The Fight With England

In 1096, the Norman invaders from France gained control of England. The powerful new British ruler (like EdwardI called, "The Hammer Of The Scots" in 1200) gained control over the Scottish Kings. He helped  to shape the culture in the Lowlands. 

Still, the Scots refused  the English dominance, often by allying with England's enemy France. One great moment came when Robert Bruce a nobleman, gained control of the Crown by wiping out an entire English army at Bennockburn in 1314. Every Scottish child heard of the story when Bruce learned patients by watching a spiders weave it's web when he was hiding out in a cave from the English.

Bruce's daughter married the Steward (Steward was a high office of the Royal Administration.) This led to Stewart later spelled Stuart. Becoming the name of Scotland's Royal House. 

Over the next few centuries, Stewart Kings and Queens rarely died at home. Thirteen of them were killed by the English or while fighting rebellious subjects. The most famous being Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots who on command of her cousin Queen Elizabeth of England in 1587, was beheaded for treason. Her death became nothing les than expected. Queen Elizabeth demanded the head of her cousin after hearing about the elicited affair between Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth's husband.

Queen Mary wrote to her cousin's husband and the letters and the letters where found by a member of Queen Elizabeth's army who were sent to spy on Queen Mary. After finding out that her cousin was spying on her, Queen Mary had her lover murdered by members of her Royal House.

Queen Elizabeth had her cousin arrested for treason and attempted blackmail if Mary spoke of the King's murder. But Mary did not say a word and Queen Elizabeth went through with her threat and had Queen Mary executed and had her love letters published.