An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

Antonia Fraser

5 books referenced

Books by Antonia Fraser

Mary Queen of Scots

Referenced in 2 episodes

588. Mary, Queen of Scots: The Mystery of the Exploding Mansion (Part 5)

August 03, 2025

Context:

Referenced as 'her wonderful book about Mary, Queen of Scots' when discussing how Fraser described the murder of Lord Darnley as 'the most debatable, as well as surely the most worked over murder in history.' Later mentioned again regarding Fraser's view of Mary's 'tender heart' and belief that Mary would never have committed murder.

586. Mary, Queen of Scots: The Battle for Scotland (Part 3)

July 27, 2025

Context:

Referenced as 'her very famous biography' of Mary Queen of Scots. Quoted multiple times, including descriptions of Lord Ruffin and the Earl of Morton, and Mary falling 'violently, recklessly, and totally in love' with Darnley.

Mary, Queen of Scots

Referenced in 1 episode

585. Mary, Queen of Scots: The Royal Rivals (Part 2)

July 23, 2025

Context:

Described as Lady Antonia Fraser's 'celebrated biography of Mary, Queen of Scots.' A passage is read aloud describing Mary's arrival in France, and the biography is praised for its evocation of Mary's upbringing.

The Gunpowder Plot

Referenced in 1 episode

115. The Gunpowder Plot

November 04, 2021

Context:

Described as 'the great narrative account of the Gunpowder Plot' when discussing the theory about who sent the Monteagle letter - her thesis is that Lord Monteagle may have dictated the letter himself

Knights of the Round Table

Referenced in 1 episode

19. King Arthur

February 01, 2021

Context:

Dominic mentions reading this book about the Knights of the Round Table as a child, before reading about 'real kings'

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

Referenced in 1 episode

14. Historical Fiction

January 11, 2021

Context:

Mentioned by Dominic as the first historical novel he remembers reading as a child