Today is the birthday of Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, who was the grandson of Margaret Tudor by her second husband, Archibald Douglas. While he had a claim to both the English and Scottish thrones, he is most remembered for being the second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, and then being murdered, thus setting into play the chaos that led to Mary’s fleeing Scotland. It’s difficult to find anyone who has anything good to say about Henry. His marriage to Mary, Queen of Scots, was estranged, and he treated her very badly. He was upset that he wasn’t given the crown matrimonial, and then he helped assassinate her secretary. But his son James VI would rule Scotland, and become James I of England.
That’s your Tudor Minute for today. Remember you can dive deeper into life in 16th century England through the Renaissance English History Podcast at englandcast.com.