Mary, Queen of Scots and the oldest football in the world
Mary, Queen of Scotland reigned from 1542 to 1567. She became queen as an infant (6 days old) following her father, James V’s death. She spent much of her life in France, where she married Francis II, becoming queen of France until his death in 1560. Returning to Scotland, she faced religious and political tensions as a Catholic ruler in a Protestant country. A theme that still blights old firm derby matches today.
Mary’s tumultuous reign included her controversial marriages, notably to Lord Darnley, whose mysterious murder implicated her and led to her third marriage to the suspected conspirator, James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell. These events fueled unrest, leading to her forced abdication in 1567 in favour of her son, James VI.
Fleeing to England in 1568, Mary sought protection from her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. However, this did not work out as intended as Elizabeth imprisoned Mary for 19 years and then had her executed. Maybe they supported different teams and had a row over a football match. Football rivalries can do strange things to people. Perhaps Elizabeth didn’t share Mary’s passion for football. To be honest, I think it was the plots to kill Elizabeth that did for Mary in the end.
Maybe Elizabeth didn't share Mary's enthusiasm for the beautiful game
It was actually due to her involvement in plots to assassinate Elizabeth and ultimately led to her execution in 1587. Mary’s life and tragic downfall have made her a romanticised and debated historical figure.
But what about the football?
The story of Mary, Queen of Scots and football mostly revolves around one of the oldest surviving footballs in the world. It dates back to the 16th century and is closely associated with Mary, though its connection to her is more legendary than proven.
The football was discovered at Stirling Castle in 1981 behind a wall or in a hidden chamber during restoration work. Stirling Castle was a royal residence frequently used by Mary during her reign. Maybe Mary liked to do a few keepie uppies when no one was watching, or maybe she liked to take on her ladies in waiting in the comfort of her bed chamber, then when she had finished she hid the ball behind the wall panel where it was found 400 years later.
Maybe Mary honed her football skills in her bedchamber at Stirling Castle where the ball was found
The ball is made of a leather casing filled with a pig’s bladder, which was a typical construction of early footballs. It measures about 6 inches in diameter, making it smaller than modern footballs. It is often linked to Mary because of her known stays at Stirling Castle and her interest in sports and physical activity. While there is no direct evidence she played football, historians agree that football-like games were played recreationally by her courtiers and/or servants. I definitely think she played, albeit on the quiet.
The football is now preserved in the Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling, where it is celebrated as a rare artifact of Scotland’s early sporting history. Whether or not Mary herself used or saw the ball, its survival offers a fascinating glimpse into the recreational life of the 16th century.
Although we can only speculate about the ball, there is definite evidence that Mary watched football matches (or at least one) in her lifetime. After Mary’s defeat at the battle of Langside in 1568, she was held at Carlisle castle (this eventually led to her 19 year imprisonment and execution) and a letter was written describing her time there, which included a report of Mary leaving the castle to visit a playing green where:
“20 of her retinue played at football before her for 2 hours, very strongly, nimbly and skillfully, without foul play the smallness of their ball occasioning their fairer play.”
Imprisonment for Mary was not the same as for any normal peasant. Mary was a queen, therefore was treated with respect and granted certain privileges such as having her own attendants, riding, watching football and walking on the grass in front of the castle.
Maybe the football was the torture element of Mary’s imprisonment. I suppose it depends on how good her retinue was at playing. I love football but I have seen some abject matches in my time, which could be described akin to medeval torture. Sometimes, while sitting there watching the dross my football team has decided to serve up that particular day, I think I would prefer to be stretched on the rack, or flayed alive, or any excruciating fiendish medeval torture rather than watch another bout of slap stick defending. However, I assume Mary found the football entertaining. We will never know.
The two emotions of football
One thing is for sure, Mary was known to be an active sportswoman who enjoyed hunting, riding, and playing games like golf (she is sometimes credited with popularising the sport). This suggests she would have been aware of football, given its presence in Scottish society.
If Mary was alive today she would most likely support Queen’s Park FC (or if Queen’s Park had been around in the 16th century). Queen’s Park FC were formed in 1867 at a place called Eglinton Terrace and named after a nearby park and recreation field. Many people believe that the park was named after Queen Victoria, as there is a Victoria road that leads to the park. However, the park is actually dedicated to Mary, Queen of Scots as it was the site of the battle of Langside. In a weird twist of fate, the hill that Mary’s forces were positioned on before the battle is just next to Hampden Park, Scotland’s national stadium.
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