Mary, Queen of Scots, faced increasing hostility in Scotland following her controversial marriage to Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, and the subsequent murder of Darnley. By 1567, she had lost significant support, culminating in her abdication in favor of her infant son, James VI. The culmination of these events occurred with the Battle of Langside, where forces loyal to Mary were defeated by those supporting Protestant rule under James Stewart, Earl of Moray. This military setback left Mary with little choice but to flee her homeland.

On May 16, 1568, Mary crossed into England, landing at Workington, Cumberland. She was met by the local nobility who, perhaps seeing the potential for political advantage, took her to safety. However, this step was fraught with uncertainty, as Mary’s arrival in England was met with mixed reactions. Queen Elizabeth I, while a cousin of Mary and initially sympathetic, was wary of her claim to the Scottish throne and the potential for backlash from Protestant factions.

Thus began a period of incarceration for Mary, lasting nearly two decades. Although she had hoped for support in reclaiming her crown, Elizabeth hesitated, fearing that her cousin’s presence would ignite civil unrest or serve as a rallying point for Catholic factions in England. This decision directly led to Mary’s active engagement in various plots against Elizabeth, which eventually resulted in her trial and execution in 1587, shaping the course of English and Scottish history.