Mary Queen of Scots

by Susan Watkins, Mark Fiennes (Photographer)

All the world lamented the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. "No man ever saw her without love or will read her history without pity." Whether it is this French Marie Stuart recorded by Brantome, the German Maria Stuart of Schiller's tragedy, the Italian Maria Stuarda of Donizetti's opera, or the more recent queen of film played by Katharine Hepburn or Vanessa Redgrave, her story resonates over four centuries. The tale of the free-spirited and beautiful Queen of Scots, who refused to accept the constraints of her birth and position, still appeals to us today. Mary's inheritance gave her both the Scottish throne in 1542, when she was only six days old, and a claim to the English throne that would lead to her death. It gave her an upbringing in France, cultural and intellectual center of Europe, where she witnessed the power play of her Guise relations, married the heir to the French throne, and became queen of France, only to be widowed at eighteen. There was a turbulent interlude as ruler of Scotland, made the more tumultuous by two disastrous marriages and rumors of adultery and murder. Finally, there was an eighteen-year exile as Elizabeth I's prisoner, passing the long days of captivity at her embroidery or her prayers, the center of a network of intrigue, double agents, coded dispatches, and mysterious couriers, which was to lead ineluctably to her trial and execution. Susan Watkins re-creates the world in which Mary livedthe landscapes, the palaces and the courtly culture, and the fine details of the domestic scene. The text gives life to the wealth of historical illustrations and specially taken photographs by Mark Fiennes, who accompanied Susan Watkins on her journey in search of Mary Queen of Scots. 194 color illustrations and photographs.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Tudor Period

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Susan Watkins is Professor in the School of Cultural Studies and Humanities and Director of the Centre for Culture and the Arts. She is an expert in contemporary women's fiction and feminist theory. Susan's main research interests are in the field of contemporary women's fiction and feminist theory.

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dumbarton, Scotland. August 7, 1548. Susan Watkin’s Mary Queen of Scots with photographs and illustrations by Mark Fiennes is a truly beautiful and extremely informative coffee table book about the enigmatic Mary Queen of Scots. On the date stated above, Mary, who became Queen of Scots at 6 days old, was on her way to marry the dauphin of France, Francis, at age 5. Mary found herself a widow at 18 and preparations were made for her to return to Scotland to take the throne that had been hers when she was 6 days old, but there was a problem in Scotland. Mary considered her ‘homeland’ was France, and her religion definitely was Catholic. The Protestant Reformation had begun in Scotland. Was there to be a problem when Mary arrived to take the throne? Mary was connected to the English throne. Her impressive family trees-4- are printed in this ‘feast for the eyes’ book. The author writes of Mary’s life as she actually lived it with many contemporary writings of Mary as well as writings by Mary. The photographer/illustrator has background illustrations of gardens and castles that cover two pages! Photographs of castles, paintings, chapels, jewelry, even Mary’s rosary which she carried to her execution are found in pages of this very fine book! 5 stars.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having quite a background already on Mary, I did not expect anything new. What I did find, however, was beautiful photographs of Mary's portraits, her belongings, and the many buildings where she spent her life, both free and captive. I love Scotland deeply and it is always nice to see these places. I am especially fond of Stirling Castle, where Mary spent time.

As always, and I have said in many other reviews of this topic. Elizabeth I acted without authority and is guilty of murder, having signed the death warrant for a fellow sovereign who was never her subject, and thus she had no right to do so. Additionally, she is full of it - she knew full well that the moment she signed the warrant, the orders would be carried out, because her counselors couldn't wait to get rid of Mary and destroy the Catholic cause in England. Her behavior is disgusting and I can not understand why she remains so highly esteemed. But that is a whole different argument and I must stop, lest she take over this review and overshadow Mary.

The whole issue of the marriage to Bothwell troubles me - far more than whether or not Mary was complicate in Darnley's murder. Some say she went into the marriage willingly, but by her own words she did not. Mary made terrible choices for most of her adult life and it oddly makes sense to me that she would feel forced to marry Bothwell after having been raped, as any shred of control over her country that she had left would have been blown to smithereens if knowledge came to light that the queen had been raped. I think it is important to note that text makes mention of the fact that in captivity, Mary kept portraits of her first and second husbands, but she nothing from Bothwell. This to me speaks volumes, as it is pretty easy to see that Mary abhorred Darnley, his immaturity, his visits to brothels, his STD(s), and in general his spoiled and brattish behavior.

It saddens me that May was kept from her son, and that James did literally nothing to help his mother. I get that he was pretty much brainwashed his whole life into thinking that she was a terrible person, but she continued to show love and affection for him, sending him embroideries, verses, and jewels. I can appreciate James having Mary's later interred in a place much more suitable for an anointed queen, but it seems too little, too late. I understand having to stay on good terms with Elizabeth in order to inherit the crown on her death, but seriously? No one else had the claim he did, and even if she tried to bar him from succession, after she was dead there would be nothing she could do about it and he still would have been crowned king.

In conclusion, this is a nicely put together biography of a woman who had many difficult decisions to make in a very difficult time. She had few true allies or friends, trusted people she should not have (though these same people are those who should have supported and protected her. I'm looking at YOU, Moray!) Mary was wholly unequipped to rule such a volatile place as Scotland was at the time of her return. She did the best she could, especially in regards to religion, which was the biggest sticking point for everyone. Her life and death are tragic and she should be remembered accordingly.

[Marsha Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is all the more interesting because of the accompanying layout and illustrations. It answered my questions about this intriguing personality who, I have learned, is a direct-line ancestor of my husband and is also a relative of mine. In addition, one of my ancestral families purportedly accompanied her to France when she was exiled there. So, I was eager to learn where she had lived in France and some of the details of her short life there. As her life is so well-documented, I am grateful for clues as to my own ancestors lives on the European continent and in Scotland.

[Gary Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The layout of this book makes it so accessible to the history student or the avid reader. The information is enough, but can still warrant more research. A good introduction with pictures that also set the era.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book about the interesting, yet tragic, life of Mary, Queen of Scots. The photographs all through are beautiful.

[Kathie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always found the story of Mary Queen of Scots to be confusing. This wonderful book - thoroughly researched & with photos & illustrations from past & present - went a long way to explaining the saga to me without undue romanticism. The family trees in the back of the book should be in the front. I want to read more from this author.