Mary Queen of Scots

1542-1587

Mary Stuart, Mary I of Scotland

Mary spent most of her childhood in France and married the Dauphin of France in 1558 but returned to Scotland upon his death in 1559. Following an uprising she was forced to abdicate in favour of her son (the eventual James I) and later fled seeking protection from her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. Viewed as a threat, Elizabeth had her confined for the following eighteen and a half years and finally executed in 1587.

"Look to your consciences and remember that the theatre of the world is wider than the realm of England."