Book of Discipline Debated
Knox's proposed discipline for the reformed church faces political resistance
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1561 in Scotland
Explore 27 historical events and records for Scotland in 1561.
Historical records for Scotland in 1561
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 27 of 27 unique records.
27Unique records
1 of 1Page
26Named events on this page
13Named people on this page
8Places on this page
January
August
Departure from France
Mary leaves France to return to Scotland after widowhood
Return to Scotland
Mary arrives at Leith to begin personal rule in Scotland
Mass at Holyrood
Mary hears Catholic Mass at Holyrood and alarms Protestant reformers
Opposes Royal Mass
Knox condemns Catholic worship at Mary's court after her return
English Safe Conduct Refused
Elizabeth refuses safe conduct after Mary declines to ratify the Treaty of Edinburgh
Treaty of Edinburgh
Refused passage through England because she will not ratify the Treaty of Edinburgh
September
Entry into Edinburgh
Mary makes her formal entry into Edinburgh after returning from France
First Interview with Mary
Knox meets Mary and defends Protestant preaching against royal criticism
Privy Council Formed
Mary forms a council balancing Protestant nobles and royal authority
Other events (month unknown)
Chief Adviser
Becomes a leading adviser after Mary Queen of Scots returns
Council of Mary Stuart
Appointed member of Mary Stuart's council
Council Service
Keith serves among nobles involved in Mary's returning government
Court Influence
Bothwell participates in Mary's early Scottish court politics
Earl of Moray Created
Mary grants her half brother the earldom of Moray
Marriage
Marries Edward Crichton Lord Crichton of Sanquhar
Marriage Hopes Fade
Arran's hopes of marrying Elizabeth or Mary fade amid political instability
Mental Health Crisis
Arran's political role weakens during a period of mental distress
Mission to France
Sent by the Scottish estates to invite Mary back to Scotland
Northern Power
Huntly remains a powerful Catholic noble in northern Scotland
Privy Council
Appointed Privy Councillor during Mary's personal rule
Privy Council
Appointed Privy Councillor under Mary Queen of Scots
Protestant Noble
Argyll supports Protestant influence in Mary's early reign
Reformed Ministry
Craig becomes an important minister in the reformed kirk
Return Invited
Scottish estates invite Mary to return from France to Scotland
Secretary Continues
Maitland serves as Mary's chief diplomatic secretary
Secretary of State
Appointed Secretary of State to Mary Queen of Scots
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.