BATTLE OF THE QUEENS
The true story of Mary and Elizabeth
Eruled without emotion, Mary – a devout Catholic and heir to the Scottish throne – “led with her heart,” says Ronan. Their feud remains one of history’s greatest – read on for five fascinating facts about the two powerful women who considered each other “sisters”.
MARY HAD A GAY HUSBAND
Mary married Lord Darnley, and in the film their union gets off to a very rocky start when Mary walks in on her groom sleeping with her male courtesan and friend David Rizzio on their wedding night.
“Darnley and Rizzio having a sexual relationship is true to history,” says historian
John Guy, whose book My Heart Is My Own:
The Life of Mary Queen of Scots served as the basis for the film. Eventually, Lord Darnley conspired to have Rizzio killed as part of a power grab. “He wanted to be named King alongside her,” says director Josie Rourke. But Mary got what she most wanted from the marriage: a son and heir, James, who went on to become king.
QUEEN ELIZABETH DIED A VIRGIN AT AGE 69
Determined not to cede power to a man, Elizabeth announced herself married to her country. “It was the only way of protecting
“I saw the humanity in her and the strengths she had” —Saoirse Ronan on portraying Mary
herself and her position,” says Robbie. In the movie, Elizabeth goes as far as stating she considers herself a man. “She’s had to transform herself and be able to make ruthless decisions,” says screenwriter Beau Willimon. Though Elizabeth had a secret romance with one of her earls, Robert Dudley (played by Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, Joe Alwyn), she remained a virgin until her 1603 death, after ruling for 44 years.
ELIZABETH WORE HEAVY MAKEUP TO COVER HER SMALLPOX SCARS
In 1562 at age 29, Elizabeth contracted smallpox and almost died from the illness. To conceal the scarring, she heavily applied white makeup made of vinegar and lead, which slowly poisoned her. “She built the mask and then was inherently trapped by it,” says Robbie. “We’re left with this person who is no longer a person but a throne.”
MARY AND ELIZABETH NEVER ACTUALLY MET
In the film, the two queens have a dramatic meeting after Mary flees the Scottish throne. But historically they only communicated via letters and messages. “Everything that is said and felt in that scene is indicative of things they said either to each other or to others in the letters of correspondence, so there’s a truth to it,” says Willimon.
ELIZABETH HAD MARY BEHEADED
Mary sought refuge in England, and Elizabeth let her stay until Elizabeth’s council convinced her that her cousin should be in jail, where Mary lived the last 19 years of her life. In 1586 an English court found Mary guilty of treason for being part of a Catholic plan to unseat Elizabeth. Despite Elizabeth’s reluctance, advisers persuaded her to sign the death order, and Mary was beheaded the next year. “The film is a call to look deeper at the cost that these women paid for power,” Rourke says. “But also the hope that we can make power easier for women.”