Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox
(1515-1578), Mother of Lord DarnleySitter associated with 10 portraits
Grandmother of James VI of Scotland, later James I of England; her diplomacy was instrumental in his succession to the English throne. She was brought up with, and was a lifelong friend to, King Henry VIII's daughter by Katherine of Aragon, Princes Mary, later Queen Mary I. After Mary's death and the succession of Protestant Queen Elizabeth I in 1558, Margaret Douglas retired from Westminster Palace to Yorkshire, where she became involved with Roman Catholic plotting. In 1566 Elizabeth sent her to the Tower, but after the murder of her son Darnley in 1567 she was released. She was again imprisoned in 1574 when her son Charles married without royal permission and was pardoned after his death in 1577.
An unknown woman, possibly Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, circa 1560-1565
NPG 401
Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox
by Elkington & Co, cast by Domenico Brucciani, after Unknown artist
electrotype, 1873, based on a work of 1578
NPG 358
The Roiail Progenei of our Most Sacred King James
by Benjamin Wright, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1619
NPG D1370
Tomb of Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox in Westminster Abbey
by James Cole
line engraving and etching, 18th century
NPG D42665
by George Vertue, after Livinus de Vogelaare
line engraving, 1743 (1567-1568)
NPG D31901
by George Vertue, after Livinus de Vogelaare
line engraving, 1743 (1567-1568)
NPG D31902
by George Vertue, after Livinus de Vogelaare
line engraving, 1743 (1567-1568)
NPG D37299
Henry the Seventh's Chapel. Monuments and Details
by and published by John Preston Neale, by John Carter, by James Robert Thompson, published by Hurst, Robinson & Co
line engraving and etching, published 1 July 1821
NPG D42664
Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox
by Joseph Brown, printed by McQueen (Macqueen), published by The Granger Society, after Francis Ross
mixed-method engraving, published 1841 (1572)
NPG D31814
Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox
by Joseph Brown, printed by McQueen (Macqueen), published by The Granger Society, after Francis Ross
mixed-method engraving, published 1841 (1572)
NPG D37296
Related People
- Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus (father)
- Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley (son)
- King James I of England and VI of Scotland (grandson)
- Matthew Stewart, 13th or 4th Earl of Lennox (husband)
- Charles Stewart, 14th or 5th Earl of Lennox (son)
- Margaret Tudor (mother)
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