Customer Reviews

Darnley: Consort of Mary Queen of Scots (Biography & Memoirs)

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I bought this book mainly to read the background information about Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox (Darnley's mother). The book held my interest beyond Margaret's story in that it told a familiar tale from an unfamiliar point of view. Any student of Tudor and Stuart history knows the story of Darnley's murder - but usually events unfold from the point of view of Mary, Queen of Scots. Here, events are finally seen from Darnley's perspective. He still comes across as a thoroughly unpleasant fellow, but the reader can, at least, get an inkling of why he was what he was. I orignally considered this a throw away title, but it has earned a place in my Tudor library.

Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, murdered King of Scotland may have had few qualities that in our modern society would be perceived as admirable. However, he was of great royal birth, intelligent, charming and the victim of his own circumstances. Like his wife, Mary, Queen of Scots, he lived the life he was given to the fullest, making poor and unfortunate choices. He was arrogant and trusting, his two greatest weaknesses. This book gives an excellent background to an often forgotten King.

To paraphrase Erich Segal, "What can you say about a twenty-one year old creep who died?" This is the first biography of Darnley in the four hundred years since his murder. Anyone who reads about that appalling young man can only hope it's the last.