From Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II
This collection illustrates the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II
In the Scottish town of Linlithgow lies Linlithgow Palace. Now largely a ruin (but still worth a visit), this once-opulent royal residence is probably best known for being the birthplace of one of the most tragic figures in Scottish royal history. Mary Stuart, also known as Mary I, but better known as Mary, Queen of Scots reigned over Scotland from 14 December 1542 to 24 July 1567. She was the only surviving legitimate child of King James V and was just six days old when her father died and she acceded to the throne. Mary's family name was "Stewart." However, during her time spent in France, she adopted the French spelling of "Stuart" (there was no "w" in the French alphabet at the time). The two spellings were used almost interchangeably by later generations of the House of Stuart, depending in part on how cordial relations were with France at the time.
Her troubled life and tragic death are well documented elsewhere and it is not my concern to repeat her life story here. This collection is intended to illustrate the connection between Mary, Queen of Scots and HRH Queen Elizabeth II by means of the name plaques which can be found on one of the walls of Kirkgate which leads to Linlithgow Palace.
Queen Elizabeth II is Mary's 11th great-granddaughter and the line of descent is thus:
Mary, Queen of Scots;
James VI of Scotland/I of England;
Elizabeth of Bohemia;
Sophia, Electress of Hanover;
George I;
George II;
Frederick, Prince of Wales;
George III;
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent;
Queen Victoria;
Edward VII;
George V;
George VI;
Elizabeth II.
This line of descent will, of course, continue through Queen Elizabeth's children, etc.
Where is Linlithgow?
With a population of about 19,000 Linlithgow lies within the West Lothian Council area on the south side of the Firth of Forth not far from Edinburgh and the Forth Bridges.
The Queen, the Palace, the Gate, the Plaques
Standing in the grounds of Linlithgow Palace is this statue of Mary, who was born there. She is the 11th great-grandmother of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
Now largely a ruin Linlithgow Palace was the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587).
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
At the top of Kirkgate in Linlithgow is the Outer Gate of (the now ruined) Linlithgow Palace Link
The four coats of arms above the entrance are those of the four European orders of chivalry, to which James V (father of Mary, Queen of Scots) belonged (left to right) "The Order of the Garter", "The Order of the Thistle", "The Order of the Golden Fleece" and "The Order of St. Michael" Link.
See article Link.
The four coats of arms above the entrance are those of the four European orders of chivalry, to which James V (father of Mary, Queen of Scots) belonged (left to right) "The Order of the Garter", "The Order of the Thistle", "The Order of the Golden Fleece" and "The Order of St. Michael" Link.See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
Seen from the outer gate of Linlithgow Palace. The blue plaques on the left-hand wall are interesting.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This plaque explains the plaques in this image NT0077 : Kirkgate, Linlithgow which show the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
From the outer gates of the palace we proceed down Kirkgate viewing each plaque in turn
This is the first plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This is the second plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This is the third plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This is the fourth plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This is the fifth plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This is the sixth plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This is the seventh plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This is the eighth plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This is the ninth plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This is the tenth plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This is the eleventh plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This is the twelfth plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This is the thirteenth plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
This is the fourteenth plaque of 14 showing the line of descent from Mary, Queen of Scots to HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
See article Link.
See article Link.
by Bill Kasman
![Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]](https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/somerights20.gif)
Images used on this page, © Copyright Bill Kasman;
licensed for re-use under a Creative Commons Licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
