Mary Stuart
In 1869 Skelton started writing for "Blackwood's Magazine", which he did for the rest of his life. In 1876 he published "The Impeachment of Mary Stuart" (Edinburgh), on the side of Mary, Queen of Scots. This was followed in 1883 by "Essays in Romance and Studies from Life"; in 1887–8 by "Maitland of Lethington and the Scotland of Mary Stuart" (Edinburgh); and in 1893 by "Mary Stuart" (London), all advocacy for the queen.