DARNLEY, HENRY STEWART, LORD


Meaning of DARNLEY, HENRY STEWART, LORD in English

born Dec. 7, 1545, Temple Newsom, Yorkshire, Eng.

died Feb. 9/10, 1567, Edinburgh, Scot.

English nobleman, second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots , and father of James I .

Son of Matthew Stewart, earl of Lennox (1516–71), a pretender to the Scottish throne, Henry wed his cousin Mary in 1565 despite the opposition of Elizabeth I and Scottish Protestants. It became evident, even to Mary, that superficial charm was his only positive attribute. After he played a role in the murder of Mary's secretary, David Riccio , he was himself murdered at age 21 at the instigation of James Hepburn, earl of Bothwell (1535–78), whom Mary soon married.

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