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Mary, Queen of Scots Essay

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Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary Stewart was born December 7, 1542. Her father was James V, King of Scotland and her mother was Mary of Guise of France. Mary was the third child and only daughter of James V and Mary of Guise, since both of her twin brothers had died before she was born at Linlithgow Palace, Scotland. Seven days after Mary was born, James V, died and his infant daughter succeeded to the Scottish throne. Mary Stewart became Mary, Queen of Scots.

In 1547 an English invasion led to the military occupation of the country. By 1548, the Scottish were actively seeking French aid and betrothed their young queen to the French dauphin Francis, the son of Henry II, on the condition that Henry send an army to Scotland to drive the …show more content…

In July 1559, Mary and Francis assumed the royal titles of King and Queen of France since Henry II had died. Her happiness was short, after she learned the death of her mother in June 1560. Six months later, her husband King Francis II was also dead. Mary was devastated and extremely depressed. In spite of these personal tragedies, Mary chose to return to Scotland although it was a different country from the one she had left 13 years ago. In Mary’s absence the Protestant party had gained power in Scotland by abolishing the authority of the pope and forbidding the celebration of the Mass.

On July 29, 1565, Mary married her second husband. Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley her first cousin and the grandson of Margaret Tudor, was next in line after Mary to the English succession. This marriage united the two nearest claimants to the English throne. After a year or so, Mary began to realize that Darnley, who was both morally and mentally worthless, was not fit to be king. Although she had given him title of king, Darnley had now demanded that the crown be secured to him for life. His main reason was if Mary died without children, the Scottish crown should descend to his heirs. She refused to grant him the crown and turned to David Rizzio for comfort. David Rizzio first came as a musician to the royal court and he was quickly promoted to secretary for Mary’s French affairs. Rumors were spread that he was not just a secretary but

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