Mary, Queen of Scots

Question 1

Events of the Rough Wooing

Answer 1

• Scotland breaks the treaty of Greenwich, which states Mary will marry Prince Edward
• In response, Henry VIII invades Scotland
• Scotland loses Battle of Pinkie Cleugh
• Scotland wins Battle of Ancrum Moor
• Edinburgh destroyed, Mary’s home not safe
• Treaty of Haddington between Scotland and France brought French military assistance for the Scots in return for pledging Mary’s marriage to the French Dauphin
• Mary escapes to France to avoid kidnapping

Question 2

Criticisms of the Catholic Church

Answer 2

• Priests were poorly educated, didn’t understand teachings or Latin
• Bibles were expensive and only written in Latin; inaccessible to common people
• Rampant nepotism; anyone related to the crown got high standing in church
• Concubinage; Priests broke vows of chastity, had relationships with women, fathered children
• Sold indulgences, free pass from sins, at a high price
• Corruption, money that was meant to help the poor was given to the rich
  Protestants mistreated and killed

Question 3

Powers of Monarchy and nobility in 1540s

Answer 3

• Monarch controlled country, religion and held control
  over taxes and income from the church.
• Monarchs could create royal burghs
• Monarchy had Privy council: group of advisors
• Scottish Parliament could influence a monarch but mostly just gave advice
• Nobles were in charge of law and order locally and influenced who received church appointments in their areas
• Nobles owned a majority of land, collected taxes

Question 4

Mary’s move to France

Answer 4

• Henry VIII attempted to kidnap Mary to force her to marry Edward
• She was moved from castle to castle in Scotland for safety
• Despite Henry VII’s death, English invasion of Scotland continued
• Scottish defeat in Battle of Pinkie Cleugh meant Mary was no longer safe in Scotland
• Treaty of Haddington offered French soldiers to protect Scotland in exchange for Mary marrying Dauphin Francis
• In France Mary received an excellent education: learned languages, debating skills, arts
• Francis II died, Mary had to return to Scotland

Question 5

Mary’s dynastic position on ascension of Elizabeth I

Answer 5

• Mary had Tudor ancestry, giving her a claim to the English throne
• Many Catholics believed that Elizabeth I was illegitimate, as she was born out of wedlock (to an unmarried woman)
• This would make Mary the rightful heir to the English throne
• Elizabeth I did not marry or have children, making the question of succession more
  important
• Mary tried to highlight how she thought she was the true heir through many means, like using the royal arms of England alongside those of Scotland and France

Question 6

The growth of Protestantism in Scotland

Answer 6

• Protestant religious pamphlets were brought to Scotland to spread word of Luther’s protest
• Patrick Hamilton, an early Protestant, was pronounced a heretic and burned at the stake in St Andrews
• George Wishart was put on trial for Protestant teachings and found guilty as a heretic. On the orders of Cardinal Beaton he was hanged and burnt at the stake outside the castle.
• Wishart became a martyr for the Protestant cause
• The Protestant movement quickly spread English translations of the Bible, easier to read and cheaper
• Knox came to Scotland in 1559, giving popular sermons which inspired Protestants to attack Catholic buildings and statues
• Knox helped write the ‘The Scots Confession’, one of the founding documents of the new Kirk

Question 7

The Lords of the Congregation

Answer 7

• Protestant Scottish nobles aiming to turn Scotland Protestant
• Opposed Mary of Guise, encouraged further Protestant unrest
• Travelled around Scotland reforming villages and ‘cleansing’ churches
• Led by James Stewart, illegitimate half-brother of MQS
• Negotiated and signed the Treaty of Edinburgh with England, signaling they wanted to end French interference in Scotland and to have closer ties
  with England
• Included powerful nobles such as the Earl of Arran, the Earl of Argyll and John Knox

Question 8

Unpopularity of Mary of Guise

Answer 8

• England and France were in competition for influence in Scotland
  Guise was unpopular because:
• she was a woman
• she was French, seen as a foreigner
• she increased French influence in Scotland after MQS and Francis II married
• used French soldiers
• used French advisors
• she was Catholic and persecuted many Protestants

Question 9

Rebellion against Mary of Guise

Answer 9

• The Lords of the Congregation encouraged rebellion against Mary of Guise
• Scottish Protestants became increasingly critical of the Catholic Church
• Beggars Summons posted on many friaries
• The Lords of the Congregation destroyed symbols of Catholic worship (eg relics in St Andrews)
• In response to the riot Mary of Guise gathered an army
• Guise’s army backed down due to propaganda campaign from LotC

Question 10

English Intervention

Answer 10

• ‘the Army of the Congregation’, formed by the Lords of the Congregation, marched Edinburgh, took churches along the way
• The Lords of the Congregation turned to Elizabeth I for support as she was Protestant
• Elizabeth blockaded rivers to stop French forces from attacking them
• English and French troops agreed to leave, Treaty of Edinburgh signed

Question 11

Treaty of Edinburgh (1560)

Answer 11

• French and English agreed to withdraw their forces from Scotland
• Elizabeth acknowledged as Queen of England and Ireland. Mary couldn’t claim to be the Queen of these Kingdoms
• French soldiers would not be brought to Scotland again unless the kingdom was invaded
• End of the 250 year old Auld Alliance

Question 12

Reasons for Catholic persecution

Answer 12

• Protestants declared the end of authority of the Pope in Scotland in 1560
• Catholic mass made illegal
• Wealth of the Catholic Church attacked, land seized
• Law stated that all Scots had to take part in Protestant worship
• Fears over the possible influence of Catholicism from abroad eg France
• Many areas, like Highlands, stayed Catholic

Question 13

The confirmation of the Reformation in Scotland

Answer 13

• Guise died while Mary was still in France
• This left opportunity for Protestant leadership
• Reformation Parliament met in Edinburgh, declared that
  Scotland was a Protestant country (1560)
• John Knox wrote the First Book of Discipline, set out the rules and aims of the new Protestant Church of Scotland.

Question 14

Regency of Moray

Answer 14

• The Earl of Moray was illegitimate half brother of MQS
• Moray attended Mary’s tribunals to try and implicate Mary in Darnley’s death
• Moray passed laws to strengthen Protestantism in Scotland
• Moray also took strong action against Catholic priests
• Moray was shot to death by one of Mary’s supporters

Question 15

Regency of Morton

Answer 15

• The Earl of Morton was a committed Protestant
• Kept Scotland on good terms
  with England and received money from Elizabeth I
• Helped the King’s Party retake Edinburgh Castle and end the Civil War
• Appointed bishops to organise the Kirk
• Morton was a strong regent who restored law and order and increased taxes
• James declared in 1578 he no longer needed a regent

Question 16

The young James VI

Answer 16

• Never heard from Mary after she left for England and father, Darnley, was murdered
• Well educated by George Buchanan, though he was disciplined through beatings
• Brought up Protestant
• Believed in the ‘Divine right of Kings’
• Protestant nobles’ fear of Catholic influence on James led to the Ruthven Raid

Question 17

Andrew Melville and the development of Presbyterianism in the 1570s

Answer 17

The Second Book of Discipline contained Melville’s ideas and developed the Presbyterian nature of the Kirk:
- the Kirk drew its authority from God, not from the state
- all ministers should be equal
- the Kirk should control behaviour in Scotland

Question 18

The Scottish Kirk and the Black Acts, 1580s

Answer 18

• 13 Presbyteries (groups of ministers and elders who ran Parishes) planned
• Strict Kirk secession punished improper members
• Strict discipline gave the Kirk influence and authority over members of the congregation
  Blacks Acts challenged the Presbyterian character of the Kirk:
• stated that the King was the head of the Kirk
• stated King had the power to
  make decisions on the church and state
• said the General Assembly could not meet without the King’s permission
• Ministers would be punished if they criticised the King

Question 19

Mary Queen of Scots in Scotland: return from France

Answer 19

• Returned as an 18 year old widow
• Some celebrated, many Protestants suspicious

Religious policy:
- royal proclamation that no attempt should be made to alter the present form of religion (Protestant)
- first Privy Council majority Protestant
- key advisors such as the Earl of Moray were Protestant
- met John Knox four times to try to address his criticisms of her
- funded new Kirk, allocated money
- Mary permitted to hold Catholic mass

Question 20

Relations with Elizabeth I

Answer 20

• Mary sent messengers in an attempt to meet with Elizabeth
• Sought to discuss MQS’ right to English throne in person
• Wrote many letters to Elizabeth
• Catholic supporters of Mary thought that Elizabeth was illegitimate
• Many believed Mary should be queen of England
• Elizabeth worried that foreign rulers could use Mary against her
• Elizabeth did not want to acknowledge her mortality by recognising an heir

Question 21

Relations with Moray and the Scots nobles

Answer 21

• MQS had 3 moderate Protestant advisors, including Moray
• Many nobles were suspicious that Mary would replace them with Frenchmen
• Many nobles resented taking orders from a woman, Mary had to take nobles aside during Privy Council meetings to avoid appearing confrontational.
• Mary asked nobles join her in Catholic mass, raised suspicions of a counter-Reformation effort

Question 22

Marriage to Darnley (1565)

Answer 22

• Mary was under pressure to produce an heir, secure Catholic rule
• Many suitors, none ideal
• Darnley was young and handsome. Shared a passion for hunting, dance and music with Mary
• Both Tudor, boosting claim to English throne
• Darnley was Protestant which appealed to public
• Married in Catholic ceremony
• MQS realised Darnley was a drunk, a gambler, and didn’t spend time with her
• Darnley insulted other nobles

Question 23

Murder of Rizzio (1566)

Answer 23

• Rizzio was Mary’s Italian friend and secretary
  Rizzio’s issues:
• too close to mary, could be an affair?
• humiliated Scottish nobles by making them ask him to see Mary
• boasted about his influence over Mary
  Rizzio’s murder:
• spent night playing cards with Mary
• Protestant nobles rush into room, Darnley holds Mary back
• Rizzio stabbed 57 times in front of Mary

Question 24

Murder of Darnley (1567)

Answer 24

• Nobles were angry at Darnley’s attempts to avoid blame for Rizzio’s death
• Darnley moved to Kirk o’ Field due to illness
• Explosion heard at 2 am
• Several bodies in rubble, Darnley missing
• Darnley’s naked body found in another area away from the
  explosion with servant
• Strangle marks on neck
• Body found next to dagger, chair, coat
• Many different nobles accused (Douglas, Moray, MQS)

Question 25

Marriage to Bothwell (1567)

Answer 25

• MQS grew close to Bothwell after Rizzio’s death
• Asked Mary to marry him but she refused
• Kidnapped and raped Mary, she became pregnant
• Mary was ‘tainted’, no choice but to marry
• Bothwell seen as Darnley’s murderer, Mary seen as promiscuous. Unpopular marriage
• Protestant wedding ceremony
• Made Mary look hypocritical, as she was the only one allowed to have Catholic ceremonies

Question 26

Ruthven Raid

Answer 26

• Coup as a ploy to remove all Catholic influence from young James VI
• William Ruthven lured James into Ruthven Castle to take him hostage
• Ruthven forced the Duke of Lennox, Catholic influence, to leave for France
• Ruthven and the Protestant Lords, with the backing of the Kirk, then controlled the country
• James was held as a prisoner for 10 months until he escaped during a visit to St Andrews

Question 27

Rebellion against Mary and her capture (Battle of Carberry Hill)

Answer 27

• Protestant Lords started a propaganda campaign against Bothwell, blaming him for Darnley’s death
• Catholics unhappy as Bothwell was Protestant and divorced
  Battle of Carberry Hill:
• royal forces and lords of the congregation met on Carberry Hill
• no fighting, no deaths
• royal forces realised other side had more supplies, would win in battle
• Mary forced to surrender to protect Bothwell, who escaped

Question 28

Abdication, Imprisonment, Escape

Answer 28

Mary was imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle, where she:
- miscarried twins
- spent her days embroidering, praying, reading
- exercised and even boated on the Lock

• Mary was forced to Abdicate at knifepoint
• James VI was to be king, with Moray as king
• Mary escaped from Loch Leven after 13 months disguised as a slave with the help of some supporters
• 2 days later Mary issued a statement to take back her abdication

Question 29

Battle of Langside and Exile (1568)

Answer 29

• After Mary escaped from Loch Leven she gathered an army of 6,000 supporters
• She headed for Dumbarton Castle but was intercepted by the Earl of Moray at Langside
• Lords of the Congregation faced off with Mary’s supporters
• LotC had a smaller army of 4000 but good leadership
• Argyle, Mary’s commander, fainted and lost control of his troops
• Mary’s army was defeated and so she fled to Dumfries and then to England
• Mary hoped Elizabeth would help her return to Scotland

Question 30

Elizabeth I’s diplomatic circumstances

Answer 30

• Elizabeth needed to decide where to hold Mary as prisoner
• France was too close with Scotland and was Catholic
• Spain was Catholic and enemy to Protestant England
• There was a risk that exiling Mary to France would re-open the Auld Alliance
• Elizabeth paid Moray to govern Protestant Scotland while Mary was at tirbunal

Question 31

Mary’s tribunal

Answer 31

• Mary sent many letters to Elizabeth outlining her trust in her and belief she could once again rule Scotland
• Elizabeth decided Mary needed to prove her innocence in the murder of Darnley before she could offer any help
• A tribunal was held by a group of English nobles
• Moray produced forged ‘Casket Letters’ as evidence that Mary and Bothwell had been part of a conspiracy to kill Darnley
• Tribunal found that there was not enough evidence to find her guilty but that she should remain in prison

Question 32

Mary’s imprisonment in England

Answer 32

• Mary spent 19 years in prison
• Initially allowed some visits but later rules became stricter
• Spent time writing letters, reading and embroidering
• She kept many servants
• Stayed with Mary Senton, last of 4 Marys
• Occasionally permitted visits outside eg to spa
• Her health became increasingly poor, barely able to walk due to arthritis
• Wore wigs to conceal mutilated hair, never recovered from being cut off during escape to England

Question 33

Mary’s involvement in Catholic plots: Ridolfi

Answer 33

• Centred around Roberto Ridolfi, an Italian Catholic banker who lived in
  London
• Supported by Philip II of Spain, Pope Pius V, and Duke of Norfolk
• Planned to use Spanish troops to assassinate Elizabeth
• Plan involved Mary marrying Norfolk to become queen of England
• Plot stopped after ciphered letters were interpreted
• Ridolfi escaped abroad
• Mary accused of involvement, but not put to trial

Question 34

Mary’s involvement in Catholic plots: Throckmorton

Answer 34

• Francis Throckmorton worked with Spanish ambassador
• Arranged a French Catholic force to kill Elizabeth and place Mary on the throne
• Plot was discovered by spies
• Throckmorton was tortured, gave names of co-conspirators on the rack
• Throckmorton was executed and ambassador was sent back to Spain
• Mary’s involvement was clear but Elizabeth was reluctant to take action against her

Question 35

Bond of Association

Answer 35

Bond passed by the English Parliament which stated that anyone proven to be plotting against Elizabeth, or who would
benefit from such a plot, would be executed.

Question 36

Mary’s involvement in Catholic plots: Parry

Answer 36

• William Parry had been working as a double agent for both Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots
• Queen Elizabeth was informed that he had planned to kill her
• There was no proof of Mary’s involvement
• Parry was arrested for treason and hanged at Westminster

Question 37

Mary’s involvement in Catholic plots: Babington

Answer 37

• Sir Anthony Babington was a young English noble
• Attempted to free Mary with Spanish help, murder Elizabeth and place Mary on the throne
• Babington and Mary communicated through coded letters smuggled to her through beer barrels
• A Catholic double agent intercepted the letter and sent them to be deciphered
• Mary’s signature and her use of the phrase “set the six gentlemen to work” was proof of her involvement
• Babington and his conspirators were arrested, tortured, and executed

Question 38

Regnans in Excelsis (1570)

Answer 38

The Pope declared Elizabeth as an illegitimate Queen of England and encouraged Catholics not to obey her. This helped raise concerns that Mary could threaten Elizabeth’s rule.

Question 39

Mary’s trial and execution

Answer 39

• Mary was arrested and held at Fotheringay Castle until her trial
• Mary was denied legal counsel and not allowed to call witnesses.
• Mary did not know the Babington letters had been deciphered
• Mary unsuccessfully claimed she could not be held on trial because she was a queen
• Mary was convicted and sentenced to death
• She wrote a final letter to King Henri III of France claiming that she was being killed because she was Catholic
• At her execution she wore a black dress with a white veil and a red dress underneath
• She said prayers in Latin and then English
• The executioner took two blows to sever her head and when he held it up it dropped to the floor
• Mary’s lap dog was found hiding under her skirts, covered in blood
• She attempted to go out as a Catholic Martyr