Mary, Queen of Scots, 1570, (c 1950s)

Mary, Queen of Scots, 1570, (c 1950s). British Railways carriage print, showing Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587) reading a letter, whilst being held captive at Chatsworth Place, Derbyshire in 1570. Mary was the only child of James V of Scotland (1512-1542). In 1565 she married Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, a grandson of Margaret Tudor. When Henry died in suspicious circumstances in 1567, Mary was suspected. Her decision to marry the Earl of Bothwell, who was widely believed to be his murderer, led Mary's nobles to unite against her. She escaped to England to the protection of Elizabeth I. However, her claim to the the English throne, and the support of the Catholics, made her dangerous to the Queen. Accused of plotting to murder her, she was executed for treason in 1587. ©SSPL/NRM/Pictorial Collection