Chapters 11 and 12 A Dangerous Person and A Vain Crack of Words Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 11, Lord Darnley became ill, probably from syphilis. Mary went to visit him, and on February 10th at 2am, Darnley's house exploded. The bodies had not died in the explosion—they were strangled. Mary was suspected, as was the Earl of Bothwell, who kidnapped and married her. The marriage did not stand, and Mary's reign was effectively over. The discovery of the Casket Letters, allegedly written between Mary and Bothwell planning Darnley's murder, meant that Mary could go on trial for murder. Her infant son, James, was crowned James VI, and Mary fled south to England. Elizabeth wanted her restored to the throne of Scotland claiming it was unacceptable for an anointed prince to be deposed. Mary was kept...