Mary Queen of Scots - Hourly History

Mary, Queen of Scots Mary Stuart was born into a powerful royal dynasty that was at war with the rest of Europe and with itself. Mary's ascent to the throne was disarmingly easy and she reached adulthood completely unprepared for the plots and betrayals she would be subject to. As the head of a resolutely unstable country, Mary struggled to maintain her grip on the precarious crown on her head and was removed from the throne by an armed rebellion. Inside you will read about... - Early Life - A Fairy Tale in France - A Most Tragic Year - Return to Scotland and Marriage to Darnley - The Murders of Rizzio and Darnley - The Final Rebellion - Elizabeth and the Casket Letters - An Incarcerated Queen - The Execution Held as a prisoner for more than eighteen years, Mary suffered the final betrayal of her life aged 44 when she was executed by her own cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England.