An Accidental Tragedy: The Life of Mary, Queen of ScotsBased on contemporary documents and histories, Roderick Graham paints a unique picture of Mary that sees her neither as a Catholic martyr, nor as a husband-murdering adulteress, but as a young girl adrift in the dangerous seas of sixteenth-century politics. Mary Stuart had none of the ruthlessness of her contemporary sisters, and the female empowerment of Catherine de Medici, Diane de Poitiers or Elizabeth Tudor passed her by. In an age of intellectually brilliant and powerful women, Mary relied on her beauty and charm in place of reason and determination. Passively and gracefully, she allowed events to overtake her as accidents and when she did attempt to control her future she unwittingly set in train the events that would lead her to the executioner's block. |
Contents
As goodly child as I have seen | 3 |
One of the most perfect creatures | 26 |
We may be very well pleased with her | 43 |
Copyright | |
19 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accept allowed already ambassador appear arms Arran arrived asked assured attend became become Bishop Bothwell called carried castle Catherine Catholic Cecil Charles IX child claimed clear close continued Council court crown Darnley death Diane Earl Edinburgh Elizabeth England English fact finally followed forces France François French gave give given Guise hands head Henri horses husband immediately instructions James John king knew Knox Lady land later Lennox Lethington letter London Lord March marriage marry Mary Mary's meet Moray mother move murder never nobility Norfolk once palace party Paulet plot political possible present prince prisoner Privy probably Protestant queen Queen of Scots Randolph received reported royal Scotland Scots Scottish sent servants Shrewsbury side signed Stewart taken thought throne told took turn wrote