Intelligence Squared Reimagining the Life of Mary, Queen of Scots, with Flora Carr
Mar 17, 2024
Flora Carr, a debut novelist, enchants listeners with her reimagining of Mary, Queen of Scots in her novel, The Tower. She passionately discusses the often-overlooked narratives of women in history, focusing on Mary's imprisonment at Lochleven Castle. Historian Francesca Peacock adds depth by exploring the complexities of female sexuality and the intricate relationships among women confined with the Queen. Their conversation sheds light on how fiction can illuminate past injustices, advocating for a greater recognition of women's stories in literature and history.
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Mary's Imprisonment at Lochleven Castle
- Flora Carr's novel, The Tower, focuses on a lesser-known period of Mary Queen of Scots' life.
- This period, her imprisonment at Lochleven Castle, was largely overlooked in a British Library exhibition.
Research and Historical Inspiration
- Carr's novel includes real historical figures like Mary, her chambermaids, and Lady Mary Seton.
- Carr's research involved reading biographies, visiting locations like Loch Leven, and even a coincidental boat ride named after Mary Seaton.
The Impossible Ideal of a Queen
- The Scottish lords desired a queen who embodied contradictory qualities, like being powerful yet dutiful and sexless yet fertile.
- This impossible ideal reflects the misogyny and religious tensions of the time.
