Scourge of Henry VIII: The Life of Marie de Guise

by Melanie Clegg

Although Mary, Queen of Scots continues to fascinate both historians and the general public alike, the story of her mother, Marie de Guise, is much less well known. A political power in her own right, she was born into the powerful and ambitious Lorraine family, spending her formative years at the dazzling and licentious court of Franois I. Although briefly courted by Henry VIII, she instead married his nephew, James V of Scotland, in 1538.

James' premature death four years later left their six day old daughter, Mary, as Queen and presented Marie with the formidable challenge of winning the support of the Scottish people and protecting her daughters threatened birthright. Content until now to remain in the background and play the part of the obedient wife, Marie spent the next eighteen years effectively governing Scotland, devoting her considerable intellect, courage and energy to safeguarding her daughters inheritance by using a deft mixture of cunning, charm, determination and tolerance.

The last serious biography of Marie de Guise was published in 1977 and whereas plenty of attention has been paid to the mistakes of her daughters eventful but brief reign, the time has come for a fresh assessment of this most fascinating and under appreciated of sixteenth century female rulers.

• ISBN10: 1399013122
• ISBN13: 9781399013123
• Publish Date: 21 May 2021 (first published 14 October 2016)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd
• Imprint: Pen & Sword History
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 224
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

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.