The Life and Afterlife of Mary Queen of Scots

Discover the life and lasting legacy of Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots was born and ascended to the throne of Scotland in 1542, before being forced to abdicate in 1567. She was married three times, first to the king of France, and then to two noblemen from the British Isles, one of whom was spectacularly murdered.

She would spend close to 20 years imprisoned by her cousin Queen Elizabeth I before being executed for treason. Her son, James I and VI would go on to become the first monarch of both England and Scotland.

The history of Mary Queen of Scots was a dramatic one, even by the 16th century standards of the Tudors and Stuarts.

On this course from the University of Glasgow, you will learn about Mary Queen of Scots’ life You will also explore her afterlife in our shared cultural history, where she still occupies a prominent position.

Mary Queen of Scots, from the 16th to the 21st century

The life of Mary Queen of Scots provides a lens through which we can explore many of the tensions that defined 16th century Scotland and England. This was a period in the history of the British Isles that was characterised by deep political, cultural and religious upheaval.

On this course you will explore the complex forces that led to Mary’s rise and fall from power, and her imprisonment at the hands of a fellow monarch.

You will also explore how Mary Queen of Scots’ life has been memorialised in popular culture, investigating why she is so deeply entrenched into our cultural history.

This course would suit anyone with a personal or professional interest in the life of Mary Queen of Scots, 16th century history, or cultural history.

It also covers culture, religion, and gender, as well as Anglo-Scottish relations through history.

• Introducing Mary and her world; her early life
• Welcome
• Who is Mary? An overview
• Sixteenth Century Scotland and Europe
• Mary in France, 1548-1561
• Consolidation and Next Steps
• Mary, Queen of Scots – 1561-1587
• Mary's Reign: Introduction
• Good beginnings? Mary in Scotland, 1561-1565
• Mary and Darnley
• Mary and Bothwell
• Mary's Later Life
• Consolidation and Next Steps
• ‘In my end is my beginning’: Mary’s Afterlife
• Introduction
• Mary's death and the Early Legend
• Mary's image
• Collecting Mary
• Some Modern Maries
• Consolidation and next Steps