Mary, Queen of Scots

The following are more interesting facts about the life and times of Mary, Queen of Scots:

• Linlithgow Palace was the place where Mary was born on December 7, 1542.

• Edinburgh Castle was the scene of important events in Mary's life, including the birth of her son, James VI.

• Edinburgh Castle is especially beautiful at night (during the time of "Castle Esplanade" held every August).

• Mary's Death Mask is displayed at the visitor center in Jedburgh, Scotland.

• Mary was six-feet tall. One of her dresses is maintained at Stirling Castle.

• Mary's signature ("Marie R") stands for Mary, Regina (Latin for queen). Her motto was: "In my end is my beginning."

• She spent most of 1568 in  Carlisle Castle, where she was imprisoned.

• During her nineteen years of house arrest, in Britain, Mary made many embroidered works. This is one on display at the Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh.

• One way to know someone is to read her own words.  This link takes you to some of Mary's writings.

• As he grew older, Henry VIII grew heavier.  The link depicts his appearance in 1544, three years before his death in 1547.

• Before she left her birth country for good, Mary spent time in some of the more famous buildings which played a role in historic Scotland.  The link depicts a few of those places.