Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary was born to Mary of Guise and James V of Scotland. She was born on 8th December, 1542, in Linlithgow Palace. The tragic incident of her father's death, six days after her birth left young Mary fatherless.

The national integrity and independence of Scotland during this period was threatened by the English campaign, initiated by Henry VIII of England. On 24th November 1542, the Scottish army was defeated by the English army at the Battle of Solway Moss. King James V was to lead the troops in battle, in person. However he fell ill and was forced to withdraw to Falkland Palace. He died two weeks later leaving behind the foreign policy of Scotland in turmoil. Upon the death of her father, Mary Stuart was crowned as the 'Queen of Scots' in 1543 even before she became one year old. James Hamilton, the 2nd Earl of Arran, who was the regent of the throne signed a treaty with Henry VIII on behalf of Queen Mary. According to the treaty, Queen Mary was to wed Edward, the son of King Henry VIII when she came of age. Cardinal David Beaton became the regent by the end of 1543. He broke the treaty due to the repeated unnecessary invasions and interference by the English in Scotland. Cardinal David Beaton was murdered in 1546 followed by two invasions, the same year.

In the July of 1548, a five year old Queen Mary was sent to France. Mary's mother, Mary of Guise and the Scottish Parliament agreed upon Mary's marriage to Francis II, the son of Henry II of France. Henry II, who was very much in favor of the agreement, aided Scotland in the war against the English.

The French hosts found Mary to be a very lovable girl and one of her French hosts commented, "It is not possible to hope for more from a princess on this earth." Henry II was always fond of Mary and always said that she was a very lovely child. According to King Henry II, "the little Queen of Scots is the most perfect child I have ever seen". Mary's maternal grandmother who once wrote to her daughter in Scotland, that Mary was a "very pretty, graceful and self assured" girl. Even as small children, Mary and Francis II shared a very close and affectionate friendship. During her long stay in France, Mary developed a very special affection and a bond of love for animals with dogs topping the list.

Mary received education in the same manner as the French princesses. She was taught a variety of languages like Latin, Spanish, Italian and Greek. She also mastered the arts like dancing, singing and playing the lute. Her uncle,Cardinal Guise, taught her the skills of statesmanship

The wedding ceremony of Francis II's marriage to Mary in 1558 was held in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. In the year 1559, Francis and Mary were crowned the King and Queen of France after the sad demise of King Henry II. Tragedy followed the coronation of Mary and Francis as Mary's mother, Mary of Guise died on 11th June, 1560. Her husband King Francis II died on 5th of December the same year.

The following year Queen Mary returned to take over the rule of Scotland. In 1565, she married her cousin Henry Stewart, also known as Lord Darnley who was 19 years old at that time. In the year 1566, Mary's trusted advisor and secretary, Piedmontese was murdered by the Scottish noblemen. Mary was taken prisoner and kept at the Holyrood Palace. During this time Mary was pregnant. She wanted to escape to ensure the well-being of her child who was the future heir to the Scottish and English throne.

Her husband, Henry Stuart, had sided with the nobles. However Mary persuaded him to help her escape. Three months before the birth of James VI, Mary Lord Darnley escaped from the Holyrood Palace. In 1567, Henry Stuart was murdered by the Scottish nobles and forced Mary to wed nobleman James Hepburn. Mary gave in to the demands of the nobles so as to establish peace in Scotland.

Mary was again imprisoned in the island fortress of Lochleven Castle. Her third husband was captured by the Scottish nobility and was imprisoned in Denmark where he died in 1578.

In 1568, when Mary was only 25, she escaped from Scotland and made her way to England to seek help from Queen Elizabeth I. Instead of helping her, Elizabeth imprisoned Mary. Initially, Mary was charged with the murder of her second husband, Lord Darnley. Elizabeth was afraid that Mary would gather Catholic supporters from within England and also from states like Spain. Mary was held captive by Elizabeth for 19 years. During her imprisonment, Mary made many unsuccessful attempts to try to escape to Scotland.

Mary was put on trial in the October of 1586. The outcome of the trial was decided even before it was actually held. Mary was found guilty of conspiring against Queen Elizabeth. Many controversies followed and finally on 7th February 1587 Mary was informed that she was to be executed the very next day.

Mary did not lose her composure before the execution. She made her will on the dawn of the day of her execution. She was executed in the Great Hall of Fotheringhay Castle. The Scots mourned her death and a mass funeral was held by Henry III of France, in the Notre-Dame cathedral. Her long imprisonment and execution made her a martyr in the eyes of the people of Scotland. The words, "In my end is my beginning", were embroidered by her, on one of her cloths of estate when she was in prison. The words signify her belief in life after death. She has indeed lived as a legend in the hearts of the Scottish people.