The Afterlife of Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587) had a significant impact on Scottish culture and imagination, with her story being retold and reaching a global audience over the past four and a half centuries. This collection explores the diverse range of objects, literature, art, and media created to commemorate her, examining why her story is enduring and how narratives have evolved in response to shifting cultural attitudes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2024
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Mary Queen of Scots, who ruled Scotland from 1561 to 1567, had a significant impact on the country's history, even though her reign was relatively short. However, her influence extends far beyond her time as a monarch, as she has become a prominent figure in popular culture and imagination. Over the past four and a half centuries, her story has been retold countless times, captivating audiences worldwide. This collection explores the diverse range of objects, literature, art, and media that have been created to commemorate Mary throughout her life and in the modern era.

One of the reasons why Mary's story remains so enduring and captivating is her complex and intriguing character. She was a queen who defied societal expectations, navigating the political and religious tensions of her time with grace and determination. Her life was filled with scandal, romance, and tragedy, making her a fascinating subject for storytellers and artists alike.

The narratives associated with these objects have evolved over time, reflecting changing cultural attitudes towards gender, power, and identity. For example, in the early centuries of her reign, Mary was often portrayed as a heroic figure who stood up to her male counterparts and defended the interests of her country. However, in more recent times, her story has been reinterpreted to emphasize her vulnerabilities and the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated society.

The collection offers a fresh perspective on Mary Queen of Scots, drawing on the fields of early modern history, gender studies, cultural history, museum and heritage studies, and memory studies. By examining these diverse sources, the collection sheds light on Mary's life and legacy in a way that has never been done before. It explores the ways in which she has been represented and remembered, both in her own time and in the present day, and considers the impact that these representations have had on popular culture and imagination.

Overall, this collection is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Mary Queen of Scots, her life, and her legacy. It provides a comprehensive examination of the diverse range of objects, literature, art, and media that have been produced to commemorate her, and offers a new understanding of her enduring popularity and significance.

Weight: 754g
Dimension: 240 x 162 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399523530