Lord Darnley
(1545—1567)

Second husband of Mary Queen of Scots

Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, was the cousin of Queen Mary, whom he married in July 1565. The weak and vain Darnley soon proved a liability to the queen. He took part in the murder of David Rizzio, the queen’s secretary, and the couple were estranged by the time of the christening of their son, the future James VI.

An apparent reconciliation in 1567 was abruptly ended when Darnley’s house was blown up and he was killed. Both the queen and the Earl of Bothwell, whom she later married, were suspected of the murder.