text: Mary Stuart ( 8 December 1542 -- 8 February 1587 ) was Queen regnant of Scotland from 14 December 1542 to 24 July 1567 .
simplified: Mary , Queen of Scots ( 8 December 1542 â `` 8 February 1587 ) , was Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until 24 July 1567 , when she was forced to give up her kingdom .