Book Report: Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots by Antonia Fraser

In a captivating story of this enigmatic woman we see a princess, a widowed queen, a reigning queen and an imprisoned queen. Written by Lady Antonia Fraser (and this link) of Scotland, this biography, infused with passion and compassion, reads more like a novel of love and intrigue. Although this book is considered "popular history," as opposed to an academic resource, Ms. Fraser draws her facts and details from primary sources. In her forward she writes that she "wished to test for [herself] the truth or falsehood of the many legends" that surround Mary Queen of Scots. As one reviewer of the book said, "It needs to be read carefully as it contains multitudinous views and insights into this remarkable woman."

Mary, the only child of James V, King of Scotland, was sent at the young age of 6 to her mother's family in France to be raised and groomed to marry the next king of France, Francis. Widowed at age 17, she returns to Scotland where her courtly refinement clashes with her brusque, crude kinsman.

Beautiful, brilliant, charming, and courageous, she would have had a long and successful reign except for 2 issues: 1) she didn't understand her Scotsmen; and 2) her impulsive heart led her to unwisely choose a husband. Caught in a web of feuding and fickle noblemen made worse by a philandering and ambitious husband, Mary seeks the aid of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth. Though the women never meet, their tense relationship exhibits sisterly devotion, scheming intrigues, fear and jealousy.

Lady Fraser is obviously sympathetic to the nature and circumstances of Mary, Queen of Scots. Setting Mary "in the context of the age in which she lived," she has written "with the single objective of showing with as much accuracy as is possible in the light of what modern research what Mary Queen of Scots must have been like as a person." Her copious research and affection are evident in every page.

As a high school student, I didn't really care for history. It was taught in the traditional manner as a succession of dates, people and miscellaneous facts. As a homeschooling mom, I fell in love the people, places and events that have become "history." As a family, we have read aloud biographies, historical fiction and books by writers who were passionate about their topics. Their enthusiasm was contagious. As a result, I often find myself diving into a period of history or a geopolitical topic. Currently, the reign of the Tudor family has my attention. Who knows what will come after that .....

Book Report: The Life of Elizabeth I

Having read 2 other books by Alison Weir, Eleanor of Aquitaine (a biography) and Lady Elizabeth (fiction), I hurried to the library to pick up another book by this excellent author, The Life of Elizabeth I. This book chronicles Queen Elizabeth's life from her accession day on November 17, 1558 to her death on March 24, 1603. In a day of male royalty and strictly hierarchical societies, "good Queen Bess" was an anomaly to have reigned in England for 45 years to the age of 70.

Ms. Weir, in her author's preface, states that this book is not a political biography nor a social history. "My aim has always been to write a history of Elizabeth's personal life within the framework of her reign, drawing on her own extensive literary remains, as well as those of her contemporaries." Elizabeth's private life was very much a public life; the resulting book weaves the personalities, events, and details into a rich narrative.

Drawing from letters, journals, diaries, pamphlets and other missives of the Elizabethan era, Weir presents us with political and historical persons of complex and fascinating characters. The Queen herself is beguiling, annoying, wise, imprudent, faltering and courageous. With the seeming exception of Lord Burghley (William Cecil) who was her closest and longest advisor, her councillors were mixtures of ambition, devotion, flattery and affection. Though she never marries, she had a court full of especial favorites who often competed for titles, awards and honors. Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, and Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex were her most notable.

Reading like a novel, this book engages as well as informs. By knitting together details with personalities, Weir captivates her readers. Although she points out Elizabeth's weaknesses and mistakes, Weir has an obvious fondness for the Queen. As she wrote of her death, I found myself teary at the passing of this most unusual woman. In her epilogue she writes:

"For forty-five years, 'though beset by divers nations,' Elizabeth had given her country peace and stable government-- her greatest gift to her people. During that time, England had risen from an impoverished nation to become one of the greatest powers in Europe. Bolstered by the fame of her seamen, her navy was respected and reared on the high seas, and not for nothing had Elizabeth been lauded as 'the Queen of the Sea, the North Star.' ... The Queen had also brought unity to her people by effecting a religious compromise that has lasted until this day, and making herself an enduring focus for their loyalty. She enjoyed a unique relations ship with her subjects, which was never seen before and has never been seen since. Few queens have ever been so loved." (p. 487)

Many of Elizabeth's contemporaries also spoke of her unusual abilities as the sovereign of a nation. Lord Burghley wrote: "She was the wisest woman that ever was, for she understood the interests and dispositions of all the princes in her time, ans was so perfect in the knowledge of her own realm, that no councillor she had could tell her anything she did not know before."

Thanks to the interpretations and insights of Ms. Weir, my thoughts echo those of Elizabeth's biographer, William Camden, "No oblivion shall ever bury the glory of her name; for her happy and renowned memory still liveth and shall for ever live in the minds of men."