"The Other Queen" by Philippa Gregory Quiz

Answer: Bess

"The Other Queen" has three narrators - Bess of Hardwick, George Talbot and Mary herself. The first one to narrate is Bess, who, at that time, is newly married to George Talbot, the Count of Shrewsbury, her fourth husband. Bess, whose real name is Elizabeth, is known for her accounting skills and excellent management of her estates.

She is a reluctant hostess to Mary, whom she both pities and resents. She is especially worried about the costs of maintaining Mary's court and the fact that her husband is falling in love with her.

In the end, both cause her and her husband to separate, and she moves on to build Hardwick Hall and ensure good marriages for her children.

Answer: Scotland, France and England

Mary is queen of Scotland since she is daughter to King James V of Scotland. She is queen of France because she was once married to the Dauphin of France, whom she grew up with. Finally, she is said to be the rightful queen of England because she is the granddaughter of Henry VIII's sister, and therefore, his grand-niece.

Answer: False

Although almost everyone knows that Mary was taken by the Earl of Bothwell against her will and she is expected to hate him, Mary constantly writes to Bothwell to come and rescue her. She trusts him completely although she knows he does not have honor and admires him for his bravery and loyalty to her.

Answer: Tutsbury Castle

Mary is placed under the care of George Talbot while in England and although he expected her to be housed at Chatsworth, William Cecil writes to say that it is better for her to be at Tutsbury Castle, which only has one exit. Unfortunately, Tutsbury Castle is falling apart and Bess can only do so much to make it a fitting residence for anyone, much less a queen.

Answer: True

Elizabeth had no intention of imprisoning Mary, much less executing her, since she was her cousin and a fellow queen. However, she was left with no choice since Mary continually plotted against her with the enemies of England, endangering the peace of her country, her throne and her very life.

Answer: Thomas Howard

Thomas Howard is the Duke of Norfolk and cousin to Elizabeth. He proposes marriage to Mary in a letter and sends her a ring, and she accepts, knowing that the Scots lord are more likely to acknowledge and respect her as queen if she has a wealthy English nobleman as her king consort. Queen Elizabeth does not know of this arrangement, though, and once she does, she accuses Thomas Howard of treason.

Answer: under the mattress

Although she is a prisoner in England, Mary continually writes to various people in codes, including Bishop John Lesley, Bothwell and the Duke of Norfolk. Some of these letters contain information about conspiracies against the queen and are therefore, hidden in various places and burned after reading.

Answer: George Talbot

James is the son of Mary. According to the treaty of Elizabeth, she will restore Mary to her throne in Scotland but in exchange, James has to live in England and be instructed in the Protestant faith. Mary agrees on the condition that it is George Talbot who cares for him and instructs him.

Answer: True

Although he never admits it to anyone, George gradually falls in love with Mary, whom he finds angelic and irresistible. He denies this to Queen Elizabeth, though, and does not help her escape since he is an honorable man, sworn to serve the queen as the Talbots before him have done.

Answer: scarlet

George dreams of Mary being executed on the eve of the execution of her betrothed, Thomas Howard. In his dream, she is wearing an under-gown of scarlet silk, not because she is a scarlet woman who is guilty of all the crimes against her, but because she is showing the world that she is a tragic queen and a martyr.

In doing so, she secures more sympathy and scores one against her cousin and rival, Elizabeth.