Page "History of Scotland" Paragraph 38

Once again, Scotland was in the hands of a regent.

Within two years, the Rough Wooing began, Henry VIII's military attempt to force a marriage between Mary and his son, Edward.

This took the form of border skirmishing and several English campaigns into Scotland.

In 1547, after the death of Henry VIII, forces under the English regent Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset were victorious at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, the climax of the Rough Wooing, and followed up by the occupation of Haddington.

Mary was then sent to France at the age of five, as the intended bride of the heir to the French throne.

Her mother, Marie de Guise, stayed in Scotland to look after the interests of Mary — and of France — although the Earl of Arran acted officially as regent.

Guise responded by calling on French troops, who helped stiffen resistance to the English occupation.

By 1550, after a change of regent in England, the English withdrew from Scotland completely.