They inhabited a lost world of splendour and brutality, a world dominated by religious change, in which there were few saints.

"News of the death of James V on 14 December gave even further cause for rejoicing, because his heir was a week-old girl, the infant Mary, Queen of Scots. Scotland would be subject to yet another weakening regency—it had endured six during the past 150 years—and should give no further trouble."

Alison Weir