You would be forgiven for thinking that I would have a Christmas tree entirely covered in historic figures. I can see the appeal, but I do like a little bit of variety. However, I obviously do have some historic figures- how could I not? I have a few outstanding figures on my list to eventually track down. (Or commission, I suppose, as I’ve not seen them.) Obviously, I had to have a Mary, Queen of Scots ornament on my tree- I couldn’t call myself a royal historian without one!
Who Was Mary, Queen of Scots?
For anyone unfamiliar with Mary Stuart, she was a sixteenth century queen. You will note that she was Queen of Scots, not Queen of Scotland, due to a complex feudal system in Scotland. These Scottish lords would make Mary’s life in Scotland incredibly difficult, but they weren’t the only piece in her puzzle. If you know nothing else of her, you probably know about her battle of wills with Queen Elizabeth I, and subsequent execution. I find her fascinating all on her own, though, and knew that the tragic monarch needed a spot on my tree!
If you want to know more about Mary, you can read my Mary, Queen of Scots Monarch of the Month post here.
Mary, Queen of Scots Ornament
When I shared this ornament on my Instagram, I had a few followers ask how one would know that this is in fact Mary, Queen of Scots. There is a small rosary in her hand, which cuts out many of the sixteenth century queens. She could be Queen Mary I, but the style of this hood is firmly in MQoS territory! (If only her black dress had had a tiny red petticoat…)
Would you put a Mary, Queen of Scots ornament on your Christmas tree? Or slightly too morbid, given her death?
Cheers,
The Historian
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