Book Review – ‘Mary Queen of Scots’ by Antonia Fraser

I think that this biography of Mary Queen of Scots is really detailed and interesting, but it is quite difficult to read in places. It doesn’t seem to flow, and you do need to concentrate in order to take it all in and digest the sheer volume of information.

My previous experience with Mary Queen of Scots was in her relationship with Elizabeth I of England and her struggle for release in England and her execution. It was interesting to read about Mary’s earlier life in France, and her marriage to Darnley. It was a scandalous and intriguing life and well worth such a long biography.

It feels dry but it was interesting to see Mary from the Scottish point of view, where I’m so used to reading about Mary from the perspective of Elizabeth I. Mary was a Queen effectively from birth and juxtaposed against Elizabeth who never really expected to become Queen, they have two very different lives and perspectives on queenship.

Power struggles are central to Mary’s life, power in France with Catherine de Medici, with her husbands – Francis II, Darnley, and Bothwell – and trying to get power in England. The struggle with Elizabeth and succession to the English throne. These power struggles also led to some of Mary’s stupidest mistakes like marrying Bothwell and getting involved in rebellions in England to overthrow Elizabeth.

It was obviously very well-researched and must have taken years to collect all the research and write. Fraser has put together almost an encyclopaedia about Mary Queen of Scots, her relationships, and the events of her life. There are very detailed endnotes and an extensive bibliography, as well as a great index which makes it easy to find the sections that you are looking for, especially about particular people.

A book for the serious history Stuart fan and not for one hoping for a light read about an almost mythical woman.

Chapters:

1. All Men Lamented
2. England’s Rough Wooing
3. The Most Perfect Child
4. Betrothal
5. Queen-Dauphiness
6. The White Lily of France
7. Mary the Widow
8. The State of the Realm
9. Conciliation and Reconciliation
10. Governor Good and Gracious
11. The Fall of Huntly
12. A Husband for a Girl
13. The Carnal Marriage
14. Our Most Special Servant
15. Breakdown
16. The Murder of Darnley
17. The Mermaid and the Hare
18. Lochleven
19. In Foreign Bands
20. Her Privy Letters
21. My Norfolk
22. The Uses of Adversity
23. Mother and Son
24. The Babington Plot
25. Trial
26. The Dolorous Stroke
27. Epilogue: the Theatre of the World