The date is January 1575. Queen Elizabeth I is on the throne.

Margaret is just about to be released from prison for the THIRD time.

She gets a visit from her probation officer to check she’s going to stay on the straight and narrow in future.

It's true that Margaret was in prison three times. Mainly for either marrying someone she shouldn't or arranging the marriages of others. The Act of Attainder was created after her attempt to marry Thomas Howard which technically meant they hadn't broken the law. He did indeed fall ill and died which she was devastated about. She was indeed told that one of her sons would be King of both England and Scotland. She did get on with Mary but not Elizabeth because she was a catholic.

The 15 charges listed are all word for word true. She was indeed released but did have to swear an oath that she would not allow her son to marry without the Queen's consent. Which she completely ignored and ensured Darnley married Mary Queen of Scots. She was thrown in the Tower and did carve an inscription above her stone fireplace. It's true that she couldnt even attend her son's funeral after his murder. Initially she did think Mary had had her son killed but as Mary was also under house arrest, they corresponded and Margaret did indeed send her lace made from her own grey hair. Lovely!

If you want to find out more about Margaret, check out the sources and places below:

The Lost Tudor Princess - Alison Weir

The Other Tudor Princess: Margaret Douglas, Henry VIII's Niece - Mary McGrigor

So High A Blood: The Story of Margaret Douglas, the Tudor that Time Forgot - Morgan Ring

Temple Newsam