Mary of Guise (1515-1560) was a French noblewoman from the powerful House of Guise, a cadet branch of the House of Lorraine. She became Queen of Scotland as the second wife of King James V and was mother to Mary, Queen of Scots. Following her husband's death in 1542, she acted as regent of Scotland during her daughter's minority from 1554 until her death in 1560. Mary of Guise was a staunch Catholic and strong supporter of French interests, resisting English influence and Protestant reforms in Scotland. She arranged for her daughter Mary to be raised and married in France, and during her regency, she struggled with growing Protestant factions in Scotland. Despite her efforts to suppress the Reformation, she was eventually deposed by Protestant forces backed by England. Mary of Guise died in Edinburgh in 1560 and was buried in France. Her legacy lies in her role as a pivotal political figure navigating the complex religious and political conflicts of 16th-century Scotland and France.