Mary Stuart: sacred at 9 months, beheaded at 44!

Mary Stuart: sacred at 9 months, beheaded at 44!

Mary Ist of Scotland, born Mary Stuart, is a Queen of the Kingdom of Scotland. Daughter of the King of Scotland, Jacques V, and Mary of Guise, she was crowned only six days after the death of her father, december 14, 1542.

In 1548 she was sent to France to escape the English invasions of Scotland. But the English threat being extremely strong, it is crowned at nine months: a first in history. A treaty has been signed and Scotland has been placed under the protection of France. In order to prevent Mary being kidnapped by the British, she moves regularly.

Marie of Guise favors the alliance of the Kingdom of Scotland with Catholic France. Mary Stuart, is promised in marriage to the Dauphin Francois and entered the court of the Valois at the age of six. She was raised with the children of King Henry II and his wife Catherine de Medici. She learns Latin, dance and sings. She can play musical instruments and practice riding. She learns embroidery by the king's personal embroiderer. Mary Stuart occupies an important place in the French court.

In 1558, Marie married François de France, son of Henry II at the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, at the age of only 15 years. Mary Stuart becomes Queen of France. It's a happy marriage, Marie and Francois are inseparable. France thus protects Scotland against the threats and wars of England.

After the marriage, Marie and her husband lived in the royal apartments of Saint-Germain.

But Francois dies because of a murder, Marie becomes lonely and loses her powers.

She became the target of England but Catherine de Medicis supported her. Marie then retired to lead the mourning following the tradition, she stays in a dark room for forty days.

In 1558, Edward VI of England dies and Mary claims the crown of England. Mary is the cousin of Elizabeth 1st and she is the legitimate queen of England. But Elizabeth wants the crown and tries to kill and spy on Marie stuart because it is a threat.

When her husband died in 1560, Mary decided to return to Scotland. She finds a country divided between Catholics and Protestants.

She succeeds in restoring her authority and tolerates Protestantism.

The Catholic sovereign was accepted by the Protestant Scottish nobility who constituted her court.

Then, against the advice of those around her, she married her cousin Lord Darnley, a brutal, domineering and vain and Protestant husband. So it's not a happy marriage, it's a state wedding to attack Elizabeth.

But Lord Darnley is killed by Count Bothwell, causing the rising of the Protestant nobility.

Count Bothwell had a love affair with Mary Stuart. That's why the count kills Lord Darnley, a violent husband with Mary.

Mary Stuart gives birth to Jacques VI, son of Lord Darnley. Jacques VI became king at age 1 because Mary had to abdicate.

In 1567, Mary was arrested and imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle.

After a conspiracy trial, Mary Stuart was sentenced to death. She is found guilty of wanting to kill the English ruler Lord Darnley, she was sentenced

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