Anna Whitelock > Quotes

“Esquires of the Body, one of her women would climb in alongside Elizabeth or lie on a truckle bed nearby. Insomnia was a recurrent problem for Elizabeth and a number of medical treatises from the time gave advice on how to get a good night’s sleep.”
― Anna Whitelock, Elizabeth's Bedfellows: An Intimate History of the Queen's Court

“We know Elizabeth was both an insomniac and scared of the dark. All her worries were magnified in the darkness of her Bedchamber at night. It was here that she might have second thoughts about decisions made in the light of day, be haunted by fears of her enemies and plagued by vivid nightmares. Sharing a bed with a sleeping companion of the same sex was a common practice at the time, providing warmth, comfort and security; but being the Queen of England’s bedfellow was a position of the greatest trust, bringing close and intimate access to Elizabeth.”
― Anna Whitelock, Elizabeth's Bedfellows: An Intimate History of the Queen's Court

“Regular bathing was not the norm, although Elizabeth was described as having a bath every month ‘whether she needs it or no’. Nevertheless, in a world of pungent body odour, perfumes were used greatly and considered more than simply a luxury.”
― Anna Whitelock, Elizabeth's Bedfellows: An Intimate History of the Queen's Court

“The Privy Chamber was where Elizabeth would spend most of her day, surrounded by her favoured ladies, transacting government business, listening to music, dancing, playing cards, sewing or gossiping. It was heavily guarded with 146 Yeomen of the Guard.”
― Anna Whitelock, Elizabeth's Bedfellows: An Intimate History of the Queen's Court

“To counteract Nostradamus’ prophecies, Elizabeth called on the services of mathematician, astrologer and necromancer Dr John Dee, who had been a keen supporter of Elizabeth during the years before her accession.”
― Anna Whitelock, Elizabeth's Bedfellows: An Intimate History of the Queen's Court