Mary Stuart was a Queen at the age of just six days, betrothed at 5 years, married at 15, Queen of a second kingdom at 16, and widowed just three days before her 18th birthday.
Mary's father, King James V of Scotland, was already on his deathbed when his daughter was born – and had no other legitimate heirs. Some say that his condition was caused by grief over his defeat by the army of Henry VIII of England in the Battle of Solway Moss, less than two weeks previously. He died just six days later, leaving his daughter to succeed him to the throne.
A grand–daughter of Claude, Duke of Guise – a very influential figure at the French court – Mary spent most of her childhood in France, while Scotland was ruled by regents. In 1548 she was betrothed to the Dauphin, François, who was her junior by just over a year. They married in April 1558, and in July 1559 Francis's father, King Henry II of France, died as the result of a jousting accident. Francis himself died from a mysterious ear condition, in December 1560, when he was still only 16. He left no heirs, and the question of whether or not the marriage had been consummated remains unanswered. Francis was succeeded by his 10–year–old brother Charles, with their mother, Catherine de'Medici, as Regent. Catherine appears to have been one of the few people at the French court who were immune to Mary's many charms, and the younger dowager queen returned to Scotland.
© Haydn Thompson 2021