Henry VIII had attempted to marry his son Edward to young Queen Mary
Stuart, a daughter of the King of Scotland, but the match had been
broken off. Edward's guardian now insisted that it should be carried
out. He invaded Scotland with an army, and attempted to effect the
marriage by force of arms, at the battle of Pinkie (1547).
The English gained a decided victory, but the youthful Queen, instead
of giving her hand to young King Edward, left the country and married
the son of the King of France. She will appear with melancholy
prominence in the reign of Elizabeth. Had Mary Queen of Scots married
Edward, we should perhaps have been spared that tragedy in which she
was called to play both the leading and the losing part (SS394-397).