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Mary, Queen of Scots 'unrecognisable to most Britons' despite recent on-screen depictions
Despite the beleaguered Stuart queen’s dramatic biography, less than half of people know what century she ascended the throne
When Saoirse Ronan played Mary Queen of Scots film, she was instantly recognisable to most people who have stepped in a cinema this decade - even with her hair dyed red.
Yet new research indicates the public is not so familiar with the beleaguered Stuart queen’s own portrait.
Some 51 per cent of people questioned in a survey commissioned by the University of Glasgow did not recognise Mary Stuart from her likeness painted by François Clouet sometime between 1558 and 1560.
Though it currently hangs in the British Library, it appears the dramatic history of the West Lothian-born monarch is often glossed over.
A dramatic biography
Born just a week before her father King James V of Scotland died prematurely, she married three times and was widowed twice before she turned 25.
In a jealous rage, Mary’s second husband, Lord Darnley, together with others murdered her favoured secretary David Riccio in front of Mary in Holyrood House. She was six months pregnant at the time.
Mary's third husband, the Earl of Bothwell, was believed to have killed her second before forcing her to marry him.
Following the mysterious circumstances of the death of her second husband, and quick third marriage, Mary was imprisoned in Lochleven Castle by Scottish nobility.
She raised an army but was defeated, and fled to England where she sought her cousin Elizabeth I’s protection.
The two never met, but Queen Elizabeth’s concern that Mary would raise enough Catholic support to oust her from the throne and so imprisoned her for 19 years.
Mary was eventually found guilty of treason when letters between her and an English Catholic plotting to assassinate Elizabeth, and put Mary on the throne, were discovered. She was sentenced to death and beheaded in 1587 at the age of 44.
Despite this dramatic biography, less than half of 2,055 people surveyed knew what century she ascended the throne - the 16th century - let alone that she was six days old when she became Queen of Scotland, a fact known by just 18 per cent.
Only 27 per cent knew how old she was when she was killed.
Some 62 per cent knew she had red hair, while 63 per cent knew she was accused of killing her second husband.
Mary Stuart has graced the big screen several times in the modern era, with Samantha Morton and Vanessa Redgrave taking the role in film adaptations.
In the 2018 film Mary Queen of Scots, Ronan stars opposite Margot Robbie who plays Elizabeth I. It was nominated for Oscars in costume design as well as hair and make-up.
University launches course remembering legacy
Dr Steven Reid, a senior lecturer in Scottish history at the University of Glasgow, said: "We've found over 2,000 different objects, ranging from art to personal relics, that tell us how Mary was remembered and how stories about her were told throughout centuries.
"These stories tell us as much about the cultural biases of the people who tell them - their views on gender, on religion, and on power, for example - as they do about how Mary has lived on in the popular imagination."
The University of Glasgow has now launched a new course, The Life and Afterlife of Mary Queen of Scots, which is free to access.
The three-week course is available on the FutureLearn platform, and Astrid deRidder, the director of content at the company, said it "dives into the fascinating life and legacy of Mary Queen of Scots".