Mary Queen of Scots overview

  • Elizabeth’s cousin- claim to English throne- seen as more legmitimate, grandmother Henry VIII sister

    • Elizabeth daughter of Henrys 2nd wife- marriage not approved by pope

  • Became queen of Scotland at 6 days old- mother ruled until she was old enough

  • Sent to live in France, promised to marry heir to french throne

  • Became devout catholic- provided further ammunition for English catholics- saw her as rightful queen

  • 1559 Francis king, Mary queen of Scotland and France, Francis died 17 months later, Mary forced to return to Scotland

  • During time in France, Scottish Protestants gained power- Mary seen as outsider- sought new husband

  • Chose cousin lord darnley- quickly turned sour despite birth of son James

  • 1567, Darnley house destroyed by gunpowder explosion- suspect Mary’s involvement in murder

    • Married chief suspect, earl of bothwell, confederate lords forced Mary to abdicate Scottish throne for son James

    • Mary fled to England- allowed to stay, lived luxuriously, constantly supervised

    • Threat to Elizabeth increased

    • Bond of association 1584, plotters against eb executed

    • Arrested 1586 after babington plot- sentenced to death 25th oct 1586- Elizabeth hesitated- disrespectful to god

    • Feared reaction of Mary’s son and french monarchy

    • Mary beheaded 8th feb 1587- Elizabeth distraught- claimed counsellors acted without permission

    • France, Spain and pope outraged- too busy with own countries politics

    • King James didn’t want to threaten Anglo-Scottish alliance- did nothing

Mary, Queen of Scots, was Elizabeth I’s cousin and a legitimate claim to the English throne. Born in 1542, she became queen of Scotland at just six days old, with her mother ruling until she was old enough. Sent to France to marry the heir to the throne, she became a devout Catholic, which strengthened her support among English Catholics who viewed her as the rightful queen. After her marriage to Francis, King of France, he died, forcing her to return to Scotland where Protestant power had risen. Mary’s marriage to her cousin Lord Darnley turned sour, and after his suspicious murder in 1567, where she was implicated, she married the chief suspect, leading to her abdication in favor of her son James. Fleeing to England, she was kept under supervision as a threat to Elizabeth. After a conspiracy against Elizabeth was uncovered, Mary was arrested in 1586, tried, and eventually executed on February 8, 1587, causing distress for Elizabeth. Her execution prompted outrage in France, Spain, and the Pope, but King James chose not to act against Elizabeth, valuing the Anglo-Scottish alliance.