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Jade Scott

Captive Queen

The Decrypted History of Mary, Queen of Scots

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Details

Imprint: O'Mara Books

Publication date: 24/10/2024

ISBN: 9781789296464

Subject: Non-Fiction

Category: Science - History - Philosophy

Binding: Hardback

Size: 234 x 153 mm

Extent: 304 pages

Illustration: 16pp full colour plate section

Territorial Rights: World (English)

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Summary:

A fascinating and revealing new biography of Mary Queen of Scots in captivity.

For almost two decades before her execution at Fotheringhay Castle in 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was a prisoner. From her chambers, she wrote countless letters, many encrypted using complex ciphers to prevent her communications from being intercepted. In this way, she used language to exert her will and her influence, even while incarcerated.

More than 400 years after Mary’s death, the discovery of further encoded letters has led to renewed interest in the breadth of her encrypted correspondence in captivity.

In Captive Queen: The Decrypted History of Mary, Queen of Scots, historian and expert on Mary’s correspondence Dr Jade Scott draws on hundreds of Mary’s letters and those sent to her, to paint a vivid portrait of one of history’s most compelling figures. She interrogates Mary’s complex relationships with friends and enemies throughout her imprisonment, illuminating her strategic expertise and bringing Mary’s captivity to life as never before.

Reviews:

A triumph ... a compelling narrative ... A true marriage of scholarly expertise and literary flair, this is a stunning debut.

Nicola Clark, author of The Waiting Game: The Untold Story of the Women Who Served the Tudor Queens

‘I devoured the book in one sitting! ... a must-read for anyone interested in her fascinating correspondence.

Natalie Grueninger, editor of On the Tudor Trail

Sales points:

  • A fresh perspective on Mary, Queen of Scots’ years in captivity and the hundreds of encrypted letters she wrote and received

  • Sheds new light on Mary’s complex relationships with her friends and enemies – and her cousin Elizabeth

  • Dr Jade Scott is a historian specializing in Mary, Queen of Scots and her correspondence

  • From the publishers of Nicola Tallis's Young Elizabeth.

About the Author:

Jade Scott

Dr Jade Scott is a historian specializing in Mary, Queen of Scots and an expert on her letters. She is an affiliate in History at the University of Glasgow, an associate fellow of the Royal Historical Society and Secretary of the Scottish History Society, researching early modern Scottish women and their correspondence. She lives in Stirling with her husband and two St Bernards.

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