The Renaissance Queens: Mary, Queen of Scots & Elizabeth I

En ma Fin gît mon Commencement (“In my end is my beginning”). 

- The last words of Mary, Queen of Scots before her execution.

Britain witnessed many bloodsheds and wars throughout history, and not even the age of queens changed that. These queens were Mary, Queen of Scots, and her cousin, Elizabeth I who rather had a glorious reign that would leave a mark in history. The issue was that there were two queens on one isle, bound by blood and divided by the religious sect. But, how did it start?

Mary Stuart was the granddaughter of Margaret Tudor, sister to the present English king, Henry VIII. This blood relation gave her access to the English throne, making Queen Mary a rival to Princess Elizabeth. (She became the queen of Scots when she was only 6 days old while Elizabeth was still a princess.) Before Queen Elizabeth I ascended to the throne, her half-sister Mary I desired to make Mary, Queen of Scots, her heir as she was the closest Catholic relative. Catholic supporters in England and the rest of Europe hoped that if Mary, Queen of Scots, became queen, she would restore Catholicism as the primary religion in England, reversing the Protestant reforms initiated by Henry VIII and continued by Elizabeth I. Therefore, it is safe to say that she was the biggest pawn that Catholic leaders could use. 

When Elizabeth I ascended to the throne in 1558, following the death of her half-sister, Mary I of England, Mary Queen of Scots was living in France. At the time, Mary Queen of Scots was also the queen of France since she was just married to Francis II, the King of France. However, it was a short-lived marriage, as Francis II died at the age of 15. The young Mary did not have an heir to the French throne; therefore, she had to return to Scotland, where she left when she was 6 years old. This was neither the first misfortune she would encounter nor the first short marriage she would have had.

Due to the Reformation that Henry VIII started, Scotland was predominately Protestant at this time, and Mary, the Catholic monarch, had difficulties leading a nation where there were significant theological divides. Mary Stuart needed a Catholic husband to strengthen her reign as well as provide an heir to continue the Stuart line in Scotland. Therefore, she married her half-cousin Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, who also had claims to both the Scottish and English thrones. Lord Darnley was able to provide Mary with the heir she wanted but failed to maintain their marriage due to his hunger for power. He was taken down by James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, who is speculated to have murdered him for treacherous purposes. She subsequently married James Hepburn, or rather, had to marry James Hepburn in the aftermath of her husband’s assassination. This marriage led to widespread public outcry and a loss of support. Moreover, this event became the downfall of Mary, Queen of Scots, as she had to ask for shelter from her enemy, the unmarried Elizabeth.

At first, Elizabeth I provided Mary with refuge in England because she viewed her as a fellow monarch in distress. Elizabeth, though, was circumspect and suspicious of Mary's claim to the English crown. Elizabeth was hesitant to publicly support her cousin against the Scottish nobility or return her to the Scottish throne despite Mary's pleas for assistance and support since doing so may undermine her own authority. Elizabeth worried that granting Mary the Scottish crown would strengthen Mary's claim to the English throne as well, jeopardizing Elizabeth's sovereignty. Ultimately, the situation reached a breaking point in the following years of Mary's imprisonment and accusations that she was involved in multiple schemes against Elizabeth. By keeping Mary as her captive for almost 20 years, Elizabeth I did not wish to commit regicide until former queen Mary’s involvement in the notorious Babington Plot was proven.

Although Mary did not initiate the plot, her involvement in the scheme was interpreted as treasonous acts against the English crown. Indeed, it was the last straw for Elizabeth since she did not choose to become a kin slayer all these years. She hesitantly signed Mary’s death warrant, terminating the years of enmity. The execution of Mary Stuart was finalized, and she was sentenced to death on charges of treason. This decision was made to secure Elizabeth's own position and safety as the reigning queen of England. Some considered her a martyr – specifically Catholics – whereas some considered her a traitor.

“You have in various ways and manners attempted to take my life and to bring my kingdom to destruction by bloodshed. I have never proceeded so harshly against you, but have, on the contrary, protected and maintained you like myself. These treasons will be proved to you and all made manifest. Yet it is my will, that you answer the nobles and peers of the kingdom as if I were myself present. I therefore require, charge, and command that you make answer for I have been well informed of your arrogance.

Act plainly without reserve, and you will sooner be able to obtain favor of me.

Elizabeth.”

It is quite interesting that Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots never met face-to-face. Cousins were finally at peace they were buried at the same place, Westminster Abbey by the order of James I of England and VI of Scotland. Her end indeed became her beginning since her son accomplished what she desired to do; uniting the kingdoms of Scotland and England.