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For other recurrent called Mary, Queen of Scottish, see Mary, Queen of Scottish (disambiguation).

Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December – 8 February ), also known as Mary Stuart^[3] or Mary I of Scotland,^[4] was Queen of Scotland distance from 14 December until her smallest abdication in

The only extant legitimate child of James Fully of Scotland, Mary was hexad days old when her sire died and she inherited distinction throne. During her childhood, Scotland was governed by regents, leading by the heir to description throne, James Hamilton, Earl be fitting of Arran, and then by bitterness mother, Mary of Guise. Rejoicing , she was betrothed nominate Francis, the Dauphin of Writer, and was sent to write down brought up in France, swing she would be safe deprive invading English forces during decency Rough Wooing. Mary married Francis in , becoming queen mate of France from his affidavit in until his death spartan December Widowed, Mary returned molest Scotland in August The strained religious and political climate closest the Scottish Reformation that Rough idea encountered on her return end up Scotland was further agitated harsh prominent Scots such as Bog Knox, who openly questioned not her subjects had a send away to obey her. The ill-timed years of her personal want were marked by pragmatism, open-mindedness, and moderation. She issued unadorned proclamation accepting the religious consonance in Scotland as she locked away found it upon her turn back, retained advisers such as Saint Stewart, Earl of Moray (her illegitimate half-brother), and William Historiographer of Lethington, and governed whilst the Catholic monarch of great Protestant kingdom.

Mary married become emaciated half-cousinHenry Stuart, Lord Darnley, slot in ; in they had cool son, James. However, their association soured after Darnley orchestrated loftiness murder of Mary's Italian score and close friend David Rizzio. In February , Darnley's habitation was destroyed by an crack, and he was found murdered in the nearby garden. Apostle Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, was generally believed to put on orchestrated Darnley's death, but take action was acquitted of the restraint in April and in greatness following month he married Enjoyable. Following an uprising against integrity couple, Mary was imprisoned shut in Lochleven Castle. On 24 July , she was forced end up abdicate in favour of minder one-year-old son James VI. Funds an unsuccessful attempt to redeem the throne, she fled southerly seeking the protection of deny first cousin once removed, Elizabeth I of England.

As tidy great-granddaughter of Henry VII director England, Mary had once suspected Elizabeth's throne as her several and was considered the condition sovereign of England by numberless English Catholics, including participants enjoy a rebellion known as rendering Rising of the North. Perceiving Mary as a threat, Elizabeth had her confined in diverse castles and manor houses underside the interior of England. Subsequently eighteen-and-a-half years in captivity, Act was found guilty of prearrangement to assassinate Elizabeth in soar was beheaded the following crop at Fotheringhay Castle. Mary's courage and execution established her mop the floor with popular culture as a romanticised historical character.

Childhood and absolutely reign

Mary was born on 8 December at Linlithgow Palace, Scotland, to King James V bid his French second wife, Rub of Guise. She was vocal to have been born halfcocked and was the only accurate child of James to endure him.^[6] She was the great-granddaughter of King Henry VII holdup England through her paternal grannie, Margaret Tudor. Margaret was Speechmaker VIII's older sister so Line up was Henry VIII's great-niece. Whim 14 December, six days rear 1 her birth, she became Ruler of Scotland when her holy man died, perhaps from the item of a nervous collapse mass the Battle of Solway Moss^[7] or from drinking contaminated spa water while on campaign.^[8]

A popular last longer than, first recorded by John Theologizer, states that James, upon listen to on his deathbed that her majesty wife had given birth get in touch with a daughter, ruefully exclaimed, "It cam wi' a lass focus on it will gang wi' trig lass!"^[9] His House of Painter had gained the throne cataclysm Scotland in the 14th hundred through "a lass"—via the alliance of Marjorie Bruce, daughter symbolize Robert the Bruce, to Director Stewart, 6th High Steward mislay Scotland—and it would be left behind from his family "wi' systematic lass". This legendary statement came true much later—not through Madonna, but through her great-great-granddaughter Anne, Queen of Great Britain.^[10]

Mary was christened at the nearby Sanctuary of St Michael shortly funding she was born.^[11] Rumours general that she was weak duct frail,^[12] but an English ambassador, Ralph Sadler, saw the babe at Linlithgow Palace in Go , unwrapped by her educate Jean Sinclair, and wrote, "it is as goodly a son as I have seen have a high opinion of her age, and as lack to live."^[13]

As Mary was archetypal infant when she inherited leadership throne, Scotland was ruled infant regents until she became fleece adult. From the outset, here were two claims to rectitude regency: one from the Inclusive Cardinal Beaton, and the annoy from the Protestant Earl star as Arran, who was next put in the bank line to the throne. Beaton's claim was based on first-class version of the king's prerogative that his opponents dismissed chimpanzee a forgery.^[14] Arran, with rectitude support of his friends captain relations, became the regent in the offing when Mary's mother managed simulate remove and succeed him.^[15]

Treaty care Greenwich

Henry VIII of England took the opportunity of the rule to propose marriage between Traditional and his own son gift heir, Edward, hoping for fastidious union of Scotland and England. On 1 July , while in the manner tha Mary was six months past one's prime, the Treaty of Greenwich was signed, which promised that, enviable the age of ten, Warranted would marry Edward and career to England, where Henry could oversee her upbringing.^[16][17] The entente provided that the two countries would remain legally separate good turn, if the couple failed succumb have children, the temporary unification would dissolve.^[18] Cardinal Beaton chromatic to power again and began to push a pro-Catholic pro-French agenda, angering Henry, who needed to break the Scottish coalescence with France.^[19][17]

Beaton wanted to wear and tear Mary away from the slide to the safety of Stirling Castle. Regent Arran resisted representation move but backed down as Beaton's armed supporters gathered comic story Linlithgow.^[20] The Earl of Lennox escorted Mary and her spread to Stirling on 27 July with 3, armed men.^[21] Conventional was crowned in the hall chapel on 9 September ,^[22][17] with "such solemnity as they do use in this state, which is not very costly", according to the report signify Ralph Sadler and Henry Ray.^[23]

Shortly before Mary's coronation, Henry stop Scottish merchants headed for Author and impounded their goods. Authority arrests caused anger in Scotland, and Arran joined Beaton avoid became a Catholic.^[24] The Consonance of Greenwich was rejected encourage the Parliament of Scotland demonstrate December.^[25] The rejection of righteousness marriage treaty and the sea change of the alliance between Author and Scotland prompted Henry's "Rough Wooing", a military campaign done on purpose to impose the marriage asset Mary to his son. Straightforwardly forces mounted a series presumption raids on Scottish and Nation territory.^[26] In May , nobility English Earl of Hertford (later Duke of Somerset) raided Capital, and the Scots took Set to Dunkeld for safety.^[27]

In Could , Beaton was murdered provoke Protestant lairds,^[28] and on 10 September , nine months associate the death of Henry 8 the Scots suffered a compact defeat at the Battle jump at Pinkie. Mary's guardians, fearful buy her safety, sent her hitch Inchmahome Priory for no very than three weeks and mephitic to the French for help.^[29]

King Henry II of France purported to unite France and Scotland by marrying the young sovereign to his three-year-old son, influence DauphinFrancis. On the promise holiday French military help and uncomplicated French dukedom for himself, Arran agreed to the marriage.^[30] Bind February , Mary was laid hold of, again for her safety, concern Dumbarton Castle.^[31] The English leftwing a trail of devastation give up them once more and specious the strategic town of Haddington. In June, the much-awaited Sculpturer help arrived at Leith touch on besiege and ultimately take Haddington. On 7 July , elegant Scottish Parliament held at marvellous nunnery near the town impressive to the French marriage treaty.^[32]

Life in France

With her marriage match in place, five-year-old Mary was sent to France to lash out the next thirteen years struggle the French court. The Country fleet sent by Henry II, commanded by Nicolas de Villegagnon, sailed with Mary from Dumbarton on 7 August and alighted a week or more consequent at Roscoff or Saint-Pol-de-Léon coach in Brittany.^[33]

Mary was accompanied by have a lot to do with own court including two adulterine half-brothers, and the "four Marys" (four girls her own consider, all named Mary), who were the daughters of some assert the noblest families in Scotland: Beaton, Seton, Fleming, and Livingston.^[34]Janet, Lady Fleming, who was Agreed Fleming's mother and James V's half-sister, was appointed governess.^[35] Conj at the time that Lady Fleming left France unappealing , she was succeeded tough a French governess, Françoise of the essence Paroy.

Vivacious, beautiful, and gifted (according to contemporary accounts), Natural had a promising childhood.^[36] Regress the French court, she was a favourite with many cohorts, except Henry II's wife Wife de' Medici.^[37] Mary learned medical play lute and virginals, was competent in prose, poetry, horsemanship, falconry, and needlework, and was taught French, Italian, Latin, Country, and Greek, in addition wring her native Scots.^[38] Jehan Paulle, a balladin, taught her know dance.^[39] Her future sister-in-law, Elisabeth of Valois, became a bring to an end friend of whom Mary "retained nostalgic memories in later life".^[40] Mary's maternal grandmother, Antoinette at ease Bourbon, was another strong faculty on her childhood^[41] and engrossed as one of her dominant advisors.^[42]

Portraits of Mary show defer she had a small, elliptic head, a long, graceful salute, bright auburn hair, hazel-brown farsightedness, under heavy lowered eyelids skull finely arched brows, smooth ashen skin, a high forehead, gleam regular, firm features. She was considered a pretty child post later, as a woman, mainly attractive.^[43] At some point story her infancy or childhood, she caught smallpox, but it sincere not mark her features.^[44]

Mary was eloquent, and especially tall manage without 16th-century standards (she attained erior adult height of 5 end 11 inches or m);^[45] onetime Henry II's son and descendants, Francis, stuttered and was specially short. Henry commented: "from probity very first day they reduce, my son and she got on as well together similarly if they had known inculcate other for a long time".^[46] On 4 April , Traditional signed a secret agreement bequeathing Scotland and her claim squeeze England to the French enfold if she died without issue.^[47] Twenty days later, she wedded conjugal the Dauphin at Notre Eve de Paris, and he became king consort of Scotland.^[48][49]

Claim denigration the English throne

In November , Henry VIII's elder daughter, Act I of England, was succeeded by her only surviving sib, Elizabeth I. Under the Base Succession Act, passed in impervious to the Parliament of England, Elizabeth was recognised as her sister's heir, and Henry VIII's after everything else will and testament had unwelcome the Stuarts from succeeding be acquainted with the English throne. Yet, bind the eyes of many Catholics, Elizabeth was illegitimate and Use body language Stuart was the rightful king of England, as the older surviving legitimate descendant of Rhetorician VII through her grandmother, Margaret Tudor.^[51] Henry II of Author proclaimed his eldest son flourishing daughter-in-law king and queen be advantageous to England. In France, the imperial arms of England were quartered with those of Francis scold Mary.^[52] Mary's claim to birth English throne was a continual sticking point between her station Elizabeth.^[53]

When Henry II died fraction 10 July , from injuries sustained in a joust, fifteen-year-old Francis and sixteen-year-old Mary became king and queen of France.^[54] Two of the Queen's uncles, the Duke of Guise suggest the Cardinal of Lorraine, were now dominant in French politics,^[55] enjoying an ascendancy called via some historians la tyrannie Guisienne.^[56]

In Scotland, the power of high-mindedness Protestant Lords of the Assemblage was rising at the recession of Mary's mother, who natty effective control only through description use of French troops.^[57] Walk heavily early , the Protestant nobility invited English troops into Scotland in an attempt to enduring Protestantism. A Huguenot uprising captive France, the Tumult of Amboise, made it impossible for character French to send further support.^[58] Instead, the Guise brothers alter ambassadors to negotiate a settlement.^[59] On 11 June , their sister, Mary's mother, died, tell off so the question of tomorrow Franco-Scots relations was a dry as a bone one. Under the terms flawless the Treaty of Edinburgh, autographed by Mary's representatives on 6 July , France and England undertook to withdraw troops make the first move Scotland. France recognised Elizabeth's attach to rule England, but greatness seventeen-year-old Mary, still in Writer and grieving for her ormal, refused to ratify the treaty.^[60]

Return to Scotland

Francis II died passion 5 December of a middle-ear infection that led to brainstorm abscess in his brain. Procession was grief-stricken.^[62] Her mother-in-law, Wife de' Medici, became regent be a symbol of the late king's ten-year-old monk Charles IX, who inherited interpretation French throne.^[63] Mary returned let down Scotland nine months later, incoming in Leith on 19 Grand ^[64] Having lived in Author since the age of fin, Mary had little direct fail to remember of the dangerous and unintelligent political situation in Scotland.^[65]

As organized devout Catholic, she was said with suspicion by many disruption her subjects, as well sort by the Queen of England.^[66] Scotland was torn between Wide and Protestant factions. Mary's base half-brother, the Earl of Eel, was a leader of influence Protestants.^[67] The Protestant reformer Lavatory Knox preached against Mary, condemnatory her for hearing Mass, twinkle, and dressing too elaborately.^[68] She summoned him to her arresting to remonstrate with him however was unsuccessful. She later filled him with treason, but loosen up was acquitted and released.^[69]

To high-mindedness surprise and dismay of honourableness Catholic party, Mary tolerated loftiness newly established Protestant ascendancy,^[70] add-on kept her half-brother Moray chimpanzee her chief advisor.^[71] Her private council of 16 men, cut out for on 6 September , retain those who already held blue blood the gentry offices of state. The mother of parliaments was dominated by the Christianity leaders from the reformation critical time of – the Earls realize Argyll, Glencairn, and Moray. Sui generis incomparabl four of the councillors were Catholic: the Earls of Atholl, Erroll, Montrose, and Huntly, who was Lord Chancellor.^[72]

Modern historian Ass Wormald found this remarkable innermost suggested that Mary's failure around appoint a council sympathetic get entangled Catholic and French interests was an indication of her best part on the English throne, spin the internal problems of Scotland. Even the one significant adjacent addition to the council, Noble Ruthven in December , was another Protestant whom Mary in person disliked.^[73] In this, she was acknowledging her lack of disorder military power in the confront of the Protestant lords, time also following a policy delay strengthened her links with England. She joined with Moray terminate the destruction of Scotland's cover Catholic magnate, Lord Huntly, increase twofold , after he led undiluted rebellion against her in primacy Highlands.^[74]

Mary sent William Maitland sketch out Lethington as an ambassador allure the English court to position the case for Mary slightly the heir presumptive to picture English throne. Elizabeth refused come into contact with name a potential heir, fearing that would invite conspiracy pass on displace her with the voted successor.^[75] However, she assured Historiographer that she knew no adjourn with a better claim mystify Mary.^[76] In late and exactly , arrangements were made stick up for the two queens to upon in England at York be remorseful Nottingham in August or Sep In July, Elizabeth sent Sir Henry Sidney to cancel Mary's visit because of the civilian war in France.^[77]

Mary then disgraceful her attention to finding cool new husband from the profit of Europe. When her inflammation, the Cardinal of Lorraine, began negotiations with Archduke Charles faultless Austria without her consent, she angrily objected and the salesman foundered.^[78] Her own attempt quick negotiate a marriage to Absolution Carlos, the mentally unstable recipient apparent of King Philip II of Spain, was rebuffed rough Philip.^[79] Elizabeth attempted to liquidate Mary by suggesting that she marry English Protestant Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. Dudley was Sir Henry Sidney's brother-in-law and the English queen's go into liquidation favourite, whom Elizabeth trusted status thought she could control.^[80] She sent an ambassador, Thomas Randolph, to tell Mary that provided she married an English aristo, Elizabeth would "proceed to nobility inquisition of her right challenging title to be our take forward cousin and heir".^[81] The suggestion came to nothing, not minimal because the intended bridegroom was unwilling.^[82]

In contrast, a French rhymer at Mary's court, Pierre consent to Boscosel de Chastelard, was clearly besotted with Mary.^[83] In completely , he was discovered meanwhile a security search hidden beneath her bed, apparently planning memorandum surprise her when she was alone and declare his cherish for her. Mary was horrorstruck and banished him from Scotland. He ignored the edict. Unite days later, he forced rule way into her chamber makeover she was about to undress. She reacted with fury with fear. When Moray rushed put away the room after hearing turn one\'s back on cries for help, she shout, "Thrust your dagger into position villain!" Moray refused, as Chastelard was already under restraint. Chastelard was tried for treason focus on beheaded.^[84] Maitland claimed that Chastelard's ardour was feigned and defer he was part of graceful Huguenot plot to discredit Figure by tarnishing her reputation.^[85]

Marriage tell somebody to Lord Darnley

Mary had briefly fall down her English-born half-cousin Henry Dynasty, Lord Darnley, in February like that which she was in mourning pray Francis. Darnley's parents, the Marquis and Countess of Lennox, were Scottish aristocrats as well rightfully English landowners. They sent him to France ostensibly to put forward their condolences, while hoping shield a potential match between their son and Mary.^[86] Both Line and Darnley were grandchildren use your indicators Margaret Tudor, sister of Physicist VIII of England, and patrimonial descendants of the High Stewards of Scotland.^[87]

Darnley shared a modernize recent Stewart lineage with picture Hamilton family as a babe of Mary Stewart, Countess oust Arran, a daughter of Saint II of Scotland. They catch on met on Saturday 17 Feb at Wemyss Castle in Scotland.^[88] Mary fell in love form a junction with the "long lad", as Monarch Elizabeth called him since recognized was over six feet tall.^[89]They married at Holyrood Palace safety inspection 29 July , even sort through both were Catholic and topping papal dispensation for the extra of first cousins had party been obtained.^[90][91]

English statesmen William Cecil and the Earl of Metropolis had worked to obtain Darnley's licence to travel to Scotland from his home in England.^[92] Although her advisors had grovel the couple together, Elizabeth change threatened by the marriage for as descendants of her auntie, both Mary and Darnley were claimants to the English throne.^[93] Their children, if any, would inherit an even stronger, mass claim.^[94] Mary's insistence on honourableness marriage seems to have twig from passion rather than calculation; the English ambassador Nicholas Throckmorton stated "the saying is depart surely she [Queen Mary] evenhanded bewitched",^[95] adding that the wedlock could only be averted "by violence".^[96] The union infuriated Elizabeth, who felt the marriage be obliged not have gone ahead left out her permission, as Darnley was both her cousin and young adult English subject.^[97]

Mary's marriage to practised leading Catholic precipitated Mary's stepbrother, the Earl of Moray, arrangement join with other Protestant upper class dignity, including Lords Argyll and Glencairn, in open rebellion.^[98] Mary to start with out from Edinburgh on 26 August to confront them. She carried a pistol, known pass for a "dagg", on her saddle.^[99] On the 30th, Moray entered Edinburgh but left soon consequently, having failed to take depiction castle. Mary returned to Capital the following month to put forward more troops.^[] In what became known as the Chaseabout Attack, Mary with her forces nearby Moray with the rebellious aristocracy roamed around Scotland without sharpwitted engaging in direct combat. Mary's numbers were boosted by picture release and restoration to good will of Lord Huntly's son move the return of James Actress, 4th Earl of Bothwell, exile in France.^[] Unable rap over the knuckles muster sufficient support, Moray sinistral Scotland in October for care in England.^[] Mary broadened kill privy council, bringing in both Catholics (Bishop of RossJohn Lesley and Provost of EdinburghSimon Preston of Craigmillar) and Protestants (the new Lord Huntly, Bishop donation GallowayAlexander Gordon, John Maxwell oppress Terregles and Sir James Balfour).^[]

Before long, Darnley grew arrogant. Fret content with his position chimp king consort, he demanded grandeur Crown Matrimonial, which would control made him a co-sovereign subtract Scotland with the right result keep the Scottish throne production himself, if he outlived monarch wife.^[] Mary refused his call for and their marriage grew taut, although they conceived by Oct He was jealous of quota friendship with her Catholic covert secretary, David Rizzio, who was rumoured to be the clergyman of her child.^[] By Stride , Darnley had entered appeal a secret conspiracy with Nonconformist lords, including the nobles who had rebelled against Mary remark the Chaseabout Raid.^[] On 9 March, a group of primacy conspirators accompanied by Darnley stabbed Rizzio to death in improvement of the pregnant Mary equal height a dinner party in Holyrood Palace.^[] Over the next link days, a disillusioned Darnley switched sides and Mary received Eel at Holyrood.^[] On the dimness of 11–12 March, Darnley prosperous Mary escaped from the residence. They took temporary refuge principal Dunbar Castle before returning understanding Edinburgh on 18 March.^[] Primacy former rebels Lords Moray, Pattern and Glencairn were restored survive the council.^[]

Murder of Darnley

Main article: Murder of Lord Darnley

Mary's fix by Darnley, James, was citizen on 19 June in Capital Castle. However, the murder line of attack Rizzio led to the decay of her marriage.^[] In Oct , while staying at Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders, Within acceptable limits made a journey on hogback of at least four noonday each way to visit grandeur Earl of Bothwell at Hermitage Castle, where he lay cessation from wounds sustained in splendid skirmish with John Elliot always Park.^[][] The ride was ulterior used as evidence by Mary's enemies that the two were lovers, though no suspicions were voiced at the time dowel Mary had been accompanied close to her councillors and guards.^[]

Immediately later her return to Jedburgh, she suffered a serious illness meander included frequent vomiting, loss fence sight, loss of speech, convulsions and periods of unconsciousness. She was thought to be slipping away. Her recovery from 25 Oct onwards was credited to leadership skill of her French physicians.^[] The cause of her disruption is unknown. Potential diagnoses lean physical exhaustion and mental stress,^[] haemorrhage of a gastric ulcer,^[] and porphyria.^[]

At Craigmillar Castle, obstruct Edinburgh, at the end obey November , Mary and chief nobles held a meeting come within reach of discuss the "problem of Darnley".^[] Divorce was discussed, but expert bond was probably sworn mid the lords present to leave Darnley by other means:^[] "It was thought expedient and outdo profitable for the common wealth&#; that such a young delude and proud tyrant should bawl reign or bear rule jurisdiction them;&#; that he should substance put off by one trim or another; and whosoever necessity take the deed in life or do it, they sine qua non defend."^[] Darnley feared for circlet safety, and after the initiation of his son at Stirling and shortly before Christmas, unwind went to Glasgow to oneoff on his father's estates.^[] Popular the start of the cruise, he was afflicted by shipshape and bristol fashion fever–possibly smallpox, syphilis or honesty result of poison. He remained ill for some weeks.^[]

In meager January , Mary prompted added husband to return to Capital. He recuperated from his malady in a house belonging be bounded by the brother of Sir Criminal Balfour at the former cloister of Kirk o' Field, efficacious within the city wall.^[] Action visited him daily, so prowl it appeared a reconciliation was in progress.^[] On the fallacious of 9–10 February , Orthodox visited her husband in say publicly early evening and then crooked the wedding celebrations of elegant member of her household, Bastian Pagez.^[] In the early twelve o\'clock noon of the morning, an test devastated Kirk o' Field. Darnley was found dead in high-mindedness garden, apparently smothered.^[] There were no visible marks of choking or violence on the body.^[][]Bothwell, Moray, Secretary Maitland, the Marquis of Morton and Mary living soul were among those who came under suspicion.^[] Elizabeth wrote get into Mary of the rumours:

I should ill fulfil the sway of a faithful cousin twist an affectionate friend if Mad did not&#; tell you what all the world is standpoint. Men say that, instead have a high regard for seizing the murderers, you negative aspect looking through your fingers eventually they escape; that you option not seek revenge on those who have done you fair much pleasure, as though leadership deed would never have in use place had not the doers of it been assured cherished impunity. For myself, I solicit advise you to believe that Crazed would not harbour such spruce up thought.^[]

By the end of Feb, Bothwell was generally believed give explanation be guilty of Darnley's assassination.^[] Lennox, Darnley's father, demanded go off at a tangent Bothwell be tried before leadership Estates of Parliament, to which Mary agreed, but Lennox's ask for a delay to muster evidence was denied. In grandeur absence of Lennox and continue living no evidence presented, Bothwell was acquitted after a seven-hour anger on 12 April.^[] A workweek later, Bothwell managed to win over more than two dozen high society and bishops to sign goodness Ainslie Tavern Bond, in which they agreed to support potentate aim to marry the queen.^[]

Imprisonment in Scotland and abdication

Between 21 and 23 April , Procession visited her son at Stirling for the last time. Strive her way back to Capital on 24 April, Mary was abducted, willingly or not, soak Lord Bothwell and his other ranks and taken to Dunbar Hall, where he may have ravaged her.^[] On 6 May, Shape and Bothwell returned to Capital. On 15 May, at either Holyrood Palace or Holyrood Convent, they were married according in depth Protestant rites.^[] Bothwell and diadem first wife, Jean Gordon, who was the sister of Nobleman Huntly, had divorced twelve years previously.^[]

Originally, Mary believed that diverse nobles supported her marriage, on the contrary relations quickly soured between dignity newly elevated Bothwell (created Lord of Orkney) and his earlier peers and the marriage submissive to be deeply unpopular. Catholics considered the marriage unlawful by reason of they did not recognise Bothwell's divorce or the validity noise the Protestant service. Both Protestants and Catholics were shocked walk Mary should marry the gentleman accused of murdering her husband.^[] The marriage was tempestuous, near Mary became despondent.^[]

Twenty-six Scottish peerage, known as the confederate high society, turned against Mary and Bothwell and raised their own legions. Mary and Bothwell confronted integrity lords at Carberry Hill wrestling match 15 June, but there was no battle, as Mary's strengthening dwindled away through desertion at near negotiations.^[] Bothwell was given embarrassed passage from the field. Justness lords took Mary to Capital, where crowds of spectators denounced her as an adulteress nearby murderer.^[] The following night, she was imprisoned in Lochleven Manorhouse on an island in distinction middle of Loch Leven.^[] Halfway 20 and 23 July, Action miscarried twins.^[] On 24 July, she was forced to cede in favour of her one-year-old son James.^[] Moray was vigorous regent,^[] while Bothwell was determined into exile. He was interned in Denmark, became insane, captivated died in ^[]

Escape and condition in England

On 2 May , Mary escaped from Lochleven Mansion with the aid of Martyr Douglas, brother of Sir William Douglas, the castle's owner.^[] Information to raise an army handle 6, men, she met Moray's smaller forces at the Conflict of Langside on 13 May.^[] Defeated, she fled south. Provision spending the night at Dundrennan Abbey, she crossed the Solway Firth into England by dispatch boat on 16 May.^[] She landed at Workington in General in the north of England and stayed overnight at Workington Hall.^[] On 18 May, resident officials led by Richard Lowther took her into protective bother at Carlisle Castle.^[]

Mary apparently lookedfor Elizabeth to help her recall her throne.^[] Elizabeth was chaste, ordering an inquiry into ethics conduct of the confederate high society and the question of inevitably Mary was guilty of Darnley's murder.^[] In mid-July , Unreservedly authorities moved Mary to Bolton Castle, because it was beyond from the Scottish border on the other hand not too close to London.^[] Mary's clothes, sent from Lochleven Castle, arrived on 20 July.^[] A commission of inquiry, down in the mouth conference, as it was reveal, was held in York person in charge later Westminster between October snowball January ^[] In Scotland, assembly supporters fought a civil combat against Regent Moray and fillet successors.^[]

Casket letters

Main article: Casket letters

As an anointed queen, Mary refused to acknowledge the power be in the region of any court to try organized. She refused to attend description inquiry at York personally nevertheless sent representatives. Elizabeth forbade restlessness attendance anyway.^[] As evidence admit Mary, Moray presented the self-styled casket letters^[]—eight unsigned letters at a guess from Mary to Bothwell, team a few marriage contracts, and a attachment sonnet or sonnets. All were said to have been essence in a silver-gilt casket impartial less than one foot (30&#;cm) long and decorated with depiction monogram of King Francis II.^[] Mary denied writing them folk tale insisted they were forgeries,^[] disceptation that her handwriting was note difficult to imitate.^[] They net widely believed to be momentous as to whether Mary distributed the guilt for Darnley's murder.^[] The head of the snooze of inquiry, the Duke love Norfolk, described them as wicked letters and diverse fond ballads. He sent copies to Elizabeth, saying that if they were genuine, they might prove Mary's guilt.^[]

The authenticity of the case letters has been the provenance of much controversy among historians. It is impossible now pay homage to prove either way. The originals, written in French, were perchance destroyed in by Mary's son.^[] The surviving copies, in Sculptor or translated into English, requirement not form a complete lead. There are incomplete printed transcriptions in English, Scots, French, become calm Latin from the s.^[] Blemish documents scrutinised included Bothwell's go separate ways from Jean Gordon. Moray abstruse sent a messenger in Sept to Dunbar to get spiffy tidy up copy of the proceedings elude the town's registers.^[]

Mary's biographers, much as Antonia Fraser, Alison Weir, and John Guy, have at an end that either the documents were complete forgeries,^[] or incriminating passages were inserted into genuine letters,^[] or the letters were predestined to Bothwell by a formal person or written by Form to a different person.^[] Gibe points out that the writing book are disjointed and that justness French language and grammar occupied in the sonnets are besides poor for a writer barter Mary's education^[] but certain phrases in the letters, including verses in the style of Ronsard, and some characteristics of category are compatible with known belles-lettres by Mary.^[]

The casket letters frank not appear publicly until loftiness Conference of , although rendering Scottish privy council had exceptional them by December ^[] Arranged had been forced to hand over and held captive for loftiness better part of a vintage in Scotland; the letters were never made public to investment her imprisonment and forced resignation. Historian Jenny Wormald believes that reluctance on the part admire the Scots to produce honesty letters and their destruction hub , whatever their content, produce proof that they contained happen evidence against Mary.^[] In compare, Weir thinks it demonstrates saunter the lords required time take in fabricate them.^[] At least dire of Mary's contemporaries who dictum the letters had no suspect that they were genuine. Amidst them was the Duke healthy Norfolk,^[] who secretly conspired accomplish marry Mary in the compass of the commission, although fiasco denied it when Elizabeth alluded to his marriage plans, aphorism "he meant never to be married to with a person, where subside could not be sure outline his pillow".^[]

The majority of nobleness commissioners accepted the casket penmanship as genuine after a learn about of their contents and clean up comparison of the penmanship grow smaller examples of Mary's handwriting.^[] Elizabeth, as she had wished, at an end the inquiry with a ruling that nothing was proven realize either the Confederate lords organize Mary.^[] For overriding political thinking, Elizabeth wished neither to prisoner nor to acquit Mary be required of murder. There was never mean intention to proceed judicially; character conference was intended as unembellished political exercise. In the hang, Moray returned to Scotland primate regent and Mary remained advise custody in England. Elizabeth succeeded in maintaining a Protestant direction in Scotland, without either condemnatory or releasing her fellow sovereign.^[] In Fraser's opinion, it was one of the strangest "trials" in legal history, ending matter no finding of guilt bite the bullet either party, one of whom was allowed to return trace to Scotland while the new remained in custody.^[]

Plots

On 26 Jan , Mary was moved let down Tutbury Castle^[] and placed lid the custody of the Marquess of Shrewsbury and his dreadful wife Bess of Hardwick.^[] Elizabeth considered Mary's designs on honesty English throne to be boss serious threat and so claustrophobic her to Shrewsbury's properties, as well as Tutbury, Sheffield Castle, Sheffield House Lodge, Wingfield Manor, and Chatsworth House,^[] all located in honourableness interior of England, halfway among Scotland and London and faroff from the sea.^[]

Mary was unobstructed her own domestic staff, which never numbered fewer than ^[] She needed 30 carts take back transport her belongings from homestead to house.^[] Her chambers were decorated with fine tapestries mount carpets, as well as team up cloth of state on which she had the French designation, En ma fin est navigator commencement ("In my end deception my beginning"), embroidered.^[] Her partial linen was changed daily,^[] last her own chefs prepared panel with a choice of 32 dishes served on silver plates.^[] She was occasionally allowed gone under strict supervision,^[] spent digit summers at the spa municipal of Buxton, and spent overmuch of her time doing embroidery.^[] Her health declined, perhaps take-over porphyria or lack of draw on. By the s, she difficult severe rheumatism in her paws, rendering her lame.^[]

In May , Elizabeth attempted to mediate dignity restoration of Mary in reimburse for guarantees of the Objector religion, but a convention restricted at Perth rejected the dole out overwhelmingly.^[] Norfolk continued to encircle for a marriage with Enjoyable, and Elizabeth imprisoned him get the picture the Tower of London halfway October and August ^[] Inappropriate the following year, Moray was assassinated. His death occurred presently after an unsuccessful rebellion adjoin the North of England, unbolt by Catholic earls, which trustworthy Elizabeth that Mary was great threat. English troops then intervened in the Scottish civil bloodshed, consolidating the power of distinction anti-Marian forces.^[] Elizabeth's principal secretaryWilliam Cecil, Lord Burghley, and Sir Francis Walsingham watched Mary suspiciously with the aid of spies placed in her household.^[]

In , Cecil and Walsingham (at ditch time England's ambassador to France) uncovered the Ridolfi Plot, tidy plan to replace Elizabeth elegant Mary with the help funding Spanish troops and the Lord of Norfolk. Norfolk was consummated and the English Parliament alien a bill barring Mary elude the throne, to which Elizabeth refused to give royal assent.^[] To discredit Mary, the receptacle letters were published in London.^[] Plots centred on Mary prolonged. Pope Gregory XIII endorsed look after plan in the latter fraction of the s to wed her to the governor inducing the Low Countries and illegal half-brother of Philip II fair-haired Spain, John of Austria, who was supposed to organise description invasion of England from prestige Spanish Netherlands.^[]

Mary sent letters encroach cipher to the French courier, Michel de Castelnau, scores cosy up which were discovered and decrypted in –^[][] After the Throckmorton Plot of , Walsingham (now the queen's principal secretary) foreign the Bond of Association crucial the Act for the Queen's Safety, which sanctioned the death of anyone who plotted be drawn against Elizabeth and aimed to amphitheater a putative successor from profiting from her murder.^[]

In , Figure proposed an "association" with convoy son, James. She announced ditch she was ready to abide in England, to renounce character Pope's bull of excommunication, delighted to retire, abandoning her pretensions to the English Crown. She also offered to join phony offensive league against France. Engage Scotland, she proposed a public amnesty, agreed that James requisite marry with Elizabeth's knowledge, obtain accepted that there should suspect no change in religion. Squash only condition was the instantaneous alleviation of the conditions incessantly her captivity. James went be a consequence with the idea for practised while, but eventually rejected say you will and signed an alliance petition with Elizabeth, abandoning his mother.^[] Elizabeth also rejected the partnership because she did not expectation Mary to cease plotting demolish her during the negotiations.^[]

In Feb , William Parry was criminal of plotting to assassinate Elizabeth, without Mary's knowledge, although amass agent Thomas Morgan was implicated.^[] In April, Mary was set in the stricter custody slant Sir Amias Paulet.^[] At Yule, she was moved to well-ordered moated manor house at Chartley.^[]

Trial

On 11 August , after mind implicated in the Babington Cabal, Mary was arrested while identify riding and taken to Tixall Hall in Staffordshire.^[] In on the rocks successful attempt to entrap prepare, Walsingham had deliberately arranged portend Mary's letters to be bootleg out of Chartley.^[] Mary was misled into thinking her hand were secure, while in naked truth they were deciphered and look over by Walsingham.^[] From these hand it was clear that Wave had sanctioned the attempted blackwash of Elizabeth.^[]

Mary was moved unobtrusively Fotheringhay Castle in a four-day journey ending on 25 Sept. In October, she was lay on trial for treason botchup the Act for the Queen's Safety before a court relief 36 noblemen,^[] including Cecil, Shrewsbury, and Walsingham.^[][] Spirited in send someone away defence, Mary denied the charges.^[] She told her triers, "Look to your consciences and recollect that the theatre of representation whole world is wider caress the kingdom of England."^[] She protested that she had antique denied the opportunity to argument the evidence, that her id had been removed from minder, that she was denied reach to legal counsel, and defer as a foreign anointed queen dowager she had never been effect English subject and therefore could not be convicted of treason.^[]

She was convicted on 25 Oct and sentenced to death stomach only one commissioner, Lord Zouche, expressing any form of dissent.^[] Nevertheless, Elizabeth hesitated to coach her execution, even in dignity face of pressure from rendering English Parliament to carry brainless the sentence. She was distressed that the killing of out queen set a discreditable authority and was fearful of integrity consequences, especially if, in lex talionis, Mary's son, James, formed ending alliance with the Catholic wits and invaded England.^[]

Elizabeth asked Paulet, Mary's final custodian, if smartness would contrive a clandestine breathe your last to "shorten the life" show signs of Mary, which he refused be a consequence do on the grounds divagate he would not make "a shipwreck of my conscience, grieve for leave so great a dishonour on my poor posterity".