If you know me, you will know that Mary, Queen of Scots is one of my favourite historical figures. (I firmly believe that Elizabeth I’s propaganda campaign against Mary Stuart and Mary Tudor is still ridiculous, and the fact that so many people brush it aside while crying “Gloriana” is astounding…) Compared to her Tudor cousins though, there are relatively few books about her- I’ve read as many as I can find, but there aren’t a ton. So, in honour of my favourite historical royal, I’m sharing the best Mary, Queen of Scots biographies today!
Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens, Jane Dunn
The political and religious conflicts between Queen Elizabeth I and the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots, have for centuries captured our imagination and inspired memorable dramas played out on stage, screen, and in opera. But few books have brought to life more vividly the exquisite texture of two women’s rivalry, spurred on by the ambitions and machinations of the forceful men who surrounded them. The drama has terrific resonance even now as women continue to struggle in their bid for executive power.
Against the backdrop of sixteenth-century England, Scotland, and France, Dunn paints portraits of a pair of protagonists whose formidable strengths were placed in relentless opposition. Protestant Elizabeth, the bastard daughter of Anne Boleyn, whose legitimacy had to be vouchsafed by legal means, glowed with executive ability and a visionary energy as bright as her red hair. Mary, the Catholic successor whom England’s rivals wished to see on the throne, was charming, feminine, and deeply persuasive. That two such women, queens in their own right, should have been contemporaries and neighbours sets in motion a joint biography of rare spark and page-turning power.
Why You Should Read This…
This is definitely a book for someone relatively new to Mary, Queen of Scots. It is a slower read- I wouldn’t recommend this as a binge read; take your time with this one. Dunn does a wonderful job of introducing Mary Stuart but also placing it in that Tudor context with her cousin. (While I don’t think that the Tudor court should be the default “setting” for everything, I can’t deny that it is a prevalent area of history.) It also isn’t quite as hefty as some other Mary Stuart bios, which I think often scares many readers off.
Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart, John Guy
She was crowned Queen of Scotland at nine months of age, and Queen of France at sixteen years; at eighteen she ascended the throne that was her birthright and began ruling one of the most fractious courts in Europe, riven by religious conflict and personal lust for power. She rode out at the head of an army in both victory and defeat; saw her second husband assassinated, and married his murderer. At twenty-five she entered captivity at the hands of her rival queen, from which only death would release her.
The life of Mary Stuart is one of unparalleled drama and conflict. From the labyrinthine plots laid by the Scottish lords to wrest power for themselves, to the efforts made by Elizabeth’s ministers to invalidate Mary’s legitimate claim to the English throne, John Guy returns to the archives to explode the myths and correct the inaccuracies that surround this most fascinating monarch. He also explains a central mystery: why Mary would have consented to marry – only three months after the death of her second husband, Lord Darnley – the man who was said to be his killer, the Earl of Bothwell. And, more astonishingly, he solves, through careful re-examination of the Casket Letters, the secret behind Darnley’s spectacular assassination at Kirk o’Field. With great pathos, Guy illuminates how the imprisoned Mary’s despair led to a reckless plot against Elizabeth – and thus to her own execution.
The portrait that emerges is not of a political pawn or a manipulative siren, but of a shrewd and charismatic young ruler who relished power and, for a time, managed to hold together a fatally unstable country.
Why You Should Read This…
If you have watched the 2018 film, Mary, Queen of Scots, you will be at least moderately acquainted with this book, as it was the basis for the film. Yes, filmmakers and producers made fairly sizable changes (Mary and Elizabeth never met in person, sorry to disappoint you), but Guy’s bio was the backbone. This is one of those longer biographies that can feel a bit overwhelming to look at. However, it is still fairly easy to read and a great place to start with Mary Stuart.
And while I will get to the Mary, Queen of Scots bio below, Guy’s biography is balanced and clear. He doesn’t treat Mary like an emotional teenager who was lesser than her cousin but also recognises the nuances of her life and reign. All in all, this is one of my favourite history books period!
The Betrayal of Mary, Queen of Scots: Elizabeth I and Her Greatest Rival, Kate Williams
Elizabeth and Mary were cousins and queens, but eventually it became impossible for them to live together in the same world. This is the story of two women struggling for supremacy in a man’s world, when no one thought a woman could govern. They both had to negotiate with men–those who wanted their power and those who wanted their bodies–who were determined to best them. In their worlds, female friendship and alliances were unheard of, but for many years theirs was the only friendship that endured. They were as fascinated by each other as lovers; until they became enemies. Enemies so angry and broken that one of them had to die, and so Elizabeth ordered the execution of Mary. But first they were each other’s lone female friends in a violent man’s world. Their relationship was one of love, affection, jealousy, antipathy–and finally death.
Why You Should Read This…
This is another joint biography of Mary and Elizabeth, and it does work well. As I said above, I have seen countless respected historians who worship Elizabeth and think Mary is a massive idiot who should have been more like her cousin without recognising the difference in their kingdoms and councils. Williams thoughtfully examines Mary’s tragic life and everything that contributed to, and does a wonderful job of taking that into consideration when looking at the cousins’ relationship. I found William’s analysis of Mary’s potential marriage proposals particularly interesting, and new to me in spite of all of my reading!
Mary, Queen of Scots, Antonia Fraser
She was the quintessential queen: statuesque, regal, dazzlingly beautiful. Her royal birth gave her claim to the thrones of two nations; her marriage to the young French dauphin promised to place a third glorious crown on her noble head. Instead, Mary Stuart became the victim of her own impulsive heart, scandalizing her world with a foolish passion that would lead to abduction, rape, and even murder. Betrayed by those she most trusted, she would be lured into a deadly game of power, only to lose to her envious and unforgiving cousin, Elizabeth I. Here is her story, a queen who lost a throne for love, a monarch pampered and adored even as she was led to her beheading, the unforgettable woman who became a legend for all time.
Why You Should Read This…
So, this would be the definitive Mary, Queen of Scots biography that is always referenced, without a doubt. (You can’t have a list of the best Mary, Queen of Scots biographies without this…) Originally published in 1969, it isn’t the most current Mary Stuart biography but it is loved. Fraser covers a lot of what-ifs (and there are a lot in Mary’s life) which is interesting to think about but can get a little repetitive. However, I think that being the most comprehensive MQoS biography out there makes it more than worth reading. Also, because it was the seminal biography for so long, it is referenced in a lot of other Mary Stuart bios.
Also, if you don’t want to read the full length Fraser biography, you can also check out the abridged audiobook! It was featured on my favourite history audiobooks post.
What books are on your list of the best Mary, Queen of Scots biographies?
Cheers,
The Historian
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
