They might have been cousins, but the two women had little in common.  Elizabeth, who survived a childhood rich in betrayal, confusion, and murder, was cautious and a deliberate decision maker.  Mary, who was brought up to enjoy all the luxuries that the French Court had to offer. She was impulsive, rebellious, and romantic. Elizabeth was a committed Protestant, while Mary was a staunch Catholic.  Had each woman been able to enjoy her own throne, everything might have been fine, but that was not the way things worked out. 
Once Mary’s base of support in Scotland collapsed, she had no choice but to travel south and throw herself on Elizabeth’s mercy.  Elizabeth agreed to Mary’s request for refuge, but Mary’s presence in England was a continuing headache for her.  Through her connections to the family of Henry VIII, Mary could make her own claim on Elizabeth’s throne.  As a Catholic, Mary became a magnet for any individual or party wanting to restore the Catholic Church in England.  It was clearly a recipe for tragedy. 

This program is free, but advance registration is required.  To register, please contact Dick Levinson at: levinsonr@freelibrary.org