Page:Life and history of Mary, Queen of Scots.pdf/3



, Queen of Scots, was the third child of James the Fifth and his wife Mary of Guise. That lady had already born him two sons, who died in infancy. Mary was born on the 7th December, 1542, at Linlithgow, and was only seven days old when she lost her father. James, it is said, died of a broken heart, occasioned by the defection of his nobles, at the battle of Solway, where they rebelled against their sovereign, and suffered themselves to be defeated and dispersed by a handful of English.

This disgraceful transaction affect him so much, that he retired to his palace at Falkland and refused to listen to any consolation. When on his death-bed, they brought him word that hi wife had given birth to a daughter, he only