Lord in Waiting

Mary Stewart #2

by Nigel Tranter

In words and pictures, the colourful world of the Arsenal and England striker, Ian Wright, which includes his personal assessment of the 1994 World Cup.

Genres: Historical Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Nigel Tranter OBE was a Scottish historian and writer. He was the author of a wide range of books on Scottish castles, particularly on themes of architecture and history. He also specialised in deeply researched historical novels that cover centuries of Scottish history.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuing story of Princess Mary Stewart, Countess of Arran beginning with the death of her husband, Thomas Boyd, in the Low Countries where he'd been in exile accused of treason. It introduces us to Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus and his younger brother John, Lord of Douglasdale. Mary's brother, James III, King of Scots has decided to marry his sister to James, Lord Hamilton, one James' favorites and a member of the Secret Council. The Douglas brothers try to gather support for a parliament to weigh in on Mary's marriage, however in traversing the country seeking support and the forty days required before a parliament, James III and his Secret Council have quickly married his sister off to Lord Hamilton.
John Douglas becomes the go to person for Princess Mary as she attempts to intervene as far as her brother's unpopular political actions were concerned. This included the persecution, death, and unconsecrated burial of Patrick Graham, 1st Archbishop of St. Andrews by William Sheves, another favorite of King James whose ambition was to become Archbishop of St. Andrews.
Then there would be the arrest of James III's younger brother, John Earl of Mar, who died mysteriously after a short captivity, allegedly by Sheves and Robert Cochrane, who would be given the title Earl of Mar. Alexander, Duke of Albany was arrested but escaped with Douglas help from Edinburgh Castle.
During the time that John Douglas isn't on Mary Stewart's business he serves as his brother's deputy for Angus, hearing complaints and handing down judgements, as his brother was more the action man and not so much into day to day governance. I found it interesting.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong, smart woman in tumultuous times.