Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–87) Daughter of James V, she succeeded him as queen when one week old. Mary was sent to France aged six, and married the future Francis II of France in 1558. On his death in 1560 she returned to Scotland, where, as a Catholic, she came into conflict with Protestant reformers. Her marriage to Henry Stuart ( Lord Darnley) was also resented and soon broke down. After Darnley's murder (1567), she married Lord Bothwell, possibly her husband's murderer, which alienated her remaining supporters. Following a rebellion of Scottish nobles, she was imprisoned and forced to abdicate in favour of her infant son, James VI (later James I of England). Although she escaped and raised an army, it was defeated at Langside (1568) and Mary fled to England. She was kept in captivity, but became involved in Spanish plots against Elizabeth I and was eventually executed.