Heretic Queen: Queen Elizabeth I and the Wars of Religion

by Susan Ronald

Acclaimed biographer Susan Ronald delivers a stunning account of Elizabeth I that focuses on her role in the Wars on Religion—the battle between Protestantism and Catholicisim that tore apart Europe in the 16th Century

Elizabeth’s 1558 coronation procession was met with an extravagant outpouring of love. Only twenty-five years old, the young queen saw herself as their Protestant savior, aiming to provide the nation with new hope, prosperity, and independence from the foreign influence that had plagued her sister Mary’s reign. Given the scars of the Reformation, Elizabeth would need all of the powers of diplomacy and tact she could summon.

Extravagant, witty, and hot-tempered, Elizabeth was the ultimate tyrant. Yet at the outset, in religious matters, she was unfathomably tolerant for her day. “There is only one Christ, Jesus, one faith,” Elizabeth once proclaimed. “All else is a dispute over trifles.” Heretic Queen is the highly personal, untold story of how Queen Elizabeth I secured the future of England as a world power. Susan Ronald paints the queen as a complex character whose apparent indecision was really a political tool that she wielded with great aplomb.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Religion, Audiobook, British Literature, Tudor Period

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2012

Reviews

[Caroline Donahue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting at points, and clearly well researched, but the number of names and the way they are presented made this feel a bit like drinking out of a firehose. I read about a third and them gave up, as the only points I found really engaging were the sections about history I had already read about before, like Mary Queen of Scots and her ill-fated marriage to Lord Darnley.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn't want to give this book 2 stars ("it was OK"), but I have to. It's a vital story whose effects are still felt today. The book is well researched and at times quite interesting. But I had a really difficult time getting through this book. The tale is very complicated with many different people involved and many moving parts. The author overwhelmed me with detail, often without anchoring it within context. The text is a blizzard of names, titles, and relationships. The action shifts rapidly among locales in Rome, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland, and England. Insignificant events are treated almost on par with major events. One of the highlights of the book should have been the story of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, yet only 4 pages are devoted to it from the time the Armada set sail (bottom of p. 268) to its return to Spain (p. 272). At the same time, page after page is devoted to the many plots hatched to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. Granted, those attempts are an important part of the story, but with all the different names, dates, and places, after a short while it all becomes a blur.

Sample paragraph demonstrating the density of people, places and activities (pp. 59-60): "On receipt of Elizabeth's provocative letter, Mary of Guise, awaiting overdue succor from her brothers in France, made for Edinburgh's port of Leith. Meanwhile, the court of Francis and Mary traveled to Blois for their first resplendent Christmas as king and queen of France. The queen mother, Catherine de' Medici, was on her way to the Spanish border, accompanying her young dark-eyed daughter Elisabeth to meet her groom, Philip of Spain. Elizabeth's general, the Duke of Norfolk, readied the Army of the North for battle against the French at Berwick. Unsurprisingly, all the while, Elizabeth fumed in London about the senselessness and expense of war." There's a lot going on here and a lot to keep track of.

I think if you already are familiar with this era of English history and are familiar with England and Western Europe, this book would make a little more sense. But contrasted with the excellent A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare: 1599, I got far less out of this book than expected to, I think because the author focused too much on the detail of the story and too little on the big picture. It's a shame, because there is a lot of good stuff being presented here.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was definitely less about Elizabeth and more about the Wars of Religion, but I appreciated it just the same. I went into it hoping to learn more about Elizabeth as a person during that time period, so I was a little disappointed. However, I knew very little about the wars of religion during this time period and thought it was fascinating how it affected the politics of the time, especially at the start of the empire age.

This can be a little dense, and could potentially be skimmed with about the same overall benefit.

I felt it was lacking: maps and family trees. Great pictures.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book didn't get halfway interesting until I was at least halfway through it. It's hard to make the reign of QE1 seem boring, but this author managed to do so brilliantly.

At that point it gets a bit better, but only a bit.

In the book's introduction the author quips that there was once a time when people took religious practice seriously and it was a formative part of their every day lives. Some people even prayed before they even ate breakfast. The author speaks of such folk as if they are strange creatures that cannot be found in the modern world. I call such people by names such as wife, son, daughter, parents, mother-in-law, and friend.

Later the book calls a papal bull a fatwa (which is just stupid and wrong) and refers to people who believe in theological truth as fundamentalists, even though fundamentalism is a theological movement than wouldn't exist until another two hundred years after the events discussed in this book.

[Chip Supanich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a history geek, but primarily of American History through reading mostly presidential biographies. I branched out into British History because The US and Brits share a lot of history, because this book was acclaimed, and because I loved the movie starring Kate Blanchett!

I expected it to be dry and difficult to process, but I was engrossed almost from the first page. Ronald's meticulous research combined with an accessible writing style made for an enjoyable read and a positive learning experience. Did you know that Queen Elizabeth I was the first royal to have a secret service at her disposal?

Other fun facts and interesting and scandalous things about the wars of religion in the late 1590's can be at your fingertips if you grab a copy of this book. Beware of graphic depictions of medieval tortures and killing methods lie therein.

[Lauren Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that Ronald did a good job showing the international side of the religious controversies--Elizabeth was not only dealing with reaction at home to her actions but always having to keep in mind the strategic implications of her actions overseas. Choices she made could and did cause wars.

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading a couple of really good Tudor-era histories(In the Lion's Court: Power, Ambition, and Sudden Death in the Reign of Henry VIII and Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne), this was a huge letdown. It's not really a biography of Elizabeth - she really only plays a bit part. But I'd still be happy if this book were a clear overview of the era, but it's not that either. It's similar to a dry textbook, except that textbook authors tend to do a better job of situating people and events. I guess this book would be a good overview if you're already very familiar with late 16th century European politics, but if you were then you'd probably be looking for something with a bit more depth. No, this book really isn't good for anyone.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This in-depth and fairly readable book focuses on the religious wars during the era of Elizabeth I. I had a bit of trouble getting through it, mostly because Ronald assumed a level of familiarity with historical figures that I was ~80% on top of. Unfortunately she made passing references (in the "remember this guy, even though I haven't introduced you to him yet?" fashion) that I wasn't able to grasp quickly (thank you, Wikipedia). I was also a bit irritated by some shoddy editing and Ronald's tendency to ask dramatic questions and answer them with "We'll never know." Of COURSE we won't, that's the problem with history - if you don't have a record of something, you can only guess. This book was obviously and meticulously researched, but I didn't find it gripping.

[John Kaufmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, digestible history of Queen Elizabeth I. The book brings home the two defining issues of her reign - the continual threat from Papists within England as well as on the Continent to reverse England's adoption of Protestantism, and who should succeed Elizabeth (which was also tied up with the issuing of consolidating Protestantism or risking a return to Catholicism). Elizabeth tried to steer a path between the opposing positions. The book also provides a considerable time to Mary Queen of Scots and her role in England's affairs at the time. The book is hard to follow at times because of the sheer number of names, their family interrelationships (some of whom were on one side, some on the other), and shifting political allegiances.

[Ubiquitousbastard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a little dry, but pretty comprehensive. There was a bias in this, and noticeable, but unlike many other Tudor historians, it wasn't abrasive and annoying. Ronald kept her tone mostly neutral and definitely didn't start preaching, which I appreciate. (Even though I side with her, I don't like to be hit over the head with an author's opinion.)

I kind of think that the period of 1587 - 1603 was glossed over in compared to the early and middle parts of Elizabeth's reign. It's pretty important in the Wars of Religion, and it was kind of just outlined and not really examined in depth.

Overall, it was pretty decent and surprisingly had some information that I somehow not come across in relation to late Elizabethan Era spycraft.

[Val Sanford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a much deeper knowledge now of Elizabethan England and the role religion played in the politics of her reign, I learned so much from this book as we traced the repression of Catholics through to the separatist movement. I also learned a lot about the threats to Elizabeth's reign from King Phillip of Spain and the Catholic leagues. I also learned about the vicious torture of nobles, Oxford Dons, spies, and peasants that were de rigor for late 16th Century England. Well told and extremely detailed. Wonderful lessons in loyalty, faith and the value of trusting yourself. A great read for any historian.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the latest of several books I have read this year concerning Elizabethan history and this still managed to add a useful and interesting perspective. This work's main intent is to examine the Catholic experience for the most part, but other items of historical note are also considered especially when weighed against the Catholic "problem." The more I read the more I am amazed to find my murky view of this particular point in history coming slowly into focus (amazed at the amount of reading I've had to do and find I'm still lacking, yet still learning). This is a useful and readable addition to any Elizabethan history library with a superb bibliography.

[Jarmby · Rating 1 out of 5]

Like many of the reviews I didn't enjoy this and did not finish it .
The author presents a lot to digest in a fashion that gave me indigestion.
I thought there were too many quotes or extracts that I found difficult to understand , so much so that I continually lost the idea stream that was being presented.

A geneology chart would be fantastic or a list of who is who as I couldn't keep track of the multitude of players in the saga.
It is a really enticing story but for me needs to be told more simply

[JoAnna Studer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know how many books (fiction and nonfiction) I’ve read about Queen Elizabeth. This one was unique though because it focuses on the stance QE takes in terms of religion and tolerance for the various forms of worship in her country. This book also clearly explained the conflict between Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots. Read this if you’re interested in putting religious freedom in perspective.

[Dave Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with many of the other reviews that there are a lot of names. I disagree with many of the reviews in that I don't believe this is a bad thing. I don't know how the author could have structured the narrative without getting into the actors driving that narrative.

This book was definitely as much about the religious struggles of the time as it was about the Queen.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straightforward and educational, which is always a good thing in a history book. The title's a little misleading - for a book that's named after Elizabeth, you'd think the focus would be on her. Or, at least, on her for a significant portion of the book. But it isn't - a much more accurate title would be "An Overview of the Wars of Religion During the Elizabethan Era" or something like that.

[charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using religion as a vehicle to weave a great story of Elizabeth's England, the European political environment during the period, and a central theme of Mary, Queen of Scots, the author has developed a great narrative and rich resource of information.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author occasionally repeated the same point/sentence multiple times, which got somewhat annoying. But overall excellent scholarship and eminently readable.

[Marlina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah, I will read anything about Elizabeth Rex.

[G. Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Well told, fascinating subject matter. Great read

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 4 out of 5]

ROYALTY READS PROJECT

[Daniel M · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a lot of interesting material in here but Elizabeth sort of disappears midway through the book.

[Nathan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Elizabeth I of England is a very familiar English monarch, widely credited for England's rise to international prominence and the success of the Tudor dynasty in being able to transition from late medieval to early modern Europe successfully, this book does offer something that many readers will not likely well understand and that is Elizabeth's savvy in dealing with the wars of religion that were sweeping over Europe at the time of her reign.  Indeed, the book's focus on the wars of religion demonstrate that contrary to popular opinion, England was not viewed as a highly powerful nation but was a somewhat marginal one at the time and thus England's ability to successfully avoid domination by France and Spain while hesitantly supporting the Protestant cause abroad in the low countries and also dealing with the tension between religious refugees in London and xenophobic London crowds as well as that between Puritanism and recusancy within England itself.  Elizabeth shows herself to have been a strong monarch but a beleaguered one and this book does not minimize the sort of threats that she was under in her reign, nor does it stint on discussions of how she sought to increase her own power base in the face of the dangers that England faced during her reign.

This particular book of a bit more than 300 pages is divided into four parts and twenty-six chapters and has an immense dramatic sweep.  After acknowledgements and an author's note the book begins with a prologue discussing a sacrificial priest during the reign of Queen Mary.  After that there are eight chapters that discuss England as a wounded and divided land from 1558-1566 (I), as Elizabeth sought to remain a virgin queen and had to deal with the threat of her neighbor to the North, Mary Queen of Scots, as well as her own population.  After that there are nine chapters that deal with the Catholic ascendancy between 1566-1580, including the threat of rebellion, iconoclasm, the Dutch revolt, plotting and counterplotting, the massacre in Paris, and a look at the Puritan underworld in London as well as the suffering of English Catholics.  The third part of the book contains five chapters that address the years of religious terror from 1580-1591 (III), the time of the Armada as well as the witch hunts against those who would threaten England's peace, and efforts to frustrate the designs of England's enemies.  Finally, the book concludes with four chapters that discuss the division of England that remained from 1591-1603 (IV), as Elizabeth had to deal with her succession as well as attempted invasions from abroad and the continuing struggle for moderation with demands from Puritans and Catholics to change the Elizabethan settlement.

Indeed, this book is a triumphant demonstration of the ability of able leadership to overcome a great deal of internal division as well as external threats.  While France was busy caught up in civil war and Portugal unfortunately found itself swallowed up by a Spain that was struggling to deal with revolt in the Dutch provinces, England managed to deal with threats to its internal stability while simultaneously increasing its external prestige as a nation which required respect by other monarchs.  The author does a great job here at discussing both the internal life of England during Elizabeth's reign, where actors and playwrights served as spies (sometimes, as with the case of Marlowe, fatally), where underground presses were involved in struggles between Catholic and protestant thinking and where rulers like Elizabeth sought to use the coercive power of the state to ensure domestic tranquility as well as possible even as popes and other rulers sought to replace her with a more tractable monarch.  Elizabeth's ability to navigate the problems of her reign compels respect, not least in her skill of choosing the right sort of people to advise her who reflected the balance that she sought to attain for England.

[Kaelyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I strongly disliked this book. I'm sure part of it was that it addressed the religious struggles of Elizabeth I's reign. I am not religious nor do I care about the religious wars that took place in history other than the Crusades. This is to no fault of the author but rather the reader's choice of book.

Another issue I had with this book was that Ronald info-dumped the reader. As a person who had basically no knowledge of Elizabeth's reign beforehand, reading this book was like slogging through a metaphorical information labyrinth that I had to take baby steps to navigate through. This, of course, made it a difficult, loathsome read. I'm sure I would have liked it more if I had understood it better, but if it's the author or the reader's fault of communication, it's up for you to decide if you read this book.

However, it does have its interesting points. The drama of Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth had me wishing that Mary would be killed already! The Catholic vs. Protestant struggle had me wondering who really was the "villain" in the religious fight. When the book drew to a close with Elizabeth's inevitable death, I was a bit sad for the Virgin Queen, despite her having died 411 years ago.

The main issues I had was its writing style, which I found bland, and its subject matter, which the latter is to no fault of Susan Ronald.

[Nicholas Lefevre · Rating 3 out of 5]

In pursuit of my quest to learn of the great female leaders of history, I picked this. In fairness to the author, Susan Ronald, its title includes "...and the Wars of Religion." As I read the forward I also learned that this was her second biography of QE-I.

It is quite a comprehensive treatment of the conflicts between Catholicism and Protestantism (and among their subgroups) during the second half of the 16th Century. It covers a dizzying array of players in Rome, Spain, Portugal, France, England, Scotland, and the Lowlands (present day Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium). There were so many characters, in fact, that I was forced to categorize them by faction rather than treating them as individuals.

The result is that I was forced to treat Elizabeth as merely the leader of the attempted "middle way." I thought it was exceedingly weak at bringing forth Elizabeth I as a human being and a leader.

Every American should understand the wars and conflicts of this period in understanding our roots. These were the forces that were materially responsible for the emigrations to the Colonies. I will have to look elsewhere for a real understanding of Elizabeth I.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I starting reading this, I saw the three star reviews and was honestly confused. After all it's a book...about Elizabeth...history...England. Obviously I was going to love this book. Why would I take any of this too seriously?

The three star reviews were right.

This book has everything going for it in my universe--Elizabeth, history, England. And yet...

In that "yet" is a pile of disappointment. In an effort to get to her points about the religious intrigues, Susan Ronald races through the background info while still supplying ample detail. In the end, it's like a casserole where you try to please everyone. She ended up making no one happy.

Maybe the point was that there is two books in here--the wars of religion during the late 1500s and Elizabeth. By trying to fully combine both, she gave neither the attention deserved or warranted. Instead it was just that casserole.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved learning more about this pivotal era in western history. And anything with "heretic" in the title is sure to grab my interest. The picture portrayed in this volume is of a much more vulnerable and beset queen. The forces arrayed against Elizabeth were formidable; Spain and Philip II, Mary Queen of Scots, anti-clerical Protestants. In short, a recipe for disaster weren't it for Elizabeth's (and her advisor's) resolve to continue the Anglican Reformation in her own lights. A great read.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. I liked this part: "...Chartley, unusually for a Tudor manor house, had no private brewery. Considering that England's population of around four million people drank eighteen million barrels of beer annually, with over three-quarters of it brewed domestically, the answer to Walsingham's dilemma was obvious. The beer casks brought to Chartley could feasibly serve as mailboxes for Mary's correspondence."

[Traci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew that a lot of Elizabeth's reign dealt with religion, but I didn't know how much of it was affected. I learned some new tidbits, but, like others, found myself skimming over parts of this book. To me, there were many parts that were over-explained, with too much detail about so-and-so who only appeared in the book for 2 pages, but their introduction took 5. Also like others, I found the most interesting parts to be the ones that I already knew about.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although littered with well-researched information, i feel this book is best to accompany preexisting knowledge of the era, it’s people and places, as each page is littered with names and geographical locations that don’t have sufficient detail of importance for the novice historian. Undoubtedly, someone with a more extensive knowledge of Elizabethan times would enjoy this book and it’s focus on an important aspect of religious war during the reign of Elizabeth.