Mary Queen of Scots and the French Connection

Alexander Wilkinson considers what the French made of the controversial royal who played a pivotal role in the French wars of religion, both as Queen of Scots and Queen of France.

Mary, Queen of Scots, was a very French figure. In 1548, at the age of just five, she left Scotland for France. It was there that she was to spend her formative years. A decade later, she married the heir to the French throne, the Dauphin François. In July 1559, François succeeded his father Henri II and the couple became king and queen of France and Scotland. Although Mary returned to Scotland in 1561 following the death of her husband, she continued to possess and manage considerable French estates, the legacy of the dowry settled upon her as a consequence of her brief marriage. In Scotland, and even during her long imprisonment in England, Mary maintained a predominantly French household and a pronounced interest in French affairs. French was to remain her first language.
 

To continue reading this article you will need to purchase access to the online archive.

Buy Online Access  Buy Print & Archive Subscription

If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.

Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.