Mary, Queen of Scots was born on December 8, 1542, in Linlithgow Palace, Scotland. She became queen when she was just six days old after the death of her father, James V of Scotland. Mary was raised in the French court and married Francis II of France, but he died young. After returning to Scotland in 1561, Mary faced political challenges, including conflicts with Protestant factions. Her reign was marked by controversy, leading to her imprisonment by her cousin, Elizabeth I of England. Mary was executed on February 8, 1587, after being implicated in plots against Elizabeth.