Mary Queen of Scots and her Escapes, A. E. MacRobert. 2012. 170pp. Melrose Books, Ely, Cambridgeshire,£10.99. ISBN: 978-1-907732-90-4.  

A.E.MacRobert has been involved in the study of history all his life. He taught the subject for many years and has done a large amount of research in it. This is not his first historical publication and he has researched it thoroughly, aiming to demolish some of the myths existing about the reign and escapes of Mary, Queen of Scots. There are many references to sources and where things are unclear, or not proved, this is well indicated in his text. Many may regard the story of the tragic Scottish Queen as too well-known to justify another book but, here, the author has concentrated on the perhaps lesser known story of Mary's escapes from enemies who were determined to deprive her of power. He examines the motives of both Mary and her opponents and follows her escape routes where they are known, or can be reasonably surmised, from contemporary accounts. Much of the book deals with her final journey towards England and Elizabeth I, from whom she expected help in regaining her throne. The route of the flight towards the Solway, after Mary's defeat at Langside, is not exactly known, but the author provides us with much useful evidence on this and Mary's arrival in England, where she was regarded as a potentially dangerous ‘guest', who could never be allowed to return home. He bases this section on his own previously unpublished research. The author does not use the techniques of drama, or romance, but reports his findings from evidence. There are useful maps and photographs and the work is thoroughly recommended, for its approach to a subject which is more complex than is often thought.