Introduction
This evening, I am focusing on, arguably, Scotland’s most romantic and tragic figure, Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587).
Life of Mary, Queen of Scots: Overview
Mary acceded to the Scottish crown before achieving 12 months of age. She became Queen of France, returned to Scotland to resume the crown age 18 then, joined in two failed marriages. Subsequently, she abdicated, travelled to England for sanctuary but was eventually executed there by Elizabeth I for treason. Below is summary information on this incredible life together with images of salient locations associated with Mary.
Life of Mary, Queen of Scots : Part 1
→Born at Linlithgow Palace, December 8th 1542 the daughter of James V who died 6 days after Mary’s birth.
→Crowned Queen of Scotland in 1543.
→Sailed from Dumbarton Castle to France for safety in 1548. This was to escape the ‘rough wooing’ policies of England’s Henry VIII. Henry wished Mary to be betrothed to his son, Edward and thus eventually unify the two countries.
→Brought up in France and married Francis, Dauphin of France in 1558. In her absence Scotland was run by regents of which being Mary’s mother, Mary of Guise. The latter Mary was the widow of Jame V and was closely associated with Stirling Castle a royal palace.
→In 1560 both Mary of Guise and the Dauphin died and Mary returned to Scotland.
→Mary was brought up a staunch Catholic but returned to a hard line Protestant Scotland and refused to convert. She was harshly denounced by firebrand preacher, John Knox at St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.
→On July 29th, 1565, Mary married her cousin, Lord Darnley at Holyrood in Edinburgh. This was a very unwise marriage which soon disintegrated. Mary’s secretary, David Rizzio was murdered by Darnley in March 1566.
Life of Mary, Queen of Scots : Part 2
→In 1566 Mary gave birth to a son at Edinburgh Castle. This boy was to become King James VI of Scotland and James I of England.
→On Feb 10th 1567, Darnley was murdered in Edinburgh, probably by the Earl of Bothwell.
→Mary married Bothwell at Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh on May 15th 1567.
→After Darnley’s murder, public hostility towards Mary grew in strength. In 1567 she was imprisoned in Lochleven Castle and then abdicated on July 24th in favour of her son, James.
→On May 13th, 1568 Mary’s army was defeated at the Battle of Langside near Glasgow.
→After Langside, Mary went south to England for sanctuary. She was held initially at Carlisle Castle.
→For 18 years Mary was held prisoner in England. She was tried for high treason in 1586. This resulted in a guilty verdict after she was found to participate in a plot to assassinate Elizabeth I.
→On the morning of February 8th 1588, Mary was executed at Fotheringhay Castle, England.
Many of sites associated with Mary’s incredible life can be visited today.
More information for the visitor
Please refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland for information on Mary, various Scottish battles and castles. ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. Also available via Kindle.