Michael O’Mara Books seizes biography of Mary, Queen of Scots

Michael O’Mara Books has seized Captivity: The Decoded History of Mary, Queen of Scots by Dr Jade Scott. The book will mark the first biography of Mary, Queen of Scots, to include the revelatory material from her newly decoded letters, lost for more than 400 years, according to the publisher.

Commissioning editor Ross Hamilton acquired world English language rights from Amberley Lowis at The Viney Agency, and the book will be published in hardback on 31st October 2024.

The synopsis says: "For almost two decades before her execution at Fotheringhay Castle in 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was a prisoner. From her chambers, she wrote countless letters, many encrypted using complex ciphers to prevent her communications from being intercepted. In this way, she used language to exert her will and her influence, even while incarcerated.

"In Captivity: The Decoded History of Mary, Queen of Scots, Jade Scott, historian, expert on Mary’s correspondence and a consultant on the Decrypt Project, draws on these ground-breaking letters to paint a vivid portrait of one of history’s most compelling figures. She interrogates Mary’s complex relationships with friends and enemies throughout her imprisonment, illuminating her strategic expertise and bringing Mary’s captivity to life like never before, in her own words."

Scott commented: "I am overjoyed to be able to take a new look at Mary, Queen of Scots’ imprisonment years using the newly decoded letters as our guide. The decoded letters offer a chance to re-assess Mary’s imprisonment years and an opportunity to illuminate her correspondence and networks of support throughout the turbulent years of plots and schemes. I’m excited to be working with the team at Michael O’Mara and I’m grateful to be able to bring my research and my own passion for Mary together in this new book."

Hamilton added: "It’s so rare that something genuinely new comes to light about a historical figure like Mary. These newly decrypted letters are the most significant discovery about her in more than a century and Jade is perfectly placed to draw out their subtleties and significance, rendering Mary’s years of captivity more vividly than ever."