A Rage of Regents

In 1568, the defeat of Mary, Queen of Scots at the Battle of Langside and her flight into England leave Scotland divided between rival governments and rival loyalties. Mary’s infant son is crowned James VI, while her illegitimate half-brother, James Stewart, Earl of Moray, becomes Regent. As Moray and the Protestant lords secure their victory, supporters of the deposed queen face confiscation, vengeance and the constant danger of being branded rebels.

Nineteen-year-old John Carmichael, Younger of that Ilk, has little appetite for high politics. He would rather improve his Lanarkshire lands, organise the fisheries and prepare for marriage, but the Carmichaels fought for Mary at Langside and cannot escape the consequences. Drawn into the unstable government of the regents, John must deal with feuding nobles, divided families and sudden reversals of power. His practical ambitions become entangled with national affairs until service to the crown places his inheritance, his future and his life in jeopardy.