- February 10, 1567
Lord Darnley, also known as Henry Stuart, was the second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. He was not assassinated but rather murdered. The murder of Lord Darnley is one of the most infamous events in Scottish history.
On the night of February 9, 1567, an explosion occurred at the Kirk o’ Field house in Edinburgh, where Lord Darnley was staying. His body was later found in the garden, apparently strangled. The circumstances surrounding Darnley’s death have been the subject of much speculation and intrigue.
Many historians believe that Mary, Queen of Scots, was implicated in Darnley’s murder, although the extent of her involvement remains a matter of debate. Darnley had become increasingly unpopular due to his erratic behavior and his strained relationship with Mary. Some of Mary’s advisors, as well as other powerful figures in Scotland, were also suspected of being involved in the plot to kill Darnley.
The murder of Lord Darnley had far-reaching consequences for Mary, Queen of Scots, and for the political stability of Scotland. It contributed to Mary’s eventual downfall and her forced abdication in favor of her infant son, James VI.
While Lord Darnley was not assassinated in the traditional sense, his murder remains one of the most notorious and controversial episodes in Scottish history, and it continues to be the subject of fascination and study to this day.