The Battle-Array of Carberry-hill near Edinburgh with the Surrender of Mary Queen of Scots to the Confederate Lords of Scotland, and the Escape of Earl Bothwell 1742

George Vertue created this engraving, "The Battle-Array of Carberry-hill," in the 18th century, reflecting on a pivotal 16th-century event: Mary Queen of Scots' surrender. Vertue's work is more than a historical record; it's a commentary on power, gender, and national identity. Mary, a woman in a position of ultimate authority, found herself caught in a web of political and personal conflicts. Her ill-fated marriage to the Earl of Bothwell, amidst accusations of murdering her previous husband, ignited a rebellion. Look closely, and consider the image of Mary surrendering. It speaks volumes about the constraints placed upon female rulers in a patriarchal society. Was she a victim of circumstance, a pawn in a larger game of power, or a ruler who made fatal errors in judgment? This image invites us to reflect on the narratives we construct around powerful women and the ways their stories are often shaped by the biases of their time.