'Linda Porter brilliantly brings to life the story of a woman who has been side-lined by history for too long. Porter’s gripping account rightfully reinstates Margaret Tudor as a daughter and sister of kings, a princess of England, a queen of Scotland, and the matriarch of the next royal dynasty. Porter enables Margaret to boldly emerge from the shadows and be placed at the very centre of sixteenth-century histories of England and Scotland. Vigorously researched and compellingly written, Porter’s The Thistle and the Rose is a must-read for any Tudor – or Stuart – enthusiast.' (Kate McCaffrey)

'With her usual narrative flair and meticulous research, Porter draws an engrossing portrait of a fascinating, highly intelligent woman and her important royal legacy.' (Elizabeth Fremantle, author of The Poison Bed)

'A compelling portrait of one of the most fascinating yet overlooked Tudor queens. In elegant style, Linda Porter brings the turbulent power politics of sixteenth-century Scotland to life while never forgetting the human stories within. Vivid and dramatic, this is Tudor history at its finest.' (Miranda Malins)

'Just when you thought there was nothing new to be said about the Tudors, along comes this important and immensely readable biography. Margaret Tudor – wife to the king of Scotland, sister to the king of England, ancestress of the Windsor dynasty – is here convincingly reconfigured as a skilled and ambitious power player in her own right. It’s hard to believe no-one has properly covered this subject before – but perhaps Margaret was lucky in waiting until Linda Porter came along.' (Sarah Gristwood, author of Blood Sisters)

'Packed with endless fascinating detail, The Thistle and the Rose is gripping from start to finish, and provides a nuanced and human portrayal of this extraordinary woman. A must read for any Tudor fans!' (Alice Loxton)