Mary Stuart

Mary Stuart was the only surviving legitimate child of James V of Scotland. She became queen of Scotland when she was six days old after her father died. She was sent to France when she was five years old to be betrothed to Francis, the Dauphin of France. She married him in 1558 and became queen consort of France in 1559. After Francis died in 1560, she returned to Scotland as a young widow. She faced religious and political conflicts in her realm, as well as plots against her life. She married her cousin Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, in 1565 and gave birth to a son, James, in 1566. However, their marriage was unhappy and Darnley was involved in the murder of Mary's secretary David Rizzio. Darnley himself was killed in an explosion in 1567, and Mary soon married James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, who was widely suspected of being behind Darnley's death. This provoked a rebellion against Mary and Bothwell, who were forced to flee to England. Mary was imprisoned by her cousin Elizabeth I of England, who saw her as a threat to her throne. Mary spent 19 years in captivity, during which she was implicated in several plots to assassinate Elizabeth and restore Catholicism in England. She was eventually tried and executed for treason in 1587. Her son James succeeded Elizabeth as the first king of both Scotland and England in 1603. Mary is remembered as a tragic figure who faced many challenges and misfortunes in her life. She is also celebrated for her courage, intelligence, and beauty. She has inspired many works of art, literature, and film.