The Tudor dynasty of England and the Elizabethan era which followed are among the most intriguing and exciting in English history. Who hasn't heard of King Henry VIII and his six wives, two of whom were beheaded by their husband for treason? His reign is even the basis of the popular series The Tudors.
Philippa Gregory has based many of her books such as The Other Boleyn Girl, The Queen's Fool, The Boleyn Inheritance, and The Virgin's Lover on the infamous protagonists of sixteenth century England. This particular novel tells the story of the flight and captivity of Mary Queen of Scots. Her story is told through three different points of view - her own, her captor's Bess of Hardwick and Bess's last husband, George Talbot, The Earl of Shrewsbury, who was said to have fallen in love with Queen Mary. This triangle enables the author to recount the story from three differing perspectives with contrasting intentions. We can empathize with each one of the characters in turn as puppets in the political plans of the English. The religious turmoil between the Protestants and Catholics as well as the question of the succession were guiding factors in the actions of many of Queen Elizabeth's advisors. It is no wonder that Mary posed such a threat and in the end was beheaded.
As history shows, Mary Queen of Scots was still a force to be reckoned with. Her son, King James VI of Scotland succeeded Elizabeth after her death in 1603 to become King James I of the Stuart dynasty.
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