Tudor Expectations
As a great-granddaughter of Henry VII of England, Mary had once claimed Elizabeth's throne as her own and was considered the legitimate sovereign of England by many English Catholics, including participants in a rebellion known as the Rising of the North.
Perceiving Mary as a threat, Elizabeth had her confined in various castles and manor houses in the interior of England. After eighteen-and-a-half years in captivity, Mary was found guilty of plotting to assassinate Elizabeth in 1586 and was beheaded the following year at Fotheringhay Castle.
Mary's life and execution established her in popular culture as a romanticised historical character.
Mary Queen of Scots
After the death of Elizabeth there were hopes by some of the Catholic community that the Protestant church become less influencial in the country.
As Elizabeth I of England died childless Mary's son James Stuart, James VI of Scotland succeeded as James I of England. Instead of promoting the Catholic cause, James who was brought up a Protestant, continued the religious stance of his great-aunt Elizabeth.
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