Status Updates From Mary Queen of Scots’ Downfa...

I'll get it finished soon, promise!

‘she was a poor judge of character. Her choice of King Henry was disastrous, and by failing to conduct a proper investigation into his murder, she lost her throne. Her cosseted upbringing in France had left her ill-prepared for the intransigence of either the Scottish nobility or the Kirk. Both were questioning the divine right of her rule, but she lacked Elizabeth’s political astuteness.’

‘For those who argue that Mary had no advance knowledge of the conspiracy to murder her husband, the most difficult issue is to explain why she condoned a whitewash for Bothwell’s trial with no evidence being presented. All the early commentators accepted the view of the propaganda that she had been involved with him in an amorous attachment and wanted to avoid a proper investigation.’

‘Mary seemed too distraught to take control. Although she wrote to Lennox promising justice for the king, she took no immediate action to set up an enquiry, and the Council’s efforts were half-hearted. A reward of £2,000 Scots was offered for information with ‘an honest yearly rent’ and a pardon to anyone giving evidence, but no one came forward.’