Arabella Stuart

Arabella Stuart 1575-1615, cousin of James I of England (James VI of Scotland). She was the daughter of Charles Stuart, earl of Lennox, younger brother of Lord Darnley , and her descent from Henry VIII's sister Margaret Tudor placed her next after James in the line of succession to Elizabeth I of England. Many argued that her title was preferable to that of James because she was born on English soil. Her marriage was prevented in Elizabeth's reign, but after James's accession (1603) to the English throne, Arabella secretly married (1610) William Seymour (later marquess of Hertford ), who was also of royal descent. They were arrested and imprisoned but escaped; however, Arabella was recaptured (1611) and died in the Tower of London.

Bibliography: See biographies by P. Handover (1957) and I. McInnes (1968).

Stuart, Arabella (1575–1615). The niece of Darnley, first cousin to James VI and I, and a possible successor to Elizabeth on the throne of England. She avoided implication in the Bye and Main plots in 1603 but her secret marriage in 1610 to William Seymour (Somerset), who had royal blood through his grandmother Lady Catherine Grey, alarmed the king and she spent most of her remaining years in the Tower.

J. A. Cannon

Stuart, Arabella (1575–1615). The niece of Darnley, first cousin to James VI and I, and a possible successor to Elizabeth on the throne of England. She avoided implication in the Bye and Main plots in 1603 but her secret marriage in 1610 to William Seymour ( Somerset), who had royal blood, alarmed the king and she spent most of her remaining years in the Tower.