Mary Queen of Scots: An Illustrated Life [Hardcover]

Susan Doran (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2007

Mary, Queen of Scots polarized entire nations, weathered multiple romantic scandals, and immersed herself in intrigues and subterfuge to advance her claim to the British throne—a prolonged political battle which culminated in her notoriously botched and bloody beheading at the decree of Elizabeth I. It’s no wonder she has captured the imaginations of millions over the centuries, or that her dramatic life story has been recounted in plays, poems, songs, operas, and films. But now Susan Doran offers a fresh and compelling look at Mary’s life, narrated through vivid illustrations and analysis of the documents that form the original basis of our knowledge of this celebrated figure.
            An acclaimed scholar of Elizabethan history, Doran expertly recreates the life and work of Mary, Queen of Scots in an engaging and informed narrative, revealing a wholly new—and deeply human—dimension to her tumultuous and tragic saga. From her flight to France to the murders of her secretary and second husband to her final eighteen years as a virtual prisoner in England, each major stage of Mary’s life unfolds in fascinating detail, as Doran draws from a vast array of archival materials—including numerous letters and records set in their full historical context—and vivid portraiture from the period.
            This brilliantly illustrated biography of Mary, Queen of Scots paints a compelling and engrossing picture of the infamous queen and her tempestuous life. An invaluable read for every Anglophile, Mary Queen of Scots places the queen squarely on her rightful historical throne.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan Doran teaches early modern history at Christ Church, University of Oxford, and was curator of the 2003 National Maritime Museum exhibition on Elizabeth I. She is also the author of Monarchy and Matrimony, England and Europe in the Sixteenth Century, and Historic Lives: Elizabeth I.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: British Library; First Edition edition (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0712349162
• ISBN-13: 978-0712349161
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #555,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An illustrated life, June 9, 2008

By 

Elaine Cunningham (New England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mary Queen of Scots: An Illustrated Life (Hardcover)

Elizabeth I, queen of England and cousin to Mary of Scotland, once referred to the Scottish queen as a "daughter of debate." It is difficult to imagine a more apt description of this enigmatic and ultimately illusive monarch. Was she a vixen or a victim, a canny politician or a tool for scheming nobles, a devout Catholic or a woman more concerned with pragmatism than piety? In this new and beautifully produced biography, British historian Susan Doran acknowledges the variety of opinions but adds nothing new to the discussion. Given the scope of the book--192 pages, over half of that devoted to illustrations and notes--this is hardly surprising. What Doran does very well, however, is provide an engagingly written introduction to Mary's history.

Doran clearly lays out the basic issues of Scotland's 16th century politics: the conflict between kirk and church, the uneasy relationship with England, and the powerful, contentious nobles who bonded together in ever-shifting alliances. Matters became even more complicated when Mary began to seek a second husband, for any marriage alliance she formed had the potential to upset the balance among Scotland's nobles, and between Scotland and her powerful neighbor to the south.

One of the reasons for Mary's enduring fascination is the unsolved mysteries that haunt her story. Who murdered her second husband, Henry Lord Darnley? Was Mary complicit? Was she involved in an adulterous affair with James Hepburn, the Earl of Bothwell? Was she abducted and raped by Bothwell, or did she marry him willingly? Doran does not address these controversies in detail. She cautiously absolves Mary of Darnley's death, but thinks it likely that Mary had some knowledge of a plot against him.

The author concludes that Mary was significant not because of her achievements--which were admittedly few--but because of her dynastic relationship to the Guises in France and the Tudors in England. In fact, Mary's only enduring legacy was her son, James VI of Scotland and I of England. Yet Mary continues to fascinate, and Doran offers just information to satisfy a reader looking for an approachable overview.

In addition to being a worthwhile introduction, this is a beautiful, high-quality book. The full-sized portraits--over twenty of them--are seldom seen in such rich and vivid color. The illustrations include a number of contemporary sketches, documents, and letters; in fact, there are perhaps a few too many letters--over twenty full page reproductions and ten partial pages. It is interesting to see Mary's handwriting and some of her famous ciphers, but thirty pages out of 192 seems excessive.

Doran's notes for Further Reading, however, are a treasure trove. She mentions several biographies and books on general topics, then suggests books dealing with the issues, events, and people discussed in each chapters. On issues about which historians disagree, she frequently suggests books that give various viewpoints. It is this section, in addition to the well-written overview, that makes this book an exceptionally good starting point.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!, October 18, 2009

By 

Nikki (sacramento,ca) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mary Queen of Scots: An Illustrated Life (Hardcover)

I have been reading a lot of English History lately & this book was a great addition to my growing library.
The book has some very beautiful illustrations & is very easy to read & understand where Mary Oueen of Scots fits into the English Royal Family. I truely enjoyed this book.