Cultural history and biographer of Mary and the role of textiles in her very trouble life.
NB Visit Hardwick hall to see Tudor textiles.
NB Wemys School of needlework in Scotland

Mary, Queen of Scots, is an interesting historical figure. Hunter's research shows Mary as a person easily misled by others, yet one with an inner strength. Throughout her life embroidery was something she enjoyed and used to her advantage. When in captivity, she used it as a tool to get messages to her supporters. While the book presents a biography of the queen's life and mentions all the usual characters--Rizzio, Darnley, Elizabeth I, James, etc., the author includes Mary's fascination with textiles to bring a slightly different twist to the story. Perhaps the weakness of the book are the "interruptions" in the narrative in which the author visits a museum and examines Mary's needlework, inserting her own experiences, but it may be difficult to fully describe those experiences in a way the reader actually finds the story when end notes are employed rather than footnotes. At least these were numbered! ( )