Stuart, Arabella
Stuart or Stewart, Arabella,
1575–1615, cousin of James I of England (James VI of Scotland). She was the daughter of Charles Stuart, earl of Lennox, younger brother of Lord DarnleyDarnley, Henry Stuart or Stewart, Lord,1545–67, second husband of Mary Queen of Scots and father of James I of England (James VI of Scotland).
..... Click the link for more information. , and her descent from Henry VIII's sister Margaret TudorMargaret Tudor,
1489–1541, queen consort of James IV of Scotland; daughter of Henry VII of England and sister of Henry VIII. Her marriage (1503) to James was accompanied by a treaty of "perpetual peace" between Scotland and England, a peace that was ended when James
..... Click the link for more information. placed her next after James in the line of succession to Elizabeth I of England. Many argued that her title was preferable to that of James because she was born on English soil. Her marriage was prevented in Elizabeth's reign, but after James's accession (1603) to the English throne, Arabella secretly married (1610) William Seymour (later marquess of HertfordHertford, William Seymour, 1st marquess and 2d earl of
..... Click the link for more information. ), who was also of royal descent. They were arrested and imprisoned but escaped; however, Arabella was recaptured (1611) and died in the Tower of London.
Bibliography
See biographies by P. Handover (1957) and I. McInnes (1968).