Darnley, Henry Stewart, Lord

(born Dec. 7, 1545, Temple Newsom, Yorkshire, Eng.—died Feb. 9/10, 1567, Edinburgh, Scot.) English nobleman, second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, and father of James I. Son of Matthew Stewart, earl of Lennox (1516–71), a pretender to the Scottish throne, Henry wed his cousin Mary in 1565 despite the opposition of Elizabeth I and Scottish Protestants. It became evident, even to Mary, that superficial charm was his only positive attribute. After he played a role in the murder of Mary's secretary, David Riccio, he was himself murdered at age 21 at the instigation of James Hepburn, earl of Bothwell (1535–78), whom Mary soon married.

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica