Mary’s return to Scotland
and the Scottish Reformation
Mary returned to Scotland in August 1561 to take up her personal rule. As a Catholic, groomed in the what was seen as a dissolute French court, and as a woman, she faced distrust from her Protestant Scottish nobles. Her main adversary was John Knox, the spiritual leader of the Scottish Reformation, who railed against the finery of Mary and her ladies.
Fair Ladies, how pleasant were this life of yours, if it should ever abide: and then in the end, that we might pass to Heaven with this gay gear! But fie upon that knave Death, that will come whether we will or not; and when he has laid on his arrest, then foul worms will be busy with this flesh, be it never so fair and so tender; and the silly soul I fear shall be so feeble, that it can neither carry with it gold, garnishing, tassels, pearls nor precious stones. John Knox
Fair Ladies, how pleasant were this life of yours, if it should ever abide: and then in the end, that we might pass to Heaven with this gay gear! But fie upon that knave Death, that will come whether we will or not; and when he has laid on his arrest, then foul worms will be busy with this flesh, be it never so fair and so tender; and the silly soul I fear shall be so feeble, that it can neither carry with it gold, garnishing, tassels, pearls nor precious stones. John Knox
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John Knox
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Detail of the Fetternear Banner, the only surviving Pre- Reformation church banner in Scotland. National Museum of Scotland.
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The Calvinist regime in Scotland eradicated all vestiges of Catholic material worship in Scotland in an effort to rid it of Catholic idolatry.