Background
Margaret Lennox, Countess of, daughter of Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus, and Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII of England and widow of James IV of Scotland, was born at Harbottle Castle, Northumberland, on October 8, 1515.
Margaret Lennox, Countess of, daughter of Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus, and Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII of England and widow of James IV of Scotland, was born at Harbottle Castle, Northumberland, on October 8, 1515.
On account of her nearness to the English crown, Lady Margaret Douglas was brought up chiefly at the English court in close association with the Princess Mary, who remained her fast friend throughout life.
Lady Margaret Douglas was high in Henry VIII. 's favour, but was twice disgraced; first for an attachment to Lord Thomas Howard, who died in the Tower in 1537, and again in 1541 for a similar affair with Sir Charles Howard, brother of Queen Catherine Howard. In 1566 she was sent to the Tower, but after the murfler of Darnley in 1567 she was released.
She was at first loud in her denunciations of Mary, but was eventually reconciled with her daughter-in-law.
She was sent to the Tower with Lady Shrewsbury, and was only pardoned after her son's death in 1577.
The famous Lennox jewel, made for Lady Lennox as a memento of her husband, was bought by Queen Victoria in 1842.
During Mary's reign the countess of Lennox had rooms in Westminster Palace; but on Elizabeth's accession she removed to Yorkshire, where her home at Temple Newsam became a centre for Catholic intrigue.
Archibald Douglas was the 6th earl of Angus.
Margaret Tudor was Queen of Scots.
In 1544 Margaret married a Scottish exile, Matthew Stewart, 4th earl of Lennox, who was regent of Scotland in 1570-1571.
In 1574 Margaret again aroused Elizabeth's anger by the marriage of her son Charles, earl of Lennox, with Elizabeth Cavendish, daughter of the earl of Shrewsbury.
By a series of successful manoeuvres Margaret married her son Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, to Mary, queen of Scots.
Margaret's diplomacy largely contributed to the future succession of her grandson James to the English throne.
