圣十字架宫6

Travel in the 16th century was a dangerous business,

not to be undertaken lightly.

Back in Scotland, Mary's mother was afraid that storms or hostile English troops

would stop her five-year-old daughter from ever arriving.

But Mary herself was blissfully unaware of the dangers,

regarding it all as a big adventure,

despite the ship's rudder being smashed in rough seas

and everyone around her being laid low with seasickness.

To the people of France, she was a brave

and intrepid ******* who'd fled from the savage English.

The ancient town of Blois welcomed the little queen.

Blois, with its picturesque setting alongside the banks of the River Loire,

was a long way from the hills and moorlands of Scotland

and culturally it couldn't have felt more alien.