Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, 1545 - 1567. Consort of Mary, Queen of Scots

Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, is shown here in his late teens, shortly before his marriage to his cousin Mary, Queen of Scots. Darnley's direct descent from both King James II of Scotland and Henry VII of England meant that a match with his cousin made perfect dynastic sense; it created a monarchy free from foreign ties and strengthened the couple's claims to the English throne. They were married in July 1566 and their only child, James VI, was born in June of the following year. Although Mary described him as the 'lustiest and best proportioned long man', Darnley soon proved to be a difficult and irresponsible person. Vain and jealous, he was involved in the murder of the Queen's secretary and favourite, David Riccio. His own murder at Kirk o'Field in Edinburgh has never been solved.