Mary Queen of Scots

why she was a threat

descended from Henry VII so had strong claim but was Catholic

upbringing

educated in France so was Catholic

marriages

marries Francis 1558 (he becomes king of France 1559, dies 1560)

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marries Lord Darnley 1565 (he had a weak claim to Scottish throne and strong claim to English throne)

when she became pregnant it was speculated that it was the child of her secretary and lover (Rizzio)

Rizzio murdered 1566

James born 1566

Darnley murdered 1567

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Mary had taken another lover (Bothwell) before Darnley died

marries Bothwell in 1567, who was a suspect in murder of Darnley

Mary miscarries twins

Bothwell flees to Denmark

reign in Scotland

1542 becomes Queen of Scotland

1561 assumes role of Queen of Scotland

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1567 forced to abdicate for James to become king with the Earl of Murray (leader of the Protestant Lords) as his Regent

England

1568

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under house arrest for 19 years

legal case

Mary’s case was legally examined in 1568-69 at York, then Westminster

‘casket letters’ were allegedly found after her flight and proved her affair with Bothwell and the involvement in Darnley’s murder

case used Scottish law

was found not proven

execution

Elizabeth very reluctant and puts it off on multiple occasions

signs warrant in 1587 but did not let it be put into action

However, Davison (2nd Sec of State) releases it

Mary executed at Fotheringhay Castle

Elizabeth rages and protests her innocence to James (he wasn’t likely to kick off anyway as he was looking like the next king of England)

Privy Council fall out of favour and Davison imprisoned in Tower and fined (this was reversed soon)