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Mary, queen of Scots is renowned for her misguided, tragic life. A passionate woman whose life was ruled too often by her emotions, she ended her days in misery, locked away by Elizabeth I and eventually executed. Yet it is too easy to paint Elizabeth I as the great villain in Mary's life. Mary allowed herself to be positioned as the Catholic alternative to Elizabeth's rule and was complicit in efforts to assassinate Elizabeth. As a result of such indiscretions, she was beheaded in 1587. If you would like to look at Scottish royal genealogy, click here. Read Mary's last letter, an eyewitness account of her execution in 1587, and other documents relating to her life at Primary Sources. Elizabeth I wrote a letter to Mary at her trial, and about the execution to Mary's son, King James VI. Read her letters here. Portraits of Mary, her parents, husbands and child, with commentary, can be found at the Tudor England: Images site. If you are interested in further research, The Catholic
Encyclopedia features an article on Mary's
life. And the most comprehensive website about the Scottish queen is
maintained by The Marie Stuart Society
of Scotland.
Chronology
Read the biography of Mary, queen of Scots. |