Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne

by David Starkey

The legend of Elizabeth I, the untouchable, charismatic Virgin Queen, is a powerful and enduring one. Most biographies focus on the years of her reign, during which she proved herself as adept a ruler -- and as shrewd an operator -- as England had ever seen. But while the history of her rule is fascinating, the story of how her remarkable character was forged seems vital to a full understanding of the woman who led England into a new age of prosperity, power, and artistic achievement. David Starkey's Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne explores the terra incognita of Elizabeth's early years, and the result is nothing short of captivating.

Starkey finds that Elizabeth's early years ran the gamut from days of snug security as the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and Henry's heir apparent, to the years of uncertainty after her mother's execution when
Elizabeth was separated from court and virtually forgotten. She received a first-rate academic education, excelling in languages and rhetoric and exhibiting a strong interest in the Protestant religion her father had established in England. But the education she received from life itself would prove far more valuable for the monarch-to-be. After the death of Henry VIII and Edward VI (Elizabeth's half brother), Elizabeth's status as sister and would-be successor to the Catholic queen Mary put her in a dangerous position.

It also put her in prison at Mary's command -- and perilously close to execution -- after plots to place Elizabeth on the throne were revealed. Starkey makes it clear that while others may have actually done the dirty work, Elizabeth was usually in the thick of these efforts. Her imprisonment taught her to cover her tracks, but it did not stop her maneuverings. While fervently professing her Catholic faith, she surrounded herself with Protestant advisers and attendants, and bided her time.

She evaded another snare of her sister's when Mary attempted to neutralize Elizabeth by marrying her off to a Catholic Spaniard in exchange for naming Elizabeth her successor. Perhaps Elizabeth had learned early on from the plight of her mother that marriage had its drawbacks. Starkey, however, suggests that Elizabeth, in a moment of true regality, would not accept the crown if it came through bullying and capitulation. Again, Elizabeth bided her time.

Her seeming patience -- for Starkey reveals that Elizabeth continued to plot -- paid off when Mary, never robust, entered her final illness. Elizabeth managed to convince the now irrational queen that she was, indeed, a staunch Catholic and vowed to preserve England as a Catholic realm. Upon Mary's death, Elizabeth ascended to the throne with no meaningful opposition, thereby beginning what would be a golden age, one of the most legendary reigns in history. Starkey lets us understand, for the first time, the forces that made her into the formidable woman -- and brilliant ruler -- that she would soon prove to be.

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

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

David Robert Starkey, CBE, FSA is a British historian, a television and radio presenter, and a specialist in the Tudor period.

Reviews

[A.E. Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Focuses primarily on Elizabeth’s early years. The last chapter gives an illuminating non-Scottish perspective on the debacle with Mary, Queen of Scots.

[Erik Graff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned, opinionated and witty--this is an excellent biography of Elizabeth I's early years. While some knowledge of British and European history in the sixteenth century is presumed, this book should not be beyond the reach of a high school student. Indeed, unlike many other historians of the period, Starkey is usually careful to provide definitions--either directly or by context--of some of the more archaic terms which vividly color his portrayal of the behaviors of aristocrats and high churchmen of the times. He is also unusually good at keeping the main players, individuals and families, and their relations with one another clearly defined.

This is the story of the upper classes of the Tudor era in general and of Elizabeth in particular. Indeed, it borders on a psychobiography of the queen, of whom the author has a pretty clear sense, however debatable, and towards whom he has no small affection. It is also, appropriately enough, a history of England's conversion from Roman Catholicism to something no longer Roman and not quite Protestant.

I cannot emphasize enough how fun this book was to read, how effortlessly its author instructed me. I am no expert on Tudor history, nor had I formerly held any fondness for this monarch. I remain inexpert, but a little bit of the glamour carried over, enough to cause me to want to rethink what I have thought about Elizabeth and her reign. I'll be keeping my eye open for more of Starkey's books about the Tudors!

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Starkey writes with the assumption that he is always right. He never argues his point, just states it while dismissing other historian's research. I love the subject matter, but cannot bear his tone.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoy David Starkey. I first read Henry The Young Prince when I was around 16 and was so drawn to Starkey's interpretations and Henry VIII influences. His writing is very creative and assertive.
I loved reading about Elizabeth's first experiences and hearing of her strife as a child. I didn't remember her clothing experiences and there are many interpretations of this aspect of her formative years. Hatfield was only later, Elizabeth's first" stronghold". I would love to travel to Hatfield. We have a Tudor building where I live with the characteristic wooden cladding structure.
it was good to have a new view of Kat and the Dudley's, which wasn't darkened by anachronism: it would seem Kat's motherliness could be complicated in other narratives about this time. Elizabeth did not talk about her mother, nor did her Norfolk relatives support her. Her mother's would have been succeeding Queens.
I also found the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth was more finely defined so that Mary knew about Elizabeth's character and Mary was not always such a threat. Mary would not kill her sister. Elizabeth's inheritance was discussed: her inheritance got her support as an heir presumptive.
I found the religious chapters complicated and short. Starkey alleged Elizabeth's asserting her father's influence in this circle of important interest.

[₵oincidental Ðandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divine.

[Janet Wertman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done. Don’t love Starkey, but I have to respect his scholarship….

[Ariana Fae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Elizabeth I is one of my favorite historical characters so I had to read this book. David Starkey writes a very detailed biography on Elizabeth with short chapters that were easy to read. I was expecting the book to be more about Elizabeth but discovered the author went on tangents about the people in her life. I understood why Starke may have taken that route, to show she was influenced by them, especially her father, but felt he lingered too long on them with unnecessary details. I enjoyed the insights with her relationships to her siblings, step mothers, father and how they affected her through her childhood into her adult years. It was a good read without being overly scholarly.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just arrived from Finland through BM.

This book gives an excellent biography of Elizabeth and how the transition between Catholicism to Protestantism was made in England during the 16th century.

[Bettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bettie's Books

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young Elizabeth.

Review to follow.

[C.S. Burrough · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something to be said of the feministic slant common among Elizabeth's female biographers which make this sometimes-princess, sometimes-not a sympathetic young character. Just being Anne Boleyn's daughter would have been problematic for any individual regardless of character and circumstances. We recognise that these female biographers have done their job when we're compelled to empathise with the young Elizabeth. Such personal connection allows us special access into her psyche.

I was unsurprised to find this often-unforgiving exploration less empathic than bluntly incisive. I was able to factor in that Starkey was famously tagged misogynistic by historian Lucy Worsley in a heated moment of sensitive scholarly debate. Even his famous sobriquet as the 'rudest man in Britain' I knew was partly just the result of an old television debate panel beat-up.

I took into account that reviews of Starkey's own more recent TV documentaries unfairly drew on this aspect of him, calling him 'pompous' and 'acerbic'. David Sarky was one nickname.

I could therefore put aside Starkey's overt dismissal of other historians' ideas here. His provocative, self-opinionated manner is partly a contrivance, I knew.

This is a great historian of our time, a master of his genre, no mere popular history writer. To enjoy his quality, we must compromise by accepting his style. The effort is worth it.

Elizabeth's early years are undoubtedly what forged much of her persona. These are finely scrutinised without sentiment or bias. Starkey's erudite points are masterfully fleshed out, eloquently phrased and expertly documented.

Elizabeth's formative years of being pampered royal heiress then shunned royal bastard are satisfyingly cited as one trigger of her later infamous episodic neurosis.

Her much-debated time spent in Queen Catherine Parr's house is examined at length. So is the overwhelming probability of her being systematically seduced by her stepfather, the scheming Thomas Seymour, Baron Sudeley, who lost his head for his treasonous shenanigans. This well covered ground, consistent with general consensus, shines the obligatory light into Elizabeth's later famous reluctance towards open romance.

Her confusing return to royal favour under half-brother Edward offers context as plots thicken around replacing her and half-sister Mary with cousin Lady Jane Grey, the nine days queen who then lost her head on the block under the more rightfully placed Queen Mary I.

Elizabeth's subsequent persecution as heir again, under childless Mary, is well explained, with the effect of Elizabeth growing shrewder, a defining feature she would put to great use once on her throne.

Her potential involvement in Protestant plots to dethrone Catholic Mary is perhaps contentiously asserted, with Starkey gratuitously cherry picking to back up his conjecture. We are left with little doubt that she was at least privy to more than she owned up to being involved in, all of which she naturally denied to save her own neck.

A superbly written study, by a talented academic, of perhaps England's most popular queen. Notwithstanding its conspicuous departure from kinder, more feministic angles, this important book deserves its place on our shelves.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't yet read a comprehensive biography of Elizabeth I, but figured this one (which actually cuts off right after she ascended the throne) was a good place to start. I'm familiar with the major events in her early and teen years, but this book presents them in-depth. A bit of background on Elizabeth's parentage is given before Starkey plunges into her pre-accession years (a perspective, he notes, that has not attracted nearly as much scholarly attention as her later, glorious years of ruling).

Despite the fact that Starkey is obviously trying to write to as wide of an audience as possible, I still think this bio would be best for someone already familiar with some of the other scholarship on Elizabeth (as Starkey, rather annoyingly, spends time refuting other scholars' theories without really explaining them). I also wasn't a huge fan of the writing style; it vacillated between dry denseness and odd modern allusions. A rather large section at the end delves into Elizabeth's settlements concerning religion after she became queen, and while I appreciate that this was deeply important at the time, it dragged. I also felt like Starkey oversimplified complex historical personalities in some parts, by clumsily psychoanalyzing various people.

I did, however, appreciate the light in which Starkey portrayed Elizabeth--as a shrewd and pragmatic, yet also human and sympathetic figure. I was particularly interested to learn that she wasn't just a passive prisoner during her imprisonment--she actively outwitted her jailers and succeeded in preserving her political position. Her precarious balancing act between Catholicism and Protestantism, while underappreciated at the time, reflected her intelligence and capability to rule. To understand the later years of her reign, it is necessary to examine these earlier years, as they provided the foundation for her success.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find Tudor history to be fascinating. I have always been a big fan of the Tudors. Elizabeth I is a particularly fascinating historical figure. This historical biography mainly concerns Elizabeth as a young woman. In fact it is around page 238 before Elizabeth becomes queen. Therefore we find out a huge amount about Elizabeth in the years of Edward VI’s, and Mary’s reigns. The political and religious upheaval of the time, was complex, and David Starkey shows just how attune to it all Elizabeth was, and how close she really came to suffering the same fate as Lady Jane Grey and others. Elizabeth emerges as very bright – even as a child she was really very gifted. Surrounded by loyal supporters Elizabeth wasn’t always assured of the crown – and some of her supporters made her perilous position worse during the Bloody Marian years. Of course as we all know Elizabeth succeeded to the English throne, and became one of the most successful monarchs in British History.

I am glad that I have read this book quite slowly, as I have enjoyed coming home every day to the English court of the 1550’s and indulging my love of Tudor history. A brilliant book, utterly fascinating.

[Nick Garbutt · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Starkey strikes me as a curmudgeonly and self-consciously reactionary man, a spiky throwback to past times and a steadfast opponent of change.
He is also a brilliant historian with a genuine enthusiasm for his subject and a withering intolerance of those who fall short of his high standards or who dare to have different views from his.
This can make for entertaining reading.
However these days history itself has moved on and many of us are not satisfied with past methods: the narrative approach, the obsession with great men and women and affairs of state. We want to know more about how the past was experienced by ordinary people. We’re interested in what they wore, how they spoke what they owned and what they thought.
So although this is a well-written and in its own way very entertaining account of Elizabeth’s early years it fell short for me.
I know this is unfair criticism: Starkey achieves what he set out to do and does not pretend to do anything else. It’s just that without the broader context it doesn’t really come to life.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... for a nonfiction highly scholarly biography, this is a surprisingly excellent read. Extensively and intimately researched. I am completely enraptured by this time period and the behind-the-scenes politics and personalities that steered the English ship of state this way and that. This is a fascinating portrait of Elizabeth - focusing almost entirely on her years from birth to ascending the throne (thereafter ruling for 45 years). While I have read many books on the subject, this one is the most illuminating and manages to both clarify and debunk many popularized myths about this queen and her motivations. Starkey has done his homework and extensively quotes the principal players using their own words from speeches, letters, diaries, formal events, and so on. Did you know that Henry the VIII's love letters to Anne Boleyn are housed in the Vatican library? How bizarre is that? So, if you enjoy real history, this is for you. The author is a very accomplished writer.

[Jamie Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This focuses on the early life of Elizabeth Tudor, before she became queen. Starkey boldly, unhesitatingly psychoanalyzes Elizabeth, and while I’m not sure I’m buying all of it, it makes for an interesting read.

He covers the famous incidents of her youth, and explains how they helped mold her personality. For instance, after her mother was executed, Elizabeth’s household was neglected to the point where, at age 4, she outgrew all her clothing. Starkey says this explains why she became such a clotheshorse later in life?

He points out that, if the execution of her mother and stepmother weren’t enough to put Elizabeth off marriage, then her relationship with Seymour, which the author frankly calls sexually abusive, and which ended with his execution, probably did the trick.

The speculation grows less as Elizabeth grows older and there’s more actual material to work with - but the book becomes proportionally less entertaining.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always found Tudors quite fascinating. This book didn't make me feel otherwise. It's a very good writeup on Elizabeth's early years.

The only difference between Elizabeth and a teenage girl who comes from a broken family, abused by step father and ill treated at any opportunity available is she was royalty. The roller coaster ride from the cradle to the Throne is well described with a quite a good look into the 16th century royal affairs, politics and plots. Educative indeed.

The best thing about it was the way it was written. Usually non-fiction history books are no easy reads. This differs from them as it was tireless and a fun read.

[Graveyard Sally · Rating 1 out of 5]

the author thinks very highly of himself and it comes across in his writing. slips into first person far too often - "i think" this, and "i see" that. he criticizes other biographers far too often. beyond his arrogance, it is a difficult read and his telling of courtly intrigue is dizzying at best. it is interesting to learn about elizabeth's formative years and her road to the throne, but i would have preferred to read more about her life and less about starkey's opinions on tudor life.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Starkey is the man! He really brings Elizabeth to life with a respectful depiction of her reign yet he is not afraid to point out her faults (although I don't think the beheading of her cousin Mary Queen of Scots was really a fault - that slut would not quit trying to undermine Elizabeths crown!) This book makes history fun - who would have thought it?

[Rebecca Huston · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better,and more accessible biographies about Elizabeth I, focusing more on her life as a child and adolescent, during the reigns of her father, Henry VIII, her younger brother Edward VI, and elder sister, Mary I. Quite a bit is devoted to the scandal about Thomas Seymour, and later, Thomas Wyatt's rebellion. Recommended. Five stars overall.

For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_E...

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I read about as much as I want to read. Does it count if I don't finish reading a book?

If you read one biography/history of Elizabeth I, don't make it this one. Maybe this could be the fifth or sixth. The author is arguing against other historical opinions, so this book doesn't tell you a lot if you are not already very familiar with Elizabeth's life and the various interpretations of it. For example, he spends several pages explaining the conclusions we should really draw from a letter from Elizabeth to Catherine Parr.

[Donna Pfeiffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested in reading about the first Queen Elizabeth and the beginning of the Elizabethan era. There were an abundance of characters to keep track of, from relatives to court personnel. Elizabeth was portrayed as an intelligent, well educated young lady who was versed in several languages. She was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Bolyen, who was executed by her father. Considering the wives, their rejection and demise, along with step siblings, it is amazing that Elizabeth was able to rise above. She did have a close relationship with her step-sister, Mary, and her step-brother Edward as a child. Mary, the reigning queen before Elizabeth, however was threatened by Elizabeth and imprisoned her in the dreaded Tower. Elizabeth admired her father's reigning ability and chose to follow his political example when she took the throne. Elizabeth is known for showing more mercy than the previous royalty, not executing the tyrannists as was previously done. She also led the country away from Catholicism, taking a middle of the road approach as Protestantism was able to gain acceptance. A strong woman who reigned for 45 years at a difficult time.

[Snorre Frydenlund · Rating 3 out of 5]

Første del var bra men det ble veldig mye detaljer i siste halvdel.

[Nicholas Whyte]

http://nhw.livejournal.com/1125160.html[return][return]This was a fortuitously good paired reading of biographies: Starkey concentrates on Elizabeth's life from her conception and birth in 1533 to her accession to the throne in 1558; he is telling a less familiar story and also challenges received wisdom (for instance he unhesitatingly puts the dying Edward VI at the heart of the Lady Jane Grey affair, where traditionally it has been seen as Northumberland's doing).[return][return]Starkey's approach is somewhat psychological. He has three main sets of conclusions: that Elizabeth learned important lessons of statecraft from the bitter failures of her sister Mary's reign, that her attitude to religion was a sincere adherence to what evolved into High Church Anglicanism, and that her attitudes to both marriage and religion were perhaps crucially formed during her residence with her father's last wife and her second husband, Thomas Seymour. Indeed, Seymour's appallingly intimate behaviour with his teenage stepdaughter would surely be characterised today as sexual abuse (my assessment, not Starkey's), and that must have left its traces in Elizabeth's attitude to men (and indeed women).[return]

[Charlotte Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written and easy to understand, unlike most historians who over complicate and overly exaggerate or express themselves with "big words" to sound clever and full of knowledge. I love this type of biography as it's style of writing puts you in the shoes of the person in question. They write about the person like an actual human being rather than a simple case-study object

Elizabeth is one of my main historical fangirly figures and her endeavours and strengths throughout her life have inspired my knowledge and increased my love of History. She is one of my historical female idols. The terrible trials she overcame to achieve greatness can only inspire.

I especially loved the illustrations of classical artwork, depicting Elizabeth and the family, including those of her Mother, Anne Boleyn, and the famous portrait of Henry VII, Jane Seymour, Edward and Mary and Elizabeth. This portrait was believed to show Henry VII at his most happiest.

[H. P. Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, this book gave some new interpretations to Elizabeth's struggles to stay alive during her sister's reign and stronger showed her as a very political thinker. The terror of living under Mary's rule, when Mary clearly wanted her removed from the succession, translated into the caution and secretiveness that stood her so well in her own reign. Starkey did his research and presented letters, reports and diaries of the time to back up his view of the early Elizabeth. He noted what some contemporaries thought of as her flaws and demonstrated how those perceived flaws worked to her advantage.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of David Starkey from what I've seen of him, but I thought I'd try this book.
It focuses on Elizabeth I's early life, but it also goes on tangents about semi-related things. It's kinda dry, the way it's written doesn't exactly make you interested, so it's good that the chapters are pretty short.
Overall, I wouldn't think this is the best book about Elizabeth I out there, so I will definitely look for something else - and I think you should do the same!

[2bnallegory · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has feelings for his subject and it makes this a more interesting read, it flavors the history. There was a lot to of interesting politics that make such an impact on the children of Henry the VIII.

[Graham Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written narrative. I read this book after seeing the movie Elizabeth. What an amazing period of history. David Starkey had a TV series of the same. I enjoyed this book despite my abhorrence of tyranny.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely more of an academic-type read. But Starkey is one of the top Elizabethan historians, if that's your thing.