Mary Queen of Scots, Lord Darnley, and Anglo-Scottish Relations in 1565

Abstract

Anglo-Scottish Relations in 1565IN THE CONFUSED and ultimately tragic story of Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots, the year 1565 usually appears merely as a prologue. Its events are speedily rehearsed while the audience waits impatiently for the main drama to begin. The celebrated episodes of the Rizzio murder, Kirk o' Field, and Carberry Hill in 1566-7 have all but monopolized the attention of later writers, as they mark the downfall of Mary Stuart, an event of undeniable importance in British history. Too exclusive an emphasis upon this denouement, however, obscures the significance of the events of 1565 and, in particular, the implications of Mary's marriage to Lord Darnley on 29 July.* This episode sharply focused the basic ambiguity within English policy towards Scotland, an ambiguity which had been present ever since Mary's return to her kingdom in August 1561.The Darnley marriage forced the English government to decide between the two attitudes to Scotland which had previously coexisted, albeit uneasily. Faced with this choice, Elizabeth I's Scottish policy collapsed and English diplomacy was reduced to little more than a series of expedients. This was the central component in a revolution in Anglo-Scottish relations which took place in 1565. The extent of this transformation was considerable. At the beginning of the year, England and Scotland seemed on the point of concluding a marriage alliance designed to bring the two countries together through a future dynastic union; by the closing months of 1565, this state of affairs had been replaced by a deep hostility and, for a moment in the autumn, there had been the danger of war. The harmony which had characterized relations since 1560 was destroyed and English influence at the Scottish court, hitherto dominant, was eclipsed as the diplomatic initiative moved decisively from London to Edinburgh.In the long struggle between England and France for control over Scotland, the revolution of 1559-60 had given the English a major victory. * Dates are throughout given in the new style unless otherwise indicated. The International History Review, vm, i, February 1986, pp. 1-172 CN ISSN 0707-5333 © The International History Review 1 The composition of the party of revolution has recently been fully examined by G. Donaldson, All the Queen's Men (London, 1983), pp. 31-47.

Le <i>Genethliacon Jacobi Sexti Scotorum Regis</i> de George Buchanan

“…Des remous diplomatiques importants furent causés par le mariage écossais, qui n'avait pas été négocié avec les Anglais et qui renforçait la position de Marie dans la question de la succession anglaise. Tout en désapprouvant fortement l'union, l'Angleterre ne s'engagea pourtant pas aux côtés de Moray et des rebelles, par crainte entre autres d'une internationalisation du conflit si Marie faisait appel aux grands monarques catholiques 4 .…”