While the basic story of Mary Queen of Scots is known throughout Europe and beyond, and has fascinated painters, poets and playwrights amongst many others, there are many misunderstandings and misconceptions surrounding her. The following pages aim to set out the basic timeline and the main events of Mary’s life to give readers a reliable yet accessible understanding of how and why she came to a tragic end and why she provokes such a variety of opinion.

We’ve separated the timeline into five sections:

Mary’s birth and early life

Her family background, the circumstances of her birth, and her early life in Scotland

Life at the French Court

Her youth in the French court and marriage to the Dauphin

Return to Scotland

Her marriage to Darnley, John Knox, Rizzio’s murder

Conflicts and Abdication

James’ birth, Darnley’s death, Mary’s relationship with Bothwell, their battle to retain the crown, her imprisonment and escape from Lochleven Castle and final defeat

Imprisonment in England

Her flight to England, imprisonment, plots, and eventual execution