James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, became the regent for the infant King James VI of Scotland following the tumultuous period of the Scots and English crowns. His regency was characterized by ongoing conflicts, including civil unrest and power struggles among rival factions. On January 23, 1570, Moray was assassinated in Linlithgow by a gunman named John Gordon, who was linked to the Hamilton family, rivals of the Stewart faction. Moray's assassination was particularly notable for being the first recorded instance of a murder executed by firearm in Scotland, signaling a shift in the methods of political violence of the time.

Stewart's assassination created a power vacuum and intensified the political factionalism in Scotland. As a key figure in the Protestant Reformation in Scotland, his death further complicated the already volatile political landscape. His supporters and allies sought retribution against the Hamiltons, leading to a series of retaliatory skirmishes, which only amplified the ongoing strife between the crown and various noble factions. The murder also drew attention to the increasing use of firearms in political assassinations, which would later become more common in European politics.

In the aftermath of Moray's death, his influence and legacy were overshadowed by the ensuing chaos among the nobility, sparking more violence and instability during James VI's minority. This event highlighted the fragile nature of regency, especially amidst the Protestant-Catholic divide during this period in Scotland. As the nation dealt with the consequences of his assassination, it underscored the challenges faced in the governance of a kingdom under a child king, setting the stage for future conflicts and political maneuvering as factions continued to vie for influence over the young monarch.