In the original dustsheet. Brown cloth binding with gilt title on the spine.

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                       A great story in true history.

Told from his final days in a Danish dungeon, James Bothwell’s tragic story, centring on his intense relationship with Mary Queen of Scots, unfolds. Set against the backdrop of French and Scottish history, in a climate of revenge, ruthless killings and religious strife, James finds himself divided between his loyalties and his conscience. The life of the fierce warrior and passionate lover is followed from his troubled childhood to the events of his final betrayal. Yet it is his meeting with the beautiful Mary Stuart that would ultimately secure his fate. Whilst Scotland, England and France grapple for power, tragic consequences await the lovers, with repercussions that would alter their country forever. This story is one of devotion, desire, and a love that was to divide Scotland, spill blood, and haunt Bothwell to his dying day. It tells of the extraordinary destiny of a young man who experienced the worst setbacks and the most dazzling successes, a dramatic course of events which pushed the young couple mercilessly towards the abyss.

Review: This is a roller coaster of a historical novel in the grand tradition – by which I mean superbly written, and containing as much historical fact as we can possibly know from a distance of more than 500 years. The scenes of Bothwell in his Danish dungeon are most masterfully done, and extremely moving, to my mind the most poignant and skilfully executed parts of this memorable book.

While nobody can know for certain the absolute truth of the historical mysteries and controversies of Bothwell’s life, and disagree on some points – as I do – with the author’s ultimate interpretation – we need to keep in mind that 90% of what we know about him comes from his enemies – who were many. What the author achieves with this novel is to make its subject a very much more human and sympathetic character, ultimately helpless to evade the cruelties of fate. And, definitely yes, Bothwell should be returned to Scottish soil.

James Hepburn, 1st Duke of Orkney and 4th Earl of Bothwell (c. 1534 – 14 April 1578), better known simply as Lord Bothwell, was a prominent Scottish nobleman and briefly King consort of Scotland in 1567. He was known for his marriage to Mary, Queen of Scots, as her third and final husband. He was accused of the murder of Mary’s second husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, a charge of which he was acquitted. His marriage to Mary was controversial and divided the country; when he fled the growing rebellion to Norway, he was arrested and lived the rest of his life imprisoned in Denmark.

Bothwell was imprisoned at Dragsholm Castle, 75 kilometres (47 mi) west of Copenhagen and was held in what were said to be appalling conditions. He died in April 1578, and was buried in a vault at Fårevejle church near the castle. A pillar to which he was chained for the last ten years of his life can still be seen, with a circular groove in the floor around the pillar.

In 1858 the body was exhumed and declared to be that of Bothwell. It was in a dried condition and was thereafter referred to as “Bothwell’s mummy”. His extended family tried to get his body sent back to Scotland, but their request has not been granted. The identity of the body has never been conclusively proven.[ A body referred to as “Bothwell’s mummy” materialised in 1976 in the Edinburgh Wax Museum on the Royal Mile, as the only non-wax exhibit. The guide book claimed it was brought to Scotland in 1858.