March 9 - Mary, Queen of Scots' secretary is murdered in front of her!

[@ginawiggles918]

What a wonderful service you are providing, Claire. All of your many fans appreciate your efforts and savor each and every daily installment. Thank you so very much.

[@pat412pear]

I guess the words “and they all lived happily ever after” will never be uttered...

[@laurenbee6340]

After reading about her so extensively I truly felt for her in the things that happened in her marriage and after his murder.

[@maryh4650]

They had no respect for their queen. To do it in front of Mary showed their utter contempt for her. I can not think Elizabeth's courtiers would have dared do anything remotely disrispectul behind her back, let alone to her face

[@DonnaYarishCalvert]

I look forward to your new videos daily! Thank you!

[@karegamez2691]

Such a sad story Mary Queen of Scots.😢 I look forward to all your videos everyday thank you.

[@almontepaolilli4909]

The safest place in England was on a farm and no title. Love your videos as they report what happened and in truth probably still happens through the world.

[@27kjh]

It makes me so Happy to hear you say you have plenty more videos to come.🥰

[@coffeeandkindnessannettehamel]

Good morning Claire! I enjoy checking in with you - and the Tudors - each day 😀

[@jmmbarkovich8734]

Another splendid episode in Tudor history! Well done.

[@dmgib5239]

I think that this story played a part in Queen Elizabeth I's decision to remain unmarried. Men at this time in History were not cut out to play second fiddle to their wives, whether they be an anointed Monarch or not. Elizabeth was no fool, and she saw how helpless Mary was in this situation. She knew that if she gave a husband even an inkling of the power that came with standing beside her that something like this could happen to her. It makes me admire her intelligence even more, but I also feel bad for her because I'm sure that in her heart she wished to marry and have children...but how could she, knowing that a husband could do something to his wife and queen.

[@muggleintheupsidedown]

Agreed!

[@theresecatalano4017]

I enjoy these tidbits. They are a reminder of how brutal & dangerous life was! Mary was such a tragic figure.

[@yorkshireroots]

Thank you Claire as always clear and precise. We can learn plenty from these times in history. Love each and every one of these videos.

[@Ladybug-uf7uh]

Agree with gina wiggles: you provide a great history lesson every day. It is so much better than just reading words on paper or on the internet. You are a natural teacher. Thank You.

[@ElizabethF2222]

I am a true fan! Always look forward to the daily Anne Boleyn Files and Tudor History videos! Thank you so much for doing this for all of your fans!

[@maryh4650]

Which miserable person keeps pressing the thumbs down? Your talks are great, I look forward to each new posting.

[@2Travelis2Live]

I too look forward to your videos! Thank you!

[@Girldrummer37]

Aww this story is so sad 😭 but still love the stories

[@jill-e644]

loving these....thank you so much....

[@rosa-f4865]

It must have been frightening for Mary to witness this murder but she had her wits about her she was made of stronger stuff they always make her out to be foolish with men thank you for your dailys xx

[@bellamamma767]

Another fabulous video!😀

[@lulubelleish]

thankyou for this …. so interesting.

[@aimee2234]

Poor Mary... An awful story but good too! Thank you, Claire. :-)

[@cpdesirliteraryworks4513]

How horrific! Mary was really remarkable in her ability to keep it together. I’m curious - why this event wasn’t considered a treasonable offense? To not only forcibly hold the queen, but actually pull a dagger in her presence, point a pistol at her pregnant belly and then murder her secretary in front of her - why weren’t the people up in arms? Was it because she was a woman? I can’t imagine such a thing being allowed to take place if she had been a king. Thanks for another wonderful video.

[@leylarose6599]

the rebels were exiled and fled to england.

[@lovepower4899]

@@leylarose6599 she should've had them executed. If that were me I would have.

[@ladyphoenixgrey3923]

Thoroughly appreciate being able to hear anything about one of my favorite historical periods! Also, as much as I adore my ladies, Anne and Elizabeth, I truly have always felt such a sadness for Mary Stuart. I’ve always felt she was...shall I say...simple? I know she had courage, but she just never seemed to make intelligent choices no matter what. Right down to marrying Bothwell. How did she think it was going to end!?!?

[@carolinaflores264]

I think that it wasn't that she didn't make good choices, but she didn't have any other. If she didn't marry him, she could have been murder because it wasn't permitted having a baby without marriage, so they always made a plan to don't let her chose, all the man around her wanted the power, they would do anything to her, they didn't respect her in any way, so sad, she was a girl who lost her parents too soon and no one ever taught her how to rule. -Sorry if I make grammar mistakes, it's not my first language and if you can correct me, I would be happy-

[@leylarose6599]

many fake friends and traitors /nobles said they supported the marrriage but she honeslty didnt have a single person to trust. Even going to far as to trust a foregn enemy abroad (elizardeath) thats how traitorous her subjects were.

[@maryannanaya905]

So very interesting, thank you.

[@ruthgoebel723]

What a brutal time to live! Interesting! ❤️

[@annettefournier9655]

She had such bad luck with false men.

[@maryannlockwood3961]

Her cousin, Elizabeth I was wise to stay single.

[@marionarnott750]

Rather she had bad judgement. She thought she had been clever in marrying someone with a claim to the English throne who would strengthen her own claim. Instead she saddled herself with a drunken low life .

[@jillianaprati108]

I never really understood why she would have wanted Darnley to flee with her after the murder.

[@h.calvert3165]

Her Scottish opposition had him in their thrall. She needed to split their forces to reduce their clout, so she gritted her teeth, swallowed her gorge, & lured the @#% away with her. A mighty quick-thinking & shrewd comeback under the most appalling of circumstances! Worthy of her cousin Elizabeth, I'd say! 👸

[@sng1934]

Aww poor Mary what a horrible thing to happen to one of the ppl she was really close to. Need to read more on Mary Queen of Scott's xx

[@andrewkeir6918]

Great video as always Claire. I have been to Holyrood and seen where all these grisly events took place. The palace itself is one of my favourite royal places. It is a beautiful building in a wonderfully majestic setting at the bottom of Arthur's Seat. Mary's rooms are very atmospheric. There is so much history there! I wonder if you have seen the blood stain Claire on the floor where the murder took place? Despite strenuous effort to remove it, it never goes! I wonder sometimes if it is "topped up" to engage the tourists!

[@TinaShay]

I enjoy these videos soooo much!!!

[@Lyndell-P]

🇦🇺🦘 How dreadful to witness the brutal murder of her Private Secretary, whilst being threatened with death to her unborn child (and herself) by no less than her husband and a band of men. Unbelieveable but sadly true! 🔔 Thank you Claire 👑👍

[@madiantin]

I always thought when they referred to the "wilds of Scotland" they were talking about the landscape. After watching this video, clearly not. =D

[@jillniemczynski5517]

When I visited Holyrood House, the story we were told was a little different. I'm sure it was for the entertainment of the tourists. That's ok. I know where to go for the real thing! Claire Ridgway! 💖 Thanks for all you do, it is much appreciated! 🙋💖✌👍😄👸

[@angeliapittman4776]

I love your videos. Frm:Waco tex.

[@denisewright3179]

Love stories about Mary Queen of Scotts also.

[@cindyschroyer326]

Is the clock ok?

[@re_patel]

No doom and gloom! Very interesting

[@jillianaprati108]

I never really understood why she wanted Darnley to flee with her after the murder.

[@leylarose6599]

Darnley was too young and she was probably still in love. He was manipulated by the lords and I think she knew that. I wish she would've had them hanged for treason instead of banishment.

[@leylarose6599]

basically the lords wanted them both gone.

[@robinpinkham9398]

These juicy tid bits remind me that medieval life was brutal. I could never imagine a friend being stabbed to death in front of me while I was pregnant! Mary endured a lot of hardships in her life. I have hoped Bothwell was a passionate love but that was a tragic end also!

[@buddasquirrel]

Darnley sound like a real peach. Thank you for this video. This is always the highlight of my day.

[@rowenacook3021]

He seems like a heel. He came to a sad end. Karma's a b....

[@theresecatalano4017]

He did meet an appropriate end...

[@TheAuntieBa]

If Darnley was a peach, it was an overripe one! Rotten!

[@fatnsassy99]

I understand your sarcasm!! Looks like no one else did. 😜👍

[@debradevine5794]

Talk about a tragic life

[@judithbiller3732]

Why didn't Mary have her husband arrested and charged with Rizio's murder? She could have (possibly) kept her crown, and remained in Scotland (and been a thorn in Elizabeth's side while there). Seems like a foolish woman, all in all.

[@jmarie9997]

It wasn't just Darnley; he was accompanied by a group of Scots' nobles. Also, he was a relative of Elizabeth. And his father was still in the country. Riccio was unpopular, a foreigner, and a Catholic. Avenging him would have been unwise.

[@judithbiller3732]

@@jmarie9997 yes! I forgot he was related to Elizabeth. Thx

[@omfug7148]

Elizabeth 1 would have known how to handle Darnley, LOL What a scumbag wasn't he bisexual and had VD?

[@lovepower4899]

@@omfug7148 i heard adulterous Liz also had an affair with Darnley

[@angeliapittman4776]

Poor mary queen of Scott's, to know they pointed a pistol at her stomach the fear she must have felt ! I hope her being queen she brought those men who murdered, and threatened her an unborn child I pray their heads came off!!!

[@annalisette5897]

To me, Lord Darnley was a thoroughly detestable character who, according to sources was also a heavy drinker who did his share of wenching while married to Mary. Was he ill with SMALLpox at the end of his life or GREATpox? Sources vary on the answer. That said, a thoughtful comment somewhere, might even be at AnneBoleynFiles, said that for all his faults, we should remember that Lord Darnley was a 21 year old boy when he died. Before that comment I could never get past thinking about Darnley and the murder of David Rizzio and other failings, but now I remember to temper my harsh judgement and think a little deeper. (In the broader picture, Darnely never did anything as bad as Henry VIII did by killing two of his wives. Seriously.)

[@AshleyLebedev]

Did you catch the movie yet? They cover this scene within it.

[@amandagrayson389]

This is one of the more gruesome murders in Tudor history. The whole scenario is appalling. (The other one is the execution of Margaret Pole but we will get to that later.) While I don’t have a lot of sympathy for Mary Stuart in general, this was terrible. And yes, both she and Darnley were very young and possibly lacking good guidance from older people who should have been helping.

[@mizfrenchtwist]

all I can say , is that mary had to be a strong woman . to be heavily preggers and witness her best friend's murder , at her feet and then ride " hell for leather " to make a get away . how she did all this and not miscarry is amazing..............would have been better , had she miscarried.....................

[@ianslass]

And it falls on a Saturday in 2019.

[@sandranevins2144]

Well I'll be no 🛎. By killing the secretary in such a violent manner could it have an attempt by husband to in prison Mary and take the crown? Being the mind set that a pregnant woman was very fragile....but she used her 'wilds' to her advantage.

[@peachypossum30]

Holy Moly!

[@sallyofstuart9702]

I love there’s videos, but I have a question is it true about David and Henry being lovers? Because I don’t know if some sources are true because some say they were just friends some say they slept together once and others say they were lovers more than once

[@LaPetiteBoulin]

If you look at other monarchs like Elizabeth - her council wouldnt have dared to do such a thing, right? Was Mary's biggest problem disloyal council?

[@h.calvert3165]

Mary's biggest problem was that the Scots always treated their monarchs savagely. At least eight sovereigns, including Mary, faced blatant rebellion, treason, & even murder at the hands of their subjects. When her son, James VI & I made his way to England & found himself amongst courtiers well & properly cowed by four decades plus of the great Gloriana (not to mention almost forty years under Henry VIII!), he felt like he had died & gone to heaven! Even in the reign of his son, Charles I, it was the Scottish nobility which orchestrated the monarch's death at the hands of the Puritans. 🗡️

[@LaPetiteBoulin]

@@h.calvert3165 I am not sure why I haven't read much into Scotland's history but I haven't. I know vague things like who ruled but havent read that much into them. I know more about the time of Henry VIII sister going there on but it's still not much. Lol. I have focused on English and French history. There is just so much to read into every person & all the different opinions into each & then religious issues - I just havent made it to other countries & monarchs yet. From just a cursory glance it appears the fact that there were multiple clans that had a deep loyalty to their own was a big factor. They went into this divided. Each clan had their own concerns & needs & every leader had a want to help their own and gain power. But, I'm sure it's way more complicated than that. I really appreciate your info. I can think of 1000 questions I would love to ask but this isnt the easiest way doing it. So, I will just ask - do have a good book you can recommend that you think is a good starting point?

[@h.calvert3165]

@@LaPetiteBoulin I have a very simple & straightforward book which I read myself, Kings of Scotland, by Gordon Donaldson (1967 Barnes & Noble), but I'm not sure if it would still be in print. I believe that Lady Antonia Fraser's Mary Queen of Scots is still highly regarded & in print. It is a thick tome & certainly provides a detailed account of Mary's life & times. Perhaps Claire can suggest a reliable book which is still available & a good starting point? 📚

[@dmgib5239]

The problem for all Scottish Monarch's was that they were constantly being undermined by the English throne, regardless of who was in power at the time. The English always believed that Scotland was theirs and in my opinion this scared many of the Scottish nobles, some of whom had English roots. This made it impossible for someone like Mary, as she never knew which of her nobles would stab her in the back next.

[@jmarie9997]

Steel Magnolia Mary was raised to be a Queen Consort of FRANCE, not a Queen of Scotland. She was taught to think of Scotland as a satellite of France, less important and barely worthy of notice. The Scots likely didn't appreciate it.

[@marionarnott750]

What a day that must have been. And what a mixed bag of victims. Thief and Carthusian,. Friends of Pole... Clare, why was it that the Carthusian 18 were executed in different ways? Was it just to increase the terror? We were all talking the other day about the Protestant martyr who was burned in Rome and how he sought his fate for his own glorification. You can see the difference between him and the 18 Carthusian plus the lay monk who died today. They were arrested while getting on with their religious duties, took their time in consulting one another about what they should do, and then calmly accepted their martyrdom. True martyrs, not a man half mad with fanaticism and crazy to get to Heaven the short way.

[@lisabelmontage]

Mary may have been angry. Although I expect that Mary was scared of her husband. Lord Darnley was chosen by Elizabeth wasn't he? I realise it is just fiction but the film with Clemence poesy as Mary shows Lord Darnley as I believe he was really like. I think he liked control and was in love with himself. Thank you for the video.

[@jmarie9997]

Laura Montague Some people have the theory that Elizabeth let Darnley go to Scotland in the hope that Mary would marry him and end up saddled with a weak consort who would cause trouble.

[@lisabelmontage]

@@jmarie9997 I can see that. I know that Elizabeth wanted Robert Dudley to go and be Mary's spouse. I think Mary was offended by that because she knew he was Elizabeth's favourite. Also I think she didn't want to take him because of that. I think Elizabeth wanted some kind of control over Mary. The threat of war and invasion was very real to Elizabeth.

[@rdo1231]

Stabbed 57 times? Come on, who does that? Unless, of course, this was a rage-type murder. High emotions, high octane, loads of rage. But why? What was the motivation? This was (most likely) a lover's spat gone terribly wrong. Lord Darnley was known to like both men and women, and he and Rizzio were said to be gay lovers. Some historians have pushed the "gay angle" and believe Lord Darnley was driven mad by Mary's constant doting on the handsome Rizzio (she did so to aggravate her husband and it appeared to work). Robert Stedall, in his book "The Challenge to the Crown: Volume I: The Struggle for Influence in the Reign of Mary Queen of Scots 1542-1567," draws a similar picture. I'm not sure of the evidence, but the angle is worth exploring and may help explain the murder of an otherwise innocent man.

[@marionarnott750]

Darnley accused Mary of infidelity with Rizzio - she couldn't afford to have him repeating this lie in court. Plus he was a relative of Elizabeth. The Scots Lords. Loathed him - he was arrogant and superior in manner, drunk or sober. Rizzio was suspected of being a Vatican spy and of having too much influence over Mary which was the lords' motive. Darnley was tempted by the crown to join in the murder. - the fool couldn't even see that they wouldn't let him live long. At Hollywood House, you can go up to see Mary's bedroom - during refurbishment the original ceilings and painted walls were discovered. The room is tiny and the supper room was even smaller . The supper room connected by a narrow spiral staircase with Darnley's rooms below. When you actually stand in the supper room and view the secret staircase where the armed men were led in by Darnley. - that's when you realise the full extent of his treachery. The smallness of the room reveals the awful danger Mary faced, hemmed in by that murderous crowd. What courage she had to turn Darnley around and escape. They say that she accidentally trod on Rizzio's body in the churchyard where it had been thrown as they fled. You can still see the place

[@rdo1231]

@@marionarnott750 great insight - thank you!

[@marionarnott750]

Hi Rik I've been thinking about your idea of 'rage murder' indicating that this was a deeply personal, emotional killing. This could apply to Darnley certainly but for the rest of the Scots Lords the killing was political. It was hardly necessary to cram all those people into the supper room except that it was a special type of killing - the Lords' agreed to it and all of them had to be implicated to raise it above the level of a base criminal act. Something similar occurred in respect of the killing of Darnley.

[@rdo1231]

@@marionarnott750 love it! YES!

[@TheAuntieBa]

Busy days for the Tudor folk! Breeding, killing, scheming...and desperately trying to stay alive and further their royal careers. Whew!

[@muggleintheupsidedown]

So Mary and Bothwell didn’t LIKE each other?

[@joshuaowensjr8694]

Now are you talking about he kidnapped and assaulted her

[@earlofmar7987]

Lord Morton, hated Mary Queen of Scot's. Once she is imprisoned, Morton shares co-regent with Hamilton & Erskine, the Earl of Mar. The Earl of Mar, refused to sign her execution order's and suddenly falls ill and returns to Stirling Castle and dies. They think he was poisoned. Not long after that, the execution orders are sent to the prison where Mary was kept. She was executed within 2 hrs.

[@pollydolly9723]

The recent movie very clearly shows Lord Darnley and Rizzio as lovers. Is this, once again, pure Hollywood fabrication...or are there some records indicating that Darnley was gay?

[@joansmith3296]

Lord Darnley was just another drunken controlling guy who couldn't take it when his wife told him to either sober up or take a hike.Poor Rizzio was just a good friend of hers who happened to be in the way of Darnley's rage. Darnley was a very creepy guy.

[@athenathegreatandpowerful6365]

I love the videos but I get 6-8+ per day. Damn. Really?

[@territ7952]

This one blew me away, who murders someone of front of a pregnant woman and a queen no less. Her hubby had iron ⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️’s. Thanks again for another tudorific video🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@jmeyer3rn]

Terri T and holds a pistol to her pregnant belly??? It’s all intolerable to imagine.

[@territ7952]

Judith Meyer yes that to, I mean come on, just shows you, he could care less that she was queen. He just viewed her as a weak woman.

[@h.calvert3165]

Not so much iron balls as a numb skull! He was being used by Mary's Scottish foes, who hid behind his authority as 'king' to countenance their villainy! But they made the dimwit believe it was all his fiendishly clever plan! 🙄

[@beth7935]

Honestly, every time I hear about this awful event, it just seems too melodramatic to be true. It's so revolting I can hardly believe it actually happened & *feel* proper sympathy for Mary & Rizzio, though of course I do intellectually. Darnley seems like a really nasty piece of work, a straight-up thug. Did Mary know him well, or for long, before they married? I get the impression it was more a lust match than a love match- for Mary at least, maybe more ambition for Darnley- especially as their relationship went downhill so quickly.

[@angeliapittman4776]

Lol I was thinking anne was beheaded on may 19th, Prince Harry was wed to Meghan markle on may 19th 2018 hmm no wonder Prince Harry Is having troubles with his wife what a day to marry on I think about things like that .

[@peachypossum30]

he’s having problems?

[@vanessawyndham8791]

@@peachypossum30 no just another hater who has a very vivid imagination