The Reformation in ScotlandRebellion against Mary of Guise
Protestantism grew in Scotland in the 1560s and 1570s. Men such as George Wishart, John Knox and Andrew Melvillle played a significant role in its development.
When Mary of Guise prepared to introduce a new tax in 1559, there was outcry amongst the nobility, the very people who would be most affected. When she failed to introduce the tax as a result of this questioning, she was left weakened.
Meanwhile, opposition to Catholics continued with The Beggars’ Summons.
Siobhon Redmond describes the attempts of Mary of Guise to govern Scotland in the video below.
During the winter of 1558-59, anonymous notices were nailed to the doors of many friaryA building that houses friars, who are members of particular religious order of men, such as Dominicans and Franciscans, that date back to the Thirteenth Century. Friars carry out religious works to serve society and are not tied to one location, whereas monks form separate communities in monasteries and serve God through prayer and devotion., demanding that the friars leave as they were 'rich and ungodly'. It was felt that the needs of the poor were greater and were being ignored.
John Knox
The arrival of John Knox at Leith on the 2 May 1559 gave the Protestant cause greater direction.
Knox preached at St John’s Kirk in Perth and his sermon caused a riot where religious houses were attacked and their statues and decorations smashed.
The Protestants also took over in Stirling and Edinburgh, where John Knox became minister of St Giles.
