‘What was her name?’ our daughter asked him.
‘Her name was Mary,’ Duncan told her. ‘In French we say it as “Marie”.’
‘Oh!’ she exclaimed. ‘Why, that is my name!’
I held out my arms to both of them. And my husband and daughter came to me and we embraced in a tight circle of love.
Postscript
After hiding in England for many years, Captain Montgomery of the Scots Guard, who had accidentally caused the death of King Henri, returned to France to lead a revolt against the crown. He was defeated and captured. In accordance with yet another Nostradamus prophecy, Catherine de’ Medici sent six noblemen to bring him to Paris, where she finally had her revenge by having him executed.
Lord James Stuart lasted less than three years as regent of Scotland before being assassinated by one of the Hamilton Stuarts.
The Earl of Morton was also regent for a time, his rule being noted for its cruel atrocities. He was eventually convicted and executed for complicity in the murder of Lord Darnley.
When Mary, Queen of Scots agreed to go with the rebel lords at Carberry Hill, the Earl of Bothwell managed to escape from Scotland to try to raise support for her cause. However, he was seized, and imprisoned in Denmark. Here he was held in terrible conditions and, his health damaged, he died there eleven years later. While in captivity, both Mary and Bothwell wrote accounts of the major events of their lives.
Upon reaching his majority, Mary’s son ruled as King James VI of Scotland. When Elizabeth I died the reign of the Tudors in England ended and the crowns of Scotland and England were united. Thus Mary Stuart’s son was crowned King James I of both countries.
In time, King James arranged for his mother, Mary, to be buried with full honours beneath a splendid monument in Westminster Abbey, where Mary, Queen of Scots, lies to this day.
Notes
Apart from researching Leonardo da Vinci for The Medici Seal, I have never encountered a more fascinating historical character than Mary, Queen of Scots.
Intelligent, extremely well-educated, sweet-natured, witty, talented, beautiful, and . . . elusive. It is unfortunate, to say the least, that she is often dismissed in history books as ‘rash and foolish’, receiving little credit for what she managed to do, despite living among venality and brutality. As soon as she gave birth to a healthy boy her life was forfeit – instead of battling to control her, those desperate for power in Scotland moved focus to seize the child in order to manipulate him, indoctrinate him against his mother, hold him in thrall and bend him to their will. Ill-served by her father, who contributed greatly to her problems by siring so many illegitimate offspring, she inherited a kingdom beset by financial, religious and legal strife. It is a tribute to Mary that she survived so long and engendered loyalty in so many who knew her.
Acknowledgements
As always I am grateful for the huge amount of help I receive from:
My family
Annie, Lauren, Sue, Sophie, Clare, Lisa et al at Random House
Laura Cecil
Penni Killick
Georgia Lawe
Borders Council
Borthwick Castle Hotel
Blairs Museum
Glasgow City Libraries
Naomi Tarrant
Visit Scotland, especially the Jedburgh Office
Mary, Queen of Scots, House, Jedburgh
The Marie Stuart Society
Staff of Moray District Library
Ian Leith
Dunfermline Abbey guides
Margot Aked
The National Library of Scotland
Hugh Rae
SCRAN
HISTORY GIRLS
Bibliothèque Carnegie, Reims
About the Author
Theresa Breslin is a critically acclaimed multi-award winning Scottish author. She is hugely popular with young people, librarians and teachers. She was awarded the Carnegie Medal for Whispers in the Graveyard, The Dream Master was shortlisted for the Children’s Book Award, Prisoner of the Inquisition was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and The Medici Seal was shortlisted for the Book Trust Teen Prize.
Theresa lives in Glasgow.
Also by Theresa Breslin
PRISONER OF THE INQUISITION
A gripping tale of fire, fury, love and revenge, set during the Spanish Inquisition.
‘Unputdownable’ The Times
THE NOSTRADAMUS PROPHECY
A dramatic adventure story set in sixteenth-century France.
THE MEDICI SEAL
A gloriously rich and authentic story set in Italy in 1502.
‘A superb historical thriller . . . an enchanting novel about genius, and a gift to an enquiring mind’ The Times
REMEMBRANCE
An epic tale of young lives altered by World War One.
‘Immensely readable, passionately written’ Guardian
SASKIA’S JOURNEY
A haunting tale of self-discovery.
‘Mesmerizing . . . truly memorable’ The Bookseller
DIVIDED CITY
Two young rival football supporters are caught up in an attack on an asylum-seeker.
‘A cracking good read . . . this is a book with far-reaching appeal and universal themes that will encourage young readers to challenge bigotry’ Guardian
KEZZIE AT WAR
A spirited young girl fights to keep her family together.
‘A remarkable story of hope and determination’ Valerie Bierman
For junior readers:
THE DREAM MASTER
DREAM MASTER NIGHTMARE!
DREAM MASTER GLADIATOR
DREAM MASTER ARABIAN NIGHTS
For more information about Theresa Breslin’s books, visit: www.theresabreslin.co.uk
SPY FOR THE QUEEN OF SCOTS
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