The date is January 1587. Mary remains a prisoner in Fotheringhay Castle on the orders of Queen Elizabeth I.

She’s been in captivity in England for nearly 20 years. And she’s getting really bored.

It's true that Mary was under house arrest for nearly 20 years. It's also true that she loved books and the books listed were those that she had actually read or had in her library in Scotland. Her dominant language was french which is why she has a french accent in the episode!

After her first marriage ended in France with the death of her husband, she did return to Scotland. There she married her second husband, Darnley. She was indeed 5ft 11! David Riccio, her secretary, was indeed murdered in front of her. She escaped from Darnley's clutches only on his suspicious death. And it's true that first on the scene was William Blackadder. She really was raped by Bothwell who she then had to marry and he became her third husband. She did last see her son when he was 10 months old. Bothwell really did write a book but we dont know if Mary ever read it. Would you read a book written by your ex?

The stories of her disguising herself so she could escape from her captors is true. And she ended up in England where she was put under house arrest as Elizabeth refused to help her. The book by John Leslie is real as is the biography by Nau. Her death mask is below (image 2).

If you want to find out more about Mary, check out the sources and places below:

Mary Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley - Alison Weir

Mary Queen of Scots - Antonia Fraser

Holyroodhouse Palace