An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart

Author: John Guy

Referenced in 4 episodes

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Episodes Referencing This Book

August 06, 2025

Context:

A biography of Mary Queen of Scots by John Guy is extensively quoted throughout the episode. While the specific title is not mentioned, the hosts repeatedly cite Guy's work with phrases like 'John Guy puts it really well,' 'to quote John Guy,' and reference 'reading John Guy's kind of comprehensive takedown of the casket letters.' This appears to be a major scholarly biography used as a source for the episode.

July 30, 2025

Context:

Referenced twice - first when describing Morton as 'the most villainous of the Scottish lords,' and again when describing the murder of Rizzio. John Guy is a historian known for his biography of Mary Queen of Scots, which is likely the source being referenced.

July 27, 2025

Context:

Referenced as 'his biography' of Mary Queen of Scots. Quoted regarding Darnley's character being 'tainted by recklessness, sexual excess, pride and stupidity' and other aspects of Mary's reign.

July 20, 2025

Context:

Tom holds up and describes 'this titanic definitive biography of Mary by John Guy, which came out about 20 years ago' - noting it has been retitled for the 2018 film and features Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie on the cover with the subtitle 'Two Queens, One Future.'