Mary Queen of Scots family feud with Elizabeth I left scorch scars on Royal History
The two cousins are unquestionably prominent personalities in royal history, with their antagonism becoming as legendary as their achievements. Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan star in Mary Queen of Scots, which premieres today on BBC One.
The animosity between the queens lasted decades, with both sides trading rhetorical blows, and ended only with Queen Mary's death.
Mary had a wealthy childhood, complete with servants, tutors, relatives, and pets, but her cousin Elizabeth had a significantly less opulent upbringing.
Elizabeth was the daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn, and was born at a period of royal history that was already filled with scandal and strife.
When Elizabeth was three years old, her mother was killed, and she was rejected by the King as an illegitimate child.
Due to Elizabeth's stated illegitimacy, Mary was seen as the rightful successor because she was the grandchild of Henry VIII older sister.
In 1587, Mary was charged with treason and sentenced to death, with Elizabeth's signature on her death warrant.
According to stories, the executioner used three strokes to sever her head, which he then hoisted aloft while chanting "God save the queen."
While many regarded this as Elizabeth emerging victorious over her cousin, it was her commitment to marriage that proved to be her undoing.