took the road back to Fotheringay, where they heard that they were free at last to withdraw whither they would. They did not need to be told twice; for they lived in perpetual fear, not considering their lives safe so long as they remained in England. They therefore immediately collected all their belongings, each taking his own, and thus went out of Fotheringay Castle on foot, Monday, 13th August, 1587. Bourgoin went last: having reached the farther side of the drawbridge, he turned, and, Christian as he was, unable to forgive Elizabeth, not for his own sufferings, but for his mistress’s, he faced about to those regicide walls, and, with hands outstretched to them, said in a loud and threatening voice, those words of David: “Let vengeance for the blood of Thy servants, which has been shed, O Lord God, be acceptable in Thy sight”. The old man’s curse was heard, and inflexible history is burdened with Elizabeth’s punishment. We said that the executioner’s axe, in striking Mary Stuart’s head, had caused the crucifix and the book of Hours which she was holding to fly from her hands. We also said that the two relics had been picked up by people in her following. We are not aware of what became of the crucifix, but the book of Hours is in the royal library, where those curious about these kinds of historical souvenirs can see it: two certificates inscribed on one of the blank leaves of the volume demonstrate its authenticity. These are they: FIRST CERTIFICATE “We the undersigned Vicar Superior of the strict observance of the Order of Cluny, certify that this book has been entrusted to us by order of the defunct Dom Michel Nardin, a professed religious priest of our said observance, deceased in our college of Saint-Martial of Avignon, March 28th, 1723, aged about eighty years, of which he has spent about thirty among us, having lived very religiously: he was a German by birth, and had served as an officer in the army a long time. “He entered Cluny, and made his profession there, much detached from all this world’s goods and honours; he only kept, with his superior’s permission, this book, which he knew had been in use with Mary Stuart, Queen of England and Scotland, to the end of her life. “Before dying and being parted from his brethren, he requested that, to be safely remitted to us, it should be sent us by mail, sealed. Just as we have received it, we have begged M. L’abbe Bignon, councillor of state and king’s librarian, to accept this precious relic of the piety of a Queen of England, and of a German officer of her religion as well as of ours. “(Signed)BROTHER GERARD PONCET, “Vicar-General Superior.” SECOND CERTIFICATE “We, Jean-Paul Bignon, king’s librarian, are very happy to have an opportunity of exhibiting our zeal, in placing the said manuscript in His Majesty’s library. “8th July, 1724.” “(Signed) JEAN-PAUL BIGNAN.” This manuscript, on which was fixed the last gaze of the Queen of Scotland, is a duodecimo, written in the Gothic character and containing Latin prayers; it is adorned with miniatures set off with gold, representing devotional subjects, stories from sacred history, or from the lives of saints and martyrs. Every page is encircled with arabesques mingled with garlands of fruit and flowers, amid which spring up grotesque figures of men and animals. As to the binding, worn now, or perhaps even then, to the woof, it is in black velvet, of which the flat covers are adorned in the centre with an enamelled pansy, in a silver setting surrounded by a wreath, to which are diagonally attached from one corner of the cover to the other, two twisted silver-gilt knotted cords, finished by a tuft at the two ends. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Alexandre Dumas (2004). Mary Stuart. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/2744/pg2744-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org , located at https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html .

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