On the 29th of July, 1565, the widowed Mary Queen of Scots married Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley at Holyrood Palace. Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, was born on 7 December 1545 at Temple Newsam in Leeds, Yorkshire. He was a significant figure in 16th-century British history, known primarily for his marriage to Mary, Queen of Scots, and his tumultuous, short-lived life that ended under mysterious circumstances.
Darnley was the son of Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox, and Lady Margaret Douglas. His lineage was notable, as he was a descendant of both the Scottish and English royal families. Through his mother, Margaret Douglas, he had a direct connection to the Tudor dynasty, being the grandson of Margaret Tudor, sister of King Henry VIII. This dual heritage made him an attractive and politically advantageous suitor, particularly in the complex web of dynastic alliances of the period.
Educated in England, Darnley was well-versed in languages, music, and courtly manners, fitting the mould of the Renaissance nobleman. Tall, handsome, and possessing a charm that initially captivated many, he caught the attention of Mary, Queen of Scots, shortly after her return to Scotland from France in 1561. Their union was encouraged by Henry’s mother, who harboured ambitions of uniting the crowns of England and Scotland through her son. My ancestor, Anthony Standen, was Master of Horse to Darnley, and travelled with him to Edinburgh for the marriage.
Henry Stuart and Mary married on the 29th of July, 1565. The marriage initially appeared to be a powerful alliance, strengthening Mary’s claim to the English throne due to Darnley’s Tudor lineage. However, the relationship quickly deteriorated. Darnley’s arrogance, ambition, and volatile temperament alienated many at the Scottish court, including Mary herself. He was dissatisfied with his lack of political power, as Mary refused to grant him the Crown Matrimonial, which would have allowed him to rule jointly with her.
Tensions escalated with Darnley’s involvement in the brutal murder of Mary’s secretary, David Rizzio, in March 1566. Rizzio, an Italian courtier, was perceived to have undue influence over the queen, fuelling Darnley’s jealousy. In a shocking event, Rizzio was dragged from Mary’s presence and stabbed to death by Darnley and his co-conspirators. Anthony Standen save Mary’s life during the murder of Rizzio, and was knighted by Mary. Rizzio’s murder profoundly shocked Mary and the Scottish court, marking a turning point in Darnley’s relationship with both.
Following the murder, Darnley’s influence and reputation rapidly declined. His political isolation grew, and he struggled to regain Mary’s favour. Despite their estrangement, the couple’s son, James VI of Scotland and later James I of England, was born in June 1566, securing the Stuart succession.
Darnley’s demise came under mysterious and violent circumstances. In February 1567, he was staying at Kirk o’ Field, a house in Edinburgh, recovering from illness. In the early hours of 10 February, an explosion demolished the building. Darnley’s body was found nearby, seemingly unscathed by the blast but showing signs of strangulation. The exact cause of his death remains a matter of historical speculation.
Suspicion fell on several figures, including James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, who would soon marry Mary, fuelling rumours of their involvement in Darnley’s death. Mary’s association with Bothwell and the scandal surrounding Darnley’s murder contributed to her eventual downfall. She was forced to abdicate in favour of her infant son, James, and fled to England, where she was later imprisoned and executed.
Lord Darnley and Standen had travelled to Edinburgh without seeking Queen Elizabeth I’s permission. Sir Anthony Standen was wary of returning to England and sailed instead to Paris where he became a spy for Francis Walsingham.