Mary Queen Of Scotland

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Tori Lopes

Mrs. Kathleen Wimmer

English 12

Mary, Queen of Scotland

Here is some very useful information on Mary, Queen of Scotland. First, Mary’s early or personal life will be talked about. Second, will be about her marriage & the birth of her son. Third, will be about information on Mary’s relationship with her cousin Queen Elizabeth. Finally, I will wrap my essay up with a conclusion.

Mary was born at Linglithlow Palace on December 7, 1542. Her father King James (King of Scotland) died only a couple years after her birth. Her mother was Mary of Guise. She was raised into a very powerful family. She was crowned Queen at the Stirling. Henry VIII wanted Mary to be his future bride for his son Edward but in 1544, his forces protruded to enforce this matter but failed. Instead she was sent to France to marry the Dauphin, Francis. In 1559 the King of France got killed & by a week old she became Queen of France. When she got married her last name changed back to Stuart to fit the French conventional writing system.

"Remember that the theatre of the world is wider than the realm of England." <Fraser>

The nobility decided that they must make peace with England so she went upon and did that in her own favor. Mary got some warnings from her friends but she didn’t care, a year later she went back to Scotland. She ruled very successfully when she went to Scotland. But in 1565 she had her second marriage to her cousin Lord Darnley. Since Darnley was very spoiled he became the joke of Mary’s enemies. He threatened Mary and was also pregnant at this time. The birth of their son didn’t improve their relationship it only made it work. Darnley was possessive & jealous and the marriage didn’t go good at all. Lord Darnley was murdered at Kirk o’ Field on February 10, 1567 and people suspected she had something to do with the murder. After this, she got married 3 years later and the protestant lords went against her. <History learning site>

Mary was seen as a threat to Elizabeth for some reason. For many years the Catholics devised a plan to kill Queen Elizabeth in order for Mary to be in the throne. She didn’t see Elizabeth as the queen but she rightfully herself claimed she was the Queen of England. The two queens never met and Mary became imprisoned for the next 19 years. At the age of 25, the Queen of Scots started a spell in many manor houses or castles. Many people wondered why was she such a threat to Elizabeth? I’m guessing it was because she brought a religious stability to England. She became the main focus for all Catholics in England and a leader for them. In 1570 she received the backing of the pope this meant that there was no reason why a Catholic should harm Mary because it would be considered a sin.

"In the end is my beginning" By Mary, queen of Scots <Brainy Quotes>

Another reason why she was considered a threat is because if the marriage between Henry VII and Anne was false and Elizabeth didn’t have no right to the throne the next best bet would be Mary and Queen Elizabeth didn’t like that. Also, they would need proof to convince the court of law about what she did. If Mary goes back to England, she might act like a spur for the Catholics to go against her. When she was locked up she tried to get the word out to any and everybody that she should be queen for England. <The British Monarchy>

It took many years for the government to build a case against Mary not because they hardly had any evidence or proof. The reason why they even had a case against her is because of Sir Francis Walsingham his spy network watched her every move that’s the only reason. A man called Anthony Babington devised a plan to kill Elizabeth rescue Mary and make her the next queen of England. He wrote in code to explain to her what was going on. Waslingham’s spies caught on to both of the letters and Babington was arrested and charged with treason. In September 1586, he was executed now they had a case against Mary. She was put on trial in October 1586.

"No more tears now, I will think upon revenge." <Stuart>

The relationship between Mary & Elizabeth was always hard. Even though they were mutual Queens and cousins they really couldn’t stand each other they didn’t try to hide it either. Since Mary was no longer welcomed in France she returned to Scotland shortly after this. She needed to care for her mother it was much needed. Her mother Mary of Guise had died in June of 1560. In August of 1561, Mary arrived at the port of Leith and not many people knew she was coming so she was only welcomed by a few of the gods. The news of her coming back in town reached her people and they all gathered together for her arrival. <Quotes, Dictionary>

Scotland was very disappointing to Mary, the native country wasn’t what she was used to she was brought up in wealth in France. Elizabeth could not bring herself to sign her cousin’s death warrant it. When she returned to Scotland in 1561, she returned to become Queen of Reign. Francis loved her so much she let her rule him. Since she was a Catholic when she got back to Scotland she couldn’t be that dominant. <Westminster Abbey>

The suspect of Darnley’s murder was Earl of Bothwell. When she married him shortly after Darnley’s death it surprised people and they wondered what she had to do with it. Her participation in the murder was very controversial. She was held imprisoned for 19 years until her name could clear up from the murder. When Darnley was alive he became jealous of the relationship she had with her close friend Rizzio, so he had him assassinated right in front of her. She started becoming fond of their friendship and he didn’t like that at all. It was such a vicious murder it showed her insecurity and the love she had with him. <Queen Mary I>

When she was forced to abdicate her son that hurt her really bad. People never really understood why. In 1568 she escaped from captivity and raised an army but was defeated and fled back to England. Queen Elizabeth her cousin welcomed Mary but was forced to put her on house arrest even though she didn’t want to. Mary became the focus of many English Catholic, & Spanish plots to overthrow Elizabeth so Mary could rule. This led to Mary’s execution. Elizabeth has feared Mary’s power and Influence. She said if they could treat one Queen honorable then they would treat whoever else the same way. Elizabeth took Mary under her wing & protected her. She became a prisoner for the rest of her life.

In 1570, Mary got a divorce from Bothwell and many people said they didn’t believe she was in the marriage the way she was supposed to and she was forced into and raped repeatedly. But no one will ever know because they are both deceased. Many people believed Mary should be dead, but Elizabeth wasn’t going to let that happen so easy. Her enemies wanted to just go straight ahead and kill her. The relationship between the two was difficult than ever and Mary resented being held captive in England she wanted to gain the English. She finally relented at the Babington plot of 1586 & there was proof of Mary’s complicity. Elizabeth was so upset that Mary practically wanted to end her life because she had protected her for almost 20 years. She wrote a letter to marry and there was another letter saying they wanted to dispose Elizabeth. Sir Babington helped her out with doing this.

But however Sir Walsingham created a spy network to watch Mary’s every move. Anthony Babington’s & his supporters were tortured and put to death. After this they found Mary guilty and she was put on trial. No matter how much hate Elizabeth had towards Mary she couldn’t bring herself to sign her death execution form. She was found guilty of treason and put to death. Despite her judgments she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. She lost because she let her heart rule her head

Mary was the most intriguing and controversial women in history. She was very powerful to the throne when she ruled. The idea of executing someone that was crowned terrified her but she finally signed her death warrant. Elizabeth’s ministers secretly went through and executed her, she didn’t know until after and she was livid. Mary was assassinated at Fotheringay Castle in February of 1587. Elizabeth was still furious and the ones who turned against her arrested. She threatened to have her private security hanged and she claimed she only used the warrant to scare Mary and stop her from doing such things again. Elizabeth wasn’t actually going to go through with it but it was too late now. Mary was buried in Peterborough Cathedral but was moved to Westminster Abbey in 1612. In real life Mary & Queen Elizabeth never met but in death they were buried next to one another only 1 foot away from each other. Her son was proclaimed King James I of England so that was something memorable that happened after her death.

In conclusion Mary’s life was well lived and I hoped you enjoyed the information I gave you about Mary, Queen of Scots. First, Mary’s early or personal life will be talked about. Second, will be about her marriage & the birth of her son. Third, will be about information on Mary’s relationship with her cousin Queen Elizabeth. Finally, I will wrap my essay up with a conclusion.