A Review of “The Challenge to the Crown” by The Stewart Society
‘The Challenge to the Crown’ was recently reviewed in ‘The Stewarts’ (Vol. 24 No3 2014), the magazine of the The Stewart Society. It was reviewed by Geordie Burnett Stuart, a…
Feuding of the Scottish Nobility in the 16th Century
During the Sixteenth Century feuding between rival Scottish clans caused catastrophic problems between them, generally resulting in the Crown having to step in to settle matters. In researching The Challenge…
The Battle of Langside – 13 May 1568
On 2nd May 1568, Mary Queen of Scots escaped from Lochleven Castle, where she had been imprisoned for ten months after being arrested and deposed from the Crown by members…
What Happened to the Duke of Orkney (Earl of Bothwell) after Carberry Hill?
On 15th July 1567, the forces of Mary Queen of Scots and her third husband, the Duke of Orkney (Earl of Bothwell)*1 surrendered to the Scottish nobles at Carberry Hill….
The Affair of Janet Stewart, the Lady Fleming with Henry II of France
While researching for my book ‘The Challenge to the Crown‘, I came across this story concerning Janet Stewart, Mary Queen of Scots’ aunt, who also served as her Governess, when…
Win a FREE SIGNED copy of ‘The Challenge to the Crown’ in our Goodreads Book Giveaway
UPDATE (2014-04-12): The Giveaway has now ended – thanks to the 954 people who who entered! Congratulations if you are one of the 10 winners – your signed, first edition,…
A map of the city of Edinburgh from the time of Mary, Queen of Scots
At about 2.00am on 10th February 1567, there was a massive explosion at the collegiate buildings of Kirk o’ Field being occupied by Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, King Consort of…
Was Mary Queen of Scots involved in the murder of her husband Lord Darnley?
When trying to understand the life of Mary Queen of Scots, generations of historians have puzzled over one important question – was Mary involved in her husband Henry Stuart, Lord…
Lady Margaret Douglas and the Lennox Jewel
This article arises from research that I did for my book ‘The Challenge to the Crown’ and its sequel ‘The Survival of the Crown’. Both books discuss the position of…
What happened to “the four Marys” (Beaton, Seton, Fleming, and Livingston) after the death of their lady, Mary, Queen of Scots?
The four ‘Maries’ accompanied Mary Queen of Scots as a child to France in 1548 and remained her closest lifelong friends. Mary Beaton was the daughter of the head of…