Dynasty: The Stuarts: 1560-1807

by John MacLeod

In 1630, the ascension of King James IV of Scotland to the English throne, whereupon he became known as James I, finally united Britain under one rule. If that was not enough, his legacy in Western tradition was secured when he commission the standardized translation of the Holy Bible that still bears his names. his descendants, the Stuart dynasty, ruled into the next century, and their family tree includes today's British monarchy. But these accomplishment offer only half the story of King James I, who frequently indulged in same-sex liaisons. As John Macleod chronicles in Dynasty , his new account of the Stuarts, the debauchery of James and his court set an example that would color virtually every Stuart monarch to come.

Stuart Kings were stabbed in cellars, hacked to death in barns, repeatedly deposed. A common molehill spelled the end for the bold "King Billy." James II of Scotland was killed by his own cannon. Charles I enjoys the dubious distinction of being the only English monarch ever executed. The sexual voracity of Charles II brought the throne scores of illegitimate children. From the serial husbands of Mary Queen of Scots (herself beheaded on the order of her cousin, Elizabeth I) to the eccentric Stuart Cardinal with a taste for young men, Macleod takes the reader on an irreverent journey through one of the most calamitous dynasties in the history of the English throne.

But despite the farce and tumult of the Stuarts, there emerged in the United Kingdom during their reign new thoughts and institutions, including the foundations of a modern democracy. Macleod does not simply revel in the tabloid exploits of a few English kings, he weaves a tale of fascinating and flawed rulers within the context of their own politically charged times. Dynasty charts the delicate and sometimes disastrous, often hilarious, interplay between the fate of nations and that of the personalities who rule them.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, British Literature, Scotland, European History, Royalty

416 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian note: There is more than one author on goodreads by this name.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars Didn't have an adequate, clear narrative of the Stuart Dynasty. Mary, Queen of Scots, the Restoration of Charles II and the turmoil of the succession of James II were adequately covered. Nothing else was very clear. Very disappointed in the explanation of James I's reign, which is what I was really interested in. Extremely opinionated author who, as he admits upfront, did not do original work but just took info from existing sources. He's a bit of an arrogant snob and I got progressively more annoyed as the book progressed. Not sad to be done with it.

[Jennevieve Culver]

0/10. I don’t want to really give this author the effort that it takes me to write this because he doesn’t deserve it so let’s keep this short and sweet. This was a ridiculously biased and jaded history. I knew we had an issue when he DARED to call Mary Queen of Scots “preposterous and incompetent.” What a disgusting misogynist Mr. John is. And fatphobic as well — there is absolutely no need to describe some of the larger kings and queens as “disgusting” in the many ways he does. Just plain bad.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read a few books devoted to different people and aspects of the Stuart years, I was looking for this kind of overview. This book did the job and had the dimension of a Scottish perview -quite fitting since this is the home of the Stuarts.

I'm a lay reader, but found this complicated story easy to follow with the expection of some of the church politics, esp. those of the Kirk.

The section on Mary Queen of Scotts (whose story is well known) was a bit long, but otherwise the balance was good. There was interesting material on Mary's father, and I am even more intrigued by her unsung mother, Mary Guise, who held this difficult kingdom together for many years despite being foreign, Catholic and female.

Mary had the most famous botched monarchy, but her progeny didn't do any better. It just took the men a little longer to wreck things for themselves and others. Amazing, that after all the turmoil of the Stuarts, and relative calm of Cromwell, (as MacLeod tells it) the people still wanted a monarch. To these American eyes, the Stuarts seem far too much trouble for whatever it is they were perceived to have contributed. The affection for James II, upon his death, demonstrates the emotional conflict the people seemed to have about this institution.

James I/VI seemed to understand his role and the day to day administration of things. He seems to be a good hearted, intelligent and complex hillbilly. His son and grandsons appear to want to BE king, but since they feel they are chosen by God there is no need to involve the people ("clean different things", says Charles I). They were oblivious to the chaos they caused.

These monarchs grew up in uncertainty and turmoil with minimal parental guidance. To this, add a Messiah complex, but it's a Messiah complex without a cause other than wearing a crown. I'd be interested in a psychologist's view, something like "The Stuarts on the Couch".

This is fascinating history, especially in contrast to the button down risk averse holders of this office in recent years.

[Doris Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

NICE BOOK.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging, clear, and balanced history of the Stuarts, their religion, their politics, their victories, and their foibles.

[A.L. Butcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite disappointed by this. Way too much of the author's own opinions in this. I found it rather anti.. well everyone really. No one came out of it well (although to be fair the history of the Stuarts is not the most glorious) but there was a rather anti gay, anti catholic, tone to the book.
The subject matter is interesting, but it reads a bit like a sensationalist newspaper.
I'd have liked more on Queen Anne, she was the last Stuart monarch and barely got much of a mention.

[Richard Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read especially in conjunction with Crown of Thistles. It is rather less scholarly but races through the Stewart's ascent to the British throne and their loss of it through religion and ill judgement.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of interesting information, but I've never read a book of this sort with so many fragments and comma splices. That was annoying.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was informative and not-too-dry for a history. I enjoyed it! The Stuarts were pretty fascinating people.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and entertaining.