17 Outrageously Petty Royal Feuds That Changed the Course of History - History Collection

1. Elizabeth I vs. Mary, Queen of Scots

The rivalry between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots, was a complex and multifaceted conflict that spanned nearly two decades. Both women were granddaughters of Henry VII, making them first cousins once removed, and thus, both had legitimate claims to the English throne. Mary, a devout Catholic, was viewed by many Catholics as the rightful queen of England, especially after Elizabeth’s excommunication by Pope Pius V in 1570. (rmg.co.uk) Mary’s return to Scotland in 1561 after the death of her French husband, Francis II, marked the beginning of her contentious relationship with Elizabeth. In 1565, Mary married her cousin, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, whose own claim to the English throne made their union politically significant. However, Darnley’s murder in 1566 and Mary’s subsequent marriage to James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, led to scandal and Mary’s forced abdication in 1567. (rmg.co.uk) Seeking refuge, Mary fled to England in 1568, where Elizabeth, cautious of Mary’s Catholic sympathies and potential to incite rebellion, placed her under house arrest. Over the years, Mary became the focal point of several Catholic plots against Elizabeth, including the Ridolfi Plot (1571) and the Babington Plot (1586). The Babington Plot, in particular, provided the evidence needed to convict Mary of treason. After much deliberation, Elizabeth signed Mary’s death warrant on 1 February 1587. Mary was executed on 8 February 1587 at Fotheringhay Castle. Her death had profound implications, solidifying Elizabeth’s position and altering the course of English history.