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Monarchy and Matrimony: The Courtships of Elizabeth I
Monarchy and Matrimony is 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.
Doran's detailed examination of the different suits is based on extensive archival research across Europe. Rather than focusing on Elizabeth's personality and image, she views the question within a wider political and religious context. She shows how the question of Elizabeth's marriage was divisive for England, affecting both political life and international relations, and provoking popular propaganda in the form of plays, poetry and paintings.
Doran's detailed examination of the different suits is based on extensive archival research across Europe. Rather than focusing on Elizabeth's personality and image, she views the question within a wider political and religious context. She shows how the question of Elizabeth's marriage was divisive for England, affecting both political life and international relations, and provoking popular propaganda in the form of plays, poetry and paintings.
292 pages, Hardcover
First published January 25, 1995
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About the author
Susan Doran
25 books38 followersDr Susan Doran is a British historian whose primary studies surround the reign of Elizabeth I, in particular the theme of marriage and succession. She has published and edited sixteen books, most notably Elizabeth I and Religion, 1558-1603, Monarchy and Matrimony and Queen Elizabeth I, part of the British Library's Historic Lives series.
She is currently a tutor and member of the history faculty at Christ Church, Oxford University where her specific area of interest is stated as being Early Modern British and European history. Previously, Doran was a reader in history, Senior Lecturer in History and Teaching Studies and Director of the History Programme at St Mary's College, Strawberry Hill, part of the University of Surrey.
She is also a Director of Studies for history at Regent's Park College and Senior Research Fellow for History at Jesus College
She is currently a tutor and member of the history faculty at Christ Church, Oxford University where her specific area of interest is stated as being Early Modern British and European history. Previously, Doran was a reader in history, Senior Lecturer in History and Teaching Studies and Director of the History Programme at St Mary's College, Strawberry Hill, part of the University of Surrey.
She is also a Director of Studies for history at Regent's Park College and Senior Research Fellow for History at Jesus College
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 22, 2018
It was interesting to see how issues of royal matrimony affected international politics, and I guess some prevailing ideas among historians were challenged. I think. I mean a lot of persons were mentioned, often just by last name, and their believes and opinions about Queen Elizabeth was challenged, but who any of of these persons were weren't elaborated or really explained in any way.
And I guess that Doran did a lot of analysis from first hand sources but I can't really have an opinion on that as she (like far too many historians) doesn't provide the reader with any translation when she quotes a source to prove a point. A lot of points passed me by like that. Many points that wasn't lot in lack of translation wasn't terribly believable either. Her personal assessments of motivation behind certain of Elizabeth's actions are thoroughly reasoned and she's good at pointing out that we can't truly know what Elizabeth felt, but these are mixed in with many unsubstantiated claims, like when she simply claims the belief or (mis)understandings of other persons with zero explanation as to how she knows that.
But what really irked me about this book was the terrible structure. Firstly the introduction doesn't much fit in tone with the content. In the introduction Doran mentions other researchers' assessments of why Queen Elizabeth didn't marry, but it seems like she has refrained from commenting on these or place herself in relation to them (even when she probably should have like when it's unclear what she thinks of people still using Freudian analysis). Throughout the rest of the book, however, she often makes subjective comments and assessment, some of which she should probably have refrained from. It doesn't quiet fit together. I'm not sure if I think the conclusion and last chapter really fits either.
But then there's the general structure of the content which frankly sucks. You constantly think she's wrapped up one line of events and then she goes back again from a different angle instead of just offering the info first time around. At times she offers kind of summaries of events when she first brings them up, including how everything ends up, so you think it's over and dealt with but then she rehashes. A lot of things overlap and it's not done in a way that makes you feel more informed, rather it makes you wonder why certain detail were left out in other mentions and you constantly have to think events over again because the first and second version you got were distorted. Any clear time frame gets lost in the overlapping analysis.
I feel like this could be sososo much better if the writing and structure were dealt with.
And I guess that Doran did a lot of analysis from first hand sources but I can't really have an opinion on that as she (like far too many historians) doesn't provide the reader with any translation when she quotes a source to prove a point. A lot of points passed me by like that. Many points that wasn't lot in lack of translation wasn't terribly believable either. Her personal assessments of motivation behind certain of Elizabeth's actions are thoroughly reasoned and she's good at pointing out that we can't truly know what Elizabeth felt, but these are mixed in with many unsubstantiated claims, like when she simply claims the belief or (mis)understandings of other persons with zero explanation as to how she knows that.
But what really irked me about this book was the terrible structure. Firstly the introduction doesn't much fit in tone with the content. In the introduction Doran mentions other researchers' assessments of why Queen Elizabeth didn't marry, but it seems like she has refrained from commenting on these or place herself in relation to them (even when she probably should have like when it's unclear what she thinks of people still using Freudian analysis). Throughout the rest of the book, however, she often makes subjective comments and assessment, some of which she should probably have refrained from. It doesn't quiet fit together. I'm not sure if I think the conclusion and last chapter really fits either.
But then there's the general structure of the content which frankly sucks. You constantly think she's wrapped up one line of events and then she goes back again from a different angle instead of just offering the info first time around. At times she offers kind of summaries of events when she first brings them up, including how everything ends up, so you think it's over and dealt with but then she rehashes. A lot of things overlap and it's not done in a way that makes you feel more informed, rather it makes you wonder why certain detail were left out in other mentions and you constantly have to think events over again because the first and second version you got were distorted. Any clear time frame gets lost in the overlapping analysis.
I feel like this could be sososo much better if the writing and structure were dealt with.
November 28, 2024
The most helpful book on Elizabeth’s potential suitors, starting to think i won’t find another historian with such a range of ideas than Doran. Even when i find quotes to use in other books, i find that they have just quoted her! But very annoying when i need to find a range of sources, but this is a great choice that covers all the important figures.
library-fodder
August 17, 2013This is a book I would truly love to read. However. Currently (Aug 17, 2013) on Amazon the prices are:
So I'll look for this one only at a library, sadly. At those prices I'm going to assume that it's not likely to turn up at a reasonable price at a used book store either.
Ebook:Just judging by that price I'm going to assume that this is on some university reading list and that's why the prices are so horrible. I've ranted about this before elsewhere, but it bears repeating that there are many books that publishers may assume are only going to appeal to academics but that may appeal to a percentage of folk outside of that group. You know, like former academics or folk who just enjoy reading history.
Digital List Price: $136.00
Rent From: $31.94
Buy Price: $99.06
Hardback:
Amazon: $104.27
Used: from $40 to $80
Publisher: Routledge (November 1, 2002)
File Size: 993 KB
Print Length: 292 pages
So I'll look for this one only at a library, sadly. At those prices I'm going to assume that it's not likely to turn up at a reasonable price at a used book store either.
July 18, 2010
During research for a grant on Elizabeth I Tudor and her Foreign Marriage Negotiations, I came across this book. I was blown away by how well Susan Doran presented the complexities and the facts regarding the issue of Marriage that surrounded Elizabeth I Tudor throughout her entire life, while remaining objective. I am completely fascinated by Elizabeth I and her reign. Susan Doran presents her as human, which I think people tend to forget about. Such a great book for anyone interested learning more about the marriage issues surrounded her reign.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews