Mary, Queen of Scots

“As a sinner I am truly conscious of having often offended my Creator and I beg him to forgive me, but as a Queen and Sovereign, I am aware of no fault or offence for which I have to render account to anyone here below.” (Mary, queen of Scots to her jailer, Sir Amyas Paulet; October 1586) Mary, Queen of Scots is perhaps one of the most memorable, most fascinating, yet the most controversial personalities of European history. She was born on December 8, 1542 and was the only daughter of James V of Scotland and his French wife Mary of Guise. Her father passed away only days after her birth and she became Queen of Scotland at the infant age of 6 days. Mary was married to Francis (Son of Henry II, King of France) in 1558; Francis became the King of France in 1559 but died about a year later on December 5, 1560. Mary returned to Scotland in 1561 after spending about 14 years in France where she officially turned Protestant under the reforms of John Knox and was married to her cousin Henry Lord Darnley In 1565. Lord Darnley, who was not very popular among Scottish nobles, was assassinated on February 10, 1567 under an agreement known as ‘The Craigmillar Pact’ prepared and signed by a group of conspirators including Argyll, Huntly, Bothwell and Queen’s Secretary of State William Maitland. There are contradictions about the alleged involvement of the queen in the deal. Mary’s 3rd marriage with James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell created religious and political turmoil in Scotland, since he was considered to be the murderer of Lord Darnley. She was compelled to abandon the throne, which resulted in a lost battle with the armies of 26 confederate lords. Mary, declared adulteress and murderer, was imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle. She escaped from the castle and raised an army of 6000 men but was defeated again in the battle of Langside in 1568. Mary then fled to England, expecting protection from Queen Elizabeth I, but the Roman Catholics and ministers of Elizabeth forced her for Mary’s execution. Mary was executed on February 8, 1587 at the age of 44 years and buried in Peterborough Cathedral. In 1612, her son James I of England had her body moved in the vault of King Henry VII's Chapel in Westminster Abbey. Mary spent some good years of her life in Edinburgh and her rooms in The Holyrood House Palace and the Craigmillar Palace along with many other historical buildings are open for tourists. The capital city of Scotland is considered to be among top tourists destinations of the world and if you are planning to visit, there is a variety of Castle Apartments in Edinburgh available for stay. Castle Apartments in Edinburgh are much more spacious than hotel rooms and can be taken on at economical rental prices. Dragon Apartments Ltd. deals in a wide range of Castle Apartments in Edinburgh furnished with basic needs of modern life. The stay in our Castle Apartments in Edinburgh provides visitors with a life time experience of luxury, comfort and style.