"PORTRAYAL of MARY„En ma fin est mon commencement.“

born on Dec 8,1542 at Linlithgow, died on Feb 8,1587 at Fotheringay
daughter of James V and Marie de Guise
became the Queen of Scotland when she was only 6 days old
King Henry VIII wanted her as a future bride for his son Edward VI
raised at the French court, became the Queen of France at the age of 17
religious faith: Catholic
prosecuted at the end of her life
3 husbands:
Francis II of France
Henry Stewart, lord Darnley
James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell
1 child: a son, future James I of England

PORTRAYAL of ELIZABETH„I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king.“

born on Sep 7, 1533 in Greenwich, died on March 24, 1603 in Richmond
daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
became the Queen of England at the age of 25
religious faith: Protestant
prosecuted at the beginning of her life
unmarried, long-term relationship with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
remained childless

Reasons of their hostility
Mary Stewart was related to the Tudor line. Through Henry VIII's sister Margaret Tudor she was a direct descendant of King Henry VII.

Elizabeth I was considered as illegitimate in the Catholic world, because her father's marriage to Anne Boleyn was proclaimed invalid after Anne's execution.

Therefore, Mary Stewart had some claim to the English throne and could become one day the Queen of England.
What was the true nature of their relationship?
Formally, they were relatives (cousins), but they never met in real life.
They kept up long correspondence treating each other with formal politeness and courtesy.
However, in fact they were fierce rivals and enemies.
Elizabeth feared Mary's possible alliance with France and Spain.
When Mary Stewart gave birth to her son James, her position grew even stronger.
To diminish Mary's power, Elizabeth tried to offer her her lover Lord Robert Dudley as a husband."

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