MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS AS A YOUNG QUEEN - TIMELINE

1542 born as James V of Scotland daughter. Dad died week after birth - country at war with England. Scottish nobles rule on her behalf

1548 taken to France for education to mothers court (Mary of Guise) raised catholic

1558 married heir to french throne

1559 husband became Francis II of France

1560 Francis died. Widowed at 18. Mother died too. Beginning of French religious wars (Catholics v Huguenots)

1561 returns to Scotland to assume role of queen - Treaty of Edinburgh restored England-Scotland peace - not allowed any power or influence. As heir to English throne, saw more of a future for herself in England.

1565 Marries Lord Darnley (Henry VII great-grandson) - prompts speculation that she intended to claim throne. Darnley also had strong claim. DISASTER - got pregnant, rumoured her secretary/lover was father. Murdered in front of her by order of Darnley.

JAMES BORN - heir to both Scottish and English throne.

1567 - Darnley murdered in strangulation/explosion. Earl of Bothwell (Mary new lover) suspected of being guilty & mary of knowing. Suspicions even stronger when they ran away and got married.

Forced to abdicate in favour of James - Earl of Murray became regent

1587 EXECUTED 8th Feb. Found guilty of plotting to assassinate Eliz