These books conjure the spirit of "Gloriana" and her times. A queen par excellence, Elizabeth did more than hold her country together in times of dissent; she gave the English people a ruler they could both love and obey, to bind them together in the face outside foes. Fiery Elizabeth's long rule was an exciting time to be alive.
"Weir has tirelessly made her way through the entire labyrinth of Tudor history to tell the collective story of the six wives of Henry VIII--a vivid, full-blooded portrait of six very different women--in a work of sound and brilliant scholarship."
"...the first comprehensive study of Elizabeth I's courtships. Susan Doran argues that the cult of the 'Virgin Queen' was invented by her ministers, and that Elizabeth was forced into celibacy by political necessity."
"Perhaps the most influential sovereign England has ever known, Queen Elizabeth I reigned prosperously for more than forty years, from 1558 until her death in 1603. During her rule, however, she remained an extremely private person, keeping her own counsel and sharing secrets with no one--not even her closest, most trusted advisors. Now, in this brilliantly researched, fascinating new book, acclaimed biographer Alison Weir brings the enigmatic figure of Elizabeth 1 to life as never before. Here are provocative new interpretations and fresh insights on the intimacy between Elizabeth and Robert Dudley, who rose from Master of the Horse to become Earl of Leicester; the imprisonment and execution of Elizabeth's rival, Mary Stuart; Elizabeth's clash with Philip of Spain, once her suitor and then her enemy; and the cruel betrayal of her beloved Essex."
In this volume, Mr. Rowse brings vividly to life the age's poetry, music, science, painting, sculpture, and the world of the theater:
1. The drama as social expression -- 2. Language, literature and society -- 3. Words and music -- 4. Architecture and sculpture -- 5. Painting -- 6. Domestic arts -- 7. Science and society -- 8. Nature and medicine -- 9. Mind and spirit.
"An abused child, yet confident of her destiny to reign, a woman in a man's world, passionately sexual -- though, as she maintained, a virgin -- Elizabeth I was to be famed as England's most successful ruler. This brilliant new biography, by concentrating on the formative early years -- from her birth in 1533 to her accession in 1558 -- shows how her experiences of danger and adventure formed her remarkable character and shaped her opinions and beliefs."
Describes and assesses England's foreign policy during the second half of the sixteenth century. It includes coverage of Elizabeth's relations with foreign powers, the effect of the Reformation on foreign affairs, Elizabeth's success as a stateswoman and the war with Spain. The book incorporates traditional and revisionist approaches and uses the most recent research to stimulate critical thought and interpretation.
An eBook.
"Glitteringly detailed and engagingly written, the magisterial Elizabeth I brings to vivid life the golden age of sixteenth-century England and the uniquely fascinating monarch who presided over it. A woman of intellect and presence, Elizabeth was the object of extravagant adoration by her contemporaries. She firmly believed in the divine providence of her sovereignty and exercised supreme authority over the intrigue-laden Tudor court and Elizabethan England at large. Brilliant, mercurial, seductive, and maddening, an inspiration to artists and adventurers and the subject of vicious speculation over her choice not to marry, Elizabeth became the most powerful ruler of her time. Anne Somerset has immortalized her in this splendidly illuminating account."
In the wake of the Reformation, Europe lay deeply divided by religion. This second volume tells of the many faceted struggle between Elizabeth and the Catholics of England and the rest of Europe who, denouncing the queen as a heretic, and a usurper, threatened to overthrow her and re-establish the supremacy of Rome in all Christendom.
Drawing on art, artifacts and literature that was left behind, these richly illustrated volumes recount captivating tales of everyday life in long-ago vanished worlds.
Part of the What Life Was Like... series.
The Curator of Historic Royal Places shares his insights into the many residences of the Tudor royal family. Lots of illustrations here, including floor and ground plans, and insights into the court's etiquette, hygiene, religion, government, cooking and interior decoration, as well as their preferred sports.
