Tudor Times is the online repository for all things Tudor and Stewart (1485–1625)

On 14th April 1578 James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, and third husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, died. Bothwell had been a staunch supporter of the regency of Mary’s mother, Marie de Guise, and was one of the few Scottish nobles who never entered into secret negotiations with England or France. On Mary’s return to rule Scotland personally, he continued in his loyalty, however, there can be little doubt that he was up to his neck in the plot to murder Darnley. When Mary married him, it gave substance to the belief that she had colluded in the murder, although the evidence against her does not stand up to scrutiny. Mary and Bothwell surrendered at Carberry Hill, and he went into exile. On landing in Denmark, he was arrested – bizarrely on an initial accusation of a Breach of Promise to a Norwegian woman. Although the case was settled, he remained under arrest, the King of Denmark hoping to use him as a bargaining chip for the return of the Orkney Islands. Despite efforts to extradite him, he remained incarcerated for the rest of his life.

On 13th April 1519 Catherine de Medici was born in Urbino, Italy, to Lorenzo and a French noblewoman, Madeleine de la Tour d’Auvergne, whose heiress she was. Catherine was also great-niece to Pope Leo X who arranged her marriage to Henri, Duc d’Orleans, son of Francois I of France. Catherine and Henri were married aged fourteen, and forced to consummate their union under the gaze of her father-in-law. This began an unhappy marriage, in which Catherine was ignored by her husband, who paraded his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, openly. The first of Catherine’s ten children was born after nearly eleven years of marriage. Henri II died in 1559 and Catherine spent the next thirty years fighting as Regent and Queen Mother to maintain her position and that of her children, whilst trying to steer a middle course in religious affairs. In the latter, she failed, and the Wars of Religion between Catholics and Huguenots resulted in horrific bloodshed. Catherine was a notable patron of late Renaissance culture, but has a sinister reputation as an intriguante and poisoner – probably not entirely deserved.

On 12th April 1550 Edward de Vere, later 17th Earl of Oxford, was born to John, 16th Earl, and his second wife, Margery Golding. His father died when he was only twelve so Oxford became the ward of Sir William Cecil, Lord Burghley, and was brought up in his household, together with the Earl of Essex and Burghley’s own children. He married Burghley’s daughter, Anne, although the marriage was unhappy – more on that here. Oxford was a noted poet and literary figure at the court of Queen Elizabeth, and has been put forward as a candidate for being the “real” Shakespeare. He also patronised scholars and musicians. Nevertheless, he was reckless and improvident - Oxford managed to squander his entire inheritance as the second ranking Earl in the kingdom.

Image of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, is by Nicholas Hilliard