Marriage to Bothwell
Within three months of Darnley鈥檚 murder, the Earl of Bothwell had married Mary in a Protestant ceremony in Edinburgh. The marriage was largely unpopular with the nobles.
Many reports say Mary was kidnapped and forced to marry Bothwell. Others said that she pretended to be kidnapped.
Mary鈥檚 apparent closeness to Bothwell before the murder of Darnley heightened suspicion of her involvement in Darnley鈥檚 murder.
Although a Protestant, Bothwell was not popular with many of the nobles who agreed that Bothwell should be put on trial for Lord Darnley鈥檚 murder. However, after Bothwell鈥檚 supporters intimidated the prosecution in Edinburgh, Bothwell was acquitted.
Catholics within the country and overseas were concerned about Mary鈥檚 apparent lack of commitment to her faith. The speed with which the marriage had occurred and the unpopularity of Bothwell amongst the nobles, led to Mary being accused of being part of the conspiracy to murder her husband.