On 24 July 1567, Mary, Queen of Scots, signed documents surrendering the Scottish crown to her thirteen-month-old son. She was twenty-four years old and a prisoner at Loch Leven Castle.

Mary’s position had collapsed during the months after the murder of her second husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, was widely suspected of involvement in the killing. He was tried and acquitted, then married Mary in May.

A group of Scottish nobles rebelled against the couple. Mary and Bothwell confronted their forces at Carberry Hill on 15 June. Bothwell escaped, while Mary surrendered after receiving assurances about her treatment. The nobles took her into custody and confined her at Loch Leven.

Five weeks later, Lord Lindsay brought documents for Mary to sign. One transferred the crown to her son James. Another appointed Mary’s half-brother, James Stewart, Earl of Moray, as regent. Further arrangements authorised others to govern until Moray returned from France.

The documents presented the abdication as Mary’s own decision. They stated that she had become exhausted by government and disorder within Scotland. She was, however, isolated and imprisoned by men who had already taken control.

Mary signed. The documents allowed her opponents to claim that authority had passed lawfully to James.

James VI was crowned at the Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling on 29 July. He was just over a year old. Government was carried out in his name, first by a temporary group and then by Moray after his return.

The abdication did not end the dispute. Mary escaped from Loch Leven on 2 May 1568 and gathered supporters. Their attempt to restore her ended with defeat at the Battle of Langside.

Mary fled to England, where Elizabeth I ordered her detention. She continued to claim the Scottish crown, but James remained king.