The Problem of MQS

• Mary was Henry VII's great granddaughter and Elizabeth's second cousin, so she had a legitimate claim to the English throne.
• Mary was married to Francis II of France.
• Many Catholics, including nobility, were prepared to support her claim to the throne.
• Mary was always at the centre of Catholic plots, both locally and internationally.
• There were no concerns about Mary's legitimacy, undermining Elizabeth's claim to the throne.
• Mary returned to Scotland after Francis II's death in 1560. She married Henry Stuart (Lord Darnley) and produced an heir, James.
• Mary married the Earl of Bothwell after Darnley was murdered (possibly with her involvement).
• Many Scots rebelled against Mary in 1568, imprisoning her and forcing her to abdicate in favour of James.
• Mary escaped prison and raised an army, fleeing to England in 1568 after its defeat.
• In England, Mary was held in comfort, but under guard while Elizabeth decided what to do with her.
• Scottish rebels demanded that Mary be handed over and tried for murder.