Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587, r. 1542-1567) had just one son, James, who was born on 19 June 1566. James’ father was Mary’s second husband Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, who was murdered at Kirk O’Field in Edinburgh on 10 February 1567.This shocking act, and Mary’s subsequent third marriage – probably through force rather than choice – to Darnley’s suspected murderer, James Hepburn 4th earl of Bothwell, triggered a widespread noble revolt against the queen. Mary was seized at Carberry Hill, just outside Musselburgh, on 15 June, imprisoned on the island of Loch Leven, and forced to sign a series of articles abdicating her throne. A little over a month later, at the age of just thirteen months, the young prince was crowned in her stead as James VI at the
