“Daughters of the North: Jean Gordon and Mary, Queen of Scots” by Jennifer Morag Henderson
Longlisted for the Highland Book Prize
Mary, Queen of Scots’ marriage to the Earl of Bothwell is notorious. Less known is Bothwell’s first wife, Jean Gordon, who extricated herself from their marriage and survived the intrigue of the Queen’s court. “Daughters of the North” reframes this turbulent period in history by focusing on Jean, who became Countess of Sutherland. Follow her from the intrigues of Mary’s court to the blood feuds and clan battles of the Far North of Scotland, from her place as the daughter of the ‘King of the North’ to her disastrous union with the infamous Earl of Bothwell – and her lasting legacy to the Earldom of Sutherland.
The book is available from any good bookshop, including Waterstones, Blackwells and Amazon.
A beautiful hardback, the ISBN (the number you can use in any bookshop to order) is 9781913207755.
This link will take you direct to my publisher’s online shop: https://sandstonepress.square.site/product/daughters-of-the-north/170
“Daughters of the North” is also available as an ebook, and as an audiobook. The audiobook is beautifully read by actress Joan Walker.
I’ve had a few requests for information on how to order the hardback from the US and Canada: my publisher, Sandstone Press, are based in the UK, but they have North American distribution. You should be able to order “Daughters of the North” from any North American bookstore, including online retailers such as Amazon.
‘Captivating’ – The Herald
‘Deeply researched and detailed… Of considerable interest, much of it wholly new to me’ – Allan Massie, The Scotsman
‘utterly absorbing… impactful investigation of one of the most powerful women of the 16th century. An essential addition to any individual keen to learn more about this country’s eccentric history’ – Scottish Field
‘Involving and satisfying’ – Sarah Fraser
‘A sweeping yet intricately researched tale of 16th century Scotland’ – S.G. MacLean
‘An intriguing insight into how resourceful women in 16th century Scotland had to be in order to survive’ – Sue Lawrence
‘Jennifer Morag Henderson reveals Jean’s extraordinary life in her deeply-researched new book’ – Press & Journal
‘An absolute treat and makes for riveting reading… Henderson has to be applauded for bringing this biography to life’ – Marie Stuart Society Journal
‘I adored this book. Henderson has made this complex history accessible to readers, both novices and experts alike… If you want a fresh look into the wider world of the 16th century full of romance and drama, I highly recommend you read, “Daughters of the North”’ – Heidi Malagisi, ‘Adventures of a Tudor Nerd’ webpage
Finally, if you would like to hear a little more about the book, including some stories about my research in archives, castle visits and why salt is so important, I was interviewed by the Stories of Scotland podcast, which you can now listen to by clicking here: https://www.storiesofscotland.com/podcast/2022/3/20/bonus-interview-with-jennifer-morag-henderson
Jennifer Morag Henderson 