The Scottish Reformation was a significant religious and political movement in the 16th century. It began in earnest after the George Wishart, a Protestant reformer, was put to death by Cardinal David Beaton on March 1, 1546. This tragic act sparked a fierce anger among Scottish nobles. This event led to the termination of Roman Catholic domination in Scotland. The Reformation in Scotland was heavily influenced by John Calvin's ideas and was led by the fearless Reformer, John Knox. In 1560, Knox convinced the Scottish Parliament to reject the pope's authority and declare the mass illegal. The movement introduced a Presbyterian form of church government, where elected lay elders share responsibility with ordained ministers in maintaining the church's spiritual discipline. This contrasted with the Episcopal system adopted in England, with its hierarchy of bishops. By 1592, Presbyterianism had become the official religion of Scotland. The Reformation in Scotland also had political implications, weakening the alliance with France and involving conflict between Mary, Queen of Scots, and John Knox. Knox's role and the events of the Scottish Reformation are extensively documented in his work The History of the Reformation in Scotland.

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