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Dec 8, 1542
The Princess was Born
Mary Stuart was born December 8th of 1542, in West Lothian, Scotland. Britannica
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Dec 14, 1542
Death Of Father
Mary’s father died, King James V, when she was only six days old, making her queen of Scotland. Given that Mary was only an infant, her great-uncle Henry VIII made a bid for control. Her mother, however, ended up acting as regent on Mary's behalf. Biography.com
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Dec 8, 1547
Mary was brought to France
Her mother saw to it that Mary was sent to France at age five. There she was brought up at the court of King Henry II and his queen Catherine de Médicis with their own large family, assisted by relations on her mother’s side, the powerful Guises. Britanicca
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1558
The Beauty Finds Love
With her red-gold hair and amber-colored eyes, and love for the arts, Mary summed up the contemporary ideal of the Renaissance princess at the time of her marriage to Francis, eldest son of Henry and Catherine, in April 1558. Although it was a political match for the union of France and Scotland, Mary was sincerely fond of her husband. Unfortunately, Francis died from an ear infection the year after he ascended to the throne, leaving Mary a widow at age 18. Britannica
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Jul 29, 1565
The Queens Second Marriage
Mary’s second husband was Henry Stuart Lord Darnley, her cousin. The wedding took place on July 29th of 1565 in the chapel of Holyrood Palace. Within two months of the wedding, Mary was pregnant with the future King James VI. HistoryScotland.com
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Mar 9, 1566
Looking for new love.
Mary fell passionately in love with Henry, Lord Darnley, but it was not a success. Darnley was a weak man and soon became a drunkard as Mary ruled entirely alone and gave him no real authority in the country. Darnley became jealous of Mary’s secretary and favorite, David Riccio. He, together with others, murdered Riccio in front of Mary in Holyrood House. She was six months pregnant at the time. historic-uk.com
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Jun 19, 1566
The Hier was Born!
On June 19th, 1566, Mary gave birth in a tiny room in Edinburgh Castle. She had suffered a difficult labor. On 9 June she had written a will in case she died in childbirth. He was destined to become James VI of Scotland and I of England. Darnley was immediately called for and made to acknowledge the baby as his own son. sath.org
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Feb 9, 1567
Second Husband Down
On February 9th, 1567, Darnley was found dead outside a dwelling in Kirk o’Field, Edinburgh, following an explosion. The king consort had been murdered and many believed Mary had played a part in his death. history.com
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May 19, 1567
The Scandalous Third
In May 1567 Mary, Queen of Scots consented to marry James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell. Mary, Queen of Scots’ marriage with Bothwell just three months after Darnley’s murder made the Scottish nobility rise against her. Bothwell went into exile, where he was ultimately arrested and held captive until his death. Meanwhile, Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned in Lochleven Castle. Biography.com
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1568
Seeking Help
Mary then fled to England, where she sought Queen Elizabeth's protection. Queen Elizabeth initially welcomed Mary but was soon forced to put her friend under house arrest after Mary became the focus of various English Catholic and Spanish plots to overthrow Elizabeth. Mary's captivity would last for the next 18 years.er health suffered from the lack of physical exercise, her figure thickened, and her beauty diminished. History.com
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The Brutal Downfall
Around 8 a.m. on February 8, 1587, the 44-year-old Scottish queen knelt in the great hall of Fotheringhay Castle and thanked the headsman for making “an end of all my troubles.” Three axe blows later, she was dead, her severed head lofted high as a warning to all who defied Elizabeth Tudor. smithsonianmag.com
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