Mary, Queen of Scots
(1542-1587), Reigned 1542-67Sitter associated with 151 portraits
Daughter of James V of Scotland and Mary of Guise, Mary spent her childhood in France, marrying Francis II in 1558. Following his early death, she returned to Scotland, ruling for seven years. Her marriage to Lord Darnley produced her only child, later James I of England and VI of Scotland, but ended in Darnley's murder in 1567. Mary later married the Earl of Bothwell who was implicated in Darnley's death. Forced to abdicate in favour of her son, she fled to England. As Elizabeth's immediate heir to the throne, she became the focus for Roman Catholic rebellion and was a continual threat to the future of Protestant England. Declared guilty of treason in 1586, she was executed the following year.
Related People
- James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell (husband)
- King Charles I (grandson)
- Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley (husband)
- Princess Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia and Electress Palatine (granddaughter)
- François II (Francis II), King of France (husband)
- Henry, Prince of Wales (grandson)
- King James I of England and VI of Scotland (son)
- James V of Scotland (father)
- Margaret Tudor (grandmother)
- Mary of Guise (mother)
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