On this day in Tudor history, 24th July 1567, Mary, Queen of Scots, was forced to abdicate in favour of her young son, who became King James VI of Scotland.
Twenty-four-year-old Mary was imprisoned at Lochleven Castle at the time, and was also recovering after miscarrying twins fathered by her third husband, the Earl of Bothwell. The queen was threatened with violence if she didn’t abdicate, and so submitted.
Find out more about what happened that day…
Trivia: Mary was the great-granddaughter of King Henry VII.