Marriage to Henry Darnley

Mary’s best safeguard to secure the loyalty of her nobles and her people was to marry and to give birth to an heir. She chose Henry Darnley as her husband, a young English nobleman who had a claim to the English throne.  In the month following their marriage they spent a vast amount of money on dressing their court in a new splendour to proclaim their settled power and showcase Darnley as Scotland’s king:

21 August 1565, to Darnley’s tailor
6 ells and two quarters of fine black velvet
9 ells and 2 quarters of fine black satin
3 ells of fine black taffeta of the cord
10 ounces of fine black silk  
1 pound and 5 ounces weight of silver braid
Extract from the Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, Vol XI

Portrait of Darnley and Mary c. 1565, Hardwick Hall

[Darnley] misuses himself so far towards her that it is heartbreak for her to think he should be her husband.
Sir William Maitland, Scottish politician 1566

But the marriage quickly soured in the face of Darnley’s drinking, debauchery and aggression but Mary had become pregnant. She had secured an heir.