George Buchanan's De Maria Scotorum Regina : a translation with textual and contextual annotations

Abstract

The main aim of this dissertation is to present readers with 1) a new critical Latin edition of George Buchanan’s De Maria Scotorum Regina totaque eius contra Regem coniuratione, foedo cum Bothuelio adulterio, nefaria in maritum crudelitate & rabie, horrendo insuper & deterrimo eiusdem parricidio: plena & tragica plane historia (hereafter referred to as De Maria Scotorum Regina), based on a first edition of the Latin text and the edited version found in Thomas Ruddiman’s Georgii Buchanani, Scoti, Poëtarum sui seculi facile Principis, Praeceptoris Jacobi VI. Scotorum, & Primi Angl. Regis, Opera Omnia, Historica, Chronologica, Juridica, Politica, Satyrica & Poetica (hereafter referred to as Georgii Buchanani Opera Omnia), 2) a modern English translation, in which older English translations are taken into consideration and modern translation theories are incorporated into the translation process, of the critical Latin edition, and 3) explanatory and contextual annotations that pertain to the religious, social and historical circumstances of the period, along with the text’s original side-notes, and the translation of said side-notes. The introductory chapters consist of a description of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, the author, George Buchanan, and the context of the text itself. This dissertation is presented in fulfilment of conditions for awarding the degree Magister Artium in Latin at the North West University.