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Happy Birthday Mary Queen of Scots
On 8 December, 1542 the first cries were heard from a newborn babe who grew up to become one of the most famous and controversial figures in Scottish history. To mark the birthday of Mary, Queen of Scots the award-winning author and TV producer Roderick Graham will be welcoming visitors to join him for a talk in the Chapel Royal of Stirling Castle.
While Mary, who became queen at less than a week old due to the untimely death of her father James V, was born down the road at Linlithgow, much of her first few years were spent in the brand new royal palace at Stirling Castle. Here she was under the protection of her mother, the formidable Mary de Guise, who later became Regent of Scotland. The queen’s close links with Stirling make it the ideal place to hear Mr Graham discuss his critically-acclaimed work An Accidental Tragedy: The Life of Mary, Queen of Scots. As a girl Mary was sent to France for safety but returned to Scotland, and Stirling, in later years.
The book is likely to be a source of fascination for anyone with an interest in Scottish history as it charts Mary’s life through the hazards and misfortunes which buffeted her at every turn. These included her young marriage to the sickly Dauphin, and short-lived king of France, Francis II.
This was followed by her return from exile as a young French-speaking Catholic to begin her personal rule of a strife torn, faction-ridden and Protestant Scotland.
While Mary, who became queen at less than a week old due to the untimely death of her father James V, was born down the road at Linlithgow, much of her first few years were spent in the brand new royal palace at Stirling Castle. Here she was under the protection of her mother, the formidable Mary de Guise, who later became Regent of Scotland. The queen’s close links with Stirling make it the ideal place to hear Mr Graham discuss his critically-acclaimed work An Accidental Tragedy: The Life of Mary, Queen of Scots. As a girl Mary was sent to France for safety but returned to Scotland, and Stirling, in later years.The book is likely to be a source of fascination for anyone with an interest in Scottish history as it charts Mary’s life through the hazards and misfortunes which buffeted her at every turn. These included her young marriage to the sickly Dauphin, and short-lived king of France, Francis II.
This was followed by her return from exile as a young French-speaking Catholic to begin her personal rule of a strife torn, faction-ridden and Protestant Scotland. The author looks at key issues, like how much the queen was the victim of circumstance, and the extent to which she was responsible for her own fate. The talk will be followed by a book signing for those wishing to buy a copy of the book for themselves, or perhaps as a Christmas gift.
The talk and book signing take place at 11.00 and then again at 14.00 on 8th December and are included in the cost of entry to the castle. Seats can be pre-booked by calling 01786 431 325 or emailing Nicola Mccrae.
The talk and book signing take place at 11.00 and then again at 14.00 on 8th December and are included in the cost of entry to the castle. Seats can be pre-booked by calling 01786 431 325 or emailing Nicola Mccrae.
