Mary Scott, 3rd Countess of Buccleuch facts for kids

Mary Scott was a very special young girl from Scotland who lived a long time ago, in the 1600s. She was born on August 31, 1647. When she was only four years old, something very important happened: her father, Francis Scott, 2nd Earl of Buccleuch, passed away in 1651. This meant that Mary inherited his important titles, becoming the 3rd Countess of Buccleuch.

Being a Countess meant Mary was a very important person in Scotland, even as a child. She became one of the most sought-after young people to marry in the whole kingdom because of her titles and lands.

Mary's Early Life and Titles

Mary Scott was born into a powerful Scottish family. Her father was the Earl of Buccleuch, a very important title. When he died, Mary became the Countess. This meant she was in charge of large areas of land and had a lot of influence, even though she was just a little girl.

A Young Marriage

When Mary was only eleven years old, she got married. This happened on February 9, 1659. Her husband was Walter Scott of Highchester, who was fourteen years old at the time. Their marriage was arranged by Mary's mother.

The Marriage Controversy

Marriages in those days often had special rules. Mary's mother arranged the wedding without a public announcement, which was unusual. This caused some problems and disapproval from others. A court decided that Mary and Walter should be separated until Mary turned twelve years old.

Staying in Touch

Even though they were separated, Mary and Walter wrote many letters to each other. Their letters showed that they cared for each other very much.

Later Life and Legacy

After Mary turned twelve, she and Walter were able to be together again. However, Mary became ill. She passed away in 1661, just two years after their reunion. She was only thirteen years old.

When Mary died, her important titles passed to her younger sister, Anne Scott. Anne would later become a very famous Duchess of Buccleuch.