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See How Much You Know About Mary Queen of Scots

By Beth Moreton · April 13, 2024 · 1 min read
This is a portrait painting of Mary Queen of Scots. She is wearing a black and gold dress with a Tudor neckline, a pearl tiara, and earrings.
Source: Unidentified Painter/Wikimedia Commons

Despite Mary Queen of Scots having been Queen of Scotland, not many people appear to know much about her.

This quiz tests how much you know about the former Queen of Scotland.

What year was Mary Queen of Scots born?

A portrait painting of Mary Queen of Scots. She is wearing a pink dress and has pearls in her hair. She also has pearl earrings and a pearl necklace.
Source: François Clouet/Wikimedia Commons


  • A) 1530

  • B) 1542

  • C) 1572

  • D) 1560

Answer:

A black and white drawing of Mary Queen of Scots. She is wearing a cross necklace and a dress with a Tudor collar.
Source: François-Séraphin Delpech/Wikimedia Commons

1542

Where was Mary Queen of Scots Born?

The Scottish flag is a white cross against a blue background on a flagpole.
Source: Chris Robert/Unsplash


  • A) Crichton 

  • B) Glasgow

  • C) Linlithgow

  • D) Huntly

Answer:

This is a view of Linlithgow Palace from Linlithgow Loch. Green trees and bushes surround the palace, and a blackbird is flying over the water.
Source: Stephencdickson/Wikimedia Commons

Linlithgow

Where did Mary Queen of Scots live during her childhood?

This is a black-and-white drawing of Mary Queen of Scots. She is wearing a headdress, dress, and pearl necklace.
Source: Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons


  • A) Scotland

  • B) France

  • C) Spain

  • D) England

Answer:

The French flag on a white flagpole.
Source: Latrach Med Jamil/Unsplash

France

Why did Mary Queen of Scots live in France?

The French flag, which is slightly creased.
Source: Rafael Garcin/Unsplash


  • A) Henry VIII tried to force her to marry Edward VI, and she didn’t want to, so she ran away

  • B) She fancied a change of scenery

  • C) She moved over there with her parents

  • D) She preferred the weather in France

Answer:

A painting of Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Elizabeth I.
Source: Anonymous/Wikimedia Commons

Henry VIII tried to force her to marry Edward VI, and she didn’t want to, so she ran away

How long did Mary Queen of Scots reign for?

A printed portrait of Mary Queen of Scots. She is wearing a crown and cape.
Source: Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons


  • A) 4 years

  • B) 5 years

  • C) 6 years

  • D) 7 years

Answer:

This is a black-and-white print of Mary Queen of Scots. She is wearing a headdress and a Tudor collar.
Source: Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons

6 years

When did Mary Queen of Scots return to Scotland from France?

This is a photo of an old brick and stone building. At the top of the building is a white flagpole with the Scottish flag on it.
Source: Dav Doh/Unsplash


  • A) 1567

  • B) 1560

  • C) 1570

  • D) 1561

Answer:

A white Scottish castle. At the top of the castle is a white flagpole with the Scottish flag on it.
Source: V2F/Unsplash

1561

When did Mary Queen of Scots reign from?

This is a black-and-white print of Mary Queen of Scots. She has lace in her hair, a Tudor collar, and a cross around her neck.
Source: Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons


  • A) 1461 to 1467

  • B) 1561 to 1567

  • C) 1550 to 1556

  • D) 1571 to 1576

Answer:

This is a black-and-white print of Mary Queen of Scots. She wears a headdress, a Tudor collar, and a cross around her neck.
Source: Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons

1561 to 1567

What religion was Mary Queen of Scots?

This is a black-and-white print of Mary Queen of Scots. She is wearing a headdress and Tudor collar.
Source: George Endicott/Wikimedia Commons


  • A) Roman Catholic

  • B) Protestant

  • C) Christian

  • D) None

Answer:

A Monstrance, which is used in the Roman Catholic Church. The Priest is carrying the Monstrance, which lit candles on either side of him.
Source: Jacob Bentzinger/Unsplash

Roman Catholic

How many husbands did Mary Queen of Scots have?

This is a black-and-white portrait of Mary Queen of Scots. She is wearing a headdress and a traditional Tudor dress, complete with a Tudor collar.
Source: George Vertue/Wikimedia Commons


  • A) None

  • B) One

  • C) Two

  • D) Three

Answer:

A black and white painting of Lord Darnley and Mary Queen of Scots. They are both wearing traditional Tudor dress.
Source: Reginold Elstrack/Wikimedia Commons

Three

How did Mary Queen of Scots’ second husband, Lord Darnley, die?

A painting of Lord Darnley. He is wearing a black traditional Tudor outfit with a white Tudor collar.
Source: Hans Eworth/Wikimedia Commons


  • A) He was murdered

  • B) He was beheaded

  • C) Natural causes

  • D) Leprosy

Answer:

A painting of Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. He is wearing a white shirt with a Tudor collar and a black cape.
Source: Anonymous/Wikimedia Commons

He was murdered

Who was Mary Queen of Scot’s cousin?

This is a print of Mary Queen of Scotts. It shows her with a headdress and traditional Tudor collar.
Source: Isaac Oliver/Wikimedia Commons


  • A) Elizabeth I

  • B) James I

  • C) Henry VIII

  • D) Edward V

Answer:

This is a painting of Elizabeth I. She is sitting in a chair and wearing a pearl tiara and a traditional Tudor dress with a Tudor collar. A crown is on a table next to her.
Source: George Gower/Wikimedia Commons

Elizabeth I

What was the problem that Elizabeth I had with Mary Queen of Scots?

This is a painting of Mary Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth I. Mary is wearing a purple dress, and Elizabeth is in a white dress. A woman is talking to Mary, and two men are standing behind Elizabeth.
Source: Currier and Ives/Wikimedia Commons


  • A) Mary’s claim to the English throne

  • B) Mary’s love life

  • C) Mary’s part in Lord Danley’s murder

  • D) Mary’s life in France

Answer:

This is a black-and-white painting of Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots standing in the woodland. Elizabeth has a man on either side, and a woman is behind Mary.
Source: Gustav Bartsch/Wikimedia Commons

Mary’s claim to the English throne

Why was Mary Queen of Scots’ third marriage to the Earl of Bothwell seen as her downfall?

A painting of the Earl of Bothwell. He is wearing a yellow traditional Tudor outfit with a white Tudor collar.
Source: Unidentified Painter/Wikimedia Commons


  • A) He wasn’t popular among the nobility

  • B) The marriage angered the Protestant lords

  • C) Catholics were concerned by Mary’s apparent lack of commitment to her faith

  • D) All of the above

Answer:

A painting of a mummified Earl of Bothwell.
Source: Otto Bache/Wikimedia Commons

All of the above

Why did Mary Queen of Scots abdicate the throne?

This is a black-and-white print of Mary Queen of Scots. She is wearing a white headdress and a traditional Tudor collar.
Source: Ebenezer Stalker/Wikimedia Commons


  • A) She no longer wanted to be queen

  • B) She was forced to

  • C) She felt she was too old to be queen

  • D) She was ill

Answer:

This is a black-and-white print of Mary Queen of Scots. She is writing something down using a feather quilt pen.
Source: Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons

She was forced to

How did Mary Queen of Scots die?

A black and white painting of Mary Queen of Scots. She is wearing a white headdress and a white Tudor collar.
Source: Schenck and McFarlane/Wikimedia Commons


  • A) Natural causes

  • B) She was beheaded

  • C) She was murdered

  • D) Unknown

Answer:

A black and white print of the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots. She is kneeling down, and a man is standing above her, holding an axe. The room is full of spectators.
Source: Richard Verstegen/Wikimedia Commons

She was beheaded

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