The Reformation Debate and Scotland

In the 16^th century there comes to Scotland many things, but perhaps the thing that has the most overwhelming and longest lasting implications for the Scottish people, is that of the Scottish Reform. Coming largely during the political unrest caused by the death of James V, Scottish reformers, led chiefly by the ardent John Knox, brought to Scotland ideas and beliefs about ecclesiology and the discipline that were vastly different than those currently held by the larger populace. Which is why the Scottish Reform had such a large impact in the daily life styles of the Scottish people. It fundamentally changed their day-to-day outlook on life, death, and simply put-their existence in its entirety.

While change did come, it did not come easily, and in a large part was only possible due to the large unrest in the country created by the competition for the crown between many factions of power, most notably: Marie de Guise, the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots, Archbishop Beaton and the Earl of Arran. In about 1553, Arran made an alliance with Henry VIII. This alliance was made on the promise of Arran to marry Mary, Queen of Scots with Edward VI. However, this marriage alliance was broken at the last moment by Arran who apparently found it more to his favor to ally himself with Beaton. Which is precisely what he did. Henry VIII, however, was quick to retaliate the breach of alliance and began a military offensive against Scotland, specifically in Edinburgh, in an effort to demonstrate to Arran that he had made a mistake in switching his alliances. This "rough wooing," as it came to be called, lasted until Henry VIII's death, upon which the French, at the request of Marie de Guise, sent the Scottish aide to drive out the English in Scotland. Which in turned sparked the Wars of the Congregation that were largely responsible for infusing the populace with the idea of the patriotic protestant.