preview

Why Did Mary Queen Of Scots Die

Good Essays

Mary Queen of Scots: Why Was She Executed?
Have you ever been judged by your faith? It has happened for centuries, conflict because of different beliefs, even just different denominations of beliefs. Mary Queen of Scots is a great example, growing up in the French court in the mid sixteenth century, Mary was the heir to the Scottish throne. She was also next in line for the English throne, after Elizabeth I (Jackson, 121). Unfortunately Scotland had a rough relationship with England, and the conflict between Catholicism and Protestantism.
This time period was in the middle of the Protestant reformation, so there was much controversy over religion and who should believe what. Mary’s strong faith in Catholicism has been thought to be one of …show more content…

He was also Catholic, so his chance for Mary’s hand was greater than many of her other suitors (Pollen). Scotland was in shock when Mary fell in love and married Lord Darnley, and many protestants rose up in arms, with Queen Elizabeth to back them up, but Mary extinguished the rebellion and drove them from Scotland. Mary and Henry then married in 1565, but with this Darnley had changed dramatically, he had become quarrelsome, egotistical, and self centered. He was also jealous of Mary’s secretary, David Rizzio, whom Mary had confided in (Pollen). Darnley conspired with some of Mary’s advisors and together, they seized Rizzio and stabbed him right in front of her, on March 9th, 1566 inside the Palace of Holyroodhouse (Royal.uk). After escaping unscathed, Mary looked towards Lord Bothwell, who is said to have had a hand with her in plotting the murder of Lord Darnley, who died in an explosion at her lodgings in Kirk O’ Field on the night of February 9, 1567 (Stedall). Bothwell was charged with Lord Darnley's murder, but by his peers was found not guilty (Stedall).
In order to marry the Queen of Scotland, Hepburn carried out a scandalous divorce from his wife, Jean Cordon, through both the Protestant and Catholic courts. He then forced Mary into consenting to marriage, so like her previous husband, he gained power (Pollen). Little did she know that this move would lead to her ultimate demise. Queen Elizabeth and the

Get Access