Consort of the Month: Marie de Guise

As Mary, Queen of Scots remains one of my favourite historical figures, I don’t think that it will surprise anyone that her mother is one of my favourite consorts. Mary obviously takes the spotlight in almost all cases with an incredibly dramatic life and reign, but her mother led an almost equally dramatic life. She spent over two decades in Scotland and played a significant role in several key moments in Scottish history. Let’s explore our November Consort of the Month: Mary de Guise.

Consort of the Month: Marie de Guise Fast Facts

Birth Date: 22 November 1515

Death Date: 11 June 1560

Tenure (Queen Consort): 9 May 1538 to 14 December 1542

Birth Name: Marie de Lorraine

Spouse: King James V of Scotland

House: Guise

Father: Claude, Duke of Lorraine

Mother: Antoinette de Bourbon

Why Do We Know Queen Marie de Guise

If people do know of Marie de Guise (and that is sadly not a guarantee), I will guess that it is because of Amy Brenneman’s portrayal in the CW show, Reign. And yes, I know that Reign isn’t accurate but I appreciate shows like it for two reasons: firstly, they are entertaining, and secondly, they bring historical figures into the spotlight when the general public might not otherwise know who they are.

If you are interested in Mary, Queen of Scots, there is also a good chance that they are at least partially aware of Marie.

Mary of Guise portrait — Attributed to Corneille de Lyon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Marie de Guise’s Early Life

Marie was the oldest of the Duke of Guise and Antoinette de Bourbons twelve children. Among her many siblings, she would count the future Duke of Guise, the future Duke of Aumale, and a Cardinal.

When she was young, she was sent to live at the convent of the Poor Clares (officially known as the Order of Saint Clare), a contemplative order. Her grandmother, Philippa of Guelders, lived at the convent and so it would have at least been a familial environment. Marie would have received a religious education at the convent, and other than frequently being ill was well-prepared for her future. Her uncle, the Duke of Lorraine, visited her when she was fourteen and decided that it was time for the young Marie to start her life at the French court.

James V and Marie de Guise portrait — See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A First Marriage

Three years after Marie arrived at the French court, it seemed that her future was set. She married Louis II d’Orléans, the Duke of Longueville in 1534. He was five years her senior and it was reported that the couple were happy together. Their first son was born on 30 October 1535, and she was pregnant again by later 1536. Tragedy struck, though; Louis died after a short illness at Rouen in June 1537. Their second son, Louis, was born in August 1537. Marie would continue to remember her first husband throughout her life, and even saved the last letter that he sent to her.

Queen Consort of Scotland

By the end of 1537, the Scottish King, James V, was considering Marie as a wife. James’ first wife, Madeleine de Valois, had died from tuberculosis without leaving an heir, and James hoped to preserve the Auld Alliance (the name for the alliance between Scotland and France that dated back to the thirteenth century).

Marie had been at court when James came to meet Madeleine prior to their marriage and had noticed Marie then. It logically made sense that he would then consider her as a bride when he was once again in need.

While Marie was originally unconvinced, she did agree to marry the Scottish King in early 1538 and the contracts for the marriage were drawn up. Their proxy marriage took place in May 1538, and were married in person at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on 18 June 1538. Her coronation at Holyrood Abbey was held on 22 February 1540.

They had two sons, James born in May 1540 and Robert born in April 1541, but both died in April 1541. Their daughter, Mary, was born on 8 December 1542 and she would survive. James however, would die on 14 December 1542, most likely of dysentery.

Queen Regent of Scotland

While Marie stayed with her young daughter who became Queen of Scots at only six days old, she would not serve as her Regent until 1554. King Henry VIII pursued the young Mary as a wife for his son, the future King Edward VI. However, the Auld Alliance came out ahead once again and Mary was promised to the Dauphin of France. Mary left her mother in 1548 to live at French court.

Marie was named Regent for her daughter in April 1554. She would continue to work with the French throughout her time as Regent, working with her brothers who were powerful men in France. Both the Duke of Lorraine and the Cardinal of Lorraine were well-placed within the French government, and as one might imagine, their recommendations favoured the French.

Marie’s largest hurdle as Regent were the Lords of the Congregation, a group of Protestant Scottish aristocrats who hoped to use changing opinions and the absence of the young Scottish Queen to make Scotland a Protestant country. They opposed Marie de Guise and Mary’s marriage to Francis, as both were strong connections to a very Catholic France. Marie however largely sought to maintain religious tolerance.

In May of 1560, Marie fell ill. She would be dead by 11 June 1560 of dropsy, or what we know now as edema.

Embed from Getty Images

Queen Marie de Guise: Interesting Facts

– Henry VIII of England had hoped to marry Marie, but the French King vetoed the match (luckily for Marie…)

– Mary, Queen of Scots was able to see her mother’s coffin after it was transported to France where she was laid to rest.

– Marie did not know anything of the Scots language prior to landing in Scotland, but she learned her husband’s language- something that would help her in the future.

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Looking for my earlier Consort of the Month posts? Read about:

I hope you have enjoyed Consort of the Month: Queen Marie de Guise!

Cheers,
The Historian
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