Online history course

The Life of Mary, Queen of Scots : MC12

With historian Claire Ridgway

16-lesson course 3 hours 25 minutes Audio / Video / Text

About this course

Discover the extraordinary life of Mary, Queen of Scots, from her childhood in Scotland and years as Queen of France to the marriages, betrayals and political struggles that led to her execution.

Mary, Queen of Scots, remains one of the most fascinating and controversial figures in British history. Was she a queen ruled by her heart, a tragic victim of political circumstances, or a dangerous rival whose actions threatened Elizabeth I's throne?

Join historian and author Claire Ridgway as she follows Mary's extraordinary life, from her childhood in Scotland and her years at the French court to her troubled marriages, loss of the Scottish crown and long imprisonment in England.

Explore the political intrigue, religious divisions, personal tragedies and competing ambitions that shaped Mary's destiny. Examine the evidence behind the accusations made against her, question the traditional narratives and discover how her dramatic life and execution helped create one of history's most enduring royal legends.

16 focused lessons

Course content

  1. 01

    Lesson 1 - Introduction

    Meet Mary, Queen of Scots, and discover the historical questions, controversies and conflicting interpretations surrounding her life.

  2. 02

    Lesson 2 - Background and Roots – The Stewarts of Scotland

    Explore the royal House of Stewart and the family history and political circumstances that shaped Mary's inheritance.

  3. 03

    Lesson 3 - Early Life – The War of the Rough Wooing

    Discover Mary's early childhood and the conflict between England and Scotland over her proposed marriage to the future Edward VI.

  4. 04

    Lesson 4 - A New Life in France

    Follow Mary's journey to France and her upbringing at the French royal court.

  5. 05

    Lesson 5 - Queen of France

    Explore Mary's marriage to Francis II, her brief reign as Queen of France and the events that changed her future.

  6. 06

    Lesson 6 - Return to Scotland

    Discover the challenges Mary faced when she returned to Scotland to rule a kingdom transformed by religious and political change.

  7. 07

    Lesson 7 - A Second Marriage

    Examine Mary's marriage to Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, and its political and personal consequences.

  8. 08

    Lesson 8 - A Murder and Another Marriage

    Investigate Darnley's murder, Mary's relationship with the Earl of Bothwell and the controversies surrounding their marriage.

  9. 09

    Lesson 9 - Mary Loses Her Crown

    Follow the events that led to Mary's forced abdication and the loss of her Scottish throne.

  10. 10

    Lesson 10 - England and the Casket Letters

    Explore Mary's arrival in England and the controversial Casket Letters that became central to accusations against her.

  11. 11

    Lesson 11 - Imprisonment

    Examine Mary's years in English captivity and her changing circumstances as Elizabeth I's prisoner.

  12. 12

    Lesson 12 - Plots

    Discover the conspiracies surrounding Mary and the threats they posed to Elizabeth I's government.

  13. 13

    Lesson 13 - Mary's Trial

    Explore the charges against Mary, the proceedings of her trial and the political circumstances surrounding her conviction.

  14. 14

    Lesson 14 - Mary's Execution

    Examine the events leading to Mary's execution at Fotheringhay Castle and the final moments of her life.

  15. 15

    Lesson 15 - Mary, Queen of Scots: A Victim of the Victors of History, and Her Real Nemesis

    Reconsider Mary's reputation, the ways her story has been told and the question of who was truly responsible for her downfall.

  16. 16

    Lesson 16 - The Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots – In My End Is My Beginning

    Explore Mary's enduring legacy, her place in Scottish and British history and the fascination she continues to inspire.

Everything you need

What is included

  • 205minutes of course material (3 hours 25 minutes)
  • 16lessons
  • Streaming audio
  • Downloadable audio
  • Downloadable transcripts
  • Optional quizzes
  • Further reading
  • End-of-course certificate
  • Stewart family tree

    A family tree to help you understand Mary's royal ancestry and family connections.

  • Mary, Queen of Scots: Historical Places

    Additional information about places associated with Mary's life and story.

  • Primary Source Research Resources

    Guidance on where to find primary sources relating to Mary, Queen of Scots, for your own historical research.

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Enrol in this course

Course price$75 USD

Approximately £56.20 GBP / €67.10 EUR / A$106.90 AUD. Converted prices are estimates; payment is charged in USD.

  • Lifetime course access
  • Study at your own pace
  • Start whenever you are ready
  • Available internationally

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Claire Ridgway

Meet your historian

Claire Ridgway

Claire Ridgway is a Tudor historian, bestselling author, historical consultant and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. She specialises in the Tudor period, particularly the life and reign of Anne Boleyn, the Boleyn family and the court of Henry VIII.

Claire is the author of 15 history books, including The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown, The Anne Boleyn Collection trilogy, On This Day in Tudor History, George Boleyn: Tudor Poet, Courtier and Diplomat (co-written with Clare Cherry), and The Boleyns of Hever Castle (co-written with Dr Owen Emmerson).

In 2009, Claire founded The Anne Boleyn Files, a website dedicated to exploring Tudor history through historical evidence and challenging popular myths. She subsequently established The Tudor Society, an online history membership community, and runs the popular Anne Boleyn Files and Tudor Society YouTube channel, sharing historical research, investigations and educational videos with audiences around the world.

Claire contributed to the BBC docudrama The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family and has written for publications including BBC History Extra and All About History. She has also appeared on numerous history podcasts.

A former teacher, Claire is passionate about making historical research accessible and helping people distinguish historical fact from fiction. Through her books, courses, videos and online events, she encourages history enthusiasts to question familiar narratives, examine the surviving evidence and discover the fascinating real stories of the Tudor period.

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Before you begin

Frequently asked questions

Is there a guarantee?

Yes. Please see our Guarantees page for full details.

Do I need to complete the quizzes?

No. The quizzes are optional, but they're a useful and enjoyable way to test your knowledge and reinforce what you've learned.

How long does the course take?

You can work through the lessons entirely at your own pace. Stream the video lectures online or download the audio MP3 versions to listen whenever you like. The videos are 3 hours and 25 minutes in total, and you'll have lifetime access, so there are no deadlines.

Do I need to buy any books or extra materials?

No. The video lectures, downloadable audio and PDF transcripts provide everything you need. Further reading and links to primary sources are included if you'd like to explore the subject in greater depth.

When does the course start?

You can start at any time after enrolling. The course is entirely online, with no fixed start date or deadlines.