Mary, Queen of Scots | Biography

Summary

Mary Queen of Scots, descendant of Mary Tudor and cousin to Elizabeth I, became queen at six days old. Raised in France, she married Francis and later Henry Stewart, who was murdered. Accused in his death, she was forced to abdicate and fled to England. Imprisoned by Elizabeth I, she was executed in 1587 after a plot to assassinate the English queen was uncovered.

Takeaways

• 🔙 Mary, Queen of Scots, was a descendant of Mary Tudor and cousin to Elizabeth I, becoming queen at just six days old.
• 🔙 She was sent to France for education and upbringing due to her young age, while Regents ruled Scotland in her stead.
• 🔙 Mary's first marriage was to Francis, son of King Henry II, who became king but died shortly after, leaving her a widow at 18.
• 🔙 Upon returning to Scotland, Mary remarried her cousin Henry Stewart, who turned out to be vain and abusive.
• 🔙 Stewart accused Mary of infidelity, leading to the murder of her secretary David Rizzio in front of her while pregnant.
• 🔙 Stewart's own mysterious death led to suspicions and rumors involving Mary and her ally James Hepburn of Bothwell.
• 🔙 Bothwell was acquitted of Stewart's murder, and rumors suggest he forced Mary into marriage possibly through coercion.
• 🔙 Mary's controversial marriage to Bothwell led to a rebellion, her imprisonment, and forced abdication in favor of her son.
• 🔙 After escaping and failing to rally support, Mary fled to England seeking aid from Elizabeth I, who instead imprisoned her.
• 🔙 Mary was accused of plotting to assassinate Elizabeth, found guilty of treason, and was executed by beheading in 1587.

Q & A

Who was Mary Queen of Scots?

Mary Queen of Scots was the descendant of Mary Tudor, cousin to Elizabeth the first, and became Queen of Scotland just six days after her birth when her father, King James V of Scotland, died in 1542.

Why was Mary sent to France as a child?

Mary was sent to France to grow up and be educated in the luxurious French courts because she was too young to rule Scotland, and Regents ruled in her stead.

Who did Mary marry first and when did he become king?

Mary first married Francis, the son of King Henry II, in 1558. He ascended the throne one year later and died a year after that, leaving Mary widowed at 18.

Why did Mary return to Scotland after Francis' death?

It was decided that it would be best for her to return to Scotland after Francis' death, as she needed to remarry and secure her position.

Who did Mary marry upon her return to Scotland?

Upon her return to Scotland, Mary married her cousin Henry Stewart, who she described as the best proportioned long man she had ever seen.

What was Henry Stewart's character like according to the script?

Henry Stewart was vain, arrogant, and a very angry drunk, as described in the script.

What happened to Mary's secretary David Rizzio?

David Rizzio was murdered by Henry Stewart along with a group of Protestant Nobles in 1566, who stabbed him 56 times in front of Mary, who was six months pregnant at the time.

How did Henry Stewart die and what were the implications for Mary?

Henry Stewart died in a mysterious explosion less than a year after Rizzio's murder. Naturally, suspicion was cast upon Mary and her close ally James Hepburn of Bothwell.

How did James Hepburn of Bothwell get Mary to marry him?

James Hepburn of Bothwell allegedly kidnapped Mary and forced her to marry him by using a common practice of the time where a woman would be raped and then forced to marry to preserve her dignity.

What was the outcome of Mary's marriage to Bothwell?

The marriage was controversial and led to Scottish Nobles rising against her. Mary was imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle, forced to abdicate her throne to her infant son, and eventually fled to England seeking help from her cousin Elizabeth the first.

What happened to Mary after she fled to England?

After fleeing to England, Mary sought help from her cousin Elizabeth the first. However, Elizabeth, fearing the Catholics and considering Mary's reputation, decided to imprison her instead. Mary was later accused of plotting to assassinate Elizabeth, found guilty of treason, and was beheaded in 1587.