It is enough to say here that they were directed not merely at Froude's accuracy as an historian, but at his truthfulness as a man, suggesting that the mode in which he had manipulated authorities accessible to every one threw grave doubts upon his version of what he read at Simancas.
Froude knew very well that he should make enemies.

His belief that history had been cericalised, and required to be laicised, was regarded as peculiarly offensive in one who had been himself ordained.
Mary Stuart, moreover, had stalwart champions beyond the border who were neither clerical nor ecclesiastical.

"I fear," Froude wrote on the 22nd of May, 1862, to his Scottish friend Skelton, who was himself much interested in the subject--"I fear my book will bring all your people about my ears.

Mary Stuart, from my point of view, was something between Rachel and a pantheress." The success of the History had been long since assured, and each successive pair of volumes met with a cordial welcome.

Many people disagreed with Froude on many points.