2.  Starter activity Celebrated beauty Was married to French King Protestant Jealous, quick- tempered Elizabeth’s closest relative. Catholic Had a son - James Why might Mary & Elizabeth be enemies? List your reasons.

3. Reasons why Mary & Elizabeth were enemies Elizabeth was jealous of her beauty & her intellectual skills Elizabeth was jealous of her beauty & her intellectual skills Mary was a devout Catholic, Elizabeth was Protestant Mary was a devout Catholic, Elizabeth was Protestant Elizabeth was suspicious of Mary’s foreign associations ( French husband ) Elizabeth was suspicious of Mary’s foreign associations ( French husband ) Elizabeth didn’t have an heir, Mary did – a son! Elizabeth didn’t have an heir, Mary did – a son!

4. Why was Mary Queen of Scots beheaded?

6. The troubled life of Mary Queen of Scots 1559, Married to French King ( Francis II ) diedprematurely 1561, returned to Scotland, marrying Lord Darnley Darnley, womanizer & alcoholic, stabbed royal musician David Riccio in a fit of jealously Francis II Lord Darnley

7. The troubled life of Mary Queen of Scots 1567, Darnley’s house blown up, Darnley found dead outside – strangled 1567, Darnley’s house blown up, Darnley found dead outside – strangled Mary married prime suspect – Earl of Bothwell Mary married prime suspect – Earl of Bothwell Scots chased Mary from country & appealed to Elizabeth for protection Scots chased Mary from country & appealed to Elizabeth for protection The Earl of Bothwell

8. The troubled life of Mary Queen of Scots Mary imprisoned in different houses & castles for 17 years Elizabeth never met her cousin Elizabeth constantly suspected Mary of plotting to overthrow her Mary in captivity.

9. The troubled life of Mary Queen of Scots 1586, Anthony Babington, rich Catholic 1586, Anthony Babington, rich Catholic Plot assassinate Elizabeth, rescue Mary and crown her Queen Plot assassinate Elizabeth, rescue Mary and crown her Queen Babington communicated with Mary via secret letters hidden in beer barrels. Babington communicated with Mary via secret letters hidden in beer barrels. Sir Francis Walsingham, spymaster, intercepted letters Sir Francis Walsingham, spymaster, intercepted letters Sir Francis Walsingham Anthony Babington

10.  Your task Read the extract from one of Mary’s letters. Decipher the code. What does she mean?

11. The troubled life of Mary Queen of Scots Elizabeth undecided about executing Mary Elizabeth undecided about executing Mary Babington Plot provided necessary evidence Babington Plot provided necessary evidence 1587, executed in Fotheringay Castle 1587, executed in Fotheringay Castle It took 3 blows to remove her head. Her lips were still moving after her head came off. The execution tried to lift her head to show the crowd but was left holding her wig. Her dog appeared from her dress.

12.  Your task The Queen agonized over whether she should execute Mary. Why did she find it so difficult to reach a decision?Write a death warrant for Mary, explaining your reasons for deciding to have her executed. Have a go at impersonating Elizabeth’s beautiful signature at the end. Mary’s death mask