annieb123
Written on May 15, 2021
Scourge of Henry VIII is a loosely based historical biography of Marie De Guise presented by historian Melanie Clegg. Originally published in 2016, this reformat and re-release by Pen & Sword is due out in July 2021. It's 224 pages and will be available in paperback format. (Other editions available in other formats).
This is an engagingly written and layman accessible biography of the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots. Widowed early, with the infant Mary in a precarious position, she became regent ruler of Scotland in 1554 until her own death in 1560.
The books biographical and historical chapters are arranged roughly chronologically. The timeline is easy to follow and the author writes clearly and layman accessibly, so I didn't have any trouble following the narrative. There is also a list of dramatis personae in the front of the book, so it's a simple matter to flip back and see who's who if necessary.
This is not an academic treatise. There are no chapter notes or footnotes. The language is layman accessible and more narrative than precise. The book does include an abbreviated and helpful bibliography and cross referenced index. There is also a very interesting photographic appendix which includes black and white photos and facsimiles of many period buildings, blueprints, and portraits of the main players in the story.
Four stars. This is an interesting and well told biography of a woman who is largely ignored even by historians specializing in the period.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.