ABSTRACT
In 1563, Elizabeth was 30 years old, unmarried, and still refusing to address the pressing questions of her marriage or naming a successor – or, preferably, both. Meanwhile, in Scotland the Catholic Mary Stuart, for many the most likely heir to the English throne, was apparently securely established as queen of Scotland, but still in search of her second husband. Her overriding ambition to be named Elizabeth's heir placed serious limits on her marriage choices. It was alarming enough for Elizabeth when Mary looked for a French marriage, since that reaffirmation of the long-standing Scottish/French ‘Auld Alliance’ always posed a potential threat to England. When, however, Elizabeth learned that the Archduke Charles of Austria, younger son of the Holy Roman Emperor and once a candidate to marry her, was under discussion as a likely candidate for Mary, the Scottish queen was warned that the English would view such a marriage as a hostile act. Since by this time relations with Spain were already worsening, any such alliance of Catholic, Hapsburg and Scottish interests could pose a serious threat to England. Mary's brief flirtation with the idea of marrying Don Carlos, the son of Philip II, was even briefer for the same reason.
