Middle School
Worksheets
Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary Stewart
Reading Comprehension for December 8
On December 8, 1542, a young princess was born in Scotland. Mary Stewart (also spelled "Stuart") came into the world at Linlithgow Palace as the daughter of King James V of Scotland and his wife, Marie de Guise. Mary's father was the last male in the royal Stewart line. When he died six days after her birth, his young infant daughter became queen. The regents of Scotland entered into a treaty with England at that time. One component of the Treaties of Greenwich promised Mary would be wed to Edward, the son of King Henry VIII. Mary's mother was opposed to the marriage and took the child into hiding to prepare her for her coronation. The infant child was crowned the Queen of Scots on September 9, 1543 in a lavish ceremony.
Soon after Mary was crowned, the Treaties of Greenwich began to fall apart. Henry VIII tried to make changes that would bring Mary to England while she was still an infant. The Scottish people were against these changes, and the government of Scotland broke the treaty with England. Henry VIII was very unhappy about this and set out to force observance to the agreement. Scotland turned to the French, a longstanding ally, for help. A new marriage contract was signed which betrothed Mary to Dauphin Francois, the son of Henry II of France. Henry II promised help for Scotland and protection for the young queen. After much turmoil in Scotland, Mary sailed to France on August 7, 1548. She was only five years old.
In France, Mary received a fine education. She was raised in the French court and given lessons in horsemanship and falconry. She took up needlework and music lessons. When she was fifteen, Mary was wed to Francois. The following year, Henry II died. Francois was crowned king, and Mary became queen of France.
