Coming home to Scotland as a Dowager French Queen was messy at best for Mary at 18 years of age. During all of her short life, England had been trying to neutralize her power and bend her will to their purposes. Even as a baby and wee lass she was vulnerable to being swept up and away by England.
The death of Mary's father at the time of her birth left Scotland on shaky ground. She was the unofficial queen at six days of age and quietly coronated at nine months old.
Linlithgow Castle, Scotland
Mary's familial claim to the English throne ahead of Elizabeth was real and being a Catholic with strong ties to France did not help. English Protestantism was beginning to set down strong roots around Edenborough and the Lowlands at this time.
Sterling Castle, Scotland
After her birth, Mary was constantly moved by her mother for her safety...born at Linlithgow Castle, moved to Sterling Castle, secreted to the secluded Innermahome Priory, and finally back to Sterling. Her French mother, Scottish Reagent, quietly moved Mary to the French court at age five years, already secretly betrothed to the infant Dauphin, Francis II.
Innermahome Priory, Scotland
Wow, this quilt is going to be a stunner! Great idea for the water, so much easier than trying to line up the gallon jug of distilled water especially when it's full!
ReplyDeletegorgeous !!!
ReplyDeleteThat bottle is a good idea for my larger steam iron, too. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThese blocks are so lovely and so you!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Teresa! I'm howling about you slipping in the Sam H. paper dolls! Absolutely hilarious. I shared them with a friend of mine who I know will laugh out loud (we're looking forward to watching "Men in Kilts"; in the meantime, I'm enjoying the book "Clanlands" on tape). I'm 80 percent Celt, so I appreciate the British sense of humor. Most of my favorite series are British, so thanks for the series recommendation. I learned how to make traditional Christmas crackers this year and sent them to my great-nieces and nephews. Can't wait to hear them weigh-in on the POP! and the bad jokes inside (I also included candy and fortune-telling fish). Hope you have a wonderful holiday season this year...and for years to come!
ReplyDeleteI haven't visited in quite some time. It looks like you are well on your way to another applique masterpiece, Teresa. Your work is SEW spectacular!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning! It will be exciting to see all the blocks sewn together and what you will decide for a border. I'm going to be on the lookout for one of those bottles at DG--I know I had red and yellow ones years ago, but they are long gone--lol!
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