Margaret Tudor (28 November 1489 – 18 October 1541) was the elder of the two surviving daughters of
Henry VII of EnglandHenry VII was the King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the Tudor dynasty.Henry was successful in restoring the power and stability of the English monarchy after the political upheavals of the Wars...
and
Elizabeth of YorkElizabeth of York was the daughter, sister, niece, mother and wife of Kings of England. She was Queen of England as spouse of King Henry VII, whom she married in 1486.-Princess of England:...
, and the elder sister of
Henry VIIIHenry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was also Lord of Ireland and claimant to the Kingdom of France. Henry was the second monarch of the House of Tudor, succeeding his father, Henry VII.Henry VIII was a significant figure in the history of the English monarchy...
. In 1503, she married
James IVJames IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stuart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from Great Britain to be killed in...
, King of Scots, thus becoming the mother of
James VJames V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his premature death at the age of thirty, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
and grandmother of
Mary, Queen of ScotsMary I was Queen of Scots from 14 December 1542 to 24 July 1567. She was the only surviving legitimate child of King James V. She was six days old when her father died and made her Queen of Scots...
. In addition, she was also the grandmother of Mary's consort
Lord DarnleyHenry Stuart, 1st Duke of Albany , commonly known as Lord Darnley, was a Prince Consort of Scotland, the first cousin and second husband of Mary I, Queen of Scots, and the father of her son King James VI, who also succeeded Queen Elizabeth I as King James I of England.-Early life:Darnley was born...
through her second marriage. Most important of all, Margaret's marriage to James led directly to the
Union of the CrownsThe Union of the Crowns was the accession of James VI, King of Scots, to the throne of England, thus uniting Scotland and England under one monarch...
. Born on 28 November 1489, she was baptised two days later on the 30th —
St. Andrew's DaySt. Andrew's Day is the feast day of Saint Andrew. It is celebrated on 30 November.Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, and St. Andrew's Day is Scotland's official national day . In 2006, the Scottish Parliament designated the St. Andrew's Day as an official bank holiday...
— in
St. Margaret's Church, WestminsterThe Anglican church of St. Margaret, Westminster Abbey is situated in the grounds of Westminster Abbey on Parliament Square, and is the parish church of the British Houses of Parliament in London...
, sharing a name with
Scotland's only royal saintSaint Margaret , was the sister of Edgar Ætheling, the short-ruling and uncrowned Anglo-Saxon King of England. She married Malcolm III, King of Scots, becoming his Queen consort.-Early life:...
. In all, Margaret married three times.
The Thistle and the Rose
Daughters may have been less welcome to kings than sons; they were, nonetheless, important political assets in a world where diplomacy and marriage were often closely linked. Even before her sixth birthday, Henry VII conceived of a marriage between James and Margaret, as a way of heading off the Scottish king's support for
Perkin WarbeckPerkin Warbeck was a pretender to the English throne during the reign of King Henry VII of England. Traditional belief claims that he was an imposter, pretending to be Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York, the younger son of King Edward IV of England, but was in fact a Fleming born in Tournai...
, the Yorkist pretender to the throne of England. Though not immediately welcome, the card, once played, was not withdrawn. In September 1497 James concluded a lengthy truce with Henry, and the marriage was once more presented as a serious possibility. It is said that some on the English royal council raised objections to the match, saying that it would bring the
StewartsThe House of Stuart, also known as the House of Stewart, is an important European royal house. Founded by Robert II of Scotland, the Stewarts first became monarchs of the Kingdom of Scotland during the late 14th century. Their direct ancestors had held the title High Steward of Scotland since the...
directly into the line of succession, to which the wily and astute Henry replied that "
our realme wald receive na damage thair thorow, for in that caise Ingland wald not accress unto Scotland, bot Scotland wald acress unto Ingland, as to the most noble heid of the hole yle… evin as quhan Normandy came in the power of Inglis men our forberis."
On 24 January, 1502 Scotland and England concluded the
Treaty of Perpetual PeaceThe Treaty of Perpetual Peace was signed by James IV of Scotland and Henry VII of England in 1502. It agreed an end to the intermittent warfare between Scotland and England which had been waged over the previous two hundred years....
, the first such agreement between the two realms for over one hundred and seventy years. That same day a marriage treaty was also concluded, and was the most visible sign — and guarantee — of the new peace. The marriage was then completed by proxy, so Margaret was now regarded as Queen of Scots; it has been noted by some historians that her brother
HenryHenry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was also Lord of Ireland and claimant to the Kingdom of France. Henry was the second monarch of the House of Tudor, succeeding his father, Henry VII.Henry VIII was a significant figure in the history of the English monarchy...
, who was then a child, second in line to the throne and the
Duke of YorkThe title Duke of York is a title of nobility in the British peerage. Since the 15th century, it has, when granted, usually been given to the second son of the British monarch...
, threw a tantrum when he realised his sister now held higher precedence in court than he did.
In 1503, Margaret finally came to Scotland; the progress was a grand journey northward, and to this day there exists in the city of
YorkYork is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence....
a plaque commemorating the exact spot where the Queen of Scots entered its gates. Margaret suffered a personal trauma early in her arrival, when a stable fire killed some of her favourite horses, and her bridegroom came to console her. She and James were married on 8 August at
Holyrood AbbeyHolyrood Abbey is a ruined Augustinian Abbey in Edinburgh, Scotland. The abbey was built in 1128 at the order of King David I of Scotland.-Etymology of name:...
in
EdinburghEdinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. It is the second largest Scottish city, after Glasgow, and the seventh-most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council is one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas....
, an occasion celebrated by the poet
William DunbarWilliam Dunbar , Scottish poet, was probably a native of East Lothian. This is assumed from a satirical reference in the Flyting of Dunbar and Kennedie , where, too, it is hinted that he was a member of the noble house of Dunbar....
in
The Thistle and the Rose:
Sweet lusty lovesome lady clear
Most mighty Kinges daughter dear,
Born of a Princess most serene,
Welcome to Scotland to be Queen ...
It is reported that the marriage between James and Margaret, though not initially a love match, was one of strong affection. The couple had six children, of whom only one survived infancy:
http://www.thepeerage.com/p10143.htm#i101421
- James, Duke of Rothesay
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay is a name and title shared by two short-lived heirs to the throne of the Kingdom of Scotland.-Earlier:James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay was the eldest son of James IV and his queen consort Margaret Tudor.At the time of his birth at Holyrood Palace, James IV had...
(21 February 1507, Holyrood Palace – 27 February 1508, Stirling CastleStirling Castle, located in Stirling, is one of the largest and most important castles, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland. The castle sits atop Castle Hill, a volcanic crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is surrounded on three sides by steep...
).
- Daughter (stillborn 15 July 1508, Holyrood Palace).
- Arthur, Duke of Rothesay (20 October 1509, Holyrood Palace – 14 July 1510, Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a fortress which dominates the sky-line of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear...
).
- James V
James V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his premature death at the age of thirty, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
( 10 April 1512, Linlithgow PalaceThe ruins of Linlithgow Palace are situated in the town of Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland, 15 miles west of Edinburgh. A royal manor existed on the site in the 12th Century. This was replaced by a fortification known as 'the Peel', built in the 14th century by English forces under Edward I...
- 14 December 1542, Falkland PalaceFalkland Palace in Fife, Scotland is a former royal palace of the Scottish Kings. Today it is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, and serves as a tourist attraction. -History:...
).
- Daughter (stillborn November 1512, Holyrood Palace).
- Alexander Stewart, Duke of Ross
Alexander Stewart, Duke of Ross was the fourth and last son of King James IV of Scotland and his queen Margaret Tudor....
(30 April 1514, Stirling Castle – 18 December 1515, Stirling Castle).
Queen Regent
The treaty of 1502, far from being perpetual, barely survived the death of Henry VII in 1509. His successor, the young and aggressive Henry VIII, had little time for his father's cautious diplomacy, and was soon heading towards a war with
FranceFrance , officially the French Republic , is a country located in Western Europe, with several overseas islands and territories located on other continents. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean...
, Scotland's ancient ally. In 1513, James invaded England to honour his commitment to the
Auld AllianceThe Auld Alliance refers to a series of treaties, offensive and defensive in nature, between Scotland and France , aimed specifically against England. The first such agreement was signed in Paris on 23 October 1295 – subsequently ratified at Dunfermline the following February – during the reign...
, only to meet death and disaster at the Battle of Flodden. Margaret had opposed the war, but was still named in the royal will as
regentA regent, from the Latin regens "reigning", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Thus, the common use is for an acting deputy governor....
for the infant king, for as long as she remained a widow.
ParliamentThe Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early thirteenth century, and the first meeting for which reliable evidence survives The Parliament of...
met at
StirlingStirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and mediæval old-town beside the River Forth...
not long after Flodden, and confirmed Margaret in the office of Regent. A woman was rarely welcome in a position of supreme power, and Margaret was the sister of an enemy king, which served to compound her problems. Before long a pro-French party took shape among the nobility, urging that she should be replaced by
John Stewart, 2nd Duke of AlbanyJohn Stewart, Duke of Albany was Regent of the Kingdom of Scotland, Duke of Albany in peerage of Scotland and count-consort of Auvergne and Lauraguais in France.-Early life:...
, the closest male relative to the infant princes, and now third in line to the throne. Albany, who had been born and raised in France, was seen as a living representative of the Auld Alliance, in contrast with the pro-English Margaret. She is considered to have acted calmly and with some degree of political skill. By July 1514, she had managed to reconcile the contending parties, and Scotland — along with France — concluded peace with England that same month. But in her search for political allies amongst the fractious Scottish nobility she took a fatal step, allowing good sense and prudence to be overruled by emotion and magnetism.
In seeking allies Margaret turned more and more to the powerful House of Douglas. She found herself particularly attracted to
Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of AngusArchibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus was a Scottish nobleman active during the reigns of James V and Mary, Queen of Scots...
, whom even his uncle, the cleric and poet
Gavin DouglasGavin Douglas was a Scottish bishop, makar and translator. Although he had an important political career, it is for his poetry that he is now chiefly remembered...
, called a "young witless fool." Margaret and Douglas were secretly married in the parish church of Kinnoull, near
PerthPerth is a former royal burgh in central Scotland. Sitting on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative headquarters of Perth and Kinross council area. According to the 2001 census, its population is 43,450...
, on 6 August. Not only did this alienate the other noble houses but it immediately strengthened the pro-French faction on the council, headed by
James Beaton, Archbishop of GlasgowJames Beaton, or Bethune , was a Scottish church leader, the uncle of Cardinal David Beaton.He was the sixth and youngest son of John Beaton of Balfour, in Fife. He graduated as Master of Arts at St...
. By the terms of the late king's will she had sacrificed her position; before the month was out she was obliged to consent to the appointment of Albany. In September the
Privy CouncilThe Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the King.In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of Scotland...
decided that she had also forfeited her rights to the supervision of her sons, whereupon in defiance she and her allies took the princes to Stirling Castle.
Albany arrived in Scotland in May 1515, and was finally installed as Regent in July. His first task was to get custody of James and Alexander, politically essential for the authority of the regency. Margaret, after some initial defiance, surrendered at Stirling in August. With the princes in the hands of their uncle, the
Queen DowagerA queen dowager or dowager queen is a title or status generally held by the widow of a deceased king...
, now expecting a child by Angus, retired to Edinburgh. For some time her brother had been urging her to flee to England with her sons; but she had steadily refused to do so, fearing such a step might lead to James's loss of the crown.
With no further interest in the matter she obtained permission to go to
LinlithgowLinlithgow is a former Royal Burgh in West Lothian, Scotland. Those born in Linlithgow are sometimes nicknamed Black Bitches, and the town's coat of arms shows a black dog, chained to an oak tree, which grows on an island. Linlithgow's patron saint is Saint Michael and its motto is St...
whence she escaped to the border. She was received by Lord Dacre, Henry's Warden of the Marches, and taken to
Harbottle CastleHarbottle Castle is a ruinous medieval castle situated at the west end of the village of Harbottle, Northumberland, England west-north-west of Rothbury overlooking the River Coquet...
. Here in early October she gave birth to Lady
Margaret DouglasMargaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox was the daughter of Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, and Margaret Tudor, queen dowager of Scotland.Margaret was born at Harbottle Castle in Northumberland...
, the future
countess of LennoxThe Mormaer of Lennox or Earl of Lennox was the ruler of the long-lasting provincial Mormaerdom/Earldom of Lennox in the Medieval Kingdom of the Scots. The first Mormaer is usually regarded as Ailin I , but the genealogy of the Mormaers gives earlier names...
and mother of
Henry Stuart, Lord DarnleyHenry Stuart, 1st Duke of Albany , commonly known as Lord Darnley, was a Prince Consort of Scotland, the first cousin and second husband of Mary I, Queen of Scots, and the father of her son King James VI, who also succeeded Queen Elizabeth I as King James I of England.-Early life:Darnley was born...
, the cousin of, and one day to be the second husband of, Mary, Queen of Scots. While still in the north of England, Queen Margaret learned of the death of her son, Alexander. Dacre hinted that Albany — cast in the role of
Richard IIIRichard III was King of England from 1483 until his death. He was the last king of the House of York and the Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat at the Battle of Bosworth Field was the decisive battle of the Wars of the Roses, and is sometimes regarded as the end of the Middle Ages in England...
— was responsible, though Margaret, even in her vulnerable state, refused to accept this, saying that if he really aimed at the throne for himself the death of James would have suited his purpose better. It was also at this time that she at last began to get the measure of Angus, who, with an eye on his own welfare, returned to Scotland to make peace with the Regent, "which much made Margaret to muse." When Henry learned that Angus would not be accompanying his sister to London he said "Done like a Scot." However, all of Angus's power, wealth and influence was in Scotland; to abandon the country would mean possible forfeiture for treason. In this regard he would have had before him the example of his kinsman
James Douglas, 9th Earl of DouglasJames Douglas, 9th Earl of Douglas, 3rd Earl of Avondale , was a Scottish nobleman, last of the 'Black' earls of Douglas. He was a twin, the older by a few minutes, the younger was Archibald Douglas, Earl of Moray....
, who fled to England the previous century, living out his life as a landless mercenary.
Marriage and politics
Margaret was well-received by Henry and, to confirm her status, was lodged in
Scotland YardNew Scotland Yard is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service, responsible for law enforcement within Greater London, excluding the City district, which is covered by the City of London Police....
, the ancient palace of the Scottish kings. In 1517, having spent a year in England, she returned north, after a treaty of reconciliation had been worked out by Albany, Henry and Cardinal Wolsey. Albany was temporarily absent in France — where he renewed the Auld Alliance once more and arranged for the future marriage of James V — but the Queen-Dowager was received at the border by Sieur de la Bastie, his deputy, as well as by her husband. Peace may have broken out, though it was perfectly clear that Margaret was still not fully trusted, and access to her son was strictly limited.
Although Margaret and Angus were temporarily reconciled it was not long before their relationship entered into a phase of terminal decline. She discovered that while in England her husband had been living with Lady Jane Stewart, a former lover. This was bad enough; what was worse, he had been living on his wife's money. In October 1518, she wrote to her brother, hinting at divorce;
"I am sore troubled with my Lord of Angus since my last coming into Scotland, and every day more and more, so that we have not been together this half year… I am so minded that, an I may by law of God and to my honour, to part with him, for I wit well he loves me not, as he shows me daily."
This was a difficult issue for Henry; a man of conservative and orthodox belief, he was opposed to divorce on principle – highly ironic, considering his later marital career. Just as important, Angus was a useful ally, an effective counter-weight to Albany and the pro-French faction. Angered by his attitude, Margaret drew closer to the Albany faction and joined with others in calling for his return from France. Albany, seemingly in no hurry to return to the fractious northern kingdom, suggested that she resume the regency herself. The dispute between husband and wife was set to dominate Scottish politics for the next three years, made even more complicated by a bitter feud between Angus and
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of ArranJames Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran, was a Scottish nobleman.-Biography:He was the only son of James Hamilton, 1st Lord Hamilton, and his wife Princess Mary Stewart, Princess of Scotland...
; with bewildering rapidity Margaret sided with one and then the other.
Albany finally arrived back in Scotland in November 1521. Warmly received by Margaret, it was soon rumoured that their cordial relations embraced more than politics. Angus went into exile as the Regent — with the full co-operation of the Queen-Dowager — set about restoring order to a country riven by three years of intense factional conflict. Albany was useful to Margaret: he was known to have influence in
RomeRome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated municipality , with over 2.7 million residents in , while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat to be 3.46 million. The metropolitan area of Rome is estimated by OECD to have a population of 3.7 million...
, which would help ease her application for a divorce. Angus and his allies spread the rumour that the two were lovers, to such effect that even the sober-headed Lord Dacre wrote to Wolsey, predicting that James would be murdered and Albany would become king and marry Margaret. But the relationship between the two was never more than one of calculated self-interest, as events were soon to prove.
Margaret's coup
In most essentials Margaret remained an Englishwoman in attitude and outlook, and at root she genuinely desired a better understanding between the land of her birth and her adopted home. But she quickly came to understand how treacherous Scottish politics could be, and that survival depended on the ability to achieve a balance between competing interests. Necessity demanded an alliance with Albany and the French faction, especially after the devastating border wars with England in the early 1520s. But no sooner was Albany off the scene than she set about organising a party of her own. In 1524, the Regent was finally removed from power in a simple but effective
coup d'étatA coup d'état , or coup for short, is the sudden unconstitutional deposition of a legitimate government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another, either civil or military...
. With Albany once more in France, Margaret, with the help of Arran and the Hamiltons, brought James, now twelve years old, from Stirling to Edinburgh. It was a bold and popular move. In August Parliament declared the regency at an end, as James was elevated to full kingly powers. In practice, he would continue to be governed by others, his mother above all. When Beaton objected to the new arrangements Margaret had him arrested and thrown into jail. In November Parliament formally recognised Margaret as the chief councillor to the King.
Margaret's alliance with Arran inevitably alienated other noble houses. Her situation was not eased when her brother allowed Angus to return to Scotland. Both of these factors were to some degree beyond her control. The most damaging move of all was not. She formed a new attachment, this time to
Henry StewartHenry Stewart, 1st Lord Methven was the third husband of Margaret Tudor, eldest daughter of Henry VII of England and Elizabeth of York.He was a son of Andrew Stewart, 2nd Lord Avandale and his wife Margaret Kennedy...
, a younger brother of Lord Avondale. Stewart was promoted to senior office, angering the
Earl of LennoxThe Mormaer of Lennox or Earl of Lennox was the ruler of the long-lasting provincial Mormaerdom/Earldom of Lennox in the Medieval Kingdom of the Scots. The first Mormaer is usually regarded as Ailin I , but the genealogy of the Mormaers gives earlier names...
, among others, who promptly entered into an alliance with her estranged husband. That same November, when Parliament confirmed Margaret's political office, her war with Angus descended into a murderous farce. When he arrived in Edinburgh with a large group of armed men, claiming his right to attend Parliament, she ordered cannons to be fired on him from both the
CastleEdinburgh Castle is a fortress which dominates the sky-line of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear...
and Holyrood House. When two English ambassadors present at court objected that she should not attack her lawful husband she responded in anger, telling them to "go home and not meddle with Scottish matters." Angus withdrew for the time being, but under pressure from various sources the Queen finally admitted him to the council of regency in February 1525. It was all the leverage he needed. Taking custody of James he refused to give him up, exercising full power on his behalf for a period of three years. James' experience during this time left him with an abiding hatred of both the house of Douglas and the English connection.
Divorce, marriage and death
Margaret attempted to resist but was forced to bend to the new political realities. Besides, by this time her desire for a divorce had become obsessive, taking precedence over all other matters. She was prepared to use all arguments, including the widespread myth that James IV had not been killed at Flodden. Despite the coup of 1524 she corresponded warmly with Albany, who continued his efforts on her behalf in Rome. In March 1527,
Pope Clement VIIPope Clement VII , born Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici, was a cardinal from 1513 to 1523 and was Pope from 1523 to 1534.-Early life:...
granted her petition. Because of the political situation in Europe at the time it was not until December that she learned of her good fortune. She lost no time in marrying Henry Stewart, ignoring the pious warnings of her brother that marriage was 'divinely ordained' and his protests against the "shameless sentence sent from Rome." Not too many years later Henry broke with Rome precisely because he could not get the same 'shameless sentence'.
In June 1528, James finally freed himself from the tutelage of Angus – who once more fled into exile – and began to rule in his own right. Margaret was an early beneficiary of the royal coup, she and her husband emerging as the leading advisors to the King. James created Stewart Lord Methven "for the great love he bore to his dearest mother." It was rumoured – falsely – that the Queen favoured a marriage between her son and her niece,
Princess MaryMary I , was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from 19 July 1553 until her death. She was the oldest daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. The fourth crowned monarch of the Tudor dynasty, she is remembered for restoring England to Roman Catholicism after succeeding her short-lived...
, but she was instrumental in bringing about the Anglo-Scottish peace agreement of May 1534.
The central aim of Margaret's political life – besides assuring her own survival – was to bring about a better understanding between England and Scotland, a position she held to through some difficult times. James was suspicious of Henry, especially because of his continuing support for Angus, a man he loathed with a passion. Even so, in early 1536 his mother persuaded him to meet with her brother. It was her moment of triumph and she wrote to Henry and Thomas Cromwell, now his chief advisor, saying that it was "by advice of us and no other living person." She was looking for a grand occasion on the lines of the Field of Cloth of Gold, and spent a huge sum in preparation. In the end it came to nothing because there were too many voices raised in objection and because James would not be managed by his mother or anyone else. In a private interview with the English ambassador, her disappointment was obvious – "I am weary of Scotland", she confessed. Her weariness even extended to betraying state secrets to Henry.
Weary of Scotland she may have been: she was now even more tired of Lord Methven, who was proving himself to be even worse than Angus in his desire both for other women and for his wife's money; also, their only child, a daughter (possibly called Dorothea Stewart), died in infancy. Eager for yet another divorce her proceedings were frustrated by James, who she believed had been bribed by her husband. Again, as so often in Margaret's life, tragedy and unhappiness were closely pursued by intrigue and farce. At one point she ran away towards the border, only to be intercepted and brought back to Edinburgh. Time and again she wrote to Henry with complaints about her poverty and appeals for money and protection – she wished for ease and comfort instead of being obliged "to follow her son about like a poor gentlewoman."
In June 1538, Margaret welcomed
Mary of GuiseMary of Guise was the Queen of Scots as the second spouse of King James V of Scotland. She was the mother of Queen Mary I of Scotland and served as regent of Scotland in her daughter's name from 1554 to 1560....
, James's new French bride to Scotland. These two women, among the most formidable in Scottish history, established a good understanding. Mary made sure that her mother-in-law, who had now been reconciled with Methven, made regular appearances at court and it was reported to Henry that "the young queen was all papist, and the old queen not much less."
Margaret died of a severe stroke at
Methven CastleMethven Castle is a 17th-century house situated east of Methven, in Perth and Kinross, Scotland.-History:The lands of Methven were owned by the Mowbray family from the 12th century. The Mowbrays supported the claim of John Balliol against Robert the Bruce, and on the latter's victory, Methven was...
, in
PerthshirePerthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south...
on 18 October 1541 and was buried at the
CarthusianThe Carthusian Order, also called the Order of St. Bruno, is a Roman Catholic religious order of enclosed monastics. The order was founded by Saint Bruno of Cologne in 1084 and includes both monks and nuns...
Priory of St John in
PerthPerth is a former royal burgh in central Scotland. Sitting on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative headquarters of Perth and Kinross council area. According to the 2001 census, its population is 43,450...
(demolished during the
ReformationThe Scottish Reformation was Scotland's formal break with the Papacy in 1560, and the events surrounding this. It was part of the wider European Protestant Reformation; and in Scotland's case culminated ecclesiastically in the re-establishment of the church along Reformed lines, and politically in...
, 1559). Her brother's dynasty ended with the childless
Elizabeth IElizabeth I was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called the Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
, and the line of succession to the English throne was passed through Margaret's heirs. Her great-grandson, James VI of Scotland, became
James I of EnglandJames VI & I was King of Scots as James VI from 1567 to 1625, and King of England and Ireland as James I from 1603 to 1625....
, thus uniting the crowns of the two countries and conferring on Margaret something of a posthumous triumph.
Further reading
- Margaret Tudor - Queen of Scots by Patricia Buchanan
- Tudor Women by Alison Plowden
- King Harry's sister: Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland by Michael Glenne
- The Rose and the Thorn: The Lives of Mary and Margaret Tudor by Harvey Nancy Lenz
- Sisters to the King by Maria Perry
In popular culture
The drama series "
The TudorsThe Tudors is an Irish-produced historical fiction television series created by Michael Hirst. The series is based upon the reign of English monarch Henry VIII, and is named after the Tudor dynasty.-Production:...
" portrays Mary Tudor through the character of Princess Margaret, and is a composite of both sisters, Mary and Margaret Tudor, portrayed by Gabrielle Anwar. Many liberties have been taken with the story such as Henry's arrangement of her marriage with the aged King of Portugal, not France, in the late 1520s and has Margaret/Mary murder the King of Portugal. It also has her dying before Wolsey (who died in 1530).
External links