Although she signed the papers for Mary's execution, Elizabeth was supposedly unaware the death sentence would be carried out (r i g h t), and was angry with her ministers when she learned of it. The irony, of course, is Mary's son, James became king of England after Elizabeth died and had his mother's body exhumed from Peterborough Cathedral and re-interred near Elizabeth in Westminster Abbey.
Take that, mean queen!
According to an interview with Dr. Scott, Mary wrote and received thousands of letters. Dr. Scott's book,
Captive Queen The Decrypted History of Mary, Queen of Scots sheds light on 57 newly encrypted letters which describe Mary's many attempts to escape but never presents proof that she intended to participate in the murder of the Queen, a plot which was Mary's downfall.
Some of the letters were exchanged with the Spanish and French ambassadors. If you are familiar with the Babington Plot, Dr. Scott's book has more for you to read.
The English are different from you and me; and so are the Scots! Did you know they had their own language? Nor did I, but the author mentioned that a few times.
So many names! Jumping hither and yon, it’s hard to keep track of all the characters, even with the dramatis personae at the beginning and how is that arranged, please?
Alphabetically, non.
Chronologically, non.
Type of person? Conspirators, courtiers, women, to name a few differentiated "types," but even within those segments, their arrangement is ...? I never could figure it out.
The end of the book has an excellent, extensive chronology of Mary’s life.
The most interesting chapter was Mary's everyday life in prison, luxurious by commoners' standards, with meals served on silver plate and in crystal glassware, prepared by her French chef who offered her a choice of 32 different dishes, wine and beer (up to 20 gallons daily for herself and her servants).
Captive Queen is not so much a great book for the lay, but it is more appealing to academicians and her "deep scholars." Still (being of the "lay" persuasion), I can’t seem to get her out of my mind.
Some of the letters were exchanged with the Spanish and French ambassadors. If you are familiar with the Babington Plot, Dr. Scott's book has more for you to read.
The English are different from you and me; and so are the Scots! Did you know they had their own language? Nor did I, but the author mentioned that a few times.
So many names! Jumping hither and yon, it’s hard to keep track of all the characters, even with the dramatis personae at the beginning and how is that arranged, please?
Alphabetically, non.
Chronologically, non.
Type of person? Conspirators, courtiers, women, to name a few differentiated "types," but even within those segments, their arrangement is ...? I never could figure it out.
The end of the book has an excellent, extensive chronology of Mary’s life.
The most interesting chapter was Mary's everyday life in prison, luxurious by commoners' standards, with meals served on silver plate and in crystal glassware, prepared by her French chef who offered her a choice of 32 different dishes, wine and beer (up to 20 gallons daily for herself and her servants).
Captive Queen is not so much a great book for the lay, but it is more appealing to academicians and her "deep scholars." Still (being of the "lay" persuasion), I can’t seem to get her out of my mind.
For more on Mary and photos of her life, go here.
Former burial place of Mary, Queen of Scots, Peterborough Cathedral/Wikipedia and Derek Voller
patricialesli@gmail.com
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment