Memoirs Of Mary Queen Of Scots

In this dramatic, compelling fictional memoir Carolly Erickson lets the courageous, spirited Mary Queen of Scots tell her own story—and the result is a novel readers will long remember.

Born Queen of Scotland, married as a young girl to the invalid young King of France, Mary took the reins of the unruly kingdom of Scotland as a young widow and fought to keep her throne. A second marriage to her handsome but dissolute cousin Lord Darnley ended in murder and scandal, while a third marriage to the dashing, commanding Lord Bothwell, the love of her life, gave her joy but widened the scandal and surrounded her with enduring ill repute.

Unable to rise above the violence and disorder that swirled around her, Mary plucked up her courage and escaped to England—only to find herself a prisoner of her ruthless, merciless cousin Queen Elizabeth.

Here, in her own riveting account, is the enchanting woman whose name still evokes excitement and compassion—and whose death under the headsmans axe still draws forth our sorrow.

In The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots, Carolly Erickson provides another in her series of mesmerizing historical entertainments, and takes readers deep into the life and heart of the sixteenth centurys most fascinating woman.

“The always reliable Erickson mines rich historical territory when she excavates the relatively brief, yet ever-fascinating, life of Mary Queen of Scots for her latest historical tour de force. . . . This intimate reworking of a storied life etched with plenty of royal maneuvering and tragedy will appeal to the usual suspectssteer Alison Weir and Philippa Gregory fans immediately to this satisfying read.”Booklist

“A fast-paced, lavishly detailed narrative.” Kirkus Reviews

“The always reliable Erickson mines rich historical territory when she excavates the relatively brief, yet ever-fascinating, life of Mary Queen of Scots for her latest historical tour de force. . . . This intimate reworking of a storied life etched with plenty of royal maneuvering and tragedy will appeal to the usual suspects—steer Alison Weir and Philippa Gregory fans immediately to this satisfying read.”—Booklist

“A fast-paced, lavishly detailed narrative.” —Kirkus Reviews

“As one of the foremost fictionalized biographers writing today, Erickson breathes life into history and brings great women to life. She brilliantly takes Mary, Queen of Scots, out of the historical record and creates a passionate woman readers will understand and adore. . . . Ericksons engrossing narrative allows Mary to speak and readers to decide what kind of woman she was.”—Romantic Times (4 ½ stars, Top Pick)

“In her latest historical entertainment, Erickson blends fact with fancy as she unravels the life story and tragic end of Mary, Queen of Scots. . . . the narrative clips along at a suspenseful pace . . . The vividly realized relationship between Mary and her Scottish consort, Jamie, is the strongest aspect of the book. Recommended for historical fiction fans who enjoy Philippa Gregory and Jean Plaidy and cant read enough novels about this period.”—Library Journal

 “Engaging and personal . . . a fascinating read.” —Sacramento Book Review

Queen of Scotland at six days of age, married as a young girl to the invalid young king of France, Mary took the reins of the unruly kingdom of Scotland as a young widow and fought to keep her throne. A second marriage to her handsome but dissolute cousin Lord Darnley ended in murder and scandal, while a third to the dashing Lord Bothwell, the love of her life, gave her joy but widened the scandal and surrounded her with enduring ill repute.

Unable to rise above the violence and disorder that swirled around her, Mary escaped to England—only to find herself a prisoner of her ruthless, merciless cousin Queen Elizabeth. Here, in a riveting first-person account, is the enchanting woman whose name still evokes excitement and compassion—and whose death under the headsmans axe still draws forth our sorrow.

Reading Group Questions:

1. Why do you think Mary Queen of Scots is such an iconic historical figure? What is it about her that continues to fascinate lovers of history?

2. Why do you think Mary had such a difficult time ruling over her Scottish subjects?

3. Fate, enchantments and the power of the otherworldly lay over the characters in this novel. To what extent do you believe fate rules our destinies? How do you imagine sixteenth-century attitudes on this issue differed from those of our more secular age?

3. In the novel, Mary regrets that she did not return to France after escaping from Lochleven. What might the course of her life been if she had returned to France?

4. Had Mary become Queen of England, do you imagine that she would have been swiftly dethroned by a popular rebellion?

5. Marys nemesis John Knox wrote a treatise condemning the “Monstrous Regiment [Rule] of Women.” In your view, have women rulers, over the centuries, proven him wrong in his condemnation? Or have women and men been equally adept (or inexpert) at wielding power?

6. In the novel Mary says that she “was not born to be obscure, to live a hidden, quiet life.” “I had the blood of kings in my veins,” she says, “and there was more for me to do in the world.” Was this conviction her blessing, or her curse?

7. Mary asserts at one point that Queen Elizabeth, for all her power and cleverness, never found “the secret of happiness.” Do you believe that Mary herself found it? Have you found it?