Thomas Randolph (ambassador)
Thomas Randolph (1523–1590) was an English ambassador serving Elizabeth I of England. Most of his professional life he spent in Scotland at the courts of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her son James VI. While in Scotland, he was embroiled in marriage projects and several upheavals. In 1568-1569 he was sent on a special embassy to Russia, visiting the court of Ivan the Terrible.
Mary, Queen of Scots, c.1558-1560
Mary, Queen of Scots, also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland, was Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication in 1567.
Portrait of Mary at about 17 years old, c. 1558–1560
Both Mary and her father King James V were born at Linlithgow Palace in West Lothian, Scotland.
Gold coin of 1553: obverse, coat of arms of Scotland; reverse, royal monogram
Mary and Francis in Catherine de' Medici's book of hours, c. 1574. Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris.