Maria Stuart

Maria Stuart, also known as Mary, Queen of Scots, was a 16th-century monarch who ruled Scotland. She became queen as a child but faced political turmoil, including conflicts with other European powers and her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England. Her Catholic faith and claims to the English throne made her a target of suspicion and imprisonment. After abdicating the Scottish throne, she sought refuge in England, but Elizabeth kept her imprisoned for nearly 20 years, fearing her influence. Maria was eventually executed in 1587, as her presence threatened Elizabeth’s rule. Her life reflects the complex politics of European monarchy and religion during the Renaissance.