Highland Cathedral - House of Stewart-Arran by Mobiyuz on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

The House of Stuart-Arran (often referred to simply as the House of Stewart) is the reigning dynasty of the Kingdom of Scotland and its overseas dominions. Formed through the marriage of Mary I, Queen of Scots and Claud Hamilton, Earl of Arran, it has come to be characterized by a history of continuous growth and development for Scotland and the simultaneous growth of its prestige and status in Europe.

The question of marriage for Mary I was heavily related to the political and religious conflicts of Scotland at the time, given that her return to Scotland came at a time when religious tensions and diplomatic pressures were putting a nearly unbearable strain on Scotland as an independent nation. Mary I herself was Catholic, as were most of the Scottish nobility, but the majority of Scotland had come under sway of a Presbyterian and Calvinist denomination of Protestantism that would later go on to be the foundation for the Scots Kirk. Eventually the matters in Scotland would cool and in 1574 she would marry Claud Hamilton, Earl of Arran, who himself was a very moderate Protestant and a cousin of Mary I's own House of Stewart. Their firstborn son, David, would go on to become King David III and the first of the House of Stuart-Arran, a compromise title reached by the status of the Arrans being a cadet to the Stewarts.

Since that time the Stewart-Arrans (who are still frequently referred to simply as the Stewarts in recognition of their seniority) have continued to rule Scotland through a period of relative internal stability, the only major threat to this being the Scottish Civil War under King Robert IV but which saw him simply replaced by his son Robert V. The Stewart-Arrans have also largely converted to Protestantism as their nation has, but monarchs as recent as King James VI were practicing Catholics. In contrast to the conflicts over dynastic succession elsewhere in Europe and the frequently quite bloody reigns of their dynasties, the Stewart-Arrans have held a position of being relatively tolerant and peaceful, currying a great deal of favor between them and their subjects that has helped secure their rule in a time of conflict for the continent.