Mary Queen Execution

Overview

This 30-minute lesson invites first-year students to explore the historical event of Mary, Queen of Scots’ execution, focusing on understanding causation, perspective, and consequences within a significant historical context. The lesson aligns directly with the Curriculum for Ireland's Junior Cycle History specification and emphasises developing key historical skills: enquiry, critical thinking, and source analysis.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Describe the circumstances leading to Mary, Queen of Scots’ execution (JC History Strand: Stories of People/Events – Under the theme: Conflict and Change; Learning Outcome: History 1).
• Explain the significance of the execution within the wider context of British-Irish relations and religious conflict in the 16th century (JC History Sub-Strand: Causes and consequences of historical events).
• Analyse primary and secondary sources to identify differing perspectives on Mary’s execution (JC History Skills: Using evidence and critical thinking – Learning Outcome: History 3).
• Express informed opinions about the impact of Mary’s death on subsequent historical developments (JC History Skills: Communicating history).

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Curriculum Alignment

• Junior Cycle History Specification (NCCA, Ireland)
  • Strand: Stories of People/Events
  • Skills: Investigating and Using Evidence, Communicating
  • Statements of Learning: SOL 2 (Communicate effectively), SOL 10 (Investigate and understand events, themes and concepts from the past)
  • Emphasis on enquiry-based learning and historical concepts such as continuity, change, causation and consequence.

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Resources Required

• Visual timeline/chart illustrating Mary, Queen of Scots’ life events and European context.
• Excerpts from contemporary letters and accounts describing the execution.
• Role cards with perspectives: Mary, Elizabeth I, Scottish nobles, English courtiers, and Catholic/Protestant observers.
• Whiteboard and markers or digital equivalent.
• Worksheet for source analysis and reflection.

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Engage and activate prior knowledge

• Show a portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots.
• Ask students: “Who was Mary, Queen of Scots? What do you know about her?” (Encourage brief responses.)
• Briefly outline her background focusing on her role as queen and religious tensions in 16th-century Britain.

IE Curriculum Focus: Stimulates curiosity and links personal knowledge to history (History Concept: Continuity and change).

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2. Introduction and Context (7 minutes)

• Present a concise timeline highlighting key events leading to Mary’s execution: imprisonment, plots against Elizabeth I, arrest.
• Explain the religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants and political stakes using simple, age-appropriate language.
• Connect to broader themes of power, religion, and conflict in Irish and British history.

IE Curriculum Focus: Understanding causation and significance of historical events (Learning Outcome: History 1 & 2).

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3. Source Exploration Activity (10 minutes)

Source Analysis - Differing Perspectives

• Distribute role cards with short source extracts or summaries from different viewpoints (e.g., Mary’s final words, Elizabeth I’s rationale, a Protestant critic, a Catholic sympathiser).
• In pairs, students read their source and discuss:
  • What is this person’s opinion of Mary’s execution?
  • How might this viewpoint be influenced by their background?
• Each pair shares their perspective with the class, and teacher records key points on the board under categories: ‘Support for Execution’ and ‘Opposition’.

IE Curriculum Focus: Develops critical thinking and evaluation of sources (Learning Outcome: History 3).

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4. Mini Debate and Reflection (6 minutes)

• Facilitate a short, informal debate: “Was the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots just?”
• Encourage students to use evidence from the sources to support their views.
• Conclude by summarising how the execution impacted subsequent relations and conflicts, stressing its historical significance.

IE Curriculum Focus: Encourages expressing historical opinions and supports communicative competencies (SOL 2, History Skills: Communicating).

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5. Plenary and Assessment (2 minutes)

• Quickwrite: Students complete a sentence starter on their worksheet, e.g., “Mary, Queen of Scots’ execution was important because…”
• Collect responses to assess understanding of key concepts: causation, perspective, significance.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment through participation in source analysis and debate.
• Review quickwrite reflections to measure objectives achievement.
• Provide oral feedback, highlighting thoughtful use of evidence and understanding of opposing viewpoints.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Role cards designed with simplified, annotated language for diverse learning needs.
• Paired activities encourage peer support and social learning.
• Visual timelines support learners with literacy challenges.
• Extension question for advanced learners: “How did Mary’s execution influence Irish attitudes towards English rule?”

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Reflection and Extension Ideas

• For follow-up lessons, students could create a newspaper report from the perspective of a 16th-century observer.
• Integration of drama: Re-enact Mary’s final moments or Elizabeth’s decision-making process to deepen empathy and understanding.

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This lesson plan harnesses active learning, enquiry skills, and source work to meet Junior Cycle History standards, delivering a rich and memorable encounter with a pivotal historical moment aligned perfectly with the Irish Curriculum framework.