© 2025 SDPB
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Marriage that Destroyed Mary Stuart

Season 22 Episode 9 | 2m 33s

Mary, Queen of Scots, is seeking a marriage to strengthen her claim to the English throne. Her cousin Lord Darnley appears to check all the boxes: He comes from a powerful Scottish family, has a line in the English succession, and seems like someone she can manage. But the marriage is deeply unpopular. And after she becomes pregnant, Mary realizes her husband is not the man she thought he was.

SECRETS OF THE DEAD is made possible, in part, by public television viewers.
Extras
To smuggle her encrypted messages beyond the prison walls, Mary must rely on unconventional methods.
Moments before her execution, Mary had one last message to send to the world.
As a child Mary loved writing in code. As a captive queen, it became essential to her survival.
After months decoding mysterious letters, codebreakers realize they may belong to Mary Stuart.
Tiny lead tokens revealed the first clues to Cleopatra’s temple façade in Alexandria.
Could this mysterious crystal head buried in the ruins of Cleopatra's temple depict Marc Antony?
Beneath the harbor of Alexandria, archaeologists have uncovered coins bearing Cleopatra's image.
Gladiator bones reveal a mysterious strength-boosting drink used before combat.
The chance discovery of a jade artifact unearths an ancient Chinese city.
Could the discovery of a third portrait of William Shakespeare be a genuine article?
Latest Episodes
All
  • All
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 23
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 22
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 21
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 20
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 19
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 18
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 17
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 16
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 15
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 14
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 13
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 12
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 11
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 10
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 9
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 8
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 7
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 6
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 5
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 4
The chance discovery of a jade artifact unearths an ancient Chinese city.
Scientists study medieval bubonic plague victims in hopes of preventing future outbreaks.
See how secret letters written by Mary, Queen of Scots, were finally decoded.
An unprecedented discovery could reveal new information about Cleopatra’s reign.
The spectacular arena showcasing Ancient Rome’s power also contributed to its downfall.
Could the discovery of a third portrait of William Shakespeare be a genuine article?
Historian Jonathan Petropoulos investigates the post-war life of former Nazi art dealer Bruno Lohse.
Historian Jonathan Petropoulos investigates the life of former Nazi art dealer Bruno Lohse.
Priceless artifacts in Laos reveal holy sites from the early days of the Khmer Empire.
The discovery of priceless artifacts in Laos sheds light on the ancient Khmer Empire.