A History of Royals discussion

This thread is designed to make our TBR piles even more unwieldy and to make book recommendations easier to find. So recommend a book that you have read, either recently,or in the past. Can't wait to see what all is out there.

Just about to start "Marie & Mary" by Nigel Tranter about Marie de Guise and her daughter, Mary Queen of Scots

Let us know what you think Melisende!

Okay finished "Marie & Mary" by Nigel Tranter.

Okay - basically a book with little dialogue and not too much detail to get bogged down in. The first half of the book deals with Marie de Guise and the second half with her daughter, Mary Queen of Scots.

A book to be knocked over in a day or two - however, I would say a good introduction for someone not at all familiar with the period.

Thanks Melisende. I've added this one to my TBR. I really want to find out more about both Marie & Mary.

I found a trilogy about Robert the Bruce by Nigel Tranter called The Bruce Trilogy: Steps to the Empty Throne, Path of the Hero King & Price of the King's Peace. I haven't read them, but they look good. Any thoughts anyone?

I'm also interested in Margaret Maid of Norway after Alexandria's post. Those are the makings for a good book!

I don't know of one about the Maid of Norway - seems like good fodder for historical fiction to me, though.

There's a G.A. Henty about Robert the Bruce (In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce). Also a novel by Mollie Hunter The King's Swift Rider: A Novel on Robert the Bruce, and Duncan Bruce's The Great Scot: A Novel of Robert the Bruce, Scotland's Legendary Warrior King.

There's also a biography by Ronald McNair Scott, Robert the Bruce: King of Scots.

Poor little Margaret - with her rested the last hope of the Scottish Crown. As a result of her death, Edward I became more involved in the politics of Scotland with - at one stage - up to 12 rival claimants for the throne.

Yeah, John Baliol.

Kimberly wrote: "I found a trilogy about Robert the Bruce by Nigel Tranter called The Bruce Trilogy: Steps to the Empty Throne, Path of the Hero King & Price of the King's Peace. I haven't read them..."

I really enjoyed those.

Cannot recommend Tranter enough as an initially strating point for Scottish fiction.

Thanks Misfit and Melisende :) I will definitely be reading his trilogy.

I am doing research for my novel and was wondering if anyone could provide suggestions for books regarding the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. I have found and read many, but I am trying to find something from a more personal aspect.

I don't have anything off of the top of my head, but hopefully some of our members can!!

Angela wrote: "I am doing research for my novel and was wondering if anyone could provide suggestions for books regarding the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. I have found and read many, but I am trying to find someth..."

Outlander is the only thing that comes to mind.

Anyone know of any good James IV books?

The one who died at Flodden?

YES!!!!!

Not offhand; but it'd make a great story, wouldn't it?

Indeed. He seems so interesting. A scholar, a almost womanizer. I love it!

Misfit wrote: "Angela wrote: "I am doing research for my novel and was wondering if anyone could provide suggestions for books regarding the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. I have found and read many, but I am trying..."

Thanks I have that on my TBR list, I may have to move it up on my list.

Allison wrote: "Anyone know of any good James IV books?"

If you are looking for nonfiction The Sisters of Henry VIII by Marie Perry offers a lot of great details on the life of James IV.

Thanks for the recommendation! I am interested in either. I just want to know more!

Queen Hereafter: A Novel of Margaret of Scotland
Lady Macbeth: A Novel
Lady Macbeth's Daughter
Lady Macbeth's Tale
Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Stone of Destiny: A Story of Lady Macbeth

Stacie-
Your book sounds wonderful. I added it to my TBR list!

Seriously, I'm ringing in late on this subject but, for historical accuracy about the Uprisings, do not go by Outlander. Tranter's MacGregor trilogy which includes MacGregor's Gathering, The Clansman, and Gold for Prince Charlie are good if you want some fiction on that. There is a lot of non-fiction on the period of course.

Thanks Jeanne, I will definitely check those books out! This is the first time that I am hearing about the MacGregor trilogy. I know that the Outlander series is immensely popular, I however cannot get into the books.

I think the Outlander novels just don't tend to suit people with a very historical bent. You can usually trust Tranter to at least get the history close to right, although I've seen him miss on details. He also did a novel on the great Montrose which I haven't read but intend to. Montrose is a figure I find quite fascinating. :)

I actually like the Outlander series, but they are not for everyone, that is for sure. One of the things I like so much about ANY historical fiction, is it always inspires me to find other books, both fiction and non-fiction, on the subject and delve deeper into it.

Galbadon so offended me on her portrayal of the only gay character in Outlander, I may not be able to give her a fair hearing on any subject. :)

But I agree that one of the great parts of reading historical novels is researching to see what they got right (and wrong). hehe

I've only read the Outlander. I was/am a little worried because I was enjoying the book, loving it and then the next thing I know they are healing/hiding in a religious house talking about religion. Is that all through out the rest of the books?
No offense, but it kinda threw a cold bucket on my "textual appetite". It seemed like a major shift in character, and it made the end seem a little off to me.

By the way, I have an excellent selection of non-fiction on the Bruce, the Black Douglas, and the general period of the First and Second War of Scottish Independence so I can make recommendations if anyone needs them.

Jeanne, I would love a few recommendations on the Black Douglas. Also, I was wondering if you have any recommendations on the 1708 Rising?

I agree with Angela, Jeanne. Would love some recommendations on the Black Douglas and the Wars of Scottish Independence. Please recommend away.

I love that this group has such varied interests and opinions. We can learn so much from each other.

Allison - I don't believe so, but I have had many people tell me that the second book in the series was the hardest one to get through. I didn't find it so, but that's just me. I am only up to the third one, myself.

Whew! Thanks Lyn. That makes me feel better. I have looked ahead in the series and am excited to see how she integrates all the twists and turns.

Kimberly wrote: "I found a trilogy about Robert the Bruce by Nigel Tranter called The Bruce Trilogy: Steps to the Empty Throne, Path of the Hero King & Price of the King's Peace. I haven't read them..."
The Bruce Trilogy is definitely the best thing that Tranter ever did--one of my favorite books as a matter of fact.

Lyn M wrote: "I agree with Angela, Jeanne. Would love some recommendations on the Black Douglas and the Wars of Scottish Independence. Please recommend away.

I love that this group has such varied interests..."

There is very little fiction that is good enough to recommend unfortunately. (mumble mumble mumble-rude to mention...) I understand Robert Low is planning a new Bruce Trilogy though and I very much liked his Viking Oathsworn series so I have hopes for it.

Tranter's Bruce Trilogy which has already been mentioned is good but his style seems a bit dated to me.

Re: Request for recommendations on Robert the Bruce: Barbara Erskine's "Kingdom of Shadows" is pretty interesting. So is the Y/A book "Girl in the Cage" by Jane Yolen. I think it is as good as any adult book.
Re: Maid of Norway. I wish I knew. There are some interesting references to the Maid of Norway, and scenes about Norway in Margaret George's "Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles." But it's not about the Maid of Norway. If anyone found anything, I'd love to read it too.

Lyn M wrote: "I agree with Angela, Jeanne. Would love some recommendations on the Black Douglas and the Wars of Scottish Independence. Please recommend away.

I love that this group has such varied interests..."Oh, N. Gemini Sasson has written a couple of novels on this (I believe the 1st is "Crown in the Heather") which I hear are really good. I haven't read them because I'm writing about the same period and sticking with non-fiction about it right now.

Also Robert Low's first novel on those characters is out now and garnering good reviews. Wish I could say more from my own knowledge. I will certainly read them later.

On non-fiction, it is hard to beat GWS Barrow's Robert "Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland" although Ronald McNair Scott's "Robert Bruce King of Scots" is good and somewhat lighter going.

I can attest that N Gemini Sasson's Crown in the Heather is good. I just finished it a week ago. It goes back and forth between Black Douglas (who is called by his name James) and Robert the Bruce. Its not a love story by any means, but I learned a lot. More about Robert than James, but I think that the third one is the series is most definitely about James. But then again, don't quote me on that!

He was only called the Black Douglas by the English. Scots never called him that. Gemi's novels have received very good reviews so I'm not at all surprised that it is good.

It is rude to mention one's own writing so ... I won't say anything further *smile*

Why is it that its usually your enemies that give you really cool nicknames?

He apparently had black hair and dark eyes, not common in that part of the world. And they thought he was a demon from hell. LOL

No, not particularly common at all. With his looks and his determination, I am sure that a lot of people did think he was a demon! How hilarious. I often wonder what people like that thought of their nicknames.

He seems to have been amused by it. There is a story (told in John Barbour's The Brus written about 40 years after Douglas's death) about his gaining the wall of a castle where a woman was singing a lullaby to her baby that went, "Hush yea, Hush yea, Dinae fret yea. The Black Douglas will nae get yea.". (He really did terrify the English) He is said to have put his hand on her shoulder and said she shouldn't be so sure. Then he gave her a guard as his men took the castle. LOL

His branch of the Douglases adopted the name as a soubriquet.

WHAT A MAN!!! I thought that he might of been amused by it. I would have been.

Can anyone recommend a good book on the Jacobite Rebellion/Bonny Prince Charlie? I've recently gotten into the Outlander series, but I would love to have a non-fiction book to get a basic understanding of the historical context.

As a start, I'd recommend a biography of Prince Charles Edward Stewart. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bonnie-Prince... I only see it at Amazon UK though.

I hope someone can help you this, Christina/