Welcome to Mary of Guise An event to mark the plaque celebrating the Queen of Scotland’s connection to the New College Site

Welcome to Mary of Guise

Date: Thursday 2 May

Time: 15:30

Location: The event will begin with the unveiling of the Mary of Guise cast in the entrance to the New College quad. This will be followed by short talks and a drinks reception in the Rainy Hall.

Event Description: Join us to celebrate the unveiling of the bronze plaque to Mary of Guise that now adorns the entrance archway to New College. The event will include short talks by Prof Susan Hardman Moore (on the inspiration for the plaque), Prof Jane Dawson (on the place of Mary of Guise in Scottish history and her relationship with John Knox), and artist Tim Chalk (on the creative process behind creating a piece of bronze artwork). The event will start at 3.30 at the plaque itself, then move into the Rainy Hall for the talks and a drinks reception (we expect to finish around 5.15).

A French noblewoman and wife of James V, Mary of Guise was the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots, and ruled Scotland on behalf of her daughter from 1554 until her death in 1560. During her regency, she did all she could to advance the interests of her daughter, to maintain the Franco-Scottish alliance, and to reassert the power of the Scottish crown. Her relations with Scottish Reformer John Knox (whose statue also graces the New College courtyard) were extremely strained. Her royal palace was on the site of New College.