BBC Bloody Queens Elizabeth I and Mary of Scots
Drama reveals the intimate and ultimately deadly relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots, using the words of the two queens and their courtiers.
In the beginning, they never met one another in real life for Mary was in France at the time and widowed to returning Scotland. In fact, the only evidence they had was letters. At first, they happily greeted each other and friendship started out. Even friendly called each other sisters. Their childhood and life couldn't be more opposites than ever. However, after many faults, their once friendly letters became hints of jealousy, betrayal, and mystery between the two women began to grow animosity. And question is was Mary innocent? Or did Elizabeth fall for a trap that made her decision to execute her cousin?
Mary was her father's only daughter and became for six days. She grew up with love and luxuries in life. Her days were full of happiness. She went to France to marry Dauphin of France name Francis I son of Henri II and Catherine De Medici. She was the happy yet spoiled princess who grew up believing that she was the heir to England. Sadly she was a widow and was ordered by her mother-in-law to leave France and return to Scotland. Her suffering and test of faith were not over. Scotland became a Protestant country and Mary a well-known Catholic is their queen. It makes the Protestant lords uneasy. Outspokers like John Knox were highly against Mary being queen. For not only being a catholic but she was a woman. Worse, to Scots, she was a foreign woman. A French woman who ruled the hard blood land Scotland. However, Mary had this attitude that she was queen because it was given right from her birth which made her ruler of Scotland. She started to order people around and was a stubborn woman who would say, "No I am the queen and you are my servant." Or "You will have to do as I say goes." As if she was stomping her feet. But Mary wasn't in court without friends. David Rizzio her secretary and Italian courtier also a musician was her favorite and close friend to Mary. Her half-brother was born from her father's mistress, James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray whom the nobles that converted to protestant even Moray respected him. But Mary's trouble continues the downfall of her quest. Marriage. First, her hand was appointed by Elizabeth I in a deal that she would recognize Mary as her heir if she married a protestant Lord Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester.
However, Mary was not only insulted but felt anger that Elizabeth would back on their deal. So, Mary decides she needs a catholic, better position to help her claim better for England.
Henry Stuart Lord Darnley, her cousin born from He was the second but eldest surviving son of Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox, by his wife Lady Margaret Douglas, which supported his claim to the English succession. Darnley's maternal grandparents were Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, and Queen Margaret Tudor, daughter of King Henry VII of England and widow of King James IV of Scotland. Mary fell instantly in love with his good looks and flattery attitude. But noooo. Not him. Anyone but Darnely. For he is not only the grandson of King Henry the Seventh as Mary's blood. But that was Elizabeth's only concern for that. The Scottish lords did not like Darnely because he was the male version of Mary per se. Plus, he was a drinker, vain, spoilt, womanizer, violent temper, and homosexual as well. Mary was in love with Darnely and ignored such "rumors" as she calls them. That is until after marriage with him. he revealed his true colors as Mary was pregnant at the time, but sent letters to Elizabeth to help her. Sadly Elizabeth was advised not to involve a queen's marriage troubles as this was a personal matter. Mary's trouble did not end there. After killing Rizzio for believing that he is the father of her child since she hasn't allowed Darnely near her. Probably fear the risk of miscarriage. That was when Mary took back power and locked Darnely away in his castle where he died in mysterious circumstances. The house exploded, but he survived before being strangled to death. And guess who was the suspect.
Mary is not only widowed the second time, but she marries the possible murder of her husband. Now the lords had no love for Darnley, but his death seemed a bit off as Mary quickly married to Bothwell. Even drew pictures of Mary as a mermaid. Not a compliment mind you. In Scotland, it means whore or seductress. And Mary's reputation went from bad to worse. She rebelled again and this time both Catholics and Protestant lords wanted Mary out of the throne and placed her son James to be king of Scotland and they wanted Moray to be his regent.
Moray had imprisoned Mary and she was separated from both her son and Bothwell who escaped. But the worst is yet to come, Mary had suffered a miscarriage and it was Bothwell's twins. It was horrifying for Mary. They forced her to abdicate either by her vulnerability of losing her miscarriage or threat. Either way, Mary has lost her crown. Mary had strength and a chance to escape. Elizabeth was her thought of helping her get her crown. Wrong again Mary.
Elizabeth was born to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. However, her birth was met with scorn by both Catholics and hatred for the Boleyns. However, it was mostly because of the actions her father, mostly her mother had done. he divorced his first wife and married Anne Boleyn to gain a son. Instead, he had a daughter.
She was beloved by her parents, but Anne Boleyn was beheaded under the guise of treason and saw Jane Seymour as his new replacement queen.
Since then her life suffered as now declared bastard or illegitimate as her older sister Mary daughter of Catherine of Aragon the first wife of Henry VIII.
Elizabeth suffered at the hands of her enemies and was accused of treason which included prison during both her siblings' reigns. But she survived it all even treason plots that brought up her name. And never know who to trust.
She never knew peace nor rest for she knows her enemies are lurking to destroy her. She had to play a game that had two chances life and death.
Her greatest enemy is Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. When Mary had escaped from Scotland and abdication her crown in favor of her son, James. Elizabeth refused to see her cousin as instructed that she must be sent away and be locked up in comfort as her presence endangered Elizabeth's life. Mary was struck with another heat felt like a betrayal again. For Elizabeth hearing about Mary's reputation back in Scotland that gave Elizabeth the decision to never marry seemed like a good idea compared to Mary. Despite Mary's insistent that she is innocent. Mary claimed that she was kidnapped and was raped by Bothwell. That is why she had to marry him to protect her honor.
William Cecil was very loyal to Elizabeth and a firm protestant reformer. He wants Mary dead, but Elizabeth cannot do it. No one would know why. But it could be a reminder of how she lost her mother Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard who were queens yet executed by the king's pleasure? Or fear of possible invaders who would use Mary's death to dethrone? Either way, Elizabeth would have to be forced as Willaim Cecil found evidence and proof that Mary was part of a coup to take Elizabeth's life and the crown. This angers Elizabeth as she will never go back to the time when she had to suffer at the hands of her enemies and the injustice was ignored. So, two versions said that Elizabeth was pressured by Willaim Cecil and her spymaster Francis Walsingham that there were new plots that were going to break Mary out and have a secret army waiting for her in France or other countries.
Another version said that she did sign it, but changed her mind as she wanted to spare Mary. Though, time was against Elizabeth. It's either her life or Mary's. She cannot have both ways. Mary was tried and found guilty. Then ordered her to be beheaded for treason. Though stories show she made one final defiant as a queen. She wore a red dress a symbol of martyrism. And three times it take to chop her thick neck. The executioner took her head, but her hair was a wig and her head flew off to the side. Finally, her pet dog was hiding under her dress yapping and covered in her blood.
Well, there you go folks the background and queens who were opposite to each other lives. However, tied by fate as they would someday play the role of life and death. The grand prize for the winner was the crown of England which remained with Elizabeth I for the next 44 years after she triumphed over the Spaniard armada and the final enemy who came close to Elizabeth but she remained undefeated.
After her death, the crown did not go to Mary as planned, but it went to her son James Stuart who became the first monarchy to Scotland and England finally united the two kingdoms into the great nation that is today.
