What If Queen Mary I of Scots Had Not Been Utered?
Introduction
Queen Mary I of Scots is a figure of considerable intrigue in British and European history. The question of what might have happened if she had not been put to death by Queen Elizabeth I in 1587 is one that continues to fascinate scholars, historians, and enthusiasts alike. This discussion delves into various scenarios, examining the potential outcomes had Mary’s fate been different, focusing on key aspects such as her early departure from Scotland and her subsequent life.
The Decision to Leave Scotland
The most critical juncture in Mary I of Scots' life was her decision to leave Scotland and travel to England in 1568. She believed that England, ruled by Elizabeth I, would honor her as the rightful heir to the throne. However, this decision was fraught with peril. In France, she could have been honored as the Dowager Queen of France, as the wife of Francis II. Mary held lands in France and received income from them, making such a move a reasonable option given the threat of political upheaval and plots targeting her.
The Plots and Elizabeth I's Response
Elizabeth I initially resisted efforts to arrest Mary due to the political ramifications and personal risks. However, Walsingham, Elizabeth’s intelligence chief, ensured that information reaching the queen made it impossible to keep Mary alive. The complex web of plots involving France and Spain to support Mary in seizing the throne only heightened the urgency of her arrest and eventual uration. Despite fears of political instability and the death of a queen, Elizabeth eventually succumbed to the pressure and had Mary ured in 1587.
The Fate of James, Mary’s Son
Had Mary not been ured, her son, James, would have faced a significant challenge in dealing with his mother. The political landscape of early 17th-century Europe was volatile, with both Scotland and England demanding stability. James was only the King of Scotland at the time, and taking on the responsibilities of both thrones, especially with a mother seen as a threat to the succession, would have been a daunting task. The pages of history suggest that when Elizabeth was visibly ill, steps would have been taken to ensure the smooth transfer of power, which likely included managing Mary’s fate to avoid complicating the succession.
Legacy and Afterwards
Even if Mary had been exiled, the potential for unrest among the Scottish nobility and the ongoing issues with the Catholic Church in England and Europe would have lingered. The Catholic Church would have continued to pose a significant threat, and the tensions between Protestants and Catholics would have remained unresolved. Moreover, the Scots Nobility's dissatisfaction with Mary’s marriage to James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, would have needed to be addressed, which would have required careful management of relations and potentially another round of negotiations or conflict.
Concluding Thoughts
In summary, the question of what might have happened if Queen Mary I of Scots had not been ured is complex and multifaceted. It would have required a significant shift in diplomatic and political decisions that would have affected not just her own fate but also the broader landscape of the British Isles and Europe. The central theme remains the impossibility and the dangerousness of maintaining a figure like Mary I, whether in exile or within the custody of powerful monarchs like Elizabeth I, given the political and religious tensions of the time.