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Queen's Caprice
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
The foregoing novel contains what the author believes to be the essence of the truth of the reign and character of Mary, Queen of Scotland. It is, however, to be read as a work of fiction, since it is an imaginary reconstruction of events and characters which must always remain perplexing, debated, and obscure. There is no invented person in the tale, and the sequence of historical events is strictly followed.
When the author first decided on this subject for a work of fiction, she found the familiar story she had selected so mysterious, confused, and incredible, related so often with such passion and prejudice, and so disfigured by spite, sentimentality, and political bias, that she resolved to turn to all the original documents concerning the Queen of Scotland and discover for herself, if possible, the facts on which so much fiction has been based, and to make her own deductions therefrom. Whatever, therefore, this tale may be, it is not a superficial fantasy but the result of an earnest attempt to come at the solution of a very curious historical puzzle.
Period covered by "THE QUEEN'S CAPRICE"
February 1565-June 1567, Detailed as follows:
The Queen's first meeting with Lord Darnley, Wemyss Castle 16th February 1565 Private marriage of the Queen and Lord Darnley, Stirling Castle March 1565 Public marriage, Holyrood 29th July 1565 Murder of David Rizzio 9th March 1566 Birth of the Prince 19th June 1566 Murder of King Henry (Lord Darnley) 10th February 1567 Marriage of the Queen and Bothwell 15th May 1567 Carberry Hill 5th June 1567 The Queen sent to Lochleven 16th June 1567
* * *
CONTENTS:
Author's Note
1. The Crimson Wedding Ring
2. The Violet-Brown Bed
3. The Rose Tree at Loch Leven
* * *
"Bloody Bothwell hath brought our King to death From flattering Fraud with double Dallilay."
--Lampoon, 1567
"You live in a rank pasture, here i' the Court There is a kind of honeydew that's deadly. Twill poison your fame; look to 't, be not cunning For they whose faces do belie their hearts Are witches ere they arrive at twenty years Ay, and give the Devil suck."
--John Webster
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1933
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113 people want to read
About the author
Marjorie Bowen
459 books85 followersMarjorie Bowen (pseudonym of Mrs Gabrielle Margaret V[ere] Long née Campbell), was a British author who wrote historical romances, supernatural horror stories, popular history and biography. Her total output numbers over 150 volumes with the bulk of her work under the 'Bowen' pseudonym. She also wrote under the names Joseph Shearing, George R. Preedy, John Winch, Robert Paye, and Margaret Campbell. As Joseph Shearing, she wrote several sinister gothic romances full of terror and mystery. Many of these stories were published as Berkley Medallion Books. Several of her books were adapted as films. Her books are much sought after by aficionados of gothic horror and received praise from critics.
Bowen's alcoholic father left the family at an early age and was eventually found dead on a London street. After this, Bowen's prolific writings were the chief financial support for her family. She was married twice: first, from 1912-16, to a Sicilian named Zefferino Emilio Constanza, who died of tuberculosis, and then to one Arthur L. Long. Her first novel was The Viper of Milan (1906), after which she produced a steady stream of writings until the day of her death on 23rd December 1952. Her last, posthumous, novel was The Man with the Scales (1954).
Bowen's alcoholic father left the family at an early age and was eventually found dead on a London street. After this, Bowen's prolific writings were the chief financial support for her family. She was married twice: first, from 1912-16, to a Sicilian named Zefferino Emilio Constanza, who died of tuberculosis, and then to one Arthur L. Long. Her first novel was The Viper of Milan (1906), after which she produced a steady stream of writings until the day of her death on 23rd December 1952. Her last, posthumous, novel was The Man with the Scales (1954).
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 12, 2015
Disclaimer: Review copy courtesy of Endeavour Press (via Netgalley)
Marjorie Bowen was Philippa Gregory before Philippa Gregory was.
If you know what I mean.
According to the opening pages of this book, the Queen’s Caprice was first published in 1933. The only that this really shows is the characterization of a sexual woman as being an evil woman.
Now, before you get the wrong message, the book is actually good. I didn’t think it was great, but I am sure some people I am friends with will enjoy this book.
The Queen’s Caprice is about Mary Queen of Scots starting from the negotiations of marriage upon her return to Scotland. It ends before her flight to England. The central characters besides Mary, Darnley, and Rizzo, are Maitland and Moray.
Bowen’s Mary is a character constructed with some sympathy even though she is at best a spoiled witch. It should be noted that the book was written when popular scholarship had a different view of Mary Queen of Scots. Despite this, Bowen doesn’t paint her as Gregory does Anne Boleyn or Elizabeth I. Mary might be a bit of a slut, but there is a sense of Bowen challenging the view of a sexual woman, perhaps slightly. There are few conversations between Moray and Maitland that portray them as far less than ideal heroes or as cold fish. Additionally, Darnley is not just a victim or a fool but something else.
What is most enjoyable about this book is something that many NYT Bestselling Authors have trouble doing. The book is, at times, sensual without being graphic. It doesn’t have the relatively graphic love scenes that make their way into books like Gregory’s but the idea of Mary as a sensual being is done very well. It was rather enjoyable to read that.
Another huge plus is the rather perfect ending. I can just see Bowen writing it and then smiling.
Marjorie Bowen was Philippa Gregory before Philippa Gregory was.
If you know what I mean.
According to the opening pages of this book, the Queen’s Caprice was first published in 1933. The only that this really shows is the characterization of a sexual woman as being an evil woman.
Now, before you get the wrong message, the book is actually good. I didn’t think it was great, but I am sure some people I am friends with will enjoy this book.
The Queen’s Caprice is about Mary Queen of Scots starting from the negotiations of marriage upon her return to Scotland. It ends before her flight to England. The central characters besides Mary, Darnley, and Rizzo, are Maitland and Moray.
Bowen’s Mary is a character constructed with some sympathy even though she is at best a spoiled witch. It should be noted that the book was written when popular scholarship had a different view of Mary Queen of Scots. Despite this, Bowen doesn’t paint her as Gregory does Anne Boleyn or Elizabeth I. Mary might be a bit of a slut, but there is a sense of Bowen challenging the view of a sexual woman, perhaps slightly. There are few conversations between Moray and Maitland that portray them as far less than ideal heroes or as cold fish. Additionally, Darnley is not just a victim or a fool but something else.
What is most enjoyable about this book is something that many NYT Bestselling Authors have trouble doing. The book is, at times, sensual without being graphic. It doesn’t have the relatively graphic love scenes that make their way into books like Gregory’s but the idea of Mary as a sensual being is done very well. It was rather enjoyable to read that.
Another huge plus is the rather perfect ending. I can just see Bowen writing it and then smiling.
July 3, 2016
I had requested this book without realizing that it was by the same author as Dickon and before I had started Bowen's Richard III novel.. Both books inspired me to skim sections, but this one was an improvement over Dickon because it does not include the same false medieval language that was so annoying in that novel.
Mary as a protagonist was impossible for me to like or feel any sympathy for. She was selfish, vapid, and more concerned with sex than ruling her country. At no point did she invoke any positive feelings from me, which made this a difficult and boring read.
Bowen made a name for herself in historical fiction in her time, but I think I do not think her novels are for me.
Mary as a protagonist was impossible for me to like or feel any sympathy for. She was selfish, vapid, and more concerned with sex than ruling her country. At no point did she invoke any positive feelings from me, which made this a difficult and boring read.
Bowen made a name for herself in historical fiction in her time, but I think I do not think her novels are for me.
August 26, 2015
The Queen’s Caprice tells of Mary, Queen of Scots, rule in Scotland. She is beautiful and loved by the men around her. However, with her marriage to Henry Stuart and favoring an Italian dwarf named David, she loses the nobles’ favor and treachery and danger abounds. Mary must fight to keep control of Scotland as the nobles try to take away her power.
Mary is a tragic figure. She is a weak ruler. She chooses the wrong men, who want nothing but to have Scotland for themselves. She is easily influenced by her ambitious brother James Moray, who wants control. She has a turbulent marriage with Henry Stuart, who she is infatuated with and eventually shows his true colors as a jealous, ambitious, spoiled brat that doesn’t love her but wants her throne. She is also lonely, which is why she turns her attention and favours the Italian dwarf, because he is smart and humors her. When she finds that trouble is admist, and powerless, she fights to keep her right to the throne. Still she does not succeed.
Overall, this is a fascinating story about the tragic events of Queen Mary’s rule in Scotland. While Queen Mary is not likeable, I still found her story interesting. She strives to find love and happiness but sadly does not find it. Yet this story is filled with political intrigue, drama, treachery, and betrayal. This book reads like a soap opera, and is filled with fast-paced action. The Queen’s Caprice will appeal to anyone interested in Mary, Queen of Scots, The Elizabethan Era, and The Tudors. It will also appeal to fans of Margaret George, Jean Plaidy, and Philippa Gregory.
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
Mary is a tragic figure. She is a weak ruler. She chooses the wrong men, who want nothing but to have Scotland for themselves. She is easily influenced by her ambitious brother James Moray, who wants control. She has a turbulent marriage with Henry Stuart, who she is infatuated with and eventually shows his true colors as a jealous, ambitious, spoiled brat that doesn’t love her but wants her throne. She is also lonely, which is why she turns her attention and favours the Italian dwarf, because he is smart and humors her. When she finds that trouble is admist, and powerless, she fights to keep her right to the throne. Still she does not succeed.
Overall, this is a fascinating story about the tragic events of Queen Mary’s rule in Scotland. While Queen Mary is not likeable, I still found her story interesting. She strives to find love and happiness but sadly does not find it. Yet this story is filled with political intrigue, drama, treachery, and betrayal. This book reads like a soap opera, and is filled with fast-paced action. The Queen’s Caprice will appeal to anyone interested in Mary, Queen of Scots, The Elizabethan Era, and The Tudors. It will also appeal to fans of Margaret George, Jean Plaidy, and Philippa Gregory.
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
November 20, 2015
I have gotten hooked on books about the English monarchy lately and thought a book about Mary Queen of Scots would be really interesting. However the characters were not very well developed. I never got a good feel for anyone's personality or motivations. I never became invested in the characters or story and considered not finishing the book, but I persevered, hoping that it would improve. It didn't.
April 3, 2018
The story of Mary, Queen of Scots, is a fascinating, eventful one and always a good subject for historical fiction. Bowen’s novel is a straightforward fictional biography of Mary, covering the period from her return to Scotland in 1561 following the death of her husband, the King of France, and her imprisonment at Lochleven in 1567. In between, there’s always something happening: a murder, a plot, a rebellion or a disastrous marriage or two!
This is an interesting look at Mary’s life, although as it was published in 1933 I think the style will be too dated for some readers and it’s probably not the best book to read as a first introduction as Bowen does seem to assume we have some background knowledge of the period. It isn’t a very flattering portrayal of Mary either – as the title suggests, a lot is made of her capriciousness and her tendency to think with her heart rather than her head, making poor decisions regardless of the consequences. I was never sure whether our sympathies were supposed to be with Mary or with her ambitious half-brother, James Stewart, the Earl of Moray. I’ve read a few other books by Marjorie Bowen and while I thought this one was worth reading, it isn’t one of my favourites.
This is an interesting look at Mary’s life, although as it was published in 1933 I think the style will be too dated for some readers and it’s probably not the best book to read as a first introduction as Bowen does seem to assume we have some background knowledge of the period. It isn’t a very flattering portrayal of Mary either – as the title suggests, a lot is made of her capriciousness and her tendency to think with her heart rather than her head, making poor decisions regardless of the consequences. I was never sure whether our sympathies were supposed to be with Mary or with her ambitious half-brother, James Stewart, the Earl of Moray. I’ve read a few other books by Marjorie Bowen and while I thought this one was worth reading, it isn’t one of my favourites.
October 14, 2015
Mary, Queen of Scots, is a tragic character. Her life was one intrigue after another but she may have kept her throne and her head had she been a different sort of person.
Beautiful and charming, she could wrap men around her little finger. She was capricious, as the title of the book implies, but not a particularly forward thinking type. Had she thought through her actions instead of acting precipitously, she might have realized there were people who worked long and hard to keep her on the throne and save her from herself.
This included her step-brother, Moray, first and foremost. He understood that in order to keep her safe, he needed to prevent her from doing things that would come back to bite her.
And bite her they did. This book traverses her life from her return from the French Court where she was also Queen to her ultimate banishment to the Court of her cousin, Elizabeth. We all know how well that worked.
It is a rich and interesting book filled with manipulation and duplicity, not unlike the times in which she lived. Despite knowing the outcome it was hard not to wish that she had been a little less clever and a little more honest, especially with herself.
Beautiful and charming, she could wrap men around her little finger. She was capricious, as the title of the book implies, but not a particularly forward thinking type. Had she thought through her actions instead of acting precipitously, she might have realized there were people who worked long and hard to keep her on the throne and save her from herself.
This included her step-brother, Moray, first and foremost. He understood that in order to keep her safe, he needed to prevent her from doing things that would come back to bite her.
And bite her they did. This book traverses her life from her return from the French Court where she was also Queen to her ultimate banishment to the Court of her cousin, Elizabeth. We all know how well that worked.
It is a rich and interesting book filled with manipulation and duplicity, not unlike the times in which she lived. Despite knowing the outcome it was hard not to wish that she had been a little less clever and a little more honest, especially with herself.
January 26, 2016
A fairly interesting tale, following the highs and lows of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots at the most turbulent time of her life. The language does feel a little dated and it is clear that here is a story that was written several years ago, mostly through the diction and plotting, which is a little slow and stilted in parts.
There are some nice touches and it is clearly intended to present Mary in a similar vein to what we might expect from writers such as Phillipa Gregory today, presenting an interesting, though less than factual version of events and characters. This serves to make the tale more sensational in parts, but it does fly through events so quickly that is becomes impossible to really engage with or have any real understanding of the characters.
For those with an interest in historical fictions and the kings and queens of the past, it might be worth the time it takes to get through it, but it will probably not really set your world on fire based on the writing style and characterisation.
There are some nice touches and it is clearly intended to present Mary in a similar vein to what we might expect from writers such as Phillipa Gregory today, presenting an interesting, though less than factual version of events and characters. This serves to make the tale more sensational in parts, but it does fly through events so quickly that is becomes impossible to really engage with or have any real understanding of the characters.
For those with an interest in historical fictions and the kings and queens of the past, it might be worth the time it takes to get through it, but it will probably not really set your world on fire based on the writing style and characterisation.
April 18, 2016
The Queen's Caprice by Marjorie Bowen is a story about Mary, Queen of Scots. It was a interesting interpretation about Mary's life, when she was the Queen of Scots, about her husbands, lovers and children.
The beginning of the story is really confusing, since the story starts with persons who's name were not familiar to me (probably no to anybody, unless you have studied history about Mary) and I really did not understand what, who and when was happening. But the more the story goes on, the more interesting it gets. How much of it is fictional how much is true, nobody knows, but it was fascinating to read, even though the story keeps being just as jumpy as the beginning, when the story is focused to one person at one moment and after a sentence the focus could be already on somebody else.
It was interesting story, even if it was somewhat difficult to follow.
The beginning of the story is really confusing, since the story starts with persons who's name were not familiar to me (probably no to anybody, unless you have studied history about Mary) and I really did not understand what, who and when was happening. But the more the story goes on, the more interesting it gets. How much of it is fictional how much is true, nobody knows, but it was fascinating to read, even though the story keeps being just as jumpy as the beginning, when the story is focused to one person at one moment and after a sentence the focus could be already on somebody else.
It was interesting story, even if it was somewhat difficult to follow.
August 31, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. Tragic is the word always applied to Mary, Queen of Scotts. With this in mind, Ms. Bowen presents a true picture of Mary's life, subject to political intrigue and subterfuge. As a woman, she was searching for love and acceptance, but as a queen she needed more than this. With all the scheming going on around her, it is not hard to imagine her turning to her Italian dwarf for some semblance of love. Likable she is not, but her part in history is documented well in this book. Recommended for historical fiction lovers.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. Tragic is the word always applied to Mary, Queen of Scotts. With this in mind, Ms. Bowen presents a true picture of Mary's life, subject to political intrigue and subterfuge. As a woman, she was searching for love and acceptance, but as a queen she needed more than this. With all the scheming going on around her, it is not hard to imagine her turning to her Italian dwarf for some semblance of love. Likable she is not, but her part in history is documented well in this book. Recommended for historical fiction lovers.
September 2, 2015
Wow its not always good being born royalty! Still entertaining and great writing.
September 4, 2015
Being royalty isnt as great as you'd think. Marjorie Bowen gives an open and direct view of what life must have been life for this tragic woman. Well written and quite enjoyable.
December 13, 2015
Mary queen of scots
Historical fact and fiction brought together in a very enjoyable book,I look forward to the next book by this author
Historical fact and fiction brought together in a very enjoyable book,I look forward to the next book by this author
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews