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This volume is a scholarly compilation of contemporary extracts that trace the most eventful six years of Mary, Queen of Scots’ reign, from her 1561 return to Scotland to her confinement in Loch Leven in 1567. Edited by Robert S. Rait, the work draws on English, Spanish and Venetian state papers, as well as the writings of Buchanan, Knox, Lesley, Melville, the “Diurnal of Occurrents” and others, arranging them chronologically and supplementing them with notes, tables, maps and illustrations. The opening pages set the stage with a concise preface explaining the editor’s focus on the religious and political clash between Catholic and Protestant factions, and the subsequent sections are divided into clearly labeled chapters that cover key events such as the Darnley marriage, the murders of Rizzio and Darnley, and the York and Westminster conferences.
The text reflects the academic style of late‑Victorian historical editing, employing formal prose, extensive footnotes and a measured, objective tone. Its reliance on primary documents and careful annotation will appeal to scholars, graduate students and serious readers of early‑modern British history who appreciate a documentary approach to the tumultuous life of Mary Stuart, as well as to enthusiasts of Tudor‑Stuart politics and the Reformation era.
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=ENGLISH HISTORY from Contemporary Writers.= Edited by Prof. F. YORK POWELL. In 16mo volumes, averaging 200 pages, with illustrations, neatly bound in cloth, cut flush, or cloth, uncut edges, comprising extracts from the Chronicles, State Papers, and Memoirs of the time, chronologically arranged. With Introductions, Notes, Accounts of Authorities, Tables, Maps, Illustrations, etc.
=Edward III. and his Wars= (1327-1360). Edited by W. J. ASHLEY, M.A. Cut edges, 1s.; uncut edges, 1s. 6d.
=The Misrule of Henry III.= (1236-1251). Edited by the Rev. W. H. HUTTON, M.A. Cut edges, 1s.; uncut edges, 1s. 6d.
=Strongbow's Conquest of Ireland.= Edited by F. P. BARNARD, M.A. Cut edges, 1s.; uncut edges, 1s. 6d.
=Simon of Montfort and his Cause= (1251-1265). Edited by the Rev. W. H. HUTTON, M.A. Cut edges, 1s.; uncut edges, 1s. 6d.
=The Crusade of Richard I.= Edited by T. A. ARCHER. 396 pp. Cut edges, 2s.; uncut edges, 2s. 6d.
=S. Thomas of Canterbury.= By Rev. W. H. HUTTON. 286 pp. Cut edges, 1s. 6d.; uncut edges, 2s.
=England under Charles II., from the Restoration to the Treaty of Nimwegen.= Edited by W. TAYLOR. Cut edges, 1s.; uncut edges, 1s. 6d.
=The Wars of the Roses.= Edited by Miss E. THOMPSON. 180 pp. 1892. Cut edges, 1s.; uncut edges, 1s. 6d.
=The Jews of Angevin England.= Edited by J. JACOBS. xxix, 425 pp. 1893. Cut edges, 4s.; uncut edges, 4s. 6d.
=King Alfred.= Edited by F. YORK POWELL. In the Press.
=SCOTTISH HISTORY from Contemporary Writers.=
=The Days of James IV.= Edited by G. GREGORY SMITH, M.A. 1891. Cut edges, 1s.; uncut edges, 1s. 6d.
=Mary Queen of Scots.= Edited by R. S. RAIT. 1899. Cut edges, 2s.; elegant cloth cover, top gilt, edges trimmed, 3s.
Illustration: THE BLAIRS PORTRAIT.
SCOTTISH HISTORY FROM CONTEMPORARY WRITERS.
No. II.
Extracts from the English, Spanish, and Venetian State Papers, Buchanan, Knox, Lesley, Melville, The "Diurnal of Occurrents," Nau, &c. &c.
The life of the Queen of Scots presents so many different lines of interest, that, in a volume of the present size, it is necessary to make and adhere to a selection from among the numerous possible varieties of treatment. The attention of the reader has, therefore, been concentrated upon the six active years in Mary's life, from her arrival in Scotland in August 1561, to her imprisonment in Lochleven Castle in June 1567. Documents bearing on the "English Wooing" and the other events of Mary's minority and residence in France have, accordingly, been omitted, except in so far as they are required for an intelligible introduction to the main theme of the book. Most of them, indeed, would be more relevant to a volume having for its subject the history of the Scottish Reformation. It is hoped that such extracts as have been chosen will, with the connecting notes, be sufficient to indicate the position of affairs in 1561. The struggle which had convulsed Scotland for twenty years, was, on its theoretical side, a contest between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. On its practical side, it was a rivalry between two political parties; the one, headed by the Queen-Dowager, Mary of Guise, and Cardinal Beaton, aiming at the maintenance of the ancient alliance with France; and the other, led by the Protestant nobles and the reformed clergy, striving towards an understanding with England. Before Mary's arrival, the popular, or English Party, had made good its position, and the understanding between the nobles and Queen Elizabeth continued undisturbed. Such wish or power as Mary possessed for the re-establishment of a definite alliance with France, was lessened by her personal dislike to Catharine de Medici, and by her position as nearest heir to the English throne.
The Editor's main aim has been to place before the reader, as fairly as possible, the evidence for the divergent views of Mary's life and character. For this purpose, considerable space has been devoted to the Conferences at York and Westminster, in 1568 and 1569, which, although themselves outside the period specially chosen, yet refer to the events that fall within it. The selection of extracts has also been influenced by a desire to give prominence to the condition of Scotland at the time, and to the religious difficulty associated with the person of John Knox; while an attempt has been made to bring into relief the personality of the rival queens.
The Editor desires to acknowledge the courtesy of the Right Reverend Monsignor Chisholm, Rector of Blairs College, Bishop-Designate of Aberdeen, who has sanctioned the reproduction of the Blairs portrait. He has also to acknowledge the assistance of Professor W. L. Davidson of Aberdeen; Mr. Herbert Fisher, Fellow of New College; and the Editor of the series, who have read the proof-sheets. Mr. Swinburne's translation of Mary's last poem (p. 239) is printed by kind permission, and Mr. T. F. Henderson has allowed the Editor to use the Documents first printed in his "Casket Letters and Mary Queen of Scots."
R. S. R.
NEW COLLEGE, OXFORD, February 1899.
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