Historical critics take widely differing views of the conduct and
character of the Queen of Scots, both in her individual life and her
relation to public affairs. In the complications then involving the
political and religious organizations of Europe, the play and
counter-play of motives are difficult to follow, and just
discrimination becomes at times almost impossible.
In like manner, the troublous times in which Mary Stuart was called
to act her part rendered her own way intricate and uncertain. A
devotee of the Catholic faith, she was placed upon the throne of
Scotland at the very hour when that country, under the powerful
leadership of John Knox, was fast becoming Protestant. This state of
affairs made her task as ruler in her own realm sufficiently trying.
But her difficulties were increased by the inevitable antagonisms
with her great Protestant rival, Elizabeth of England, and through
the involved relations of Great Britain with Spain and Catholic
Europe generally. These historical puzzles seem always to call for
fresh explanation. No less perplexing are the circumstances into
which this Queen was drawn by her marital relations and other
personal entanglements.
Upon all these matters Swinburne sheds light through the medium of
a sound critical judgment, in a style no less conspicuous for its
fascination than by reason of its illuminative power.
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