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The Life of Elizabeth I
袛褗褖械褉褟 薪邪 泻褉邪谢 啸械薪褉懈 VIII, 袝谢懈蟹邪斜械褌 芯褖械 薪械 斜懈谢邪 薪邪胁褗褉褕懈谢邪 褌褉懈 谐芯写懈薪懈, 泻芯谐邪褌芯 屑邪泄泻邪 泄 袗薪 袘芯谢械泄薪 斜懈谢邪 芯褋褗写械薪邪 薪邪 褋屑褗褉褌, 邪 薪邪 薪械褟 泄 芯褌褉械写懈谢懈 褋褍褉芯胁芯 懈 薪械褋懈谐褍褉薪芯 斜褗写械褖械. 袟邪 写邪 芯褑械谢械械, 芯褌 屑邪谢泻邪 褌褟 褋械 薪邪褍褔懈谢邪 写邪 褋谢械写胁邪 械写懈薪褋褌胁械薪芯 蟹写褉邪胁懈褟 褋懈 褉邪蟹褍屑, 屑邪泄褋褌芯褉褋泻懈 写邪 屑邪屑懈, 写邪 褋械 锌褉械褋褌褉褍胁邪, 写邪 薪邪写褏懈褌褉褟 胁褋懈褔泻懈 芯泻芯谢芯 褋械斜械 褋懈. 袠 泻芯谐邪褌芯 薪械芯褔邪泻胁邪薪芯 褋械 芯泻邪蟹邪谢邪 薪邪 锌褉械褋褌芯谢邪, 褌械蟹懈 泄 褋锌芯褋芯斜薪芯褋褌懈 褟 锌褉械胁褗褉薪邪谢懈 胁 懈蟹泻谢褞褔懈褌械谢械薪 胁谢邪写械褌械谢.
袣邪褌芯 懈蟹锌芯谢蟹胁邪谢邪 谢芯胁泻芯 鈥溠佇恍靶毙狙佈傃傂� 薪邪 褋胁芯褟 锌芯谢鈥�, 袝谢懈蟹邪斜械褌 褟 锌褉械芯斜褉邪蟹懈谢邪 胁 褋懈谢邪, 褋 泻芯褟褌芯 写邪 褍褋锌械械 胁 械写懈薪 褋胁褟褌, 锌褉懈薪邪写谢械卸邪褖 薪邪 屑褗卸械褌械. 袩褉械芯写芯谢褟谢邪 屑薪芯谐芯斜褉芯泄薪懈褌械 锌褉械写褉邪蟹褋褗写褗褑懈 薪邪 械锌芯褏邪褌邪 褋懈, 褋 芯褋褌褉懈褟 褋懈 褍屑 懈 薪械懈蟹褔械褉锌邪械屑邪 械薪械褉谐懈褟 褌褟 屑邪薪懈锌褍谢懈褉邪谢邪 胁褋懈褔泻懈 鈥� 泻邪泻褌芯 褋芯斜褋褌胁械薪懈褌械 褋懈 锌芯写邪薪懈褑懈, 褌邪泻邪 懈 屑芯薪邪褉褋懈褌械 薪邪 袠褋锌邪薪懈褟, 肖褉邪薪褑懈褟 懈 袚械褉屑邪薪懈褟.
袨褋薪芯胁邪胁邪泄泻懈 褋械 薪邪 懈蟹泻谢褞褔懈褌械谢薪芯 锌褉械褑懈蟹薪懈褌械 褋懈 锌褉芯褍褔胁邪薪懈褟 薪邪 写芯泻褍屑械薪褌懈 懈 懈褋褌芯褉懈褔械褋泻懈 懈蟹褌芯褔薪懈褑懈, 袗谢懈褋褗薪 校懈褗褉 褋褗蟹写邪胁邪 薪邪泄-写械褌邪泄谢薪邪褌邪, 斜芯谐邪褌邪 懈 懈薪褌褉懈谐褍胁邪褖邪 斜懈芯谐褉邪褎懈褟 薪邪 袝谢懈蟹邪斜械褌 I. 鈥溞⑿靶剐佳佲€� 褟 芯锌褉械写械谢褟 泻邪褌芯 屑薪芯谐芯 锌芯-褍胁谢械泻邪褌械谢薪邪 芯褌 胁褋懈褔泻懈 褉芯屑邪薪懈, 锌懈褋邪薪懈 蟹邪 胁械谢懈泻邪褌邪 泻褉邪谢懈褑邪.
袙懈卸褌械 泻邪泻 袝谢懈蟹邪斜械褌 褋械 锌褉械胁褉褗褖邪 胁 泻褉邪谢懈褑邪褌邪 写械胁邪, 褉邪蟹懈谐褉邪胁邪泄泻懈 写芯 褋褗胁褗褉褕械薪褋褌胁芯 懈谐褉邪褌邪 褋 锌褉芯褋谢芯胁褍褌邪褌邪 褋懈 卸械薪懈褌斜邪, 泻芯械褌芯 锌芯写褏褉邪薪胁邪 斜械蟹斜褉芯泄 褋锌械泻褍谢邪褑懈懈 胁 锌褉芯写褗谢卸械薪懈械 薪邪 胁械泻芯胁械. 袨褌泻褉懈泄褌械 写芯泻褗写械 褋邪 褋褌懈谐薪邪谢懈 芯褌薪芯褕械薪懈褟褌邪 褋 褎邪胁芯褉懈褌邪 泄 袪芯斜褗褉褌 袛褗写谢懈 懈 写邪谢懈 泻褉邪谢懈褑邪褌邪 械 蟹邪屑械褋械薪邪 胁 褋屑褗褉褌褌邪 薪邪 褋褗锌褉褍谐邪褌邪 屑褍. 袪邪蟹锌谢械褌械褌械 屑褉械卸邪褌邪 芯褌 懈薪褌褉懈谐懈, 芯锌谢械谢邪 谐芯谢械屑懈褌械 械胁褉芯锌械泄褋泻懈 泻褉邪谢褋褌胁邪, 懈 芯褌泻褉懈泄褌械 懈褋褌懈薪邪褌邪 蟹邪 胁械谢懈泻邪褌邪 薪械褍写邪褔薪懈褑邪 袦邪褉懈褟 小褌褞邪褉褌.
袣邪褌芯 懈蟹锌芯谢蟹胁邪谢邪 谢芯胁泻芯 鈥溠佇恍靶毙狙佈傃傂� 薪邪 褋胁芯褟 锌芯谢鈥�, 袝谢懈蟹邪斜械褌 褟 锌褉械芯斜褉邪蟹懈谢邪 胁 褋懈谢邪, 褋 泻芯褟褌芯 写邪 褍褋锌械械 胁 械写懈薪 褋胁褟褌, 锌褉懈薪邪写谢械卸邪褖 薪邪 屑褗卸械褌械. 袩褉械芯写芯谢褟谢邪 屑薪芯谐芯斜褉芯泄薪懈褌械 锌褉械写褉邪蟹褋褗写褗褑懈 薪邪 械锌芯褏邪褌邪 褋懈, 褋 芯褋褌褉懈褟 褋懈 褍屑 懈 薪械懈蟹褔械褉锌邪械屑邪 械薪械褉谐懈褟 褌褟 屑邪薪懈锌褍谢懈褉邪谢邪 胁褋懈褔泻懈 鈥� 泻邪泻褌芯 褋芯斜褋褌胁械薪懈褌械 褋懈 锌芯写邪薪懈褑懈, 褌邪泻邪 懈 屑芯薪邪褉褋懈褌械 薪邪 袠褋锌邪薪懈褟, 肖褉邪薪褑懈褟 懈 袚械褉屑邪薪懈褟.
袨褋薪芯胁邪胁邪泄泻懈 褋械 薪邪 懈蟹泻谢褞褔懈褌械谢薪芯 锌褉械褑懈蟹薪懈褌械 褋懈 锌褉芯褍褔胁邪薪懈褟 薪邪 写芯泻褍屑械薪褌懈 懈 懈褋褌芯褉懈褔械褋泻懈 懈蟹褌芯褔薪懈褑懈, 袗谢懈褋褗薪 校懈褗褉 褋褗蟹写邪胁邪 薪邪泄-写械褌邪泄谢薪邪褌邪, 斜芯谐邪褌邪 懈 懈薪褌褉懈谐褍胁邪褖邪 斜懈芯谐褉邪褎懈褟 薪邪 袝谢懈蟹邪斜械褌 I. 鈥溞⑿靶剐佳佲€� 褟 芯锌褉械写械谢褟 泻邪褌芯 屑薪芯谐芯 锌芯-褍胁谢械泻邪褌械谢薪邪 芯褌 胁褋懈褔泻懈 褉芯屑邪薪懈, 锌懈褋邪薪懈 蟹邪 胁械谢懈泻邪褌邪 泻褉邪谢懈褑邪.
袙懈卸褌械 泻邪泻 袝谢懈蟹邪斜械褌 褋械 锌褉械胁褉褗褖邪 胁 泻褉邪谢懈褑邪褌邪 写械胁邪, 褉邪蟹懈谐褉邪胁邪泄泻懈 写芯 褋褗胁褗褉褕械薪褋褌胁芯 懈谐褉邪褌邪 褋 锌褉芯褋谢芯胁褍褌邪褌邪 褋懈 卸械薪懈褌斜邪, 泻芯械褌芯 锌芯写褏褉邪薪胁邪 斜械蟹斜褉芯泄 褋锌械泻褍谢邪褑懈懈 胁 锌褉芯写褗谢卸械薪懈械 薪邪 胁械泻芯胁械. 袨褌泻褉懈泄褌械 写芯泻褗写械 褋邪 褋褌懈谐薪邪谢懈 芯褌薪芯褕械薪懈褟褌邪 褋 褎邪胁芯褉懈褌邪 泄 袪芯斜褗褉褌 袛褗写谢懈 懈 写邪谢懈 泻褉邪谢懈褑邪褌邪 械 蟹邪屑械褋械薪邪 胁 褋屑褗褉褌褌邪 薪邪 褋褗锌褉褍谐邪褌邪 屑褍. 袪邪蟹锌谢械褌械褌械 屑褉械卸邪褌邪 芯褌 懈薪褌褉懈谐懈, 芯锌谢械谢邪 谐芯谢械屑懈褌械 械胁褉芯锌械泄褋泻懈 泻褉邪谢褋褌胁邪, 懈 芯褌泻褉懈泄褌械 懈褋褌懈薪邪褌邪 蟹邪 胁械谢懈泻邪褌邪 薪械褍写邪褔薪懈褑邪 袦邪褉懈褟 小褌褞邪褉褌.
532 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1998
1,169 people are currently reading
56.9k people want to read
About the author
Alison Weir
109听books7,981听followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Alison Weir is an English writer of history books for the general public, mostly in the form of biographies about British kings and queens, and of historical fiction. Before becoming an author, Weir worked as a teacher of children with special needs. She received her formal training in history at teacher training college. She currently lives in Surrey, England, with her two children.
Alison Weir is an English writer of history books for the general public, mostly in the form of biographies about British kings and queens, and of historical fiction. Before becoming an author, Weir worked as a teacher of children with special needs. She received her formal training in history at teacher training college. She currently lives in Surrey, England, with her two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 830 reviews
July 15, 2017
Quick question: Who is your favorite English queen?
I'm torn between Victoria and Elizabeth I. Both women are fascinating, they lived during interesting periods of history, and they had relatively long reigns. Previously I'd read a huge biography on Victoria (A. N. Wilson's Victoria: A Life), and I thought Miss Elizabeth deserved the same consideration, so I picked up this 500-page tome from Alison Weir.
This was the first biography of Queen Elizabeth I've read, and it was a lucky choice because it was highly readable and contained fascinating stories from her life in the sixteenth century. One of the topics that interested me most was the discussion on why the "Virgin Queen" chose to never marry. The author mentions various theories, but the one that seems most reasonable is based on Elizabeth's fears, both of giving up control to a husband and of the dangers of childbirth. Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, had been beheaded when the poor child was not yet 3, and Elizabeth knew it was at the behest of her father, King Henry VIII. Additionally, it was not uncommon that a woman would die in childbirth back then 鈥� I think the statistic at the time was something like 1 in 40 women died in such a way 鈥� and Elizabeth didn't want to risk it. Of course, avoiding marriage didn't mean the queen avoided romance and courtship, both of which she seemed to enjoy.
This was also my first Alison Weir book, and I hadn't realized how prolific the author was until I looked up her profile on 欧宝娱乐. Wow, I could do nothing for the rest of the year but read her books, and I doubt I would ever get bored or run out of titles.
I listened to The Life of Elizabeth I on audio, and it was an enjoyable experience, even if the length of the book did feel a bit overwhelming at times. Highly recommended for those interested in reading more about this great Tudor monarch.
Admirable Quotes
Meaningful Passage
I'm torn between Victoria and Elizabeth I. Both women are fascinating, they lived during interesting periods of history, and they had relatively long reigns. Previously I'd read a huge biography on Victoria (A. N. Wilson's Victoria: A Life), and I thought Miss Elizabeth deserved the same consideration, so I picked up this 500-page tome from Alison Weir.
My aim has always been to write a history of Elizabeth's personal life within the framework of her reign, drawing on her own extensive literary remains, as well as those of her contemporaries. The manuscript was originally entitled The Private Life of Elizabeth I, but it very soon became apparent that Elizabeth's "private" life was a very public one indeed, hence the change of title. Nor is it possible to write a personal history of her without encompassing the political and social events that made up the fabric of her life. What I have tried to do, therefore, is weave into the narrative enough about them to make sense of the story, and emphasise Elizabeth's reaction to them, showing how she influenced the history of her time. 鈥� from the Author's Preface
This was the first biography of Queen Elizabeth I've read, and it was a lucky choice because it was highly readable and contained fascinating stories from her life in the sixteenth century. One of the topics that interested me most was the discussion on why the "Virgin Queen" chose to never marry. The author mentions various theories, but the one that seems most reasonable is based on Elizabeth's fears, both of giving up control to a husband and of the dangers of childbirth. Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, had been beheaded when the poor child was not yet 3, and Elizabeth knew it was at the behest of her father, King Henry VIII. Additionally, it was not uncommon that a woman would die in childbirth back then 鈥� I think the statistic at the time was something like 1 in 40 women died in such a way 鈥� and Elizabeth didn't want to risk it. Of course, avoiding marriage didn't mean the queen avoided romance and courtship, both of which she seemed to enjoy.
This was also my first Alison Weir book, and I hadn't realized how prolific the author was until I looked up her profile on 欧宝娱乐. Wow, I could do nothing for the rest of the year but read her books, and I doubt I would ever get bored or run out of titles.
I listened to The Life of Elizabeth I on audio, and it was an enjoyable experience, even if the length of the book did feel a bit overwhelming at times. Highly recommended for those interested in reading more about this great Tudor monarch.
Admirable Quotes
Like most educated gentlewomen of her day, Elizabeth was encouraged to become the equal of men in learning and to outdo 'the vaunted paragons of Greece and Rome'. The curriculum devised for her was punishing by today's standards, but she thrived on intellectual exercises and had a particular gift for languages, which she enjoyed showing off. As queen, she read and conversed fluently in Latin, French, Greek, Spanish, Italian and Welsh ... Her interest in philosophy and history was enduring, and throughout her life she would try to set aside three hours each day to read historical books.
Lord Burghley had said of her, 'She was the wisest woman that ever was, for she understood the interests and dispositions of all the princes in her time, and was so perfect in the knowledge of her own realm, that no councillor she had could tell her anything she did not know before.'
Meaningful Passage
For forty-five years, 'though beset by divers[e] nations', Elizabeth had given her country peace and stable government 鈥� her greatest gift to her people. During that time, England had risen from an impoverished nation to become one of the greatest powers in Europe. Bolstered by the fame of her seamen, her navy was respected and feared on the high seas, and not for nothing had Elizabeth been lauded as 'the Queen of the Sea, the North Star'.
The Queen had also brought unity to her people by effecting a religious compromise that has lasted until this day, and making herself an enduring focus for their loyalty. She had enjoyed a unique relationship with her subjects, which was never seen before and has never been seen since. Few queens have ever been so loved. Under her rule, her people grew ever more confident in the belief that they were a chosen nation, protected by Divine Providence, and this confidence gave rise, in the years after the Armada, to the flowering of the English Renaissance.
January 8, 2010
Interestingly, this is the first time I've read a history book that's just about Elizabeth. Considering how much I've already read about her parents and their lives, I thought it was weird that I didn't actually know that much about Elizabeth's life after her parents died. This was a really good place to start.
Alison Weir is probably my favorite historian - she doesn't make as many easily-disputable claims in her books, like Antonia Fraser, and her writing has clarity and a nice humorous touch that appears every so often. She also writes about these people and their lives like she was there the whole time. Do you know what the weather in London was like on the day Elizabeth was crowned? Alison Weir does. It's details like that that made me give this book five stars. For example, take this passage on Elizabeth's clothing:
"Elizabeth I's wardrobe, which was rumored to contain more than three thousand gowns, became legendary during her lifetime, as her costumes grew even more flamboyant and fantastic....The Queen's portraits invariably show her in dresses of silk, velvet, taffeta, or cloth of gold, encrusted with real gems, countless pearls and sumptuous embroidery in silver or gold thread whilst her starched ruffs and stiff gauze collars grew even larger. Her favored colours were black, white, and silver, worn with transparent silver veils. Many gowns were embroidered with symbols and emblems such as roses, suns, rainbows, monsters, spiders, ears of wheat, mulberries, pomegranates or pansies, the flowers she loved best."
Damn.
My favorite part of the book is actually at the very end, and isn't even technically part of the book at all - think of it as a bonus track. After the epilogue and the eighteen-page bibliography and the three genealogical tables, Weir adds a delightfully spiteful article she wrote on movies about Elizabeth: which ones take the material seriously and still manage to be entertaining, and which ones make her want to tear her hair out. In case you're wondering, Weir likes the BBC miniseries with Helen Mirren as Elizabeth (I heartily agree), and she spits on anything with Cate Blanchett in it. Elizabeth "contained so many inaccuracies it would be impossible to list them all" (but she does anyway) and The Golden Age "is another historical travesty, made with only the sketchiest regard for the facts and little understanding of the period."
I wonder if Alison Weir has ever watched that HBO series, The Tudors. Probably not. She'd probably throw something at the television five minutes into the first episode.
I would pay to be able to watch something like that with Alison Weir. It'd be almost as fun as watching New Moon with Sherman Alexie.
Alison Weir is probably my favorite historian - she doesn't make as many easily-disputable claims in her books, like Antonia Fraser, and her writing has clarity and a nice humorous touch that appears every so often. She also writes about these people and their lives like she was there the whole time. Do you know what the weather in London was like on the day Elizabeth was crowned? Alison Weir does. It's details like that that made me give this book five stars. For example, take this passage on Elizabeth's clothing:
"Elizabeth I's wardrobe, which was rumored to contain more than three thousand gowns, became legendary during her lifetime, as her costumes grew even more flamboyant and fantastic....The Queen's portraits invariably show her in dresses of silk, velvet, taffeta, or cloth of gold, encrusted with real gems, countless pearls and sumptuous embroidery in silver or gold thread whilst her starched ruffs and stiff gauze collars grew even larger. Her favored colours were black, white, and silver, worn with transparent silver veils. Many gowns were embroidered with symbols and emblems such as roses, suns, rainbows, monsters, spiders, ears of wheat, mulberries, pomegranates or pansies, the flowers she loved best."
Damn.
My favorite part of the book is actually at the very end, and isn't even technically part of the book at all - think of it as a bonus track. After the epilogue and the eighteen-page bibliography and the three genealogical tables, Weir adds a delightfully spiteful article she wrote on movies about Elizabeth: which ones take the material seriously and still manage to be entertaining, and which ones make her want to tear her hair out. In case you're wondering, Weir likes the BBC miniseries with Helen Mirren as Elizabeth (I heartily agree), and she spits on anything with Cate Blanchett in it. Elizabeth "contained so many inaccuracies it would be impossible to list them all" (but she does anyway) and The Golden Age "is another historical travesty, made with only the sketchiest regard for the facts and little understanding of the period."
I wonder if Alison Weir has ever watched that HBO series, The Tudors. Probably not. She'd probably throw something at the television five minutes into the first episode.
I would pay to be able to watch something like that with Alison Weir. It'd be almost as fun as watching New Moon with Sherman Alexie.
April 17, 2015
OK, here is my advice: if you want to read about the Tudors read this author; read Alison Weir. Read her non-fiction books. They are better than her books of fiction. Weir manages to make all the facts interesting. She is clear and she knows how to tell the story so it reads as fiction, but every little detail is 100% true! You have surely met people who REALLY know their subject; their knowledge enables them to have every fact at their fingertips. They know all the amusing details too. Alison Weir is one such person.
Furthermore I highly recommend the audiobook narration by Davina Porter. The narration was delightful. I never felt I was listening to a stuffy proper English matron. The quotes are not only perfectly woven into the text by the author but also perfectly intoned by the narrator. The quotes of Elizabeth are both wise and beautifully expressed. I loved the book for the quotes.
And boy do I admire Elizabeth I. Talk about a strong woman.... who had a miserable childhood, and really made something of herself!
There are so many books written about the Tudor era. In this one book you get all those other stories clearly, succinctly told. In a fashion that reads as fiction.
I am a beginner on the theme of Tudor history. I believe that the more you know the more you will appreciate this book. I gave the book four stars because I really liked it.That is what four stars is supposed to mean. It is that simple. I believe that if I were more knowledgeable I would have given it five stars. (If you start knowing a lot you can stuff even more into your head鈥�..) I do not mean that to appreciate this book you must have previously read on the topic. No, the opposite is true. This is a wonderful place to start. Why? Because Alison Weir makes Elizabeth's life so darn interesting. You come to know the people, inside and out. You come to care for them. All the men, all the suitors! Poor, poor Elizabeth; she spent all her life with everyone trying to get her to wed someone! She outwitted them all! She was a marvelous person, a strong person and she did this all alone, albeit with great advisors which she had the talent and wisdom to pick. What a leader!
Furthermore I highly recommend the audiobook narration by Davina Porter. The narration was delightful. I never felt I was listening to a stuffy proper English matron. The quotes are not only perfectly woven into the text by the author but also perfectly intoned by the narrator. The quotes of Elizabeth are both wise and beautifully expressed. I loved the book for the quotes.
And boy do I admire Elizabeth I. Talk about a strong woman.... who had a miserable childhood, and really made something of herself!
There are so many books written about the Tudor era. In this one book you get all those other stories clearly, succinctly told. In a fashion that reads as fiction.
I am a beginner on the theme of Tudor history. I believe that the more you know the more you will appreciate this book. I gave the book four stars because I really liked it.That is what four stars is supposed to mean. It is that simple. I believe that if I were more knowledgeable I would have given it five stars. (If you start knowing a lot you can stuff even more into your head鈥�..) I do not mean that to appreciate this book you must have previously read on the topic. No, the opposite is true. This is a wonderful place to start. Why? Because Alison Weir makes Elizabeth's life so darn interesting. You come to know the people, inside and out. You come to care for them. All the men, all the suitors! Poor, poor Elizabeth; she spent all her life with everyone trying to get her to wed someone! She outwitted them all! She was a marvelous person, a strong person and she did this all alone, albeit with great advisors which she had the talent and wisdom to pick. What a leader!
December 3, 2021
Things I have learned about being a Queen while reading this excellent biography of Elizabeth I:
-The marriage question is tricky, but ultimately, not getting married is the best call, because you make all your own decisions and drive your counsel up the wall by periodically pretending to be interested in marrying then changing your mind 鈥� which is just fun.
-Brush your teeth. Seriously.
-Nip conspiracies against your reign in the bud, or they will drag on for twenty years and cost you untold amounts of money, not to mention anxiety. Beheadings are messy, but alas, occasionally unavoidable.
-Let people practice whatever religion they want. Even if its not the same as yours, your liberal attitude will make them less likely to be riled up by weird fanatics. Its not that important anyway.
-Pirates are hot and know how to party. Make friends with them.
-Dress the part, and never let anyone paint a bad portrait of you if you want to be a literal icon of your country鈥檚 history.
-Get a good spymaster: he鈥檒l save your bacon more times than you can count.
-Let your subjects see you, walk among them, listen to them, talk to them. See previous point about them being less likely to get riled up and try to depose you.
Alison Weir wrote a wonderful book about the remarkable Elizabeth Tudor, humanized a lot of the famous stories and ideas about her and those close to her. I have always been fascinated with the image of this pale face, red-headed, outrageously dressed queen 鈥� who seemed to be the smartest person in the room wherever she went and who, while occasionally given to fits of rage, was a generally benevolent, peaceful and responsible monarch. I wondered if this job, of being England鈥檚 most famous queen, had been as lonely as it sometimes seemed, if she had had a good life, despite all the complications, intrigue and assassination attempts. She would not have liked this book, as it exposed some of her weaknesses, but personally, it made me like her more to know she gave ridiculous nicknames to her favorites, went out of her way to make her subjects feel cared for, and inspired life-long loyalty in those close to her.
This book is very well researched, the writing is engaging and never drags; Weir cares for her subject deeply, sharing quotes of personal correspondence and contemporary accounts of those who knew her, to reveal a very strong, extremely smart but also very human queen, who had an uneasy job in an uneasy time, and often had to make difficult decisions for herself and the country she was in charge of. Her parents鈥� legacy was a heavy burden, but she was determined to prove to everyone that she was worthy of her station.
If you are curious about Elizabeth, her reign or the time period and its politics, this is an excellent book. I鈥檒l be looking for more works by Alison Weir.
-The marriage question is tricky, but ultimately, not getting married is the best call, because you make all your own decisions and drive your counsel up the wall by periodically pretending to be interested in marrying then changing your mind 鈥� which is just fun.
-Brush your teeth. Seriously.
-Nip conspiracies against your reign in the bud, or they will drag on for twenty years and cost you untold amounts of money, not to mention anxiety. Beheadings are messy, but alas, occasionally unavoidable.
-Let people practice whatever religion they want. Even if its not the same as yours, your liberal attitude will make them less likely to be riled up by weird fanatics. Its not that important anyway.
-Pirates are hot and know how to party. Make friends with them.
-Dress the part, and never let anyone paint a bad portrait of you if you want to be a literal icon of your country鈥檚 history.
-Get a good spymaster: he鈥檒l save your bacon more times than you can count.
-Let your subjects see you, walk among them, listen to them, talk to them. See previous point about them being less likely to get riled up and try to depose you.
Alison Weir wrote a wonderful book about the remarkable Elizabeth Tudor, humanized a lot of the famous stories and ideas about her and those close to her. I have always been fascinated with the image of this pale face, red-headed, outrageously dressed queen 鈥� who seemed to be the smartest person in the room wherever she went and who, while occasionally given to fits of rage, was a generally benevolent, peaceful and responsible monarch. I wondered if this job, of being England鈥檚 most famous queen, had been as lonely as it sometimes seemed, if she had had a good life, despite all the complications, intrigue and assassination attempts. She would not have liked this book, as it exposed some of her weaknesses, but personally, it made me like her more to know she gave ridiculous nicknames to her favorites, went out of her way to make her subjects feel cared for, and inspired life-long loyalty in those close to her.
This book is very well researched, the writing is engaging and never drags; Weir cares for her subject deeply, sharing quotes of personal correspondence and contemporary accounts of those who knew her, to reveal a very strong, extremely smart but also very human queen, who had an uneasy job in an uneasy time, and often had to make difficult decisions for herself and the country she was in charge of. Her parents鈥� legacy was a heavy burden, but she was determined to prove to everyone that she was worthy of her station.
If you are curious about Elizabeth, her reign or the time period and its politics, this is an excellent book. I鈥檒l be looking for more works by Alison Weir.
April 28, 2008
Talk about having a disfunctional family.
Your Dad marries your Mom when he's still technically married to his first wife. No matter; your Dad is the King of England.
Your Dad gets bored with your Mom and she looses her head (literally). You then go from princess to bastard and get sent away until your Dad likes you again.
Your Dad remarries, and yet again a few more times. You cant help feeling a little insecure in such an unstable enviroment. You grow up loved and then hated then loved again.
Your younger brother becomes King and he has a few ideas of his own about how you are supposed to pray to God. Your elder sister gets her turn being Queen and she isnt too keen on you or your religion either.
Finally at last you get your turn at the helm and much to everyone's surprise and joy, you actually do a pretty good job. Just watch out for all those suitors asking for your hand or that nasty Spanish Armada coming your direction and how about that pesky Scotish Catholic Queen and cousin. She came for a visit and stayed twenty years, bad-mouthing you the entire time.
Such is the exciting life of Elizabeth Tudor; Queen of England for 43 years.
Your Dad marries your Mom when he's still technically married to his first wife. No matter; your Dad is the King of England.
Your Dad gets bored with your Mom and she looses her head (literally). You then go from princess to bastard and get sent away until your Dad likes you again.
Your Dad remarries, and yet again a few more times. You cant help feeling a little insecure in such an unstable enviroment. You grow up loved and then hated then loved again.
Your younger brother becomes King and he has a few ideas of his own about how you are supposed to pray to God. Your elder sister gets her turn being Queen and she isnt too keen on you or your religion either.
Finally at last you get your turn at the helm and much to everyone's surprise and joy, you actually do a pretty good job. Just watch out for all those suitors asking for your hand or that nasty Spanish Armada coming your direction and how about that pesky Scotish Catholic Queen and cousin. She came for a visit and stayed twenty years, bad-mouthing you the entire time.
Such is the exciting life of Elizabeth Tudor; Queen of England for 43 years.
July 17, 2014
While it is fascinating to learn that Elizabeth Regina had 3,000 dresses and new pairs of shoes made to order every week, I had thought that maybe it would be useful to know a bit about the political world she brought to abeyance during her forty-five year reign of relative peace. There is entirely too much back and forthing about how she kept suitors at bay and not nearly enough explanation of the geo-political context. Why weren't the English able to establish colonies in the Americas when Spain was? What were her relations with the Irish before the rebellion by Tyrone? How did she manage James, Mary's son? What were her feelings about the enclosure movement that forced London's population to double during her lifetime? And why is Shakespeare, and indeed all the other playwrights of what was the golden age not only of exploration by sea, but also by letters, mentioned only a few times?
This biography is exhaustive in quoting primary sources and describing the queen's dresses (including one that revealed her entire nude torso to an ambassador when she was well into her sixties). However, in its treatment of anything but her personal relations with court favorites like Dudley and Essex, it is superficial. I was ongoingly disappointed not to have been better informed at the end of 500 pages.
And why did Weir leave out key details about the defeat of the Spanish Armada?!
This biography is exhaustive in quoting primary sources and describing the queen's dresses (including one that revealed her entire nude torso to an ambassador when she was well into her sixties). However, in its treatment of anything but her personal relations with court favorites like Dudley and Essex, it is superficial. I was ongoingly disappointed not to have been better informed at the end of 500 pages.
And why did Weir leave out key details about the defeat of the Spanish Armada?!
May 30, 2009
I don't like nonfiction as a rule. But this was one of those rare nonfics that read like a piece of fiction and even though the book is a brick, I read the whole thing in under four days. It kept my attention from start to finish.
The medieval history of the English monarchy is interesting but not a subject I read about frequently. Alison Weir (whose name I always spell weird and have to edit) is deserving of the acclaim she has earned to date because she provides information AND entertains. Most nonfiction authors don't have that magical ability.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
The medieval history of the English monarchy is interesting but not a subject I read about frequently. Alison Weir (whose name I always spell weird and have to edit) is deserving of the acclaim she has earned to date because she provides information AND entertains. Most nonfiction authors don't have that magical ability.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
January 8, 2014
Probably still the best Biography of Elizabeth, despite the 17 years since it's publication. Weir at the top of her game. A must read for anyone interested in the Tudors. The book that ignited my love of the history of the English Monarchy.
December 2, 2019
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讘讞诇拽 讛诪专讻讝讬 砖诇 讛住驻专 诪转讜讗专转 诪注专讻转 讬讞住讬讛 注诐 讛讚讜讻住 诪讗谞讝'讜, 讗讘诇 讻砖讛转专爪转讛 讜讘讬拽砖讛 诇讛讬谞砖讗 拽诪讛 讛转谞讙讚讜转 讘注诐 讜讝讛 讘讻诇 诪拽专讛 讛讬讛 讻讘专 诪讗讜讞专 诪讬讚讬 诇讛讜诇讬讚 讬讜专砖.
讘砖诇 讗讬 谞讻讜谞讜转讛 诇讛讬谞砖讗 讜诇讛讜诇讬讚 爪讗爪讗讬诐, 讛诪诇讻讛 讗诇讬讝讘转 诪讻讜谞讛 "讛诪诇讻讛 讛讘转讜诇讛" , 讬讞讚 注诐 讝讗转 诪讛住驻专 诇讗 讘专讜专 讗诐 讗讻谉 砖诪专讛 注诇 讘转讜诇讬讛 讜讘拽讟注讬诐 诪住讜讬讬诪讬诐 转讬讗讜专讬 讛讬讞住讬诐 讛讗谞讟讬诪讬讬诐 注诐 砖诇讜砖转 讛讙讘专讬诐 砖诇注讬诇, 讛诐 讬讜转专 诪诪专讬诪讬 讙讘讛 讘诪讬诇讬诐 诪注讟讜转 讜讙诐 讘谞讬 转拽讜驻转讛 讻谞专讗讛 讛专讙讬砖讜 讻讱 砖讻谉 讛住驻专 诪讘讬讗 爪讬讟讜讟讬诐 砖诪讘讬注讬诐 讞讜住专 砖讘讬注讜转 专爪讜谉 诪讬讞住讬讛 注诐 讛诪诇讻讛.
讘讻诇 诪拽专讛 讛讬讗 诇讗 讛讘讬讗讛 爪讗爪讗 讜诇讻谉 砖讗诇转 讬专讜砖转 讛讻转专 谞讜转专讛 驻转讜讞讛 讜讛讜讘讬诇讛 讘砖谞讬 诪拽专讬诐 诇驻讞讜转 诇注专讬驻转 专讗砖讬诐 讜讝讗转 诇诪专讜转 讛住转讬讬讙讜转讛 讛讘讜诇讟转 诪讛讜爪讗讜转 诇讛讜专讙: 驻注诐 讗讞转 讘诪拽专讛 砖诇 诪专讬 诪诇讻转 讛住拽讜讟讬诐 砖诇讗 讛驻住讬拽讛 诇讗讜专讱 砖谞讬诐 诇讞转讜专 转讞转 讛砖诇讟讜谉 砖诇 讗诇讬讝讘转 讜诇讛讬讜转 砖讜转驻讛 诇拽谞讜谞讬讜转 砖讗祝 讛注诪讬讚讜 讗转 讛诪诇讻讛 讘住讻谞讛. 驻注诐 讗讞专转 专讜讘专讟 讚讜讜专讜, 砖驻砖讜讟 讗讬讘讚 讗转 讛爪驻讜谉 讻砖讛讬讗 谞讬砖诇讛 讗讜转讜 讜讗住专讛 注诇讬讜 诇讛讙讬注 诇讞爪专 讛诪诇讜讻讛 诇讗讞专 住讬讚专转 讗讬专讜注讬诐 砖讘讛诐 讛讜讗 驻砖讜讟 讛诪专讛 讗转 驻讬讛 讜讗祝 讛转讬讬爪讘 讘讞讚专讛 讛讗讬砖讬 讻砖讛讬讗 注讜讚 讘讘讙讚讬 讛诇讬诇讛 砖诇讛.
讘住驻专 诪砖讜诇讘讬诐 拽讟注讬 诪讻转讘讬诐 砖砖专讚讜, 拽讟注讬诐 诪讘讬讜讙专驻讬讜转 讜诪讞拽专讬诐 砖驻讜专住诪讜 讜讛讜讗 诪爪讬讙 转诪讜谞讛 诪拽讬驻讛 讜注诪讜拽讛 砖诇 砖谞讜转 砖讬诇讟讜谞讛. 讛讜讗 诪爪讬讙 讗转 讛讞讜诇砖讜转 砖诇讛 (讛转诪讛诪讛讜转 讜讞讜住专 拽讘诇转 讛讞诇讟讜转 讘诪拽专讬诐 诪住讜讬讬诪讬诐 讜讛诇讬讻讛 讗讞专讬 讛诇讘 讘诪拽专讬诐 砖诇 讙讘专讬诐 诪住讜讬讬诪讬诐) 诪讜诇 讛讞讜讝拽讜转 砖诇讛 砖诪讗驻砖专讜转 诇拽讜专讗 诇讛转讞讘专 诇诪诇讻讛 讜诇讗讬砖讛 讜诇讗讚诐 砖讛讬转讛.
住驻专 驻砖讜讟 诪注谞讙 讜专拽 讞讘诇 砖讗讬谉 讙讬专住转 拽讬谞讚诇 诇专讻讬砖讛 讻讬 讛讜讗 讘讗诪转 讗讞讚 讛住驻专讬诐 讛讛讬住讟讜专讬诐 讛诪讜爪诇讞讬诐 砖拽专讗转讬 讜讘诪讬讜讞讚 注诇 讛诪诇讻讛 讗诇讬讝讘转.
讝讜讛讬 讘讬讜讙专驻讬讛 砖诇 讛诪诇讻讛 讗诇讬讝讘转 讛- , 诪诇讻转 讗谞讙诇讬讛. 讘转诐 砖诇 讛诪诇讱 讛谞专讬 讛砖诪讬谞讬 讜讗谉 讘讜诇讬谉. 讘讙讬诇 3 讗诪讛 讛讜爪讗讛 诇讛讜专讙 讚讘专 砖讛讜转讬专 讘讛 讗转 讞讜转诪讜 讛注诪讜拽 讜讙专诐 诇讛 诇讟专讗讜诪讛 驻住讬讻讜诇讜讙讬转 拽砖讛. 讞讬讬讛 诇讗 讗讞转 注讘专讜 讟诇讟诇讜转 讜讛讬讗 注诪讚讛 诇驻讞讜转 注讚 诪讜转 讗讞讜转讛, 诪专讬 (诪专讬 讛讗讚讜诪讛) 讘住讻谞转 诪讜讜转 讜讗祝 谞讗住专讛 讜讘讬诇转讛 讝诪谉 诪住讜讬讬诐 讘讟讗讜讜专 砖诇 诇讜谞讚讜谉, 讘讬转 讛讻诇讗 讛诪诇讻讜转讬.
讬讞讚 注诐 讝讗转 诇讗讞专 诪讜转讛 砖诇 诪专讬 讛专讗砖讜谞讛, 讘讙讬诇 25 讛讬讗 讛讜讻转专讛 诇诪诇讻转 讗谞讙诇讬讛 讜砖专讚讛 讻诪诇讻讛 讛讘转讜诇讛 讘诪砖讱 讻- 40 砖谞讜转 砖讬诇讟讜谉, 讘讛谉 讛讜讘讬诇讛 拽讜 诪转讜谉 讜砖驻讜讬 讜讘讻讱 讛驻讻讛 讗转 讘专讬讟谞讬讛 诇讗讞转 讛诪诪诇讻讜转 讛诪砖讙砖讙讜转 讘讬讜转专.
讛住驻专 注讜住拽 讘诪讬讜讞讚 讘转拽讜驻讛 砖诇讗讞专 注诇讬讬转讛 诇砖诇讟讜谉 讜驻讞讜转 讘转拽讜驻讛 砖诇驻谞讬 讻谉 讗讜 讘讬讞住讬讛 注诐 诪专讬. 讛讜讗 注讜住拽 讘讻诇 讛讬讘讟讬 讛讞讬讬诐 讛谉 讘讗住驻拽讟 讛讗讬砖讬 讜讛谉 讘讗住驻拽讟讬诐 讛驻讜诇讬讟讬讬诐. 讛讞诇 诪住讬专讜讘讛 讛诪转诪砖讱 诇讛讬谞砖讗 讜诇谞拽讜讘 讘砖诐 砖诇 诪讬 砖讬专砖 讗转 讛诪诇讜讻讛 讜讻诇讛 讘讬讞住讬讛 注诐 讘谞讬 诪砖驻讞转讛, 讛讙讘专讬诐 砖讘讞讬讬讛, 注诐 谞砖讜转 讛讞爪专 讜讛谞砖讬诐 砖诇 讛讙讘专讬诐 讛讞讘讬讘讬诐 注诇讬讛.
驻专拽讬诐 谞专讞讘讬诐 诪讜拽讚砖讬诐 诇讬讞住讬讛 注诐 讛讙讘专讬诐 讛住讜讘讘讬诐 讗讜转讛 讜诇讛砖驻注讛 讛拽专讬讟讬转 砖诇讛诐 注诇 讛讘讞讬专讜转 讛驻讜诇讬讟讬讜转 砖注砖转讛. 讛讬讗 谞讞砖讘讛 诇讗讬砖讛 讞讚讛 讻转注专, 讘注诇转 讞讜砖 讛讜诪讜专 砖诇讗 讗讬驻砖专讛 诇讗祝 讙讘专 诇拽讘讜注 讗转 诪讛诇讱 讛讛讞诇讟讜转 砖诇讛. 讻砖讛驻专诇诪谞讟 谞讬住讛 诇讻驻讜转 注诇讬讛 诇讛讬谞砖讗 讛讬讗 驻砖讜讟 谞讗诪讛 讘驻谞讬讛诐 砖讛讬讗 谞砖讜讗讛 诇注诐 砖诇讛 讜讻诇 讗讞讚 诪讛诐 讛讜讗 讘注诇讛.
讛讬讗 诪砖讻讛 讗转 讛诪讞讝专讬诐 砖诇讛 讘讗祝 讜讟讬专诇诇讛 讗讜转诐 注讚 讗讬谉 拽抓, 转讜讱 砖讛讬讗 诪谞爪诇转 讗转 讗讛讘转诐, 讗转 谞讗诪谞讜转诐 讜讗转 讛讛讜谉 砖诇讛诐 诇爪专讻讬讛 砖诇讛. 诇专讜讘 讝讛 拽专讛 注讚 砖谞砖讘专讜 讜讛讘讬谞讜 砖讛讬讗 诇讗 转讬谞砖讗 诇讛诐. 讘讞诇拽 讛专讗砖讜谉 砖诇 讛住驻专, 诪转讜讗专转 诪注专讻转 讬讞住讬讛 讛讗讬谞讟讬诪讬转 注诐 专讜讘专讟 讚讗讚诇讬, 讚讜讻住 诇谞拽住讟专 砖讛讬讛 谞讗诪谉 诇讛 诇讗讜专讱 砖谞讬诐 诇诪专讜转 砖讛讬转讛 讘诪讜讘谞讬诐 专讘讬诐 讻驻讜讬讬转 讟讜讘讛 讗诇讬讜 讜讙专诪讛 诇讜 诇讛驻住讚讬诐 讻住驻讬讬诐 专讘讬诐 讜讛砖驻讬诇讛 讗转 谞砖讜转讬讜 讘讬讞讜讚 讗转 讘转 讚讜讚转讛 诇讟讬住讛 拽讜谞诇讬. 讘讞诇拽 讛讗讞专讜谉 砖诇 讛住驻专, 诪转讜讗专转 诪注专讻转 讬讞住讬讛 注诐 讚讜讻住 诇谞拽住讟专 讘谞讜 讛讞讜专讙 砖诇 讚讗讚诇讬 诪讗讬砖转讜 诇讟讬住讛. 诇诪专讜转 砖讬讞住讬讛 讛注讻讜专讬诐 注诐 讘转 讚讜讚转讛, 专讜讘专讟 讚讜讜专讜 讛讬讛 讗讞讚 诪讞讘讬讘讬讛 讜讛讬讗 住诇讞讛 诇讜 注诇 讛转谞讛讙讜转 砖讘讬诪讬 讗讘讬讛 讛讬转讛 讝讜讻讛 诇注专讬驻转 专讜讗砖.
讘讞诇拽 讛诪专讻讝讬 砖诇 讛住驻专 诪转讜讗专转 诪注专讻转 讬讞住讬讛 注诐 讛讚讜讻住 诪讗谞讝'讜, 讗讘诇 讻砖讛转专爪转讛 讜讘讬拽砖讛 诇讛讬谞砖讗 拽诪讛 讛转谞讙讚讜转 讘注诐 讜讝讛 讘讻诇 诪拽专讛 讛讬讛 讻讘专 诪讗讜讞专 诪讬讚讬 诇讛讜诇讬讚 讬讜专砖.
讘砖诇 讗讬 谞讻讜谞讜转讛 诇讛讬谞砖讗 讜诇讛讜诇讬讚 爪讗爪讗讬诐, 讛诪诇讻讛 讗诇讬讝讘转 诪讻讜谞讛 "讛诪诇讻讛 讛讘转讜诇讛" , 讬讞讚 注诐 讝讗转 诪讛住驻专 诇讗 讘专讜专 讗诐 讗讻谉 砖诪专讛 注诇 讘转讜诇讬讛 讜讘拽讟注讬诐 诪住讜讬讬诪讬诐 转讬讗讜专讬 讛讬讞住讬诐 讛讗谞讟讬诪讬讬诐 注诐 砖诇讜砖转 讛讙讘专讬诐 砖诇注讬诇, 讛诐 讬讜转专 诪诪专讬诪讬 讙讘讛 讘诪讬诇讬诐 诪注讟讜转 讜讙诐 讘谞讬 转拽讜驻转讛 讻谞专讗讛 讛专讙讬砖讜 讻讱 砖讻谉 讛住驻专 诪讘讬讗 爪讬讟讜讟讬诐 砖诪讘讬注讬诐 讞讜住专 砖讘讬注讜转 专爪讜谉 诪讬讞住讬讛 注诐 讛诪诇讻讛.
讘讻诇 诪拽专讛 讛讬讗 诇讗 讛讘讬讗讛 爪讗爪讗 讜诇讻谉 砖讗诇转 讬专讜砖转 讛讻转专 谞讜转专讛 驻转讜讞讛 讜讛讜讘讬诇讛 讘砖谞讬 诪拽专讬诐 诇驻讞讜转 诇注专讬驻转 专讗砖讬诐 讜讝讗转 诇诪专讜转 讛住转讬讬讙讜转讛 讛讘讜诇讟转 诪讛讜爪讗讜转 诇讛讜专讙: 驻注诐 讗讞转 讘诪拽专讛 砖诇 诪专讬 诪诇讻转 讛住拽讜讟讬诐 砖诇讗 讛驻住讬拽讛 诇讗讜专讱 砖谞讬诐 诇讞转讜专 转讞转 讛砖诇讟讜谉 砖诇 讗诇讬讝讘转 讜诇讛讬讜转 砖讜转驻讛 诇拽谞讜谞讬讜转 砖讗祝 讛注诪讬讚讜 讗转 讛诪诇讻讛 讘住讻谞讛. 驻注诐 讗讞专转 专讜讘专讟 讚讜讜专讜, 砖驻砖讜讟 讗讬讘讚 讗转 讛爪驻讜谉 讻砖讛讬讗 谞讬砖诇讛 讗讜转讜 讜讗住专讛 注诇讬讜 诇讛讙讬注 诇讞爪专 讛诪诇讜讻讛 诇讗讞专 住讬讚专转 讗讬专讜注讬诐 砖讘讛诐 讛讜讗 驻砖讜讟 讛诪专讛 讗转 驻讬讛 讜讗祝 讛转讬讬爪讘 讘讞讚专讛 讛讗讬砖讬 讻砖讛讬讗 注讜讚 讘讘讙讚讬 讛诇讬诇讛 砖诇讛.
讘住驻专 诪砖讜诇讘讬诐 拽讟注讬 诪讻转讘讬诐 砖砖专讚讜, 拽讟注讬诐 诪讘讬讜讙专驻讬讜转 讜诪讞拽专讬诐 砖驻讜专住诪讜 讜讛讜讗 诪爪讬讙 转诪讜谞讛 诪拽讬驻讛 讜注诪讜拽讛 砖诇 砖谞讜转 砖讬诇讟讜谞讛. 讛讜讗 诪爪讬讙 讗转 讛讞讜诇砖讜转 砖诇讛 (讛转诪讛诪讛讜转 讜讞讜住专 拽讘诇转 讛讞诇讟讜转 讘诪拽专讬诐 诪住讜讬讬诪讬诐 讜讛诇讬讻讛 讗讞专讬 讛诇讘 讘诪拽专讬诐 砖诇 讙讘专讬诐 诪住讜讬讬诪讬诐) 诪讜诇 讛讞讜讝拽讜转 砖诇讛 砖诪讗驻砖专讜转 诇拽讜专讗 诇讛转讞讘专 诇诪诇讻讛 讜诇讗讬砖讛 讜诇讗讚诐 砖讛讬转讛.
住驻专 驻砖讜讟 诪注谞讙 讜专拽 讞讘诇 砖讗讬谉 讙讬专住转 拽讬谞讚诇 诇专讻讬砖讛 讻讬 讛讜讗 讘讗诪转 讗讞讚 讛住驻专讬诐 讛讛讬住讟讜专讬诐 讛诪讜爪诇讞讬诐 砖拽专讗转讬 讜讘诪讬讜讞讚 注诇 讛诪诇讻讛 讗诇讬讝讘转.
June 9, 2013
Just superb. As a long standing Elizabethan, reading this book has been a joy. Without a shadow of a doubt, the greatest English monarch and Alison Weir guides us through this golden time from under the oak tree at Hatfield Palace in 1558, to her passing at Richmond in 1603.
The level of research of contemporary documents, state papers and the almost twenty pages of bibliography provide a most intimate and extraordinary insight into the reign of good Queen Bess. The author provides no Notes, but I didn't find that detracted at all from this biography. The detail is such, with each page containing quotations and original letters that 'Elizabeth the Queen' takes the reader back over four hundred years into her public and private life. Published back in 1998, I just wonder why it has taken me so long to finally read this book.
N.B. Certainly not averse to a good conspiracy theory, and there are many from the sixteenth century, I notice that a certain American writer of fiction, Steve Berry has just had published by Hodder, a book entitled 'The King's Deception'. He purports that Elizabeth died c1543 and was replaced by a ten year old boy, who then performed a drag act for the next sixty years, unknown to the world. Please Mr Berry, stay over your side of the Atlantic where there are far more plausible conspiracy theories to be pursued.
The level of research of contemporary documents, state papers and the almost twenty pages of bibliography provide a most intimate and extraordinary insight into the reign of good Queen Bess. The author provides no Notes, but I didn't find that detracted at all from this biography. The detail is such, with each page containing quotations and original letters that 'Elizabeth the Queen' takes the reader back over four hundred years into her public and private life. Published back in 1998, I just wonder why it has taken me so long to finally read this book.
N.B. Certainly not averse to a good conspiracy theory, and there are many from the sixteenth century, I notice that a certain American writer of fiction, Steve Berry has just had published by Hodder, a book entitled 'The King's Deception'. He purports that Elizabeth died c1543 and was replaced by a ten year old boy, who then performed a drag act for the next sixty years, unknown to the world. Please Mr Berry, stay over your side of the Atlantic where there are far more plausible conspiracy theories to be pursued.
April 9, 2017
I find I really enjoy Alison Weir's style of writing history and biography: easy to follow and detailed/descriptive without becoming dry. I picked up this book because there are certain historical personages that I know a lot about yet can never resist reading about over and over again, Elizabeth I being one of them. While I am not an 眉ber history buff who checks and cross-checks the list of sources, I found that her biography of Elizabeth I was entertaining and factual as far as I can tell - what I read matched up with everything I knew about Elizabeth previously, and was told in a new style that I found refreshing. Personally, I like reading historical biographies to become immersed in getting to know a great and important person, even at a basic level. Alison Weir provided me with that, and although I have other Elizabeth I tbr-s on my list, I quite loved this one.
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December 12, 2018More than a man, less than a woman.
Queen Elizabeth the First has always been one of my favorite historical figures. As a child, I remember reading quite a lot of historical fiction centered on Elizabeth prior to her ascension. Last year for Christmas I asked for this biography on Elizabeth because I have heard positive things about Alison Weir's nonfiction on the Tudors. And this year, at age 25, I felt a sudden urge to read it. Turns out, Elizabeth was coronated when she was 25. She ruled for over 40 years and is likely the most well-known female sovereign in the Western tradition.
At 25 years old, she was at last in control of her destiny, and having lived in one kind of constraint or another for her whole existence so far, she was determined to preserve her independence and autonomy.
Liz was not a particularly friendly person, but her charisma was definitely present in her daily interactions with the court. She lived a life unlike anyone else has ever known. Extremely educated, a horseback rider, a hunter, a devout Christian... Elizabeth was surrounded by male courtiers and, without placing too much of a 21st-century lens on her, she did not subscribe to traditional gender roles. She herself described her gender as more than a man, less than a woman which I found deeply sentimental. History remembers her for her cult of virginity, her defeat of the Spanish Armada, the omnipresent succession question, but I was drawn in by the smaller moments.
For all this, there still remained in Elizabethan society a deeply ingrained prejudice against female sovereigns in general. The unhappy example of Queen Mary seemed to confirm the general view that women were not born to rule.
Beautifully researched and written, but I recommend an interest in Elizabethan history before reading.
Queen Elizabeth the First has always been one of my favorite historical figures. As a child, I remember reading quite a lot of historical fiction centered on Elizabeth prior to her ascension. Last year for Christmas I asked for this biography on Elizabeth because I have heard positive things about Alison Weir's nonfiction on the Tudors. And this year, at age 25, I felt a sudden urge to read it. Turns out, Elizabeth was coronated when she was 25. She ruled for over 40 years and is likely the most well-known female sovereign in the Western tradition.
At 25 years old, she was at last in control of her destiny, and having lived in one kind of constraint or another for her whole existence so far, she was determined to preserve her independence and autonomy.
Liz was not a particularly friendly person, but her charisma was definitely present in her daily interactions with the court. She lived a life unlike anyone else has ever known. Extremely educated, a horseback rider, a hunter, a devout Christian... Elizabeth was surrounded by male courtiers and, without placing too much of a 21st-century lens on her, she did not subscribe to traditional gender roles. She herself described her gender as more than a man, less than a woman which I found deeply sentimental. History remembers her for her cult of virginity, her defeat of the Spanish Armada, the omnipresent succession question, but I was drawn in by the smaller moments.
For all this, there still remained in Elizabethan society a deeply ingrained prejudice against female sovereigns in general. The unhappy example of Queen Mary seemed to confirm the general view that women were not born to rule.
Beautifully researched and written, but I recommend an interest in Elizabethan history before reading.
November 6, 2017
Alison Weir鈥檚 magisterial biography of Elizabeth I left me with mixed feelings. It is an extraordinary work, and a treasure-trove for those who want to know what Elizabeth was truly like. What it does not show the reader is the country she ruled. But perhaps it was never meant to, and for anyone drawn to Elizabeth as an individual, it is essential reading 鈥� meticulous in its research, and very well written.
Weir gives us a splendid picture of the Queen as she navigated the shoals of potential marriage alliances, plots against her and rivalries at Court. The challenges that faced her when she came to the throne are well known; the country was riven by religious strife that had been provoked in large part by her father, and her siblings, Edward VI and Mary, had failed to heal these rifts. That Elizabeth would to a limited extent do so, at least for the duration of her reign, was to be one of her greatest achievements. Weir allows us to see the shrewdness and caution that brought this about.
She is good, too, on the marriage negotiations that the Queen pursued for many years. I had always assumed that Elizabeth never meant to get married and that this diplomatic dance was only to leave both France and the Hapsburgs hoping for a marriage alliance, so that neither would become her enemy in the interim. In fact, Weir鈥檚 detailed account suggests that Elizabeth really did consider a diplomatic marriage, albeit reluctantly. As to the various plots that were made against her, Weir writes particularly well of the relationships with Mary Queen of Scots and Essex, and the fate that befell these two rather foolish people 鈥� a fate that Elizabeth would clearly have spared them, had they but given her the slightest excuse for mercy.
There are one or two ways in which this book could have held my attention even more closely than it did. Weir says little about the mental scars that Elizabeth must have borne from the fact that her father had her mother beheaded. On the other hand, Elizabeth was so reticent about this in her lifetime that there is little to go on, and anything that Weir said would perhaps have been speculation 鈥� something that she in general avoids. Also, there is a large cast of characters at Court, and enormous detail of the Queen鈥檚 correspondence; and at times this drowns out the personalities that mattered. In particular, although Dudley, Mary Queen of Scots and Essex do leap off the page, Burghley somehow does not, a pity in view of his crucial role in the reign. (Though Weir does finger him for the murder of Amy Dudley 鈥� that actually is speculation; but it is most intriguing.) At times I felt I might have preferred to learn more about fewer characters.
More seriously, quite near the end of the book, we hear of the famines that plagued England for some years towards the end of Elizabeth鈥檚 life, of the effects of the Enclosures, and of the large growth in population. I thought Weir might have made more of this, and of the cultural and maritime achievements that marked this outstanding reign. I suppose one could argue that that was simply not the intention of the book; that its focus was always meant to be Elizabeth and not the England that she ruled. Yet I should have liked to read less of the interminable marriage negotiations 鈥� after all, we know from the beginning that they came to naught 鈥� and more of the extraordinary England of Elizabeth that still dazzles us today.
The fact remains that this book is a wonderful work of scholarship. It is also well-written; the chapters on the death of Dudley鈥檚 wife, the end of Mary Queen of Scots and the end of Essex are especially vibrant. Besides, if one wants social history, one can I am sure find it elsewhere. For those 鈥� and there are many 鈥� who are fascinated by Elizabeth herself, this book is indispensable.
Weir gives us a splendid picture of the Queen as she navigated the shoals of potential marriage alliances, plots against her and rivalries at Court. The challenges that faced her when she came to the throne are well known; the country was riven by religious strife that had been provoked in large part by her father, and her siblings, Edward VI and Mary, had failed to heal these rifts. That Elizabeth would to a limited extent do so, at least for the duration of her reign, was to be one of her greatest achievements. Weir allows us to see the shrewdness and caution that brought this about.
She is good, too, on the marriage negotiations that the Queen pursued for many years. I had always assumed that Elizabeth never meant to get married and that this diplomatic dance was only to leave both France and the Hapsburgs hoping for a marriage alliance, so that neither would become her enemy in the interim. In fact, Weir鈥檚 detailed account suggests that Elizabeth really did consider a diplomatic marriage, albeit reluctantly. As to the various plots that were made against her, Weir writes particularly well of the relationships with Mary Queen of Scots and Essex, and the fate that befell these two rather foolish people 鈥� a fate that Elizabeth would clearly have spared them, had they but given her the slightest excuse for mercy.
There are one or two ways in which this book could have held my attention even more closely than it did. Weir says little about the mental scars that Elizabeth must have borne from the fact that her father had her mother beheaded. On the other hand, Elizabeth was so reticent about this in her lifetime that there is little to go on, and anything that Weir said would perhaps have been speculation 鈥� something that she in general avoids. Also, there is a large cast of characters at Court, and enormous detail of the Queen鈥檚 correspondence; and at times this drowns out the personalities that mattered. In particular, although Dudley, Mary Queen of Scots and Essex do leap off the page, Burghley somehow does not, a pity in view of his crucial role in the reign. (Though Weir does finger him for the murder of Amy Dudley 鈥� that actually is speculation; but it is most intriguing.) At times I felt I might have preferred to learn more about fewer characters.
More seriously, quite near the end of the book, we hear of the famines that plagued England for some years towards the end of Elizabeth鈥檚 life, of the effects of the Enclosures, and of the large growth in population. I thought Weir might have made more of this, and of the cultural and maritime achievements that marked this outstanding reign. I suppose one could argue that that was simply not the intention of the book; that its focus was always meant to be Elizabeth and not the England that she ruled. Yet I should have liked to read less of the interminable marriage negotiations 鈥� after all, we know from the beginning that they came to naught 鈥� and more of the extraordinary England of Elizabeth that still dazzles us today.
The fact remains that this book is a wonderful work of scholarship. It is also well-written; the chapters on the death of Dudley鈥檚 wife, the end of Mary Queen of Scots and the end of Essex are especially vibrant. Besides, if one wants social history, one can I am sure find it elsewhere. For those 鈥� and there are many 鈥� who are fascinated by Elizabeth herself, this book is indispensable.
November 1, 2014
3.75 Stars. At times I was annoyed with "what if's and opinions" being written as facts. A good biography or non-fiction book should show both sides or "who knows what she really was thinking" but not "here is what she was thinking" or the author quoting her opinion of Elizabeth being silly over the marriage thing and saying "what was wrong with her?" I believe Elizabeth was brilliant in playing the marriage game, not a needy, I need a man, my womb hurts from not having a child, weeping kind of woman. I'm not saying she didn't want to be loved or have children, but, weak....no, I don't see it. After we got through that part of the book, it got interesting. Elizabeth led an incredible life and ruled against the odds as not just a woman, but a Protestant. In today's world, how far have we come? Many give her credit where credit is due, many still say it was just the men in her realm. Sad.
June 15, 2019
Queen Elizabeth I鈥擜h! Cate Blanchett streams within my consciousness. Her portrayal was entertaining, well done even. However, this woman ruled England and Ireland for 44 years. A two hour biographical drama does not have the capacity to cover that reign or lifetime.
Alison Weir uncovers letters, written history and reports to gather as much information as possible on Elizabeth I. Fortunately for us, she shares these facts with her readers. The conflicts of selecting a consort for Elizabeth I is particularly revealing. I find her a sympathetic individual. It's clear that the Queen was reluctant to marry, conversely she contemplated it several times.
It's important to know fact from fiction. This book is enjoyable for the general reader, it's uniquely accessible which isn't always the case with history books. An eyeopener.
Alison Weir uncovers letters, written history and reports to gather as much information as possible on Elizabeth I. Fortunately for us, she shares these facts with her readers. The conflicts of selecting a consort for Elizabeth I is particularly revealing. I find her a sympathetic individual. It's clear that the Queen was reluctant to marry, conversely she contemplated it several times.
It's important to know fact from fiction. This book is enjoyable for the general reader, it's uniquely accessible which isn't always the case with history books. An eyeopener.
October 30, 2023
3.5 stars
Well, after a month, I am finally done.
This was my first attempt at reading a historical biography and I can readily say that Alison Weir really did a fantastic job at everything. You can see all the facts have been checked and all events are true. She mentions some speculative theories that have not been proven true and her style of writing is not something I would expect from a biographer. All in all, I am very happy with this read. It was quite the journey and I am a little saddened that it is over now.
Well, after a month, I am finally done.
This was my first attempt at reading a historical biography and I can readily say that Alison Weir really did a fantastic job at everything. You can see all the facts have been checked and all events are true. She mentions some speculative theories that have not been proven true and her style of writing is not something I would expect from a biographer. All in all, I am very happy with this read. It was quite the journey and I am a little saddened that it is over now.
June 21, 2009
I absolutely LOVE this book! I think that Weir gives a very refreshing view of Elizabeth and her motives. Compared with David Starkey's "Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne", I would choose Weir hands down.
While Starkey writes with a pompous style that seems to scream "I am the one and only expert on all things about Tudor England", Weir comes straight out and says that, aside from predetermined fact, she offers theories about what may have happened.
Also, I may be naive, but I like the fact that Weir says that Elizabeth was most likely a technical virgin. I honestly believe that she knew that she would have relenquished a lot of her power if she became somebody's (namely Dudley's) mistress. She would have known that once she gave in to a man's advances, he would have had power over her, and she wanted to hold all of the cards (as confirmed in her refusal to marry).
I emphatically reccommend this book to anybody who enjoys biographies of historical figures.
While Starkey writes with a pompous style that seems to scream "I am the one and only expert on all things about Tudor England", Weir comes straight out and says that, aside from predetermined fact, she offers theories about what may have happened.
Also, I may be naive, but I like the fact that Weir says that Elizabeth was most likely a technical virgin. I honestly believe that she knew that she would have relenquished a lot of her power if she became somebody's (namely Dudley's) mistress. She would have known that once she gave in to a man's advances, he would have had power over her, and she wanted to hold all of the cards (as confirmed in her refusal to marry).
I emphatically reccommend this book to anybody who enjoys biographies of historical figures.
October 23, 2012
I really did not like this book. I tried so hard to like it, but I just got upset every single time I had to read the same thing over and over again. I understand that Elizabeth I did not want to get married. I didn't need it repeated to me 5-6 times in one chapter. It felt like there was allot of filler was used to make this book longer.
September 17, 2020
Easily one of the best biographies of Elizabeth
April 14, 2022
An excellent biography of Queen Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen. The audiobook is excellent. (It took me a while to adjust to hearing the voice of Clare Randall narrating it.)
Elizabeth is one of my very favorite figures from history. She was tough and sensitive, and very clever. She was a survivor and she didn't let men boss her about. And her people loved her (if sometimes the aristocracy did not).
This biography is concise and very well written. If you want to learn more about Elizabeth and her life as queen, this a great choice.
Elizabeth is one of my very favorite figures from history. She was tough and sensitive, and very clever. She was a survivor and she didn't let men boss her about. And her people loved her (if sometimes the aristocracy did not).
This biography is concise and very well written. If you want to learn more about Elizabeth and her life as queen, this a great choice.
May 19, 2020
I am so obsessed with the Tudors it's unreal.
Or maybe I'm obsessed with strong historical women figures.
Or just Queen Elizabeth 1 herself.
Or just obsessed with period dramas and this is one way of realizing that obsession while telling myself that it's "non-fiction" and thus "educational".
I was also very pleased to find out that Alison Weir greatly approves of the 2005 Elizabeth 1 TV series starring Helen Mirren. That show is a gem.
Or maybe I'm obsessed with strong historical women figures.
Or just Queen Elizabeth 1 herself.
Or just obsessed with period dramas and this is one way of realizing that obsession while telling myself that it's "non-fiction" and thus "educational".
I was also very pleased to find out that Alison Weir greatly approves of the 2005 Elizabeth 1 TV series starring Helen Mirren. That show is a gem.
July 31, 2016
Elizabeth is my absolutely favorite female monarch. It's such a shame that she didn't have kids to carry on her the Tudor line. This book is richly detailed in giving the reader an up close and personal view of the characters and their various personalities in addition to the historical detail of their surroundings. I love how smart, witty and forceful Elizabeth could be but on the other hand, she could be very vulnerable--a perfect balance for a queen IMO. The host of people throughout Elizabeth's life are also interesting; especially William Cecil! I love this book but I always hate to see (hear) it end. It's sad to see Elizabeth get older and eventually die. I've been known to cry during this portion but I didn't this time. Let's not even discuss Davina Porter and how AWESOME she is in this narration. She should be the narrator for every biography or historical book... she's simply amazing.
I always enjoy revisiting this one yearly, sometimes multiple times a year. Long live Queen Elizabeth I!!!
I always enjoy revisiting this one yearly, sometimes multiple times a year. Long live Queen Elizabeth I!!!
August 31, 2008
The cover boasts this book as a member of the New York Times best seller club. I question how many of the book's purchasers actually read the book in its entirety. I spent months reading the book due to other obligations consuming my time and my inability to keep up with the name changes. A character map would have greatly helped me keep up with who the Duke of ___ and Lord __ were in 1540 compared to different men with the same names in 1585. How many different titles/names did Robert Dudley have? Overall, I enjoyed Wier's account of Elizabeth's life, and I would like to read an actual personal journal kept by Elizabeth herself, if such a document existed.
April 27, 2022
Such an amazing biography, spectacularly researched and written in beautiful detail. Offers a fantastic account of Elizabeth鈥檚 personal life interwoven with her public life. Elizabeth鈥檚 foreign policy was explored in particularly great detail, as was her relationship with key figures like Leicester and Essex. Perhaps there could鈥檝e been a greater exploration of the socio-economic situation (but I鈥檓 not particularly interested in this myself).
Extremely helpful and reignited my interest in Elizabeth I somewhat, having become more interested in previous Tudor monarchs like Henry VIII and Mary I.
Extremely helpful and reignited my interest in Elizabeth I somewhat, having become more interested in previous Tudor monarchs like Henry VIII and Mary I.
April 26, 2013
"Elizabeth the Queen" is a lengthy biography meticulously written by Alison Weir. It is a detailed portrayal of a remarkable queen whose reign spanned nearly 45 years (1558 to 1603). The author succeeds in conveying the uniqueness of the monarch, the dangers -- foreign and domestic -- that she consistently confronted, the grandeur and extravagance of the royal court, the connivances of courtiers, the jealousies of competing counselors, Elizabeth鈥檚 unwavering affection for her subjects, and her people鈥檚 reciprocal devotion.
Elizabeth was remarkably strong-willed. She had to be. Men of noble birth believed that queens, being women, were inferior decision-makers. Her advisors thought initially that they knew better how the country should be administered and protected. Exceedingly knowledgeable about her foreign adversaries (and just about everything scientific, cultural, religious, and historical), Elizabeth rarely acquiesced. She would delay taking any action she had misgivings about. Much of this biography chronicles how her equivocation about marrying foreign princes postponed King Philip II of Spain鈥檚 attempt to dethrone her with a Catholic monarch. Two tenets guided Elizabeth鈥檚 decision-making: her trust that God directed her and her desire to benefit her people.
I was amazed at how forgiving Elizabeth was of certain individuals she favored. Although she could be very abusive verbally -- her displays of temper were legendary 鈥� her nature was not to be cruel. Virile courtiers took advantage of her. She loved masculine attention and flattery and reveled in the rituals of courtship. Two men stand out: Robert Dudley (eventually the Earl of Leicester) and Robert Devereux, the second Earl of Essex. Dudley had known Elizabeth before she became queen and was closer than any male to have been a lover. Well into the 1580s his ambition had been to marry her and become king. This motivation led him to take policy positions in the Privy Council more favorable to himself than to the welfare of the realm. Essex was much more dangerous. He was an egomaniac. Placed in government and, later, military positions of authority, obdurate and paranoid, he disobeyed repeatedly Elizabeth鈥檚 orders; yet, after her fits of rage, she succumbed always to his exhibitions of counterfeit remorse and devotion. Ultimately, she recognized the serious danger he posed to her sovereignty and stripped him of his powers. Determined to have his way, he staged a coup, failed, was convicted of treason, and was executed.
Elizabeth鈥檚 tolerance of Mary Stuart鈥檚 machinations to become Queen of England impressed me. For years the former Scottish queen had been complicit in Spain鈥檚, the Pope鈥檚, and Catholic subjects鈥� plans to elevate her. Elizabeth knew about Mary鈥檚 participation, but resisted repeatedly her councilors鈥� admonitions to have Mary tried, convicted, and executed. Elizabeth believed absolutely that legitimately ascended monarchs should not be interfered with. Mary had been deposed. Executing such a monarch, however treacherous thereafter she had become, violated her sensibilities. Only when her life was seriously threatened and King Philip鈥檚 anticipated invasion of England seemed imminent did Elizabeth authorize Mary鈥檚 trial and execution.
I was touched by Elizabeth鈥檚 emotional responses to her declining health during the last year of her reign. Most all of her friends and all of her old councilors had died. She felt alone amongst a younger generation of self-seekers that were weary and dismissive of her and eager for a male successor. She had struggled mightily to ward off the encroachments of old age and had failed. The onset of what was probably tonsillitis became either bronchitis or pneumonia. During her last hours she took comfort in the prayers delivered over her, she unable to speak, with each reference to God raising her eyes skyward.
Elizabeth was remarkably strong-willed. She had to be. Men of noble birth believed that queens, being women, were inferior decision-makers. Her advisors thought initially that they knew better how the country should be administered and protected. Exceedingly knowledgeable about her foreign adversaries (and just about everything scientific, cultural, religious, and historical), Elizabeth rarely acquiesced. She would delay taking any action she had misgivings about. Much of this biography chronicles how her equivocation about marrying foreign princes postponed King Philip II of Spain鈥檚 attempt to dethrone her with a Catholic monarch. Two tenets guided Elizabeth鈥檚 decision-making: her trust that God directed her and her desire to benefit her people.
I was amazed at how forgiving Elizabeth was of certain individuals she favored. Although she could be very abusive verbally -- her displays of temper were legendary 鈥� her nature was not to be cruel. Virile courtiers took advantage of her. She loved masculine attention and flattery and reveled in the rituals of courtship. Two men stand out: Robert Dudley (eventually the Earl of Leicester) and Robert Devereux, the second Earl of Essex. Dudley had known Elizabeth before she became queen and was closer than any male to have been a lover. Well into the 1580s his ambition had been to marry her and become king. This motivation led him to take policy positions in the Privy Council more favorable to himself than to the welfare of the realm. Essex was much more dangerous. He was an egomaniac. Placed in government and, later, military positions of authority, obdurate and paranoid, he disobeyed repeatedly Elizabeth鈥檚 orders; yet, after her fits of rage, she succumbed always to his exhibitions of counterfeit remorse and devotion. Ultimately, she recognized the serious danger he posed to her sovereignty and stripped him of his powers. Determined to have his way, he staged a coup, failed, was convicted of treason, and was executed.
Elizabeth鈥檚 tolerance of Mary Stuart鈥檚 machinations to become Queen of England impressed me. For years the former Scottish queen had been complicit in Spain鈥檚, the Pope鈥檚, and Catholic subjects鈥� plans to elevate her. Elizabeth knew about Mary鈥檚 participation, but resisted repeatedly her councilors鈥� admonitions to have Mary tried, convicted, and executed. Elizabeth believed absolutely that legitimately ascended monarchs should not be interfered with. Mary had been deposed. Executing such a monarch, however treacherous thereafter she had become, violated her sensibilities. Only when her life was seriously threatened and King Philip鈥檚 anticipated invasion of England seemed imminent did Elizabeth authorize Mary鈥檚 trial and execution.
I was touched by Elizabeth鈥檚 emotional responses to her declining health during the last year of her reign. Most all of her friends and all of her old councilors had died. She felt alone amongst a younger generation of self-seekers that were weary and dismissive of her and eager for a male successor. She had struggled mightily to ward off the encroachments of old age and had failed. The onset of what was probably tonsillitis became either bronchitis or pneumonia. During her last hours she took comfort in the prayers delivered over her, she unable to speak, with each reference to God raising her eyes skyward.
September 26, 2009
This is an absolutely wonderful biography of Queen Elizabeth I. The story begins with her uncertain childhood, following the death of her mother, Anne Boleyn, by order of her father Henry VIII. Her first passion is briefly told and her fears for her life as her sister, Mary, reigned.
But it is really the tracing of the arc of her reign that is at the heart of this book. The volume weaves together Elizabeth's personal life, her court life, and the political context in which she operated. You need a scorecard to keep all the actors straight here!
The book does a superb job describing the relationships of Elizabeth with intriguing people such as Mary, Queen of Scots (how Mary could have survived so long given her perpetual scheming to overthrow Elizabeth is stunning), Robert Dudley (Leicester), Robert Devereaux. Also well done is the tale of her on and off again courtships with foreign leaders, as she moved to (a) produce an heir, (b) create useful political alliances, and (c) retain her power. The latter, holding on to her power, always trumped the former. The story of her hot and cold linkage with Anjou is nicely done.
Inherent in a work like this is the poignancy of the Queen and her leading advisors aging and dying.
An important adjunct to reading is a set of genealogical tables at the end of the book. Keeping the players straight calls for some aid such as this!
Overall, an exquisitely written book that brings the character of Elizabeth I to life. The amount of information available about the Queen allows for such a detailed book that the people and times seem to come to life.
In the end, a book well worth looking at if interested in the times and the people. Highly recommended.
But it is really the tracing of the arc of her reign that is at the heart of this book. The volume weaves together Elizabeth's personal life, her court life, and the political context in which she operated. You need a scorecard to keep all the actors straight here!
The book does a superb job describing the relationships of Elizabeth with intriguing people such as Mary, Queen of Scots (how Mary could have survived so long given her perpetual scheming to overthrow Elizabeth is stunning), Robert Dudley (Leicester), Robert Devereaux. Also well done is the tale of her on and off again courtships with foreign leaders, as she moved to (a) produce an heir, (b) create useful political alliances, and (c) retain her power. The latter, holding on to her power, always trumped the former. The story of her hot and cold linkage with Anjou is nicely done.
Inherent in a work like this is the poignancy of the Queen and her leading advisors aging and dying.
An important adjunct to reading is a set of genealogical tables at the end of the book. Keeping the players straight calls for some aid such as this!
Overall, an exquisitely written book that brings the character of Elizabeth I to life. The amount of information available about the Queen allows for such a detailed book that the people and times seem to come to life.
In the end, a book well worth looking at if interested in the times and the people. Highly recommended.
February 21, 2017
Borrowed from .
Elizabeth I is one of those famous historical figures I knew only basic facts about, and really wanted to learn more. The Life of Elizabeth I was an excellent pick: I was amazed by Weir鈥檚 scrupulous account and I devoured every single page. It is my favourite Alison Weir book so far (or maybe tied with The Lady in the Tower).
Elizabeth I had many good qualities as well as defects, and, if I have to find one complaint about Weir鈥檚 book, is that she tends to justify the queen in every occasion. However, her portrayal is still quite objective, and her personality well presented.
Elizabeth was a complex individual. She was very vain, egocentric, capricious and quite ruthless in several occasions (see her treatment of the Grey sisters). However, I cannot help but admire her incredible cunning, her political acumen, and her ability as a manipulator. I was amazed to read about how she managed to convince all her advisers and foreign ambassadors that she was willing to marry, while she was not. Her behavior was extremely modern and daring, even more so if we compare it to those of other queens of the time which were in similar situations (see Mary I and Mary, Queen of Scots). She was also a charismatic leader, and a queen deeply devoted to her subjects.
I warmly recommend Alison Weir鈥檚 wonderful biography. While full of details, it is also engaging and easy to read, and in the end you will know more not only about the main events which shaped Elizabeth I, but about the Virgin Queen herself as well.
Elizabeth I is one of those famous historical figures I knew only basic facts about, and really wanted to learn more. The Life of Elizabeth I was an excellent pick: I was amazed by Weir鈥檚 scrupulous account and I devoured every single page. It is my favourite Alison Weir book so far (or maybe tied with The Lady in the Tower).
Elizabeth I had many good qualities as well as defects, and, if I have to find one complaint about Weir鈥檚 book, is that she tends to justify the queen in every occasion. However, her portrayal is still quite objective, and her personality well presented.
Elizabeth was a complex individual. She was very vain, egocentric, capricious and quite ruthless in several occasions (see her treatment of the Grey sisters). However, I cannot help but admire her incredible cunning, her political acumen, and her ability as a manipulator. I was amazed to read about how she managed to convince all her advisers and foreign ambassadors that she was willing to marry, while she was not. Her behavior was extremely modern and daring, even more so if we compare it to those of other queens of the time which were in similar situations (see Mary I and Mary, Queen of Scots). She was also a charismatic leader, and a queen deeply devoted to her subjects.
I warmly recommend Alison Weir鈥檚 wonderful biography. While full of details, it is also engaging and easy to read, and in the end you will know more not only about the main events which shaped Elizabeth I, but about the Virgin Queen herself as well.
July 5, 2012
After having some doubts with Weir's authorship with , I was glad to be reassured with her biography of Elizabeth I of England.
I've always loved Elizabeth. Her story captivated me. The girl who had lost her mother at such a young age and lived in such a perilous age brought glory to her country once again. I had watched countless movies with her and the fascination grew from there.
I knew of the important facts of Elizabeth's reign, but with this book I got a better look at it. Weir made Elizabeth come alive again.
The book starts where left off with Elizabeth's ascension. There are twenty seven chapters and an epilogue and even that didn't seem like enough to me. Luckily Weir a listed a great bibliography, so I'll be checking out some of those.
This a great biography. Weir doesn't shy away from Elizabeth's faults, but also praises her achievements. I was truly sad when the end came.
There is an author's note in the back about Elizabeth in film. I was a little dismayed when she took the piss out of the Cate Blanchett films since I love her portrayal of her, but with reading this book I can see the flaws of the film. Still I am planning on watching a few of her approved Elizabeth roles.
I've always loved Elizabeth. Her story captivated me. The girl who had lost her mother at such a young age and lived in such a perilous age brought glory to her country once again. I had watched countless movies with her and the fascination grew from there.
I knew of the important facts of Elizabeth's reign, but with this book I got a better look at it. Weir made Elizabeth come alive again.
The book starts where left off with Elizabeth's ascension. There are twenty seven chapters and an epilogue and even that didn't seem like enough to me. Luckily Weir a listed a great bibliography, so I'll be checking out some of those.
This a great biography. Weir doesn't shy away from Elizabeth's faults, but also praises her achievements. I was truly sad when the end came.
There is an author's note in the back about Elizabeth in film. I was a little dismayed when she took the piss out of the Cate Blanchett films since I love her portrayal of her, but with reading this book I can see the flaws of the film. Still I am planning on watching a few of her approved Elizabeth roles.
November 13, 2011
Weir鈥檚 account of QE1鈥檚 final days had me spilling tears. I hadn鈥檛 realized that I鈥檇 become so emotionally involved with her. The awful, and awesomeness, of her heroism during those final days seems a fitting coda to the awful, awesome, heroic life she led. Has there ever been a woman like her before or since? Would that our current political leaders had half the backbone and statesmanship
she displayed.
Forget the movies you鈥檝e seen about this Queen and get stuck into a more source based account. Weir focuses less on political events and more on how Elizabeth I conducted her personal relationships in the public sphere - there being no such thing as privacy for a medieval monarch. We also get fascinating glimpses of the nuts and bolts of court life, the ambitions, griping, and jealousies of courtiers, the affairs and sex scandals, the intense religious animosities that gnawed away at the foundations of the State and kept the Queen on guard for her life, the relationships between the Queen and her subjects and how she managed to manipulate everyone to keep everything - court, country and herself - together.
The irritations I experienced reading this biography had to do with all the repetitions. How many times can you tell the story of a woman entering courtships and negotiations for marriages she never intended to have? Bunches, apparently. A more rigorous approach to editing could have eliminated all the repetitions of phrases, quotations, and speculations of Elizabeth鈥檚 mindset that crop up in chapter after chapter. However, I did cry in the end.
she displayed.
Forget the movies you鈥檝e seen about this Queen and get stuck into a more source based account. Weir focuses less on political events and more on how Elizabeth I conducted her personal relationships in the public sphere - there being no such thing as privacy for a medieval monarch. We also get fascinating glimpses of the nuts and bolts of court life, the ambitions, griping, and jealousies of courtiers, the affairs and sex scandals, the intense religious animosities that gnawed away at the foundations of the State and kept the Queen on guard for her life, the relationships between the Queen and her subjects and how she managed to manipulate everyone to keep everything - court, country and herself - together.
The irritations I experienced reading this biography had to do with all the repetitions. How many times can you tell the story of a woman entering courtships and negotiations for marriages she never intended to have? Bunches, apparently. A more rigorous approach to editing could have eliminated all the repetitions of phrases, quotations, and speculations of Elizabeth鈥檚 mindset that crop up in chapter after chapter. However, I did cry in the end.
March 19, 2010
A brilliant account of Elizabeth's life from her succession to her death. How amazing, how eye-opening a book this was. Elizabeth, after the terrible, bloody reign of her half-sister Mary I, had the enormous task of re-uniting the nation of England, pay back incredible debts, and make people believe in the Tudor's once again.
Her shrewd intelligence and negociating skills held back the Spanish for so long, and even when she could not stop the Armada coming, she defended her country with the utmost force and drove them back to their country.
Elizabeth, full of empathy, does not slaughter and murder like the previous sovereign, instead ruling with a gentle hand, and only executing when it is absolutely necessary.
Her subjects, members of the court and privy council adored her, and she was a very successful monarch. With her everlasting memory and countless good eyewitness reports from the time, Alison Weir re-creates this incredible womans life and presents it to us in her fantastic, easy-to-read way, and makes me love History and the Tudor period even more. Long live the Queen!!
Her shrewd intelligence and negociating skills held back the Spanish for so long, and even when she could not stop the Armada coming, she defended her country with the utmost force and drove them back to their country.
Elizabeth, full of empathy, does not slaughter and murder like the previous sovereign, instead ruling with a gentle hand, and only executing when it is absolutely necessary.
Her subjects, members of the court and privy council adored her, and she was a very successful monarch. With her everlasting memory and countless good eyewitness reports from the time, Alison Weir re-creates this incredible womans life and presents it to us in her fantastic, easy-to-read way, and makes me love History and the Tudor period even more. Long live the Queen!!
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