Mary of Guelders
| Mary of Guelders | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Queen consort of Scotland | |
| Tenure | 3 July 1449 – 3 August 1460 |
| Born | 1434 Grave, Netherlands |
| Died | 1 December 1463 (aged 29) Roxburgh Castle, Roxburghshire |
| Burial | Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh |
| Spouse |
James II of Scotland m. 1449; wid. 1460 |
| Issue |
James III of Scotland Alexander Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany David Stewart, Earl of Moray John Stewart, 1st Earl of Mar and Garioch Margaret Stewart Mary Stewart, Countess of Arran |
| House | Egmond |
| Father | Arnold, Duke of Gelderland |
| Mother | Catherine of Cleves |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Mary of Guelders (c. 1434 – 1 December 1463) was the queen consort of Scotland by marriage to King James II of Scotland. She served as regent of Scotland from 1460 to 1463.
She was the daughter of Arnold, Duke of Guelders, and Catherine of Cleves. She was a great-niece of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy.
Philip and his wife Isabella of Portugal at first planned to have Mary betrothed to Charles, Count of Maine, but her father could not pay the dowry. Mary stayed on at the Burgundian court, where Isabella frequently paid for her expenses. Mary attended Isabella's daughter-in-law Catherine of France, while she herself was attended upon by ten people. The duke and duchess then started negotiations for a Scottish marriage. Philip promised to pay her dowry, while Isabella paid for her trousseau. William Crichton came to the Burgundian court to escort her back to Scotland.
She landed in Scotland in June 1449 and both nobles and the common people came to see her as she made her way to Holyrood Abbey. Mary married James II, king of Scots, at Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh on 3 July 1449. A sumptuous banquet was given, while the Scottish king gave her several presents. Immediately after the marriage ceremony, she was dressed in purple robes and crowned queen. It had been agreed that any sons they might have would have no right to the duchy of Guelders.
James and Mary had seven children together:
Queen Mary was granted several castles and the income from many lands from James, which made her independently wealthy. In May 1454, she was present at the siege of Blackness Castle, and when it resulted in the victory of the king, he gave it to her as a gift. She made several donations to charity, such as when she founded a hospital just outside Edinburgh for the indigent; and to religion, such as when she benefited the Franciscan friars in Scotland.
...
Wikipedia