Montrose

by C.V. Wedgwood

Recounts the life of seventeenth century Scottish hero James Graham, the 1st Marquess of Montrose, who spent years struggling against the anti-royalist forces of Civil War Scotland, until his execution in Edinburgh in 1650.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction

172 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1995

About the author

Dame (Cicely) Veronica Wedgwood OM DBE was an English historian who published under the name C. V. Wedgwood. Specializing in the history of 17th-century England and Continental Europe, her biographies and narrative histories "provided a clear, entertaining middle ground between popular and scholarly works."

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a review of this book per se, but reading it did inspire me to use him as a case study in my blog:
https://geotrickster.com/2018/01/15/j...

[Randhir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a definitive short biography of the 'Great Marquise.' James Graham belonged to a major Scot noble family that was utterly loyal to the Royal Family. From a young age, Montrose stood out amongst his contemporaries. The Author has beautifully brought out his character qualities. His high mindedness, humanity and integrity shone amongst the evil and conniving nobility. His leadership qualities imbued his followers to attempt the impossible. A truly heroic figure he fought for the King against great odds. Unfortunately he was ill served by them. Let down, he was ultimately captured and hanged, never for once forsaking his dignity or courage. While his enemies are long forgotten he stands out as a beacon worth emulating. His tactics and battles are relevant even now. He is my great hero, a poet and a warrior. A stanza of one of his poems says it all,
'He either fears his fate too much,
Or his deserts are small,
Who dare not put it to the touch,
To gain or lose it all.

[Mark Turnbull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wedgewood's book isn't just a biography - it's bionovel. She tells Montrose's story in a manner that reads like a novel, detailing facts in a gripping and storylike way. Very interesting!

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A straightforward, handily short, biography of a national hero (unless you are descended from a Covenanter). I first met James Graham, the Marquis of Montrose, in John Buchan's historical novel Witch Wood. Montrose makes an all-important cameo appearance. Buchan also wrote a biography of "The Great Marquis," but it's longer and knottier.

The Wedgwood book has good maps on which to follow the campaigns.

The villain Montrose in Rob Roy is not the same person.

To this soldier, who was hanged for treason, is attributed the poem that ends "He either fears his fate too much/Or his deserts are small/Who dares not put it to the touch/To win or lose it all."

[Sallie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Constance reminded me of this person with her review of a THE PROUD SERVANT : THE STORY OF MONTROSE by Margaret Irwin. I wrote a term paper on him for one of my history classes in college.

[Karen Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short well-written biography of a real hero and an honorable man.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always found Wedgewood an attractive writer and interesting historian; and then put this together with this extraoridnary story and you've got a winner.