"How to Catch a Chameleon" Scottish History Lecture

Explore the political upheaval and fight for a Scottish monarch that marked the life of William Maitland, Secretary of Mary Queen of Scots! William Maitland of Lethington was one of the leading politicians of the sixteenth century, a prominent Scottish intellectual and diplomat — and a man composed of contradictions. Despite being one of the leaders of the Scottish Reformation, he became a loyal principal secretary to the Catholic Mary Queen of Scots and died defending Edinburgh Castle for her against the Protestant English. Known by contemporaries as a man of strong moral and political principles, he is thought to have masterminded the murders of Mary’s estranged husband, Henry Stuart Lord Darnley, and her Italian private secretary David Rizzo. His historical reputation as a politically sly and morally slippery Machiavellian — or as the Scottish humanist George Buchanan famously called him, a “Chameleon” — has meant that Maitland has received curiously little scholarly attention. In this talk, Professor Allinson will share her experiences so far in following Maitland’s trail not only through the archives, but also across muddy pastures, through medieval castles, streets and churches. In the process, we will reflect on the relationship between biography and history, and whether it is ever really possible to catch a historical chameleon. Dr. Rayne Allinson received her BA and MA from the University of Melbourne, and her PhD from the University of Oxford. She is currently Assistant Professor of History at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. Her first book, “A Monarchy of Letters: Royal Correspondence and English Diplomacy in the Reign of Elizabeth I” (Palgrave MacMillan, 2012), explored the political and cultural history of Early Modern Europe. She is currently writing a biography of the Scottish politician William and Maitland, the Machiavellian secretary to Mary Queen of Scots. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Doors open at 5:30PM. Information about cancellations, refunds, and exchanges can be found on our Ticket Policy page. We are pleased to offer members and guests discounted lodging at the Burlington Hampton Inn & Suites, where they’ll save 15% on the best available rate and enjoy complimentary breakfast. The Hampton Inn is about a ten minute drive from the Littlefield Celtic Center. To make reservations, please use the link at www.celticarts.org