By early December 1542, Scotland was already in the midst of a harsh winter, with heavy snowfalls and cold temperatures. At Linlithgow Palace, a Scottish royal residence built in the style of a French château approximately fifteen miles west of Edinburgh, Scottish Queen Marie de Guise, had entered her confinement, in preparation for the birth of her highly-anticipated and yearned for child.

Elizabeth Hardwick, better known as 'Bess of Hardwick', was one of the most intriguing figures in Tudor history. Born to a gentleman of Hardwick in Derbyshire, through a series of marriages, Bess rose through the ranks of Elizabethan society, her fourth and final marriage elevating her to Countess of Shrewsbury, and becoming the second wealthiest woman in England, only behind Queen Elizabeth I.

On 08 February 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was executed at Fotheringhay Castle, after being found guilty of high treason.

On This Day (19 Jan) in 1601, Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, Elizabethan courtier, soldier, politician and patron of the arts, died.

On This Day (15 January) 1569, Catherine Carey, Lady Knollys, Elizabeth I's Chief Lady of the Bedchamber, died at Hampton Court Palace...

On This Day (14 Oct) in 1586, the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots began at Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire.

On This Day (29 Sep) in 1564, Elizabeth I ennobled her 'favourite, Robert Dudley, granting him the Earldom of Leicester.

On This Day (20 Sep) in 1586, Anthony Babington and 6 of his co-conspirators were executed, following their convictions for high treason.

Elizabeth Hardwick (better known to history as 'Bess of Hardwick') was born in the 1520s (estimated dates range from 1520-21 to 1527).

Francis Knollys, the eldest son and heir of Sir Robert Knollys and his wife Lettice Penninston, was born c.1512, likely at Rookes Manor...

Sir Christopher Blount, born c.1555, was the second son of Thomas Blount of Kidderminster (c.1525-1568) and his wife Margery Poley.