What do you think?
Rate this book
Scotland’s Medieval Queens: From Saint Margaret to Margaret of Denmark
Discover Scotland's turbulent history through the lives of its medieval queens, who ruled, loved, and sacrificed for their nation.
Scotland’s history is dramatic, violent and bloody.
Being England’s northern neighbour has never been easy.
Scotland’s queens have had to deal with war, murder, imprisonment, political rivalries and open betrayal. They have loved and lost, raised kings and queens, ruled and died for Scotland.
From St Margaret, who became one of the patron saints of Scotland, to Elizabeth de Burgh and the dramatic story of the Scottish Wars of Independence, to the love story and tragedy of Joan Beaufort, to Margaret of Denmark and the dawn of the Renaissance, Scotland’s Medieval Queens have seen it all.
This is the story of Scotland through their eyes.
Scotland’s history is dramatic, violent and bloody.
Being England’s northern neighbour has never been easy.
Scotland’s queens have had to deal with war, murder, imprisonment, political rivalries and open betrayal. They have loved and lost, raised kings and queens, ruled and died for Scotland.
From St Margaret, who became one of the patron saints of Scotland, to Elizabeth de Burgh and the dramatic story of the Scottish Wars of Independence, to the love story and tragedy of Joan Beaufort, to Margaret of Denmark and the dawn of the Renaissance, Scotland’s Medieval Queens have seen it all.
This is the story of Scotland through their eyes.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published March 30, 2025
11 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 14, 2024
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Jan. 31, 2025
Sharon Bennett Connolly’s newest historical collection, “Scotland’s Medieval Queens: From Saint Margaret to Margaret of Denmark” is an exhaustive examination of the women behind the Crown throughout Scotland’s history. Starting as early as the 11th century, with the real-life Lady MacBeth, Connolly discusses the roles the royal women played behind the scenes.
“Queens” is inundated with family histories and timelines, made even more complicated by the numerous Kings (there’s always a I, II and III, if not IV of every royal male name) from both England and Scotland, so it is definitely not a book for those with a minor passing curiousity. As was the way, most of the Royals that we have any record of at all were males, and often they had multiple wives (or wives and mistresses), so be prepared to take ample notes and pay close attention if you want to retain any of the “who’s married to who and when” parts of history.
Obviously, there is very little documentation the farther back you go, so Connolly’s earliest queens (from the 11th century) are most just regurgitation of the information on record. As history passes and more documents and data are recorded, we get a bit more detail although it still won’t give you everything you’re looking for (due to lack of information, not any omission by Connolly).
There were some fascinating family sagas within the pages, and some seriously disturbing facts (the youngest Queen was seven years old and married to the ten-year-old King), and it was these little details that kept me interested. I didn’t particularly care for how many James’ slept with how many Margarets’ or how many Edwards or Williams were in power, or who their ancestors were, but the intricate details of how rulers were chosen and how early relationships were forged was fascinating (there were so many marriages that were “disbanded” by the Church because the bride and groom were too closely related). Speaking of the Church, you can’t talk about any time in Scotland’s history without discussing the relevance and the influence of the Church, and Connolly pays homage to the respect and honour the citizens of that era paid to the church and its important members.
“Scottish Queens” is intense, in depth, fact heavy and intricate, but it is a must read for anyone who is a hardcore history nut, or who loves ancestry and genetic connections, especially among the Royal Families of Scotland (and England). This book was hard to get through in parts, definitely more informational and educational than entertaining, but it was worth the read.
Expected publication date: Jan. 31, 2025
Sharon Bennett Connolly’s newest historical collection, “Scotland’s Medieval Queens: From Saint Margaret to Margaret of Denmark” is an exhaustive examination of the women behind the Crown throughout Scotland’s history. Starting as early as the 11th century, with the real-life Lady MacBeth, Connolly discusses the roles the royal women played behind the scenes.
“Queens” is inundated with family histories and timelines, made even more complicated by the numerous Kings (there’s always a I, II and III, if not IV of every royal male name) from both England and Scotland, so it is definitely not a book for those with a minor passing curiousity. As was the way, most of the Royals that we have any record of at all were males, and often they had multiple wives (or wives and mistresses), so be prepared to take ample notes and pay close attention if you want to retain any of the “who’s married to who and when” parts of history.
Obviously, there is very little documentation the farther back you go, so Connolly’s earliest queens (from the 11th century) are most just regurgitation of the information on record. As history passes and more documents and data are recorded, we get a bit more detail although it still won’t give you everything you’re looking for (due to lack of information, not any omission by Connolly).
There were some fascinating family sagas within the pages, and some seriously disturbing facts (the youngest Queen was seven years old and married to the ten-year-old King), and it was these little details that kept me interested. I didn’t particularly care for how many James’ slept with how many Margarets’ or how many Edwards or Williams were in power, or who their ancestors were, but the intricate details of how rulers were chosen and how early relationships were forged was fascinating (there were so many marriages that were “disbanded” by the Church because the bride and groom were too closely related). Speaking of the Church, you can’t talk about any time in Scotland’s history without discussing the relevance and the influence of the Church, and Connolly pays homage to the respect and honour the citizens of that era paid to the church and its important members.
“Scottish Queens” is intense, in depth, fact heavy and intricate, but it is a must read for anyone who is a hardcore history nut, or who loves ancestry and genetic connections, especially among the Royal Families of Scotland (and England). This book was hard to get through in parts, definitely more informational and educational than entertaining, but it was worth the read.
January 31, 2025
I very much struggled at the beginning of this and kinda lapsed into boredom but I totally did myself a favor and persevered.It is written in a scholarly fashion so don't let that put you off.By the time I got to the Rise of the House of Stewart I was absolutely fascinated.The stories of the queens are inserted into the accounts of the kings and are quite political so basically there are only bits and bobs on the the actual queens themselves.Mostly what are on official records such as births,marriages,land endowments, building and church foundings and deaths.There are personal details but they are pretty sparse.I would recommend though if you are researching Scotland as the information seems sound and informative.
Much thanks to NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review
Much thanks to NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review
April 13, 2025
In Scotland’s Medieval Queens, Sharon Bennett Connolly delivers a sweeping yet intricately detailed exploration of the women who shaped the course of Scottish monarchy from the 11th to the 15th century. Far from being mere consorts in the margins of male-dominated chronicles, these queens emerge in Connolly’s hands as formidable political actors, cultural patrons, spiritual icons, and diplomatic bridges.
The narrative begins with Saint Margaret—whose sanctity, intellect, and reformist zeal elevated her to both royal and religious significance—and progresses through the complex legacies of her successors, concluding with the often-overlooked Margaret of Denmark. Connolly deftly weaves biography with political analysis, drawing attention to the shifting roles and perceptions of queenship within the Scottish context.
What makes this work particularly commendable is its balance of scholarly insight and narrative accessibility. Connolly’s command of primary sources is evident, yet the prose remains fluid and engaging. Each chapter reads as both a historical inquiry and a tribute—honoring the agency, resilience, and influence of women too often reduced to genealogical footnotes.
The book also excels in contextualizing each queen within the broader dynamics of European politics, dynastic alliance, and ecclesiastical power. The interweaving of English, Norman, and Scandinavian threads underscores Scotland’s position within the complex medieval tapestry, and how its queens—often foreign-born—played crucial roles in both integrating and preserving Scottish sovereignty.
Final Verdict:
Scotland’s Medieval Queens is a dignified and illuminating contribution to royal historiography. It not only restores visibility to neglected historical figures but also elevates the study of monarchy beyond battles and bloodlines. For readers of medieval history and gendered power, Connolly offers both clarity and reverence.
Rating: ★★★★★
Disclaimer: I read an advance copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative begins with Saint Margaret—whose sanctity, intellect, and reformist zeal elevated her to both royal and religious significance—and progresses through the complex legacies of her successors, concluding with the often-overlooked Margaret of Denmark. Connolly deftly weaves biography with political analysis, drawing attention to the shifting roles and perceptions of queenship within the Scottish context.
What makes this work particularly commendable is its balance of scholarly insight and narrative accessibility. Connolly’s command of primary sources is evident, yet the prose remains fluid and engaging. Each chapter reads as both a historical inquiry and a tribute—honoring the agency, resilience, and influence of women too often reduced to genealogical footnotes.
The book also excels in contextualizing each queen within the broader dynamics of European politics, dynastic alliance, and ecclesiastical power. The interweaving of English, Norman, and Scandinavian threads underscores Scotland’s position within the complex medieval tapestry, and how its queens—often foreign-born—played crucial roles in both integrating and preserving Scottish sovereignty.
Final Verdict:
Scotland’s Medieval Queens is a dignified and illuminating contribution to royal historiography. It not only restores visibility to neglected historical figures but also elevates the study of monarchy beyond battles and bloodlines. For readers of medieval history and gendered power, Connolly offers both clarity and reverence.
Rating: ★★★★★
Disclaimer: I read an advance copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2025
Thanks to Sharon Bennett Connolly and Pen and Sword for a copy of this to review.
I’ve really enjoyed ‘Heroines of the Tudor World’ by Sharon Bennett Connolly, so I was intrigued by this one as it’s not a period I know much about, or a country I’m really familiar with the history of. The family trees at the front were incredibly helpful!
But it is very detailed, makes excellent use of the primary sources, quoting extensively, and with excellent referencing. There is also an extensive bibliography and a good index – a must for any historian wanting to look things up and track things down! The amount of research and contemporary source work that has gone into this book is brilliant.
There were some really interesting family sagas set within the wider context of what was happening in England, and between England and Scotland. It’s amazing how many royal men in particular died suspicious or unexpected deaths and their wives were left to shift for themselves, often in incredibly trying circumstances against a constant backdrop it seemed of England trying to dominate and subjugate Scotland. It really demonstrated the strength and fortitude of many of these women.
What I did struggle with in this book was the sheer number of people and how a lot of them have very similar or the same names and they’re all related to each other. It is difficult to read in places just because of the sheer number of people. It’s a bit tricky to keep track of if you’re not familiar which is why I was very thankful for the family trees to keep the lines of descent in order.
I enjoyed the first chapter on Lady Macbeth, and the chapters on the Stewarts in particular. The idea of trying to piece the lives of the women together from the lives of their husbands and the, sometimes scant, surviving sources, is clever, and it does work. It feels like these women are being brought out of the shadows as far as we can and, to be honest, a lot of these I hadn’t heard of before reading the book, so it’s been eye-opening!
I’ve really enjoyed ‘Heroines of the Tudor World’ by Sharon Bennett Connolly, so I was intrigued by this one as it’s not a period I know much about, or a country I’m really familiar with the history of. The family trees at the front were incredibly helpful!
But it is very detailed, makes excellent use of the primary sources, quoting extensively, and with excellent referencing. There is also an extensive bibliography and a good index – a must for any historian wanting to look things up and track things down! The amount of research and contemporary source work that has gone into this book is brilliant.
There were some really interesting family sagas set within the wider context of what was happening in England, and between England and Scotland. It’s amazing how many royal men in particular died suspicious or unexpected deaths and their wives were left to shift for themselves, often in incredibly trying circumstances against a constant backdrop it seemed of England trying to dominate and subjugate Scotland. It really demonstrated the strength and fortitude of many of these women.
What I did struggle with in this book was the sheer number of people and how a lot of them have very similar or the same names and they’re all related to each other. It is difficult to read in places just because of the sheer number of people. It’s a bit tricky to keep track of if you’re not familiar which is why I was very thankful for the family trees to keep the lines of descent in order.
I enjoyed the first chapter on Lady Macbeth, and the chapters on the Stewarts in particular. The idea of trying to piece the lives of the women together from the lives of their husbands and the, sometimes scant, surviving sources, is clever, and it does work. It feels like these women are being brought out of the shadows as far as we can and, to be honest, a lot of these I hadn’t heard of before reading the book, so it’s been eye-opening!
December 22, 2024
A delightful and thoroughly researched book on the early Queens of Scotland. As not much is known on many of them (which unfortunately was not uncommon during those times), the author does a painstakingly good job of trying to piece their lives together by analyzing their husbands. A must read for any monarchy history fan. Always a bonus from me when it contains pictures! Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 6, 2025
Scotland is a land of beauty and a culture all its own, but when it comes to the history of the Scottish monarchy only one word will suffice, messy. The tales of the Scottish monarchy are full of tragedies, violence, and bloody ends. As so often with many other monarchies we tend to focus on the men who wore the crown and those around them, but what about the tales of the queens who stood beside their husbands? The stories of the medieval queens of Scotland have often been overlooked for their more famous husbands, until now. Sharon Bennett Connolly has compiled the stories of these queens in her latest book, “Scotland’s Medieval Queens: From Saint Margaret to Margaret of Denmark.”
I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I am a big fan of Sharon Bennett Connolly and her books, so when I heard that she was writing a book about Scottish medieval queens, I knew I wanted to read it. I know very little about Scottish history, other than the Stewarts because of a different book, so I was excited to learn more.
As Connolly states in her introduction, her inspiration for this book was from the Shakespearean play Macbeth, specifically the character of Lady Macbeth. A historical figure who has been much maligned in history, Lady Macbeth’s actual name was Gruoch, and her story and Macbeth’s make a fabulous introduction to her book. We stay in the 11th century with the first queen featured heavily in this text, and that is the only saint, Saint Margaret, the wife of Malcolm III and the one who reformed the Scottish Church.
We get to explore the daughters-in-law of Saint Margaret, Ethelreda of Northumbria, Sybilla of Normandy, and Matilda of Senlis who played more quiet roles than the saintly woman whose shoes they were trying to fill. It should be noted that there were some women like Ada de Warenne who never sat on a throne or wore a crown but were the mother of a future King of Scotland, Malcolm IV the Maiden. Since Malcolm never married or had kids, the throne passed to his brother William the Lion, who was not a huge fan of the English and helped establish the Auld Alliance, with his wife Queen Ermengarde by his side. Although the Scottish did not have the best relationships with the English, it did not mean that they didn’t try to establish peace through marriage with English princesses like Joan of England and Margaret of England. Along the way, a princess of Scotland named Margaret of Scotland married Erik II of Norway, and their daughter Margaret Maid of Norway would become the first Queen Regent of Scotland, albeit for a short period.
After the death of Margaret Maid of Norway, there was to no one’s surprise, a fight for the throne that culminated with John Balliol becoming King of Scotland. The throne would pass to Robert the Bruce, with a feature from a certain rebel named William Wallace. Things were not easy for the Bruce women such as Elizabeth de Burgh and Marjorie Bruce. We also had women like Joan of the Tower and Margaret Drummond who tried to help David Bruce of Scotland rule with different results. Finally, we reach the origins of the House of Stewart with women like Euphemia Ross, Annabella Drummond, Joan Beaufort, Mary of Guelders, and finally Margaret of Denmark. Each woman added something different to the story of Scotland and had to deal with war, executions, childbirth, religious matters, and political intrigue in their unique ways to better Scotland.
I have to applaud Connolly for the amount of history she was able to cover in a single book as she covered four centuries worth of Scottish royal history and made it relatively easy to follow along. I learned so much about Scotland’s royal history and the remarkable women who were queens of Scotland. If you want a fantastic introduction to the turbulent world of medieval Scotland and the women who helped shape the monarchy, I strongly recommend you read, “Scotland’s Medieval Queens: From Saint Margaret to Margaret of Denmark” by Sharon Bennett Connolly.
I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I am a big fan of Sharon Bennett Connolly and her books, so when I heard that she was writing a book about Scottish medieval queens, I knew I wanted to read it. I know very little about Scottish history, other than the Stewarts because of a different book, so I was excited to learn more.
As Connolly states in her introduction, her inspiration for this book was from the Shakespearean play Macbeth, specifically the character of Lady Macbeth. A historical figure who has been much maligned in history, Lady Macbeth’s actual name was Gruoch, and her story and Macbeth’s make a fabulous introduction to her book. We stay in the 11th century with the first queen featured heavily in this text, and that is the only saint, Saint Margaret, the wife of Malcolm III and the one who reformed the Scottish Church.
We get to explore the daughters-in-law of Saint Margaret, Ethelreda of Northumbria, Sybilla of Normandy, and Matilda of Senlis who played more quiet roles than the saintly woman whose shoes they were trying to fill. It should be noted that there were some women like Ada de Warenne who never sat on a throne or wore a crown but were the mother of a future King of Scotland, Malcolm IV the Maiden. Since Malcolm never married or had kids, the throne passed to his brother William the Lion, who was not a huge fan of the English and helped establish the Auld Alliance, with his wife Queen Ermengarde by his side. Although the Scottish did not have the best relationships with the English, it did not mean that they didn’t try to establish peace through marriage with English princesses like Joan of England and Margaret of England. Along the way, a princess of Scotland named Margaret of Scotland married Erik II of Norway, and their daughter Margaret Maid of Norway would become the first Queen Regent of Scotland, albeit for a short period.
After the death of Margaret Maid of Norway, there was to no one’s surprise, a fight for the throne that culminated with John Balliol becoming King of Scotland. The throne would pass to Robert the Bruce, with a feature from a certain rebel named William Wallace. Things were not easy for the Bruce women such as Elizabeth de Burgh and Marjorie Bruce. We also had women like Joan of the Tower and Margaret Drummond who tried to help David Bruce of Scotland rule with different results. Finally, we reach the origins of the House of Stewart with women like Euphemia Ross, Annabella Drummond, Joan Beaufort, Mary of Guelders, and finally Margaret of Denmark. Each woman added something different to the story of Scotland and had to deal with war, executions, childbirth, religious matters, and political intrigue in their unique ways to better Scotland.
I have to applaud Connolly for the amount of history she was able to cover in a single book as she covered four centuries worth of Scottish royal history and made it relatively easy to follow along. I learned so much about Scotland’s royal history and the remarkable women who were queens of Scotland. If you want a fantastic introduction to the turbulent world of medieval Scotland and the women who helped shape the monarchy, I strongly recommend you read, “Scotland’s Medieval Queens: From Saint Margaret to Margaret of Denmark” by Sharon Bennett Connolly.
March 3, 2025
House of Moray
- Gruoch of Scotland
House of Dunkeld (1058–1286)
- Ingibiorg Finnsdottir
- Margaret of Wessex aka Saint Margaret of Scotland
- Ethelreda of Northumbria
- Sybilla of Normandy
- Maud of Northumbria or Matilda,
- Ermengarde de Beaumont
- Joan of England
- Marie de Coucy
- Margaret of England
- Yolande of Dreux
House of Bruce (1306–1371) (Bruis)
- Elizabeth de Burgh
- Joan of the Tower
- Margaret Drummond
House of Stewart (1371–1707)
- Euphemia de Ross
- Anabella Drummond
- Joan Beaufort
- Mary of Guelders
- Margaret of Denmark
- Margaret of England
- Madeleine of Valois
- Mary of Guise
It’s much easier to see regnant and regent queens exercising power and authority, by ruling in their own right, ruling on behalf of an underage child or an absentee king, or standing in for a king who is incapacitated. It was harder for women to come to the throne and harder for women to overtly exercise power in some ways. And they were often second-choice successors: only in the absence of a male heir or if there was no other option to continue the dynasty. But at the same time, resistance to female rule wasn’t a given–especially if they ruled well.
Queens exerted great influence in religious patronage. Essentially, queens were expected to be the ultimate ‘good woman’–a model of virtuous behaviour. They were expected to represent contemporary ideals.
One advantage that foreign princesses had over internal queens was the backing and standing of her dynasty. Building a network of support was crucial to a medieval queen’s success, as was effective networking at court. Foreign princesses were expected to maintain good relations on both sides.
Maternity was absolutely central to queenship, and not just in the Middle Ages. Queens were under a great deal of pressure to produce children because dynastic continuity and dynastic survival were crucial.A queen’s perceived failure to produce an heir can threaten their position and even be grounds for divorce.
Ultimately, Queens were running their households, their lands, engaged in the political and ceremonial aspects of royal life, and they often had to be on the move.
- Gruoch of Scotland
House of Dunkeld (1058–1286)
- Ingibiorg Finnsdottir
- Margaret of Wessex aka Saint Margaret of Scotland
- Ethelreda of Northumbria
- Sybilla of Normandy
- Maud of Northumbria or Matilda,
- Ermengarde de Beaumont
- Joan of England
- Marie de Coucy
- Margaret of England
- Yolande of Dreux
House of Bruce (1306–1371) (Bruis)
- Elizabeth de Burgh
- Joan of the Tower
- Margaret Drummond
House of Stewart (1371–1707)
- Euphemia de Ross
- Anabella Drummond
- Joan Beaufort
- Mary of Guelders
- Margaret of Denmark
- Margaret of England
- Madeleine of Valois
- Mary of Guise
It’s much easier to see regnant and regent queens exercising power and authority, by ruling in their own right, ruling on behalf of an underage child or an absentee king, or standing in for a king who is incapacitated. It was harder for women to come to the throne and harder for women to overtly exercise power in some ways. And they were often second-choice successors: only in the absence of a male heir or if there was no other option to continue the dynasty. But at the same time, resistance to female rule wasn’t a given–especially if they ruled well.
Queens exerted great influence in religious patronage. Essentially, queens were expected to be the ultimate ‘good woman’–a model of virtuous behaviour. They were expected to represent contemporary ideals.
One advantage that foreign princesses had over internal queens was the backing and standing of her dynasty. Building a network of support was crucial to a medieval queen’s success, as was effective networking at court. Foreign princesses were expected to maintain good relations on both sides.
Maternity was absolutely central to queenship, and not just in the Middle Ages. Queens were under a great deal of pressure to produce children because dynastic continuity and dynastic survival were crucial.A queen’s perceived failure to produce an heir can threaten their position and even be grounds for divorce.
Ultimately, Queens were running their households, their lands, engaged in the political and ceremonial aspects of royal life, and they often had to be on the move.
February 25, 2025
In this fascinating history of the queens of Scotland, Sharon Bennett Connolly brings a wide variety of women from St. Margaret, Matilda, Elizabeth de Burgh, Margaret Tudor, and Margaret of Denmark to life in this brilliant new release. With each chapter focusing on a different queen, her life, time on the throne, and her legacy, each woman gets a chance to shine throughout this book. As dynasties change and the role of queen of Scotland evolves, Connolly guides readers through centuries of history and brings each woman to the forefront of the page. Including lesser-known queens along with more famous ones is a sure way to introduce new women to all readers, both familiar with Scottish history and unfamiliar with it, and the book is well-written, readable, and absolutely enjoyable. With the digestible chapters and the coherent and cohesive organization of the book, readers will love this title as a brilliant addition to the current historiography of Scotland and its royal family, while historians will appreciate Connolly’s attention to detail and work with primary sources. Excellently written, deeply enjoyable, and an engaging read, history fans will love this new history of powerful, capable, and clever Scottish queens and their place in history.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for the advance copy.
December 20, 2024
Scotland has a fascinating history. While it was still a male dominated world, there were a few women that managed to leave their mark in history.
There were some medieval queens that managed to do more than some of their predecessors. With the ever-changing attitudes and political landscapes, these women were often a tie that could help bind a treaty. They were mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters.
This was a pretty good read. For many of the early queens, there is not a lot of new information or really any information, so much of that was a refresher, but for the later queens we have much more.
Dive into this book and get a look at not only these grand ladies, but the men and political realities that they were dealing with each day. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is full of facts, interesting tidbits, and more. Of course, this is history, so some may find it to be a harder read than others, but I could not read this fast enough.
Spend a day in the Scottish wilds and read about these medieval queens.
There were some medieval queens that managed to do more than some of their predecessors. With the ever-changing attitudes and political landscapes, these women were often a tie that could help bind a treaty. They were mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters.
This was a pretty good read. For many of the early queens, there is not a lot of new information or really any information, so much of that was a refresher, but for the later queens we have much more.
Dive into this book and get a look at not only these grand ladies, but the men and political realities that they were dealing with each day. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is full of facts, interesting tidbits, and more. Of course, this is history, so some may find it to be a harder read than others, but I could not read this fast enough.
Spend a day in the Scottish wilds and read about these medieval queens.
January 29, 2025
I chose this book based on its title. I expected medallions of individual queens – information about their lives, the reasons for their marriages, and what they experienced at the Scottish court. Instead, the book offers a view of Scottish history through the eyes of these queens, exactly as the last sentence of the annotation claims: *This is the story of Scotland through their eyes*.
What really surprised me was the number of characters that appear in the book. The story flowed very well, and I truly enjoyed reading it, as if I were reading a thrilling novel. Additionally, I learned many historical facts, such as about the first queen who has a preserved portrait from her time.
The beginning of the book, which deals with Lady Macbeth, caught my attention because I learned new things about this famous character, who is often only seen through Shakespeare's play.
If you want to learn more about Scottish history in detail, this book is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pen and Swords History for a free digital review copy. This is my honest review.
What really surprised me was the number of characters that appear in the book. The story flowed very well, and I truly enjoyed reading it, as if I were reading a thrilling novel. Additionally, I learned many historical facts, such as about the first queen who has a preserved portrait from her time.
The beginning of the book, which deals with Lady Macbeth, caught my attention because I learned new things about this famous character, who is often only seen through Shakespeare's play.
If you want to learn more about Scottish history in detail, this book is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pen and Swords History for a free digital review copy. This is my honest review.
February 7, 2025
This was a bumpy ride. I struggled to get through the first half of the book, it felt messy with each story jumping back and forth, repetitive details and little to no information on the actual Scottish Queens. Additionally, the genealogy was excessive and exhausting to read. History books dealing with royal lines generally need it, but not as detailed as this. I would gladly have preferred a simple family tree chart.
On a positive note, Ms. Connolly presented an impressive and well researched account of this time period. The second half was much more enjoyable, starting with Robert the Bruce and his daughter Marjorie. I would also like to add, a 5 out of 5 for the beautiful cover art. It’s what initially drew my eye to this book.
Overall, this was a decent read. Just go into this knowing that the Queens have limited historical records and, despite the title, you will primarily be reading about Scotland’s Medieval Kings.
A special Thank You to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.
On a positive note, Ms. Connolly presented an impressive and well researched account of this time period. The second half was much more enjoyable, starting with Robert the Bruce and his daughter Marjorie. I would also like to add, a 5 out of 5 for the beautiful cover art. It’s what initially drew my eye to this book.
Overall, this was a decent read. Just go into this knowing that the Queens have limited historical records and, despite the title, you will primarily be reading about Scotland’s Medieval Kings.
A special Thank You to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2025
Meticulous research shows. This book proves that.
This author did a deep dive to reveal the Scottish queens who impacted the state, the church and their husbands. Heretofore, only knew of Macbeth's wife. Even then thought Shakespeare's portrayal was of a vindictive, social climbing woman. This book provided a fairer interpretation as well as introducing the reader to other women (wives, daughters, mothers) who ruled the Scottish realm.
This book reminds the reader that Great Britain history is not confined to England and its Kings and Queens.
Scotland has a place at the (history) table too.
#ScotlandsMedievalQueens #NetGalley
This ARC was provided by the publisher, Pen & Sword-Pen & Sword History, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This author did a deep dive to reveal the Scottish queens who impacted the state, the church and their husbands. Heretofore, only knew of Macbeth's wife. Even then thought Shakespeare's portrayal was of a vindictive, social climbing woman. This book provided a fairer interpretation as well as introducing the reader to other women (wives, daughters, mothers) who ruled the Scottish realm.
This book reminds the reader that Great Britain history is not confined to England and its Kings and Queens.
Scotland has a place at the (history) table too.
#ScotlandsMedievalQueens #NetGalley
This ARC was provided by the publisher, Pen & Sword-Pen & Sword History, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
This book had me at hello, during the introduction the author mentions that the starting point for the book was her son insisting she set the record straight about Lady MacBeth. As someone who is always annoyed at Shakespeare’s depiction of Gruoch I was sold.
I knew vague details about most of these women from history at school and a previous book about Scottish queens, but this brought so much more detail to a period that isn’t often written about outside of the wars of independence.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves medieval history, especially women’s history and the history of Scotland
This book had me at hello, during the introduction the author mentions that the starting point for the book was her son insisting she set the record straight about Lady MacBeth. As someone who is always annoyed at Shakespeare’s depiction of Gruoch I was sold.
I knew vague details about most of these women from history at school and a previous book about Scottish queens, but this brought so much more detail to a period that isn’t often written about outside of the wars of independence.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves medieval history, especially women’s history and the history of Scotland
March 3, 2025
Scotland’s medieval queens faced war, betrayal, and tragedy. From St. Margaret to Margaret of Denmark, they loved, lost, ruled, and died for their nation. This book explores Scotland’s dramatic medieval history through their eyes.
This book is interesting and provides a good overview of medieval Scottish history. It’s written in such a way that the story of each queen can be read independently. For this reason, some information is repeated (for instance, the story of a king might be told in both his mother’s and his wife’s chapters).
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This book is interesting and provides a good overview of medieval Scottish history. It’s written in such a way that the story of each queen can be read independently. For this reason, some information is repeated (for instance, the story of a king might be told in both his mother’s and his wife’s chapters).
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
January 7, 2025
Solid 3.5 simply for the well-research and informative information. At times it drags and if you are not accustomed to a book full of names and dates being thrown at the reader then it may be a little bit of a rough read.
I like that she attempted to place each woman into context particularly when there is very little historical record available to add details and facts about the life of the woman.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.
I like that she attempted to place each woman into context particularly when there is very little historical record available to add details and facts about the life of the woman.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.
February 4, 2025
From before the Norman Conquest of England to the Tudor times, Scotland was an independent neighbour and often enemy of England. Coveted by her southern relation, the kings of Scotland often had to fight to retain their thrones. Much is written about the men but less so about the women. In this book Bennett Connolly attempts to redress that balance with a supportive exploration of the lives of the wives. Unfortunately for many there is little extant evidence but weaving the lives of these women into a more generalised history of the nation is an interesting perspective.
February 26, 2025
Great, informative read on the queens of Medieval Scotland. While some of the queens will remain elusive due to limited contemporary sources, I still think the author did an amazing job bringing the women out of the shadows. My only caveat are some of the names and relationships got too convoluted when you start deviating from the main line and looking at grandkids / extended family members. Highly recommend!
November 25, 2025
For most of the queens, very little hard information is available; so the author is forced to recite the various battles that their husbands were engaged in. And for Scotland it was a very bloody time period. Many of the queens were quite interesting in their own rights, but there is just so little data. I can see why historical fiction is so tempting--much livelier.
December 18, 2024
Thank you to the publishers –Ped & Sword and Pen & Sword History – for giving me access to this book as an E-ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
A nice introduction to the history of these medieval queens that I’m sure one could use as a start of point for writing about one of the women; a reference book. Easy to follow and like always, I love that family trees/linages are included to reference back to when reading. Makes it a bit easier to keep track of your different Margarets, for example.
A nice introduction to the history of these medieval queens that I’m sure one could use as a start of point for writing about one of the women; a reference book. Easy to follow and like always, I love that family trees/linages are included to reference back to when reading. Makes it a bit easier to keep track of your different Margarets, for example.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews