Political Background
On 15 June 1567, the Earl of Moray, Mary's half brother, led a rebellion against Queen Mary. The Queen's husband, Lord Darnley, had recently been killed in mysterious circumstances at the Kirk o'Field in Edinburgh, and she had quickly married the Earl of Bothwell.
Mary surrendered at the Battle of Carberry Hill, was imprisoned and abdicated. Her son was crowned as James VI of Scotland and Moray ruled as the Regent of Scotland. Mary escaped and made her way to England. Her status was uncertain, as she had been accused of crimes and misrule. Elizabeth I of England ordered an inquiry into the question of whether Queen Mary should be tried for the murder of Darnley; the accusers were the Scottish Lords who had deposed Queen Mary the year before.
Read more about this topic: Casket Letters
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