The Complicated Rule of Mary, Queen of Scots

This week, I’m joined by historian Dr. Steven Veerapen for a deep dive into one of history’s most fascinating—and controversial—figures: Mary, Queen of Scots.

Was Mary a reckless romantic… or a ruler navigating an impossible political landscape?

Together, we unravel the layers of her story—her queenship, her marriages, the scandal of Darnley’s murder, and the shadow of Bothwell. We also tackle the question that refuses to go away: was Mary truly guilty, or has history been too quick to condemn her?

We explore her rivalry with Elizabeth I—was it real, or something shaped by later narratives? And how much did religion, gender, and perception influence the way Mary was judged, both in her own time and ever since?

From political missteps to matters of the heart, from imprisonment to execution, this conversation looks at how Mary’s legacy was shaped—not just by what she did, but by how her story has been told.

And, of course, we end with the biggest question of all…

After everything—who was Mary, Queen of Scots, really?

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Steven's Books: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Steven-Veerapen/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ASteven%2BVeerapen

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Steven Veerapen