Explore the 16th century life of Mary Queen of Scots, and her place in cultural history in the centuries that followed. Discover the life and lasting legacy of Mary Queen of Scots. Mary Queen of Scots was born and ascended to the throne of Scotland in 1542, before being forced to abdicate in 1567. She was married three times, first to the king of France, and then to two noblemen from the British Isles, one of whom was spectacularly murdered.
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She would spend close to 20 years imprisoned by her cousin Queen Elizabeth I before being executed for treason. Her son, James I and VI would go on to become the first monarch of both England and Scotland.
The history of Mary Queen of Scots was a dramatic one, even by the 16th century standards of the Tudors and Stuarts.
On this course from the University of Glasgow, you will learn about Mary Queen of Scots’ life You will also explore her afterlife in our shared cultural history, where she still occupies a prominent position.
Mary Queen of Scots, from the 16th to the 21st century
The life of Mary Queen of Scots provides a lens through which we can explore many of the tensions that defined 16th century Scotland and England. This was a period in the history of the British Isles that was characterised by deep political, cultural and religious upheaval.
On this course you will explore the complex forces that led to Mary’s rise and fall from power, and her imprisonment at the hands of a fellow monarch.
You will also explore how Mary Queen of Scots’ life has been memorialised in popular culture, investigating why she is so deeply entrenched into our cultural history.
Syllabus
Week 1: Introducing Mary and her world; her early life
Week 2: Mary, Queen of Scots – 1561-1587
Week 3: ‘In my end is my beginning’: Mary’s Afterlife
Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Apply a deep and broad knowledge of the personality of Mary Queen of Scots, of the major events and issues connected to her life and reign
- Assess the major developments in political, cultural and religious life in Scotland between c. 1542 and c. 1587, using sources in a variety of media to do so
- Compare the myriad ways in which Mary has been memorialised in popular culture from her own time to the present day
- Evaluate multiple interpretations of complex historical debates relating to Mary, her reign, and her cultural afterlife
Who is the course for?
This course would suit anyone with a personal or professional interest in the life of Mary Queen of Scots, 16th century history, or cultural history.
It also covers culture, religion, and gender, as well as Anglo-Scottish relations through history.
