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Table of Contents
About The Book
An expert historian on Mary, Queen of Scots draws on hundreds of her encrypted letters to paint a vivid portrait of one of history’s most compelling figures.
For almost two decades before her execution at Fotheringhay Castle in 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was a prisoner. From her chambers, she wrote countless letters, many encrypted using complex ciphers to prevent her communications from being intercepted. In this way, she used language to exert her will and her influence, even while incarcerated.
More than four hundred years after Mary’s death, the discovery of further encoded letters has led to renewed interest in the breadth of her correspondence while in captivity.
In Captive Queen: The Decrypted History of Mary, Queen of Scots, Jade Scott draws on hundreds of these ground-breaking letters to create a vivid picture of one of history’s most fascinating personalities. She interprets Mary’s complex relationships with friends and enemies alike throughout the years of her imprisonment, illuminating Mary's strategic vision while bringing her captivity to life like never before.
For almost two decades before her execution at Fotheringhay Castle in 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was a prisoner. From her chambers, she wrote countless letters, many encrypted using complex ciphers to prevent her communications from being intercepted. In this way, she used language to exert her will and her influence, even while incarcerated.
More than four hundred years after Mary’s death, the discovery of further encoded letters has led to renewed interest in the breadth of her correspondence while in captivity.
In Captive Queen: The Decrypted History of Mary, Queen of Scots, Jade Scott draws on hundreds of these ground-breaking letters to create a vivid picture of one of history’s most fascinating personalities. She interprets Mary’s complex relationships with friends and enemies alike throughout the years of her imprisonment, illuminating Mary's strategic vision while bringing her captivity to life like never before.
Product Details
- Publisher: Pegasus Books (February 4, 2025)
- Length: 304 pages
- ISBN13: 9781639368013
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Raves and Reviews
"Jade Scott’s Captive Queen breaks fresh ground. Scott has written a riveting book, and unlike most who have told the story, one that is fair to both queens. Her account of Walsingham’s spy network is as good as anything written about 20th-century counterespionage. Anyone interested in the story of the two queens will be fascinated—by Elizabeth seen from the outside, Mary from within."
– The Wall Street Journal
"Jade Scott’s Captive Queen breaks fresh ground. Scott has written a riveting book, and unlike most who have told the story, one that is fair to both queens. Her account of Walsingham’s spy network is as good as anything written about 20th-century counterespionage. Anyone interested in the story of the two queens will be fascinated—by Elizabeth seen from the outside, Mary from within."
– The Wall Street Journal
"Historian Scott draws on letters by Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587), including 57 newly decoded, to create a detailed portrait of the nearly 20 years she spent in captivity. A thoroughly researched historical narrative."
– Kirkus Reviews
"A triumph compelling narrative. A true marriage of scholarly expertise and literary flair, this is a stunning debut."
– Nicola Clark, author of The Waiting Game: The Untold Story of the Women Who Served the Tudor Queens
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