Monarch of the Week

This week monarch is:

Mary Stuart

 

Unknown artist after Francois Clouet (c. 1515-1572)

Born:

December 8, 1542

Linlithgow Palace, Linlithgow

Linlithgow Palace burned out in 1746

Died:

February 8, 1587 at the age of 44

Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire

These stone are all that remains of Fotheringhay Castle.

Burial:

Peterborough Cathedral; Westminster Abbey

Father:

James V of Scotland

Mother:

Mary of Guise

Spouses:

Francis II of France married 1558

Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley married 1565

James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell married 1567

Issue:

James IV of Scotland & I of England

House:

House of Stuart

Title:

Queen of Scotland

Queen Consort of France July 10, 1559-December 1560

Reign:

14 December 1542 – 24 July 1567

Coronation:

9 September 1543

Regent:

James Hamilton, 2^nd Earl of Aran 1542-1554

Mary of Guise 1554-1560

Predecessor:

James V

Successor:

James VI

Signature:

 

The casket in which the “Casket Letters” were found.

The “Casket Letters” consist of 8 letters written by Mary and sent to Bosworth that confirm Mary and Bosworth acted together in the murder of Lord Darnley. During the trial, the documents were found inconclusive. While at the time of the trial the letters were proved to be genuine after a study of the handwriting, although today's historians have questioned the authorship of these letters.

Mary’s last letter written six hours before her execution

Mary’s execution warrant signed by Elizabeth I

Portrait Mary Stuart at the age of 13.

Interesting & Random Facts:

*Mary became Queen of Scotland when she was 6 days old and was crown nine months later.

*Raised in France, many Scots viewed her as unfit for the Scottish throne.

*Mary often went against the judgment of her council and followed her heart in both personal matters as well as matters of state. Many believe that this was her undoing.

*While it is common knowledge that Mary and Elizabeth fought continuously, the two never met.

*Accused of plotting the murder of her second husband, Henry, Lord Darnley who was found strangled in the garden after their house, Kirk-o-field exploded.

*Mary was imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth for the murder of a Peer of the Realm of England.

*After pressure from her council, Queen Elizabeth reluctantly signed Mary’s death warrant.