John Guy

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Quoted extensively throughout the episode as a key source on Mary's life, including his analysis of Bothwell's ambitions, the abduction and possible rape at Dunbar, and his 'comprehensive takedown' of the casket letters as likely faked.

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John Guy's biography is quoted as saying 'not everybody wanted joyosity' regarding reactions to Mary's court, and later that Darnley's 'character was tainted by recklessness, sexual excess, pride and stupidity.'

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Described by Tom Holland as 'brilliant' and 'definitive,' John Guy's biography was cited for its account of Mary's education being 'the equivalent for a prospective ruler of a degree in business administration' and for details about Mary making marmalade.

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Tom Holland held up this 'titanic definitive biography of Mary' which came out about 20 years ago, noting it had been retitled for the 2018 film with Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie on the cover.

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Described as providing what the hosts consider the most definitive solution to Darnley's murder. Published in 2004, Guy went back to original documents that had been miscatalogued by Victorian archivists, and his work was the inspiration for the Saoirse Ronan film. The hosts draw heavily on Guy's work for their account of the murder.

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John Guy is quoted describing the aftermath of Rizzio's murder and Morton as 'the most villainous of the Scottish lords.'