InScots law, theCrown Matrimonial was the right of aqueen regnant'smale consort to reign equally with his wife, as co-sovereign.
The Crown Matrimonial of Scotland was sought by KingFrancis II of France, husband ofMary, Queen of Scots, by theParliament of Scotland and Mary's mother, queenMary of Guise, who wasregent of Scotland. It would make Francis legal co-sovereign of Scotland with Queen Mary, and would also grant Francis the right to keep theScottish throne if he outlived her. By the terms of the offer, he would be able to pass the Scottish crown to his descendants by a wife other than Mary. TheCrown of Scotland was to be sent to France, where it was supposed to be kept at theAbbey of Saint Denis. However, the offer was never realised, as theHamilton family, who were close to the throne, joined the Protestants and opposed it.[1]
Mary's second husband,Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, also demanded the Crown Matrimonial after theirwedding on 29 July 1565. The Protestant peers promised to make him sovereign by the consent of Parliament. They agreed that Henry, as the new sovereign, would pardon all the exiled Protestants and allow them to return to Scotland. However, the plan was never realised.[1]
Darnley was disappointed by his lack of royal status and regarded this as a slight on his family honour. Among several incidents which may have been humiliating, in February 1566Nicolas d'Angennes, sieur de Rambouillet, came to Edinburgh with the heraldicOrder of Saint Michael for him. Rambouillet was told by thePrivy Council that Darnley's personal coat of arms should be used, without any indication of his consort role.[2]
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