Many people wonder which spelling of this Scottish name is the older. The quick answer is Stewart. The line of Stewart monarchs of Scotland began in 1371, descending from the union of Marjorie, daughter of King Robert the Bruce and Walter, the 6th High Steward of Scotland. Mary, Queen of Scots was born in 1542, a few days later her father died and she became infant Queen of Scotland. Mary was sent to France as a child, and by the time of her return to Scotland, she was spelling her name ‘Stuart’ in the French fashion. She has remained one of history’s best known figures for her legendary beauty, her strong character (she was the Catholic Queen of a nation is the throes of the Protestant Reformation), and her untimely execution: death in the Tower of London at the bequest of her cousin Elizabeth I of England on February the 8th, 1587.