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Mary, Queen of Scots

American  

noun

  1. Mary Stuart, 1542–87, queen of Scotland 1542–67; beheaded for plotting to assassinate her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.


Mary, Queen of Scots British  

noun

  1. family name Stuart. 1542–87, queen of Scotland (1542–67); daughter of James V of Scotland and Mary of Guise. She was married to Francis II of France (1558–60), her cousin Lord Darnley (1565–67), and the Earl of Bothwell (1567–71), who was commonly regarded as Darnley's murderer. She was forced to abdicate in favour of her son (later James VI of Scotland) and fled to England. Imprisoned by Elizabeth I until 1587, she was beheaded for plotting against the English crown

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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The public are to be given a rare chance to see the last letter by Mary Queen of Scots, which was written just hours before she was beheaded.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2025

He became king of Scotland in the cradle, following the abdication of his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Meanwhile, in Glasgow, a 400-year-old tree with connections to Mary Queen of Scots has also been severely damaged.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2025

Charles was presented with a scepter, sword of state and the crown first worn at a coronation by Mary Queen of Scots in 1543.

From New York Times • Jul. 5, 2023

That was because Mary, Queen of Scots, is another of my illustrious ancestors.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein