On the popular television series Game of Thrones, Khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen (Queen of the Dothraki clan) proclaimed, “I will do what queens do. I will rule” (Game of Thrones Season 4 Quote). That was particulary so during 16th and 17th century Europe, which was the time of rule by Queen Mary Stuart of Scotland and Queen Elizabeth I. Both queens brought forth a time of political and religious change to the United Kingdom, which aided in the increase and influence of each family’s powers atop the English, Scottish and French throne. Though both women were of the same Tudor family, they were drastically different in their attitudes towards their ruling their countries. Quen Mary Stuart was born to James V, son of Margaret Tudor, and Mary of Guise. The unfortunate death of he father when she was six days old left her to be Queen of Scotland. Since she was too young, however, Mary’s mother ruled Scotland as regent. Growing up, she was a devout Catholic, which unfortunately did not carry onto her reign when she travelled back to the Protestant Scotland. “Her claims to the throne of England were almost as strong as her claims to the Scottish throne” (“Mary, Queen of Scots (r. 1542-1567).”). Mary was, in fact, next in line to the English throne after Henry VII’s legitimate children. Though she was a Tudor, she did not rule over France. Queen Mary of Scots, for a time, ruled over France. At a young age, she was taken to France for safety and to eventually marry Francis, becoming an heir to French throne. They were married and became King and Queen of France, which also united France and Scotland. Sadly, Francis died of an ear infection a year later. This left the Queen of Scots widowed and returning to her homeland (“More Information A... ... middle of paper ... ...ofScots.aspx>. "Mary v Elizabeth." Mary v Elizabeth. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. . "More Information About: Elizabeth I." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. . "More Information About: Mary, Queen of Scots." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. . "The Shadow of the King." Monarchy (U.K.). Channel 4. N.d. Television. Sommerville, J.P. "The Reign of Elizabeth." The Reign of Elizabeth. J.P. Sommerville, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. . "The Tudors - Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots." The Tudors - Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. .
The first chapter in the book discusses the reign of King James V, father of Mary Stuart. He became King of Scotland at the age of one after his father’s death at the Battle of Flodden. His marriage to princess Madeleine ended after her sudden death, and James then married Mary of Guise-Lorraine in 1538. This marriage cemented the Alliance between Scotland and France but worsened relations with England leading to the war with Henry VIII, which ended in Scottish defeat in 1542. James V died in Falkland Palace, on December 14, 1542, “As a worn-out, desperate man, at the age of thirty years”. His daughter Mary, just six days old, was his successor.
Mary Queen of Scots, also known as Mary Stuart, was born on December 8th, 1542 to James V of Scotland and Mary of Guise. Just six days after Mary’s birth, her father died. She was crowned queen of Scotland within a year. Her regents originally arranged an engagement between her and Henry the VIII of England’s son, but after continuing to send his army north and encouraging the execution of a well-known Scottish patriot, they were determined to avoid marriage. So, in 1548, they sent Mary to France, where her mother was from. Mary was the engaged to the heir of the French throne, Francis of Valois, the son of Henry II of France and Catherine de Medicis. She grew up in the French court as a result of this. When she was 7, her mother came to visit her in France, unfortunately this
Within months, international events changed Mary Stuart’s life dramatically. On November 17, 1558, the queen of England, Mary I (Tudor), died and was succeeded by her Protestant half-sister Elizabeth I. As granddaughter of M...
Mary MacKillop was born into a strong knit Scottish family and was the eldest of eight children. Mary was a well educated child who was taught by her father who spent some time studying for priesthood in Rome, but due to ill health he had return to his homeland Scotland until migrating to Australia.
Cibelli, Deborah. "The Elizabethan Style." The Elizabethan Style. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2014. .
Mary Tudor of England, Born on February 18, 1516, was always a precious lady.(Gairdner) According to the article “Queen Mary”: “Mary wanted to restore the catholic faith, and reunite England with Rome.” Queen Mary I was quite successful, she managed to rearrange “the royal household, and it was thought right to give Mary an establishment of her own along with a council on the borders of Whales, for the better government of the Marches.”(Gairdner) In real life Queen Mary was in fact a very kind hearted and happy lady, who in fact loved music, dancing, and gossiping with her court and followers. She often dressed in brightly colored cloths and very expensive jewelry.(Eamon) According to Amy Pollick’s article “Dispelling Myths about Queen”, “Mary did lay a solid governmental foundation.” Mary had a good head on her shoulders. She planned to further the peace and prosperity in England. (Pollick) Some of what caused her to “rebel from her father” was him depriving her of her faith, security, and happiness as a child. (Pearsall) In the book “Kings and Queens” it is stated that Mary married King Philip of Spain, but they had no children. (Pearsall) “He lived in England for only a year before returning to spain.” After that Mary began to bring back the old religion and faith of her time. Although the persecutions may have been exaggerated (Gull). From the same so...
Mary Stewart, Queen of Scots lived a life full of controversy and scandal. She is remembered fondly by her many followers and disapproved by many. Her dramatic life and political actions have interested historians and the public for many centuries. It all began we she was just six days old. Mary Stewart was born on December 8, 1542, in Linlithgow Palace, West Lothian, Scotland.
Elizabeth and her cousin Mary Queen of Scots often clashed, both personally and politically. Eventually, they wanted one another dead. Mary Queen of Scots wanted to be the queen of England and was ready to attack them. French forces increased their numbers, without planning to attack England. However, Elizabeth was worried and decided to attack. She sent her weak army up to Scotland and was easily defeated. Mary laughed in her face and sent back one of her men wearing the French colors. Later on Elizabeth sent an assassin to kill her and it was successful. Mary Queen of Scots was killed.
Upon the death of her sister--in November of 1558--Elizabeth ascended to the thrown of England. Until Mary’s rule, no woman--apart from the unrecognized rule of Matilda, daughter of Henry I--had ruled England of her own right1. Much like her sister, Elizabeth began her rule widely accepted and welcomed2. There were, however, still many who felt that women were unable to rule, being that women were said to be the weaker sex. John Knox argued that, “God by the order of his creation hath spoiled women of authority and dominion, [and] also that man hath seen, proved and pronounced just causes why that it so should be.”3 Women had always been no more then property, first to their fathers and then their husbands. If a women were to be the anointed queen of a realm of her own right and then marry, whom was beholden to whom? A woman was to do as instructed by her husband in all things, yet a sovereign was to be under the command of God only.
Gender was the leading cause of distress in the 1500’s: King Henry VIII wanted nothing more than to have a son, yet was “cursed” with the legacy of a sickly son, whom died before the age of 18 and two daughters, one of whom broke every convention of her gender. Queen Elizabeth I never married nor had children, yet can be considered one of England’s most successful monarchs. By choosing King James VI of Scotland as her heir, unbeknownst to her, she created the line that leads to the modern Queen of England, Elizabeth II. The question posed is then, how did Elizabeth I’s gender affect her rule?
Mary had left the country riddled with problems that Elizabeth now had to fix. The biggest of those problems was religion. Some people were Protestant from Henry’s rule, but a lot of people were Catholic because of Mary.
The first swing to Mary’s neck only stunned her, but the second swing severed her head completely. Thus, was the execution of Mary Queen of Scots carried out. However, one might argue that this might never have occurred if Mary Stewart had not repeatedly acted treacherously toward Elizabeth I of England. Although both Queen Elizabeth I of England and Mary Queen of Scotland were both gracious rulers of their home countries, Elizabeth I had no choice but to punish Mary for her treasonous actions.
To conclude, Mary had a very hard and complicated life, especially with England tying to kill her. James VI replaced his mother’s throne, and later he took the English throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603. Mary was bought up in France. She only had reign over Scotland for 6 years. Mary and Elizabeth I never actually met. Mary died on February 8, 1587 (“Fun Trivia MQoS”). “In my end is my beginning.” – Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots.
In the course of English leadership, the sixteenth century citizens of the island nation were long accustomed to an ever-revolving door of institutions, families, and people struggling to gain and maintain power, particularly with the volatile temperament of King Henry VIII and instability of the reigns of his first two children. However, Queen Elizabeth I served as a stable, much-beloved pause in the wheel of authority that provided the country with a dependable figurehead for a 45-year reign. English citizens felt the deafening hardship of her death all the more as a result. Because Elizabeth I did not leave an heir with close consanguineal ties, history suggests a return to the revolving door of governance with a Scotsman newly on the English
Queen Elizabeth I, also known as the “Iron Queen”, was a remarkable woman of her time, she ruled with great power and longevity. She was one of the greatest feminist of time. Coming to the throne in 1558, she took the place of her father, Henry VIII. She was given one of the most difficult jobs fit for a man or King, ruling England. At the time women were second class citizens, they could not vote nor own properties and such. Surprising England with her intelligence and fierce rulings, she changed herself to make better decisions. She proved through her rulings, to everyone that females were strong and could rule just as well as a king. She refused to marry, giving a feeling of “I don’t need a man for anything.” The Queen was responsible for giving females a voice in literature and it is shown through Shakespeare’s writings.