Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
Fotheringhay Castle, England
What happened
Mary was forced to give up the Scottish throne in 1567 and fled to England, hoping her cousin Elizabeth would help her. Instead, Elizabeth kept her under guard for about 19 years, because Catholic plotters wanted to make Mary queen of England in Elizabeth's place. After secret letters linked Mary to a plot against Elizabeth, she was tried, found guilty of treason, and executed at Fotheringhay Castle on 8 February 1587.
Why it matters
Mary's death removed the main focus of Catholic plots against Elizabeth, but it gave King Philip II of Spain one more reason to attack Protestant England. Her execution showed that even a crowned queen could be put on trial.
What came next
In 1588 Philip II sent the Spanish Armada against England, and it failed. When Elizabeth died without children in 1603, Mary's son, James VI of Scotland, became King James I of England, joining the two crowns.
Did you know?
Mary became Queen of Scotland when she was only one week old, the first queen to rule Scotland in her own right.
Timeline
- 14 December 1542Mary becomes Queen of Scotland at one week old after her father, James V, dies.
- 24 July 1567Scottish nobles force Mary to give up the throne to her baby son, who becomes James VI.
- May 1568Mary flees to England and is placed under guard by Elizabeth I.
- 14 October 1586Mary is put on trial over the Babington Plot against Elizabeth and condemned.
- 8 February 1587Mary is executed at Fotheringhay Castle in England.