Mary Queen of Scots

Learn a little about Mary Queen of Scots, then explore our printable activities to help you round off what you have learned, below.

Learn about Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots (1542 - 1587), also known as Mary I of Scotland, had a difficult and tumultuous royal life!

Mary was only 6 days old when her father, King James V of Scotland, died and she took the throne. Scotland was ruled by regents while she was raised in France and at 16 years old she married the Dauphin (prince) of France, Francis. Francis was only 15. When he became King Francis II of France in 1559, Mary was briefly his queen, but he died a year later. The widow Mary returned to Scotland and in 1565 married her cousin, Lord Darnley. It was an unhappy marriage. Just two years later Darnley's house was blown up and he was found murdered in the garden.

Shortly afterwards, Mary married the Earl of Bothwell - who was generally believed to have been responsible for Darnley's death! It was an unpopular marriage with the people and there was an uprising. Mary was imprisoned and, in 1567, she was forced to abdicate (resign her claim to the throne) so that her baby son, James, could be named king.

She tried to win back the throne but was unsuccessful and eventually escaped to her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England, begging for help. As Mary had earlier attempted to take the throne of England, and still had support from many English Catholics, Elizabeth saw her as a threat and kept her locked up in castles and manor houses until, 18 years later, she was found guilty of plotting to kill the Queen and was executed for treason.

Mary, Queen of Scots Activities