Mary's claim to the throne and arrival to England

• Why Mary had a claim to the throne in regards to family:

  • Henry VII's great granddaughter
  • Descendant from Margaret Tudor, Henry VIII's sister
  • Married to Francis II, king of France
  • Inherited the Scottish crown when only 6 days ago
• Mary’s claim was strengthened by the fact there were no concerns about her legitimacy. Elizabeth’s legitimacy was questioned by Catholics, however, as her mother Anne Boleyn’s marriage to Henry VIII was seen by many Catholics as invalid. This undermined Elizabeth’s claim to the throne
• After Francis died in 1560, Mary returned to Scotland to marry Lord Darnley and produced James in 1566, who would be their heir.
• In 1567, Darnley is murdered (Mary as a suspect) and Mary marries the Earl of Bothwell
• In 1567, Protestant lords rebelled against Mary and she was made to abdicate and was imprisoned
• Mary fled to England and in 1568 was placed under house arrest, due to suspected plots which involved her against Elizabeth
• In 1560, Mary signed the Treaty of Edinburgh, which stated that she would give up her claim to the English Throne
• Protestant lords in Scotland rebelled against Mary as they disliked the French Catholic influence bought by Mary of Guise. Elizabeth helped protestant lords to defeat Mary of Guise
• Mary’s arrival in England created a problem for Elizabeth. By remaining in England she could encourage rebellion, as many members of the Catholic nobility believed they could overthrow Elizabeth and place Mary on the throne