1566 in History

Makes a personal gift of œ10,000 to the Protestant Church

Darnley claims innocence for the murder of Riccio & smuggles Mary out of Holyrood

Sends a message to obtain Queen Marys signature to the "bond of security" after the assassination of Rizzio. Heads an armed force which takes possession of Holyrood palace to effect the assassination of Rizzio

Rizzio is assassinated by Darnley & Ruthven in Marys presence. Darnley says it is because of an affair between Rizzio & Mary

Murdered in Holyrood for allegedly refusing the Earl of Darnley the crown matrimonial

Breaks into Marys supper room & has David Rizzio killed with 56 dagger strokes

A conference takes place between Bothwell, Morton, Archibald Douglas & Maitland

A conference takes place between Bothwell, Morton, Archibald Douglas & Maitland

Mary & Bothwell visit Darnley who is killed by an explosion. Mary & Bothwell visit Darnley at Kirk oField who is killed by an explosion

A conference takes place between Bothwell, Morton, Archibald Douglas & Maitland

Writes a letter to Beaton expressing her contempt for Darnley

Sets off to Glasgow to collect a sick Darnley & take him to Edinburgh

Moves the sick Darnley from Glasgow to Kirk o Field

Victim of a plot for the "crown matrimonial" & helping Marys enemies. Darnley is assassinated at Kirk-o-Field

Writes verses for James VIs christening

The Countess of Argyl attends on Elizabeth's behalf. Godparent to James VI, sends a gold font

Given a catholic christening in the chapel royal of Stirling Castle. Elizabeth I is a godparent

Mary escapes to Dunbar, and Morton and the other leaders fled to England

Religious and political unrest spreads through Flanders during the iconoclastic disturbances of 1566.

Falls ill from syphilis

Religious unrest reaches Bruges during the wider iconoclastic movement.

Religious violence reaches churches around Ypres.

Leads an invasion force of 100,000 into Austria

Marries Mary Fleming, a kin of ary Queen of Scots, the Chapel Royal at Stirling

Opening day of Parliament

The "casket letters" are used to involve Marys complicity with Bothwell

Riots break-out in southern Flanders

Calvinists, led by William of Orange, demand the abolition of the Inquisition

Escorts Queen Mary back to Edinburgh with a force of 8,000

Returns to Edinburgh with 8,000 soldiers under Bothwell

Parliament discusses Elizabeth's succession

The House of Lords decides to petition Elizabeth I for a marriage & successor. Parliament discusses linking the subsidy Bill to a declaration about the succession

Privy Councillors & the Commons agree to petition Elizabeth I regarding her succession

Norfolk says Elizabeth should permit Parliament to discuss her marriage & succession

Summons a deputation from the Lords & Commons to present her case. Answers Parliament by saying that her marriage & succession are her affair

Fails to persuade Parliament that Elizabeth I is commited to declaring a marriage

Declares in Parliament that Elizabeth I should settle the succession

Gives her half brother Moray a pardon after Darnleys assassination of David Rizzio

Pardoned by her half-sister Mary Queen of Scots

Birth of James IV, the Mons Meg is fired in salute

Birth of James VI, son of Mary Queen of Scots & Lord Darnley, Edinburgh Castle. Birth of James VI, son of Mary Queen of Scots, in Edinburgh Castle

Birth of Robert Devereux, son of Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex

Death of David Rizzio, assassinated

Rizzio is assassinated by Darnley & Ruthven in Marys presence. Darnley says it is because of an affair between Rizzio & Mary

Death of Suleyman I the Magnificent, during the capture of Szigeth