Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, was beheaded Feb. 8, 1587, in Northamptonshire, England, by order of Elizabeth Tudor, Queen of England.
Born in 1542 to Mary de Guise and James V, King of Scots, Mary was the great niece of King Henry VIII of England.
She grew up in France and married King Frances II in 1559, which made her Queen Consort of France.
After the death of Henry VIII, Mary, Queen of Scots, considered herself the legitimate Queen of England. But Henry’s first born, Mary Tudor, was named queen. Known as “Bloody Mary,” she had a penchant for burning protestants at the stake.
Elizabeth Tudor, daughter of King Henry and Anne Boleyn, became queen after Mary’s death. She saw Mary Stuart as a consummate threat.
Elizabeth had Mary imprisoned for 19 years. Mary later plotted to assassinate Elizabeth and claim the throne of England.
Mary was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death by beheading. She attended the execution block gracefully.
The executioner took three thrusts of the axe to sever Mary’s head, yelling “God save Queen Elizabeth.”
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