The Queen

I wondered why the Earl of Moray decided to challenge the queen? It is historical fact that Elizabeth supported Mary's rebels. So, it was not a far stretch to imagine that Elizabeth might send a wealthy countess to marry a Gordon. That way, she could funnel money into Scotland without being caught.

Mary, who was raised and pampered in the French court through her childhood, and drunk on the euphoria of winning her first battle with the Gordons, could easily be imagined playing a practical joke on Elizabeth by forcing the countess to marry an 'animal' highlander. Mary, who tossed men in jail, banished them, released them, would kill someone for hurting her dog, but let a traitor live who poisoned her husband - could easily arrange a marriage for no other reason than to entertain herself for an afternoon.