Mary Queen of Scots: A Misfortunate, Silly Woman? Or a Deceitful Enemy of the English Crown? 

The historical figure Mary Queen of Scots lived during the 16^th century, born in December 1542 to James V of Scotland and Mary of Guise. She was executed in February 1587. The Scottish and the English have portrayed her throughout history in two very distinct lights. Scotland viewed Mary Queen of Scots as an extremely misfortunate woman, taken into a political Scottish realm that she had been poorly prepared for. Turning to love and male figures for guidance is Mary’s biggest down falls according to Scottish history. On the other hand, English histories depict Mary Queen of Scots as a deceitful enemy to the English crown. This negative portrayal created justification for Queen Elizabeth I's decision to execute Mary Queen of Scots (who was in fact her cousin). Mary’s life has been displayed in a very negative light, stating that her main motive was to take the English crown. Evidential and factual truth can be seen in both interpretations but they also both project nationalistic bias.

The Chapbook titled “The Life and History of Mary Queen of Scots” written in 1820, is a Scottish version of Mary Queen of Scots' life. People used this source as a biography and believed it to be, for the most part, historically accurate. Although the document holds many accurate events, it can in no way be taken as a factual biography. Although historians have been able to piece together Mary’s life, the interpretations of the events have been altered due to collective memory, bias and myth. Collective memory and bias tie into the idea that people will re-tell a story slightly different each and every time. They will unintentionally include personal opinions, which can be based on political standpoints, religion, social class, etc. The story has been told and re told so many times, by both Scots and English, that it is consumed with bias. The factual events of Mary Queen of Scot's life has been understood, however the debate still surrounds Mary’s motives behind her actions. Did she truly want the English crown? Did she take part in the murder of her second husband? Or was she just an unfortunate figure in history that experienced a great deal of hardship and mistreatment?

Bellow is a clip, which shows a brief depiction on how Mary Queen of Scots has been portrayed in modern times. The movie “Mary Queen of Scots” directed by Thomas Imbach is a dramatized version of Mary’s life and Death. The focus is put on the idea of loss seen through Mary Queen of Scott's life. A Queen who lost three Kingdoms, a wife who lost three husbands, and a woman who lost her head. 

References

Graham, Rodrick. The Life of Mary Queen of Scots an Accidental Tragedy. New York: Pegasus Books, 2009.

Plaidy, Jean. Mary Queen of Scots the Fair Devil of Scotland. London: Robert Hale & Company, 1975.

Steel, David and Judy. Mary Stuart’s Scotland the Landscapes, Life and Legends of Mary Queen of Scots. New York: Harmony Books, 1987.

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