Description

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'Royal court intrigue at its finest.' —Historical Writers Association

 'A stunning novel about the birth of the United Kingdom that demonstrates the scholarship of the author, as well as her imaginative power.' —Richard Holloway

A new historical novel offering wonderful insight into life in 17th century Edinburgh and London, and in particular the extravagant, intrigue-ridden, courts of James Stuart and his Danish consort, Anna.

George Heriot, jeweler to King James VI, moves with the Court from Edinburgh to London when James inherits the English throne. It is 1603. Life is a Babel of languages and glittering new wealth. The Scottish court speaks Danish, German, Middle Scots, French and Latin. James gives Shakespeare his first secure position. To calm the perfidious religious tensions in the country, he commissions his translation of the Bible. He creates the Union Jack, called after himself.

George becomes wealthier than the King as he sets a fashion for hat jewels and mingles with Drummond of Hawthornden, Ben Johnson, Inigo Jones and the mysterious ambassador Luca Von Modrich. However, both King and courtier bow before the phenomenal power invested in their wives.

About the Author

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Jean Findlay has a lifetime's experience in literature as a playwright, journalist, author and - for the last ten years - as an independent publisher. Her first book was shortlisted for a Lambda Award in New York in 2016. She spoken at the Edinburgh Book Festival, the Jaipur Book Festival in India, The Centre for Fiction in New York, the Boston Atheneum, The Savile Club in London, Bregenz in Austria, Wigton Book Festival, New York University Graduate Centre, The Saltire Society, The Boni Centre, New York.

Praise For…

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"Historical novels tend to be colossal in size, laden—and sometimes weighed down—with facts and descriptions. But Findlay’s nimble work clocks in at less than 200 pages without losing any of its appeal. A playwright and journalist, she makes every word count in this entertaining retelling of Scottish history. . . . Findlay’s seamless narrative weaves confidently through court intrigue and hard economic realities. . . . She leaves the reader wishing for more, which is really all a writer can hope for. A slim but intriguing view of the court of James VI of Scotland." —Kirkus Reviews
"With a wonderful insight into life in 17th-century Edinburgh and London, The Queen’s Lender is about power, suspicion, religious strife, persecution, and conspiracy. Fast-paced, informative, gripping and beautifully written, seen through the turbulent years of the reign of James VI of Scotland and I of England. Royal court intrigue at its finest.' ‍– Historical Writers Association

‘A joy to read. In George Heriot – Edinburgh goldsmith, royal jeweller, and philanthropist – Findlay has found an everyman through whom we all get access to the weird world of royalty. Her novel captures the domestic wit and warmth, alongside the casual brutality of the court of James VI of Scotland and I of England. Beautifully pitched between the homeliness and the haughtiness of the Shakespearean era – and often very funny.’ – Sarah Fraser, author of The Prince who would be King.

'A stunning novel about the birth of the United Kingdom that demonstrates the scholarship of the author, as well as her imaginative power' – Richard Holloway

'Findlay excels in conveying the nature of a place, be it the Queen’s own private chamber, an Edinburgh close, a fragrant garden, or a claustrophobic cabin in a ship at sea. We are there, we smell the flowers and the fish, we see the vomit.' -The Edinburgh Reporter