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Mary, Queen of Scots & Darnley – A Love That Led to Ruin
#OTD in 1565, Mary met Lord Darnley—and fell in love. But this marriage would be her greatest mistake, leading to betrayal, murder, and the loss of her throne.
The Tudor Society · Mary, Queen of Scots falls for Lord Darnley's charms - The Tudor SocietyOn 17th February 1565, Mary, Queen of Scots met Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley at Wemyss Castle in Scotland, and fell in love. It seemed like a fairy tale. Darnley was young, tall, handsome, and charming. He was of royal blood, with claims to both the Scottish and English thrones. He was the son of Lady Margaret Douglas—Mary’s own cousin—and Matthew Stuart, Earl of Lennox, whose family had spent years in exile after being declared traitors. The House of Lennox had once supported Henry VIII’s attempts to control Scotland, and by the 1560s, they were eager to regain their influence. But for Mary, Darnley appeared to be the perfect husband - a man who could help her strengthen her claim to the English throne, provide her with heirs, and reinforce her position in Scotland. Plus she’d rather fallen under his spell – he was quite the charmer. Yet, this love match was one of the worst decisions she ever made - a decision that set her on a course toward scandal, betrayal, and ultimately, her downfall.