Queen Elizabeth in the Garden: A Story of Love, Rivalry, and Spectacular Gardens

by Trea Martyn

Queen Elizabeth I’s great love for gardens transformed her country and made gardeners of statesmen, courtiers, and soldiers. The two most powerful men in England during Elizabeth’s reign, Dudley and Cecil, led the way. Driven by their rivalry and devotion to their queen, they created ever more gorgeous gardens that amazed the world.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Gardening, Historical, Biography, Tudor Period, British Literature

298 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This history of Elizabeth I reads as easily as any fictional drama as we follow the serious yet almost absurd rivalry fought between Dudley and Cecil for Elizabeth's favor via gardening.

Elizabeth I was passionate about going for walks, being outside, having her picture painted in full sunlight, and both relaxing and doing business while in the lovely setting of a flower garden - so her courtiers competed to see who could make the biggest, grandest, most elaborate, most cutting-edge gardens, filled with the most exotic plants, most fruits grown out of season, best ancient sculptures and latest water technology to entertain their queen.

A fascinating look at the reign of Elizabeth I from an angle not much examined before but clearly in need of being brought to light and added to the big picture of her reign.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Popular nonfiction done well so I enjoyed the book. Queen Elizabeth’s passion and love of gardens and herbal remedies is well described. Also interesting was how the men around her such as Cecil and Dudley devoted so much time and money to build fantastical gardens both because of their own interests but also to engage her interest and thus rise in stature and influence. I found it somewhat similar to a book about Bess of Hardwick-Devices and desires-which was a more thorough look at the Elizabethan era’s fascination with creating ever more elaborate architectural buildings, and in this book, also gardens.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both lovely and interesting. 'Spectacular design' comes at the end of the title but is my overriding impression from the book. Bittersweet reading as the fabulous gardens are no longer there for us to walk in.

[Garnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why four stars when I continually fell asleep reading this book. First, it's about gardens we can no longer see so there are no photographs. If anyone had asked me, I would have suggested line drawings of the plants and flowers, many no longer known even to long-time (United States)gardeners. Such poetic or since it's Elizabethan, raw names. Ok, still to support the four stars, so much therefore is left up to the imagination that it's a good read anyway. I would have liked at least to see Dudley's totem as a drawing, a line drawing, that must be around the British Museum somewhere. Dudley, William Cecil, not to mention the royal suitors vying for ER-one favors with grandiose precursors of Disneyland is entertaining history. THE Queen plays her cards so well, saving lots of money, progressing around England 'visiting the great houses' with her entourage of hundreds. I am so glad she did and the records remain. And it was a brilliant on her part to keep all the bigwigs busy improving their real estate in anticipation of her visits. Rather than fighting or marrying her.

I preservered with this book because I had just finished a novel about her youth, seen a Brit film with Stewart Granger as Dudley, Deborah Kerr as Catharine Parr and Jean Simmons as Young Bess.

Then came the Epilogue, delightful, worth stumbling through the heavy handed prose of the chapters which read like research lists. The voice changes, the tone lightens, and I was left fully satisfied with reading the book.

[Karen Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at an aspect of Elizabeth I that most biographies of her don't touch on, being more concerned with political events. Elizabeth loved flowers and gardens and being outside in them, sometimes staying outside all day and conducting business in the garden. She was a great walker, going on brisk long walks in the morning and evening (imagine doing that in an Elizabethan dress!), and slower saunters in the garden in the afternoon with her courtiers. She also expected to be well entertained when she visited her coutiers and nobles on her yearly progresses and they obliged. But no one had the resources to compete for Elizabeth's approval on the level of Robert Dudley and William Cecil. They constantly strove to outdo each other in garden design, new and exotic plants, and lavish spectacle. Gardens and palaces were constantly enlarged and re-designed between Elizabeth's visits, artificial hills and lakes were created, banqueting pavilions, bowers and grottoes were built. While she was in residence there were constant performances by musicians, singers, actors and dancers,and her own courtiers. There were elaborate fireworks and mock sea battles on the artificial lakes. It must have been something like being at Disneyland, but without the crowds of strangers.

[Lisa Cerqueira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I happened upon this book on one of the display tables at our library (one of the reasons I still prefer browsing libraries and bookshops instead of scrolling through electronic pages!) and couldn't believe my luck in finding a mash-up of two of my favorite things — gardening and British royal history!

So that said, I anticipated being fully engaged in this book, and found myself strangely not to be the case. In telling the story and the relationships between all of the various characters, the author frequently jumped between years, which made it difficult to follow the thread of any particular story. And there were no pictures! A lot of the text was describing the gardens and their features, and drawings of the layouts or reproductions of the paintings mentioned would have helped me immensely.

In spite of that, there's a LOT of interesting stuff in here for gardening and history fans. Queen Elizabeth spent a lot of time outside and loved gardens, and the people wanting to get on her good side spent a lot of time, money, and effort to one-up each other to entertain and surprise her by creating elaborate gardens with rare plants, trick fountains, water features, or unusual applications of common English meadow flowers. One especially elaborate masque and banquet hosted by Robert Dudley at the gardens of Kenilworth took place just downriver from Stratford-upon-Avon, with details from the amorous goings-on turning up in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Nights Dream."

To quote the book: "Elizabeth's great love for gardens transformed her country and made gardeners of statesmen, courtiers, and soldiers." I just love this idea. Let's give everyone a spade and some seeds and settle our differences that way!

Sadly, the two featured gardens and their palaces were demolished in the English Civil War, though they are undergoing archeological study and restoration of the gardens. Anyone up for an Elizabethan garden tour road trip??

[Tay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Due to the amount of information given, it's a slow paced read, for sure.

BUT! 4 stars because I am left with 3 major thoughts after this read:
1. Swoon. I am daydreaming about the mystery that was the Elizabethian garden. I have to find some of these sites on future travels, even if these elaborate gardens are long gone.
2. Queen Elizabeth I... what a lady... what a fox... what a shameless flirt... what a diva.... what a queen. (Also a little petty, imo.)
3. Where are these men making extravagant gardens to gain a lady's attention???!
3.a. Dudley seemed to be the most romantic of the rivals.
I mean.... Gold-tipped rosemary and lavender leaves?? That’s not courtship—that’s a 16th-century man standing on the roof screaming, “I LOVE YOU, PLEASE NOTICE ME.” And he was her childhood bestie? C'mon.
3.b. pleasant bonus: imagining Elizabeth walking out at night with torches catching every gilded leaf… that’s straight-up cinematic. It’s romantic, political, wildly extra, and a little unhinged—total Tudor energy.

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this book was filled with fascinating topics and was very interesting and informative. Unfortunately, it was formatted so oddly and, from one paragraph to the next, you could jump decades at a time. It was also incredibly disappointing to see none of the cuttings, sketches, and paintings described in the book nor any pictures of the ruins or recreations present today. I think a revised edition of this book that seeks to present a more organized narrative and includes reproductions of at least some of the many works mentioned when describing the gardens would be highly beneficial

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been very good at history and remembering who everyone is and how they're connected, and dates of events, so I found this book interesting but a tiny bit dry and hard to follow. Had thought it was a novel set in Elizabethan England so was a little disappointed it's actually non-fiction, but that's my own fault for not reading the blurb properly!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would have been so much better with pictures. Photographs of the gardens that still exist, maybe the plans for the ones that don’t. It was kind of hard to visualize some of the stuff that they were discussing. Also, not super into gardens.

[Wealhtheow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queen Elizabeth seems to have had a lifelong love of gardens, and creating incredible gardens for her to enjoy on her long progresses through the country became good strategy for her courtiers. This book is primarily about two: Robert Dudley's grounds at Kenilworth Castle, and William Cecil's Theobalds Palace. Dudley was flashy and romantic, and initially his younger, more cosmopolitan style won the day. But Cecil got the best gardener in all of England, a man capable of growing exotics including tobacco, potatoes, pinks and sunflowers, and Elizabeth fell in love with Theobalds as well. The longer Elizabeth stayed, the more in favor the courtier probably was, and the more grants etc. they could get out of her. The lengths they went to for her entertainment were extreme. Dudley's fireworks were so outrageous that on one occasion they nearly killed his villagers. Another time, the Earl of Hartford was given little advance warning of Elizabeth's arrival. So, unable to get his gardens up to scratch in time, he instead dug a huge crescent shaped lake in his grounds and staged a recreation of the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

These incredible pleasure gardens, which bankrupted some to create, are long gone. In fact, there are no Elizabethan gardens left in England, only ruins and reconstructions. Martyn had trouble finding details of the actual gardens at Kenilworth and Theobalds, although she provides all she found. The descriptions of the gardens and gardeners' tricks are lovely. Less lovely are Martyn uneven accounts of history, and periodic attempts to drum up interest by writing about historical figures in the present tense, as though she knows their hidden thoughts and feelings. Unnecessary!

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information in this semi-fictional book is incredibly well documented and gives one a very good picture of Elizabeth I, the two courtiers who fought to stay her favourites, and the beautiful gardens of the day. My prinicple complaint is that there is not enough 'story' and it seems to jump between factoids (based on letters & journals of the times), which is a shame considering the knowledge the author obviously has of the subject. As well, it might have been useful to include a chart of the characters mentioned...there are so many relatives and connections within E. Rex's court, the written description alone is insufficient to allow us to understand them (especially for visual learners). But, my complaints are not major...all-in-all this is a well-researched and excellent addition to the resource libraries of those interested in the goings-on in England during the late 16th century (in fiction and non-fiction).

[Granny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a unique look at history through the use of formal gardens and the annual royal progess. The rivalry between Elizabeth the First's favorite Lord Robert Dudley and her political advisor Sir William Cecil was expressed in a variety of ways, and the author looks in-depth at the formal gardens which delighted and enticed Elizabeth during her annual progresses as another way of capturing her attention and currying her favor.

Interwoven with the history of these complicated relationships, is the history of how the formal gardens evolved, how rare plants and statuary came to England, and how they influenced the course of history.

A very good read for those who enjoy history, especially the Tudor period. Lavished illustrated, albeit with black and white prints. Enjoy the fascinating story!

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

A twelve page bibliography and index completes the book. But I would have much preferred better illustration. The gardens are described as spectacular, but line drawings of some of the mazes and tools don’t translate the sense of expense Robert Dudley and William Cecil expent to captivate Elizabeth. References to painting of Elizabeth led this reader to the internet to discover what the author was referencing. Book would have been much more impressive with inclusion of those painting.
Since I had read about Elizabeth’s habit of playing on suitor/coutry/minister against another, the book provided no additional insight into her reign.
My expectations were high and I was disappointed.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprising read. Just when a history teacher like myself thinks they've immersed themselves in all thing Elizabethan...comes this examination of the time from a completely new angle. Using the lush love of gardens and outdoor luxuries, tales are spun of the rivalry between Dudley & Cecil, the dalliance over possible fiances, and the tastes of a rather extravagant, stubborn, emotional queen -- far more than her iron facade reveals. "Sumptuous" is the best word to describe the content of this book...and it makes you want to rush immediately to England, and explore the remains of some of these amazing, man-made Edens.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world of Queen Elizabeth I was a fascinating time in English History. This book concentrates on the rivalry between Lord Robert Dudley and Sir William Cecil to win the favor of the Queen by creating intoxicating and gorgeous gardens and palaces.

The Queen travelled about the country and stayed at their estates for weeks and months at a time. Sadly, she never ventured to visit any country outside of England, so she experienced the spectacular beauty of Italian and French gardens vicariously through Theobalds and Kenilworth Gardens.

I learned a great deal about these gardens through this book and it makes me wish they still existed today, so we could enjoy them as well.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it irritaating that a book that referred to paintings so often did not have any pages with photos of the paintings in question. I was not able to find all of them using Google, and it's a bit confusing to read about paintings you have never seen. Also, the author had plenty of interesting material but did not organize it very well- the result is a book that switches back and forth haphazardly from focusing on the rivalry among Elizabeth's courtiers to the gardens and the effort that went into them. I would much rather have read more about that latter- the former is fairly well covered in any biography of Elizabeth.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book for those interested in history of gardens or Queen Elizabeth. A few of the magnificent gardens described are being recreated in England, and these should really something to see as they reviled (but pre-dated) the likes of Versailles and the Italian Renaissance Hill Gardens. The book does get a repetitive in its matter of fact manner of discussing the endless court intrigues of the time.

[₵oincidental Ðandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book which looks at the reign of Elizabeth of England through - of all things - English garden design of the 16th century. It focuses on her two most trusted courtiers, William Cecil & Robert Dudley, and their vying efforts in attempting to please the Queen & winning her favours. A fascinating look at horticultural design, herbology, expenditure, rivalry, entertainment & influences during the Elizabethan Golden Age.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non-fiction book about Queen Elizabeth I and her love of gardens. Lots of information you don't usually get in other books about her life...like the fact she would choose herbal remedies any day over a regular physician. That many attempts were made to assassinate her with most of the attempts made while walking in her gardens. That cherry juice was used to treat gout...even then. That none of Elizabeth's gardens survive but they are trying to restore Kenilworth with lottery money.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no idea there was a rivalry to create spectacular gardens to entertain QEI and earn her favor. I appreciated the historical note at the end that followed up with what became of the gardens and manor houses. Mostly this was an interesting read - at times a little disjointed and some overkill on the reiteration of what certain symbols meant.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine, but I wanted to like it better. It was strongest when she discussed the rivalry between Dudley and Cecil, but was disjointed and a bit laboured at other times. More illustrations would have been nice. All the great Elizabethan gardens are now gone, so the lush descriptions of surviving Italian Renaissance gardens at the end of the book made me want to visit Italy immediately.

[AskNezka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully rich and insightful narrative history on Elizabeth I's intense love of gardens and the men who designed and offered them to her for her enjoyment. I savored each chapter one by one. Hope to see the sites one day as some of these gardens are getting recreated in England.

[Maureen E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great examination of the gardens and, by extension, the men in Elizabeth’s life. A fascinating read, if you like history. I found myself wishing that I had read it before I was in London (obviously impossible without a time machine, as it’s newly published).

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched but the author jumps around quite a bit making her thought processes at times a bit difficult to follow. Shame on her editor! Also, colored photos of the gardens and ruins the author mentions would enhance her descriptions. (I would love to see Cecil's actual plans for Theobolds.)

[Jazz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains lots of fascinating and entertaining anecdotes about Elizabeth I, but it lacks a smooth structure. The author jumps around in time, making it difficult to keep track of the historical characters. It's a good, coherent book, just not quite a page turner.

[Rohini · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the historical narration about the virgin queen and her prime courtiers. The book did get tedious with excessive descriptions of the gardens and the feasts and festivities during the Queens Progression. The personal politics and strategies were interesting.

[Juli Wisniewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was well written and insightful. It's an interesting and often overlooked aspect of Queen Elizabeth's reign. I just wished there could have been some pictures of the gardens she's discussing. Other than that, a great book. Highly recommended.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book, but a bit scattered in organization. Also it is hard to sift out what is historical with what is fiction.

[Lu]

Liz I, and her gardens