Joshua Bennett
Mary, Queen of Scots, was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle on 8 February 1587, following 19 years of imprisonment for her role in a plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. Queen Elizabeth ordered the execution, which was carried out after Mary was found guilty of treason for her involvement in the Babington Plot, a scheme led by Roman Catholic nobleman, Anthony Babington, to assassinate Elizabeth. Mary's beheading was not a quick process, and the executioner had to strike her neck three times before her head was fully severed from her body. Mary's life and execution have cemented her legacy as a romanticised historical character.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Mary |
| Title | Queen of Scots |
| Date of Execution | 8 February 1587 |
| Cause of Execution | Complicity in a plot to murder Queen Elizabeth I |
| Method of Execution | Beheaded |
| Execution Site | Fotheringhay Castle |
| Age at Death | 44 |
| Popular Culture | Established as a romanticised historical character |
| Nickname | Bloody Mary |
| Number of Executions Ordered | Nearly 300 |
| Reason for Nickname | Persecution and execution of Protestants |
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What You'll Learn
Mary, Queen of Scots, was beheaded for treason
Mary was convicted of treason on 25 October 1586 and sentenced to death, with the beheading to be carried out a few months later. Elizabeth initially hesitated to order the execution, as she was concerned about the consequences of executing a fellow queen and cousin. However, she eventually signed the death warrant on 1 February 1587.
Mary's execution was gruesome, even by 16th-century standards. The first blow of the axe missed her neck and struck the back of her head, and the second blow severed her neck, except for a small bit of sinew that the executioner cut through. Mary's small pet dog emerged from her skirts after her death.
Mary's life and execution have established her as a romanticised historical character. She was the daughter of King James V of Scotland and was born on 8 December 1542. She inherited the Scottish throne when she was just six days old, upon her father's death. Mary was first betrothed and then married to Francis, the Dauphin of France, in 1558, becoming queen consort of France. After Francis' death in 1560, she returned to Scotland. She was forced to abdicate the Scottish throne in 1567 and fled to England, where she was imprisoned for 19 years before her execution.
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Elizabeth I ordered the execution
Elizabeth I, queen of England from 1558 until her death in 1603, is known for her strong Protestant faith and her efforts to consolidate and strengthen the English Protestant church. One of the more controversial episodes during her reign was her involvement in the execution of Queen Mary of Scotland, who was a Catholic. While Elizabeth I did not directly behead Catholics herself, she played a pivotal role in ordering the execution of Mary, a decision that had significant political and religious implications.
Mary, Queen of Scots, was considered a threat to Elizabeth's rule due to her strong claim to the English throne and her Catholic faith. Elizabeth's advisors and ministers, particularly Sir Francis Walsingham, believed that Mary was involved in plots to overthrow Elizabeth and return England to Catholicism. Walsingham's network of spies gathered evidence, some of which implicated Mary in these plots.
The turning point came when Mary was implicated in the Babington Plot, a conspiracy to assassinate Elizabeth and place Mary on the English throne. Walsingham intercepted and decoded letters between Mary and the conspirators, providing damning evidence of her involvement. Faced with this evidence, Elizabeth felt she had no choice but to act decisively to protect her reign and the Protestant faith she had firmly established in England.
In February 1587, Elizabeth signed the warrant for Mary's execution. She was reluctant to take this step, as executing a queen set a dangerous precedent and could have far-reaching consequences. However, she ultimately placed the stability of her reign and the security of the Protestant faith above these concerns. Mary was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire on February 8, 1587.
The execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, was a significant event in the religious and political landscape of Elizabethan England. It highlighted the tensions between Protestantism and Catholicism, as well as the complex dynamics of female monarchy during a time when women's rule was often contested. Elizabeth's decision to order Mary's execution demonstrated her determination to defend her kingdom against perceived threats, even if it meant taking drastic and controversial actions.
While Elizabeth I did not directly behead Catholics, the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, on her orders sent a clear message about the consequences of challenging Elizabeth's authority and the Protestant establishment in England. This event remains a fascinating and contentious episode in English history, inviting ongoing debate and interpretation.
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Mary was involved in a plot to murder Elizabeth
Mary, Queen of Scots, was a central figure in many plots against Queen Elizabeth I, largely due to her claim to the English throne and her Catholic stance. Mary's involvement in these plots was active, though not direct, as she was a financial backer and a connection to foreign powers.
The first of these plots was the Ridolfi Plot, named after Roberto Ridolfi, an Italian banker. The plan was to secure an invasion of England by Spanish forces, leading to a Catholic uprising that would free Mary, depose Elizabeth, and place Mary on the throne. Mary confessed to providing financial aid to Ridolfi but denied knowledge of the plot. She was implicated by her envoy, Leslie, who confessed under the threat of torture.
The second plot was the Babington Plot, which was a plan to assassinate Queen Elizabeth and put Mary, a Catholic, on the English throne. This plot was discovered by Elizabeth's spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, who used double agents to entrap Mary and obtain evidence of her involvement. Walsingham was aware that Mary was a threat to Elizabeth and sought to implicate her in a plot to assassinate the Queen.
Mary was found guilty of plotting to assassinate Elizabeth in 1586 and was beheaded the following year at Fotheringhay Castle. Her execution was the result of a letter sent by Mary, in which she consented to the assassination of Elizabeth.
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Mary was stripped to her underwear prior to beheading
Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed by beheading at Fotheringhay Castle on 8 February 1587. This came after 19 years of imprisonment for her role in a plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.
Mary was stripped to her underwear prior to her beheading. A first-hand account of the event describes how Mary was "stripped of all her apparell saving her petticoat and kertell". The same account also describes how Mary's two women attendants were "crying and crossed themselves prayed in Latin".
Mary's execution was considered horrendous even by 16th-century standards. After her death, Mary's head was left 'hanging by a thread', and an eyewitness reported that "her lips stirred up and a down a quarter of an hour after her head was cut off".
Mary's beheading followed her implication in the Babington Plot, a scheme to assassinate Elizabeth and place Mary on the English throne. Elizabeth's spy-master, Walsingham, had set up Mary, causing her to effectively sign her own death warrant when she replied to the plotters, approving of their scheme.
Mary was considered the legitimate sovereign of England by many English Catholics, who viewed her as the perfect contender for the throne. This perception of Mary as a threat led to her confinement in various castles and manor houses in England.
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Mary was remembered as 'Bloody Mary'
Mary I of England earned the nickname "Bloody Mary" due to her violent persecution of religious dissenters during her five-year reign. Over 280 people, mostly Protestants, were executed, often by burning at the stake, in what became known as the Marian persecutions. While Mary was no more "bloody" than other monarchs of her time, her actions inadvertently increased sympathy for Protestantism, and her failure to return England to Catholicism contributed to her infamous legacy.
During her reign, Mary vigorously attempted to reverse the English Reformation, which had begun under her father, King Henry VIII. This included trying to restore Church property confiscated during the previous two reigns, though these efforts were largely thwarted by Parliament. Despite her intentions, Mary's persecution was ultimately ineffective, as Protestantism regained control of the nation after her death in 1558.
The violent nature of the Marian persecutions earned Mary her infamous nickname. Over 280 religious dissenters were burned at the stake, with nearly 300 executions in total during her reign. While the exact number of executions is unclear, it is believed to be lower than that of other monarchs, such as Henry VIII, who is said to have executed over 70,000 people during his reign.
The failure of Mary's policies and the brutal nature of the persecutions led to her being remembered as "Bloody Mary." Writer John Foxe, who chronicled the execution of John Rogers, one of the Protestants burned at the stake, played a significant role in preserving the memory of Mary's reign of terror. Despite her efforts to uphold Catholicism, Mary's actions ultimately backfired, as they encouraged defiance and strengthened the Protestant cause.
Mary's legacy as "Bloody Mary" is a reminder of the violent religious persecution that occurred during the sixteenth century. While her actions may have been driven by a sense of duty to her faith, they ultimately resulted in widespread suffering and earned her a notorious place in English history.
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Frequently asked questions
Mary, Queen of Scots was Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication in 1567. She was beheaded in 1587.
Mary, Queen of Scots was beheaded for treason. She was convicted of plotting to assassinate her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.
Mary, Queen of Scots was beheaded with an axe after 19 years of imprisonment.
Mary's beheading was described as "gruesome". It is said that the executioner missed with the first strike of the axe, forcing him to strike again. Mary's head was not completely severed after two blows, so the executioner had to strike a third time.
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