Marie de Guise: Queen Regent of Scots

On 22 February 1538 a Queen was crowned. She was Marie de Guise, mother of Mary Queen of Scots, one of the most famous women in Scottish history. Sadly, Mary's failures eclipse the successes of her mother, a far better politician and leader in her own right. Qualities that were useful in everyday life but proved crucial in dealing with the Scottish nobility upon the death of her husband, King James V.

King James was an intelligent, if emotionally insecure, monarch who was loved by his people if not by his nobility. And after the lost battle of Solway Moss, he died of a broken heart. He'd already lost one bride before marrying Marie, and then lost both his sons within hours of one another, only to be succeeded by his daughter at six days old. While James died of a broken heart, his queen could not yield to grief. Marie was made of far stronger stuff.


French Connection

Before marrying the King of Scots, she had already buried one husband and an infant son, and left one behind in France for Scotland. And after marrying James V she also mourned their two sons, James and Robert. And when her daughter was born and then declared Queen six days later, Marie was determined to secure her daughter's future as Queen of Scots, the first to reign in her own right. To do this Marie had to implore the shrewd politician within her as well as her connections in France.

Her French connections proved crucial when the English King wanted the new queen as a trophy in his scheme to obtain Scotland under his rule. Henry VIII is perhaps one of the most notorious Kings in history; married six times only to be succeeded by his two daughters, Henry desired Mary as a bride for his son, the future Edward VI. While it might indeed be a good match, Marie de Guise was not about to offer up her daughter as a sacrificial lamb. Marie could maneuver and manipulate just as well as Henry. While this may not be a positive trait to most people, it was an extremely useful tool in keeping her daughter close and safe.

The Opposition

In this, she faced much opposition, especially from the Scots nobility. A fickle crowd, the Scots nobility was made up of many men related in some way or other to the Stewart Kings, often making them arrogant and overbearing. But the more important of them was the Earl of Arran, next in line to the crown after Mary. Arran was a weak individual who changed sides like a wind in a blizzard. But in this capriciousness he was also predictable in his desire for power, and Marie de Guise used this to gain his support in accepting French support against the English.

They would need the extra help. For the English had crossed the border only to wreak havoc upon the Scots, pillaging and abusing the land and its people.  And the worst was yet to come.

With the forcefulness of the English, even after Henry VIII's death, Marie realised her daughter would never be safe on Scottish soil. So she struck a deal with the french that forced her to give up her only daughter. After five children, Marie had lost three sons and been forced to give two up for their security. As a result, Marie was forbidden the joys of truly being a mother, instead taking solace in that of ruling, leading a foreign country in the name of an absent monarch. Sadly, her efforts in securing an alliance between Scotland and France, as well as Scots independence within that, went underappreciated when the protestant reformation gained popularity.

Vilification

After years of ruling the Scots, she was vilified for her efforts through propaganda, sadly dying in isolation with only her enemies there at her death. Tragically Marie's work on her daughter's behalf, the only child to outlived her, were in vain. Mary's personal rule lasted only 7 years, ending in scandal and forced abdication. Alas, though the crown rested on Mary's head, it was Marie who kept it there through her intelligence and determination.

When Marie de Guise was crowned at Holyrood Abbey on 22 February 1538 she had little idea of the burden she would carry, ruling a country that would prove ungrateful for her efforts to secure their independence.