# Mary, Queen of Scots, succeeds as an infant (1542)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1542-mary-queen-of-scots-succeeds-as-an-infant
Categories: ruler-change

James V died soon after defeat at Solway Moss, leaving his baby daughter Mary as queen. Within the broader Tudor Britain period, dynastic consolidation, Reformation, closer incorporation of Wales and Ireland, and rivalry with Catholic Europe transformed the state. This event is placed at 1542 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. Her minority drew Scotland into intense French and English competition.

## Why it matters
Her minority drew Scotland into intense French and English competition.

Ruler at the time: [Henry VIII](https://english-history.com/rulers/henry-viii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Mary, Queen of Scots, succeeds as an infant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Mary%2C+Queen+of+Scots%2C+succeeds+as+an+infant&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Mary, Queen of Scots, succeeds as an infant](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Mary%2C+Queen+of+Scots%2C+succeeds+as+an+infant)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281500%E2%80%931599%29)
- [The National Archives — early modern education resources](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/)