Book Review: Scotland’s Medieval Queens: From Saint Margaret to Margaret of Denmark, by Sharon Bennett Connolly

Available from Amazon UK

and for pre-order from Amazon US 

Scotland’s queens have had to deal with war, murder, imprisonment, political rivalries and open betrayal. They have loved and lost, raised kings and queens, ruled and died for Scotland. From St Margaret, who became one of the patron saints of Scotland, to Elizabeth de Burgh and the dramatic story of the Scottish Wars of Independence, to the love story and tragedy of Joan Beaufort, to Margaret of Denmark and the dawn of the Renaissance, Scotland’s Medieval Queens have seen it all.

I enjoyed travelling back in time to medieval Scotland with Sharon Bennett Connolly's new book, Scotland ’s Medieval Queens.

A captivating journey through the lives of the women who shaped Scotland's history, Sharon weaves together historical fact with a compelling narrative, bringing these often-overlooked figures to the forefront of Scotland’s history.

Each queen's life is explored with depth and nuance as we consider their influence on Scottish history - and on Scotland’s kings. 

Accessible and engaging, this book a recommended read for history enthusiasts and casual readers. Scotland's Medieval Queens offers a fresh perspective on a fascinating period.  Sharon Bennett Connolly celebrates the lives of these remarkable women, giving them the recognition they deserve in Scotland's rich tapestry of history.

Tony Riches

(A review copy of the book was kindly provided by Pen & Sword Books)

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About the Author

Sharon Bennett Connolly is the best-selling author of historical non-fiction. Her latest book, Scotland’s Medieval Queens, will be published on 30 January 2025. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, she also writes the popular history blog, www.historytheinterestingbits.com and co-hosts the podcast A Slice of Medieval with historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Sharon regularly gives talks on Women's History; she is a feature writer for All About History, Tudor Places and Living Medieval magazines and her TV work includes Australian Television's 'Who Do You Think You Are?' You can find out more about Sharon's books on Amazon and follow her on Facebook, Twitter/X and Bluesky