Crown of Thistles

By Linda Porter,

Book cover of Crown of Thistles: The Fatal Inheritance of Mary Queen of Scots

Book description

The struggle between the fecund Stewarts and the barren Tudors is generally seen only in terms of the relationship between Elizabeth I and her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots. But very little has been said about the background to their intense rivalry. Here, Linda Porter examines the ancient and intractable…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Crown of Thistles as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Reams have been written about the tragic life of Mary, Queen of Scots, from the magisterial biographies by Antonia Fraser and John Guy to those focusing on her relationship with her sister queen, Elizabeth Tudor. Crown of Thistles by historian Linda Porter plugs a gap in Mary’s history by exploring the background to the prolonged rivalry and dynastic complications between the Stewarts of Scotland and the Tudors of England. 

Dr. Porter’s book was an invaluable resource which I mined for lots of fascinating nuggets and incisive comments not found elsewhere.

This is an excellent, highly readable introduction for anyone wishing…

From Marie's list on Mary, Queen of Scots and her people.

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Interested in Mary Queen of Scots, Scotland, and Elizabeth I?

Scotland 345 books
Elizabeth I 56 books