Mary returned from France in 1561. She faced opposition from some religious leaders and nobles. Her first marriage ended when her husband was killed. She was forced to abdicate and go into exile.
Mary returned to Scotland in August 1561. This delay is said to have aided the Protestant cause in Scotland.
While in France, Mary had become increasingly concerned about the situation in Scotland. She was a Catholic and did not accept the decision of Parliament to abolish the celebration of Mass.
The Pope, the French and Spanish all wanted Mary to restore Catholicism to Scotland.
However on her return Mary did nothing to reverse the Reformation.
She announced that she was 'forbidding meantime any change in religion'.
She also looked for support from her half-brother Lord James Stewart who guaranteed her personal religion.
Catholics were disappointed. However, in the early years of her reign Mary stood firm and showed that she would stand against Catholic citizens who opposed her.
The issue of religion was important to Mary, but linked to this were relations between Mary and the nobility. There were disputes between different families as to who would help Mary rule Scotland.
It was always difficult for Mary to keep control as she was a young woman, with a French background and this helped shape the views of nobles towards her.
The Huntly Revolt was an example of nobles trying to influence Mary.