Mary, Queen of Scots, ascended the throne as an infant and became embroiled in political and religious conflicts throughout her life. After tumultuous marriages and political missteps, including the controversial murder of her husband, she was forced to abdicate and fled to England. Accused of plotting against Queen Elizabeth I, she was executed in 1587.

Mary, Queen of Scots, was born into a turbulent world of political and religious upheaval. As the granddaughter of England’s Henry VII and the only surviving legitimate child of Scotland’s King James V, Mary became Queen of Scotland at just six days old after her father’s death in 1542. Her birth came at a crucial time in the complex relationship between Scotland and England, with both crowns seeking to strengthen their respective positions. Early in her life, Mary was betrothed to Prince Edward, the son of Henry VIII of England. This arrangement, known as the Treaty of Greenwich, was intended to unite the two kingdoms. However, the Scottish Parliament, dominated by anti-English sentiment, refused to ratify the agreement, sparking a series of conflicts known as the Rough Wooing, as England attempted to force compliance through military pressure.

In the face of growing hostility from England, Mary’s guardians sought a different alliance. When she was just six years old, she was betrothed to the French dauphin, the future King Francis II, in a move that would align Scotland more closely with France. This arrangement reflected the traditional “Auld Alliance” between the two nations, which had long served as a counterbalance to English influence. As part of this agreement, Mary was sent to the French court, where she was raised and educated in the sophisticated, Catholic environment of the French monarchy. Her upbringing in France shaped much of her worldview and prepared her for the role she would play in European politics.

At age 16, Mary married Francis, and the following year, in 1559, he ascended the French throne as King Francis II, making Mary the Queen Consort of France. However, their time together was short-lived. Francis died of an ear infection just a year later, leaving Mary a widow at only 18 years old. Without a significant role in France following her husband’s death, and with Scotland still her primary inheritance, Mary returned to her native land in 1561. However, she found a country deeply divided by religious tensions. Protestant reformers, led by figures such as John Knox, sought to suppress Catholicism, creating a volatile environment for a Catholic monarch.

In 1565, Mary married her cousin, Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley. The marriage was initially welcomed, but it quickly turned disastrous as Darnley proved to be a reckless and unreliable partner. Their relationship deteriorated, and tensions escalated when Darnley was murdered under mysterious circumstances in 1567. Suspicion immediately fell on the Earl of Bothwell, with whom Mary had grown close. In a move that shocked many, Mary married Bothwell shortly after Darnley’s death, leading to widespread outrage and suspicion that she was complicit in the murder.

Her decision to marry Bothwell caused her support to collapse, and her own army turned against her. Forced to abdicate in favor of her infant son, James VI, Mary fled to England, seeking protection from her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. However, Mary’s presence in England was problematic. As a Catholic and a legitimate heir to the English throne, she was seen as a threat by many Protestants, who feared she could lead a Catholic resurgence. Over time, Mary became embroiled in various plots, and although the details remain debated, she was accused of conspiring against Elizabeth. In 1587, after being tried and convicted of treason, Mary was executed by beheading.