Mary, Queen of Scots

The political context of Europe at the beginning of the 16th century was tumultuous. In 1517, Martin Luther, a German theologian and priest, published ''95 Theses'', a discussion of the efficacy of indulgences. This sparked what is known as ''The Reformation'' which marked the of Protestantism. Meanwhile in England, the Tudors won the throne after the War of the Roses (1455-1485). Between 1529 and 1536, the English Parliament passed laws abolishing the papal authority in England and declared King Henry VIII to be head of the Church of England.

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Ninety-five Theses 

King Henry VIII of England (1509-1547)

However, King James V of Scotland was executing any Protestants. He also launched an invasion in England in order to gain papal support. As a result, the papacy declared him ''Defender of the Faith'', in 1537. In 1542, he passed away at the age of 30. Mary, his only legitimate child, became Queen of Scotland; she was just 6 days old.

King James V of Scotland (1513-1542), Mary's father

Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1567)

In 1543, the Treaty of Greenwich was signed between Scotland and England. It was stipulated that Mary would wed the son of King Henry VIII, thus uniting both crowns under one ruler for the first time in history. The terms were considered outrageous by the Catholic parts of Scotland, so they started a revolt. Without any support, those loyal to the crown sent Mary to France to be raised there. They even arranged a marriage with the Dauphin of France, Francis. Henry VIII wasn't pleased and he started a new war with Scotland known as the Rough Wooing.

Francis, Dauphin of France, Mary's first husband

Mary arrived in France in 1547 where she spent the next 13 years being raised at the French court. In 1560, both her husband and her mother who acted as regent in Scotland on her behalf. Therefore, Mary decided to return to Scotland the same year. In 1561, she ascended to the throne. She was viewed with suspicion by her Protestant subject because of her Catholic faith, but Mary tolerated Protestantism.  After that, she fell in love with Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley and the two got married in 1565. Her son, future King James VI of Scotland and I of England was born a year later. 

Mary with Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, her second husband; they were half-cousins

The marriage also caused a rebellion called the ''Chaseabout Raid'' led by James Stewart, Mary's half brother. It was named like this because there wasn't any bloodshed and the two forces just moved back and forth across Scotland. In the end, Stewart left the country for asylum in England. 

James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray

Meanwhile, her husband demanded the Crown Matrimonial, a law which could have made him a co-sovereing in Scotland with the right to keep the Scottish throne for himself, if he outlived his wife. Mary refused, so Darnley started plotting against her with Protestant lords, including nobles who had rebelled in the Chaseabout Raid. On 10 February 1567, Darnley's lodgings were destroyed by gunpowder; his body that of his servant were found nearby, apparently having been strangled rather than killed in the explosion. Suspicion was placed upon Queen Mary and the Earl of Bothwell, whom Mary went to marry three months after Darnley's murder.

James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell (1534-1578); Mary's third husband

Bothwell was even accused of muder but he was acquitted. Once again, this marriage divided the country, and nobles rallied against Bothwell. The 2 opposing sides met in battle at Carberry Hill on 15 June 1567. Bothwell lost and fled, never to be seen again by Mary. He died in 1578, in Denmark. As for Mary, she was forced to abdicate in favour of her one-year-old son. After a short imprisonment, she escaped to England, ruled by Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII. In England, she hoped that she could raise an army to reclaim her throne, but instead of supporting her, Queen Elizabeth decided to investigate Mary's involvement in Lord Darnley's murder. 

As evidence against her, Moray presented the so-called casket letters-8 unsigned letters purportedly from Mary to Bothwell, 2 marriage contracts, and a love sonnet. Mary rejected the accusations, calling the letters forgeries. For Elizabeth, it was enough to put Mary under watch. Over the years, Mary tried many times to escape back to Scotland to reclaim her throne, but her attempts were unsuccessful. In 1586, the Babington Plot, a plan to assassinate Queen Elizabeth and restore Catholicism in England by placing Mary upon the English throne, was discovered. Mary was put on trial, found guilty and sentenced to death.

The trial of Mary, 14-15 October 1586

The execution of Mary

Mary was beheaded on the evening of 7 February 1587.