Mary Queen of Scots
Time: 12:30 - 14:30
Location: Keeley Street
Course Code: HBH77
Duration: 4 sessions (over 4 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Mary ruled Scotland until she was forced to abdicate in 1567, with her time thereon spent in confinement in various castles and manor houses in England. Considered a symbolic rallying point for English Catholics, Mary’s perceived threat to Elizabeth I eventually led to her execution in 1586. On this four-week course we will explore her early life, reign and ill-fated marriages; her often turbulent relationship with her formidable half-brother, James Stewart, and her son, the future James VI & I; her abdication and the Marian Civil War; and the conspiracies and intrigues that eventually led to her execution.
What will we cover?
• Mary, Queen of Scots in Popular Culture
• Mary’s early life: Scotland, England & France
• Mary’s marriages to Lord Darnley and the Earl of Bosworth
• Family ties: James Stewart
• Family ties: James VI & I
• The impact of the Scottish Reformation & the Elizabethan Religious Settlement
• Mary’s Abdication & the Marian Civil War
• Mary, Elizabeth and Europe
• The Rising of the North
• The Ridolfi and Babington Plots
• Mary’s execution.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Critically evaluate how Mary is portrayed in popular culture
• Assess the impact of the Scottish Reformation on Mary’s reign
• Evaluate the reasons for the Mary’s abdication and the Marian civil war
• Explain the impact on Mary’s fate of the Elizabethan Religious Settlement on England
• Assess the impact of European diplomatic relations on Mary’s relationship with Elizabeth
• Explain the significance of the Rising of the North and the Ridolfi and Babington Plots.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course and no prior knowledge is required. An open mind, a positive attitude and a willingness to engage constructively and respectfully in class discussions and debates is all that is required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
.Informally through class debates and discussions in a positive learning environment. Reading is not mandatory, but it will help you to get the most out of the course. Via Google Classroom, you will be provided with extracts from texts, which will include both contemporary and historiographical sources.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs. Please bring a pen and notepad to class if you wish to make additional notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other courses in Scottish and English history. Please see the City Lit website.
