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De Hartenkoningin: Het leven van Elizabeth Stuart
Om het leven van Elizabeth Stuart hangen veel mythes: ze zou een verkwister zijn geweest, iemand die meer gaf om haar aapjes dan om haar kinderen. En dan werd ze ook nog eeuwenlang spottend ‘winterkoningin’ genoemd, omdat ze maar één winter koningin van Bohemen was.
De hartenkoningin laat een heel andere vrouw zien: Elizabeth was slim, geestig en excentriek, en beschikte over een ijzersterk geheugen. Ze was een Schotse koningsdochter, die trouwde met de keurvorst van de Palts, Frederik. Ze werden in 1619 koning en koningin van Bohemen, maar een jaar later alweer verbannen. Ze vluchtten naar Den Haag, waar hun hof een brandpunt werd voor politieke en religieuze vluchtelingen uit alle windstreken, en ook voor kunstenaars en avonturiers. Frederik stierf in 1632, Elizabeth dompelde zich in diepe rouw, maar zag zich ook gedwongen de erflanden in Duitsland voor haar kinderen terug te krijgen, waarvoor ze haar grote internationale netwerk aanboorde. Ze hanteerde haar ganzenveer met dezelfde behendige precisie waarmee ze ooit te paard wilde zwijnen had gespietst. Ze had bovendien meer invloed op de gang van zaken in oorlogvoerend Europa dan tot nu toe is gedacht.
In De hartenkoningin geeft Nadine Akkerman, aan de hand van meesterlijk detectivewerk in vele archieven, een heel nieuw beeld van een van de meest opwindende en uitgesproken vrouwen van de zeventiende eeuw.
De hartenkoningin laat een heel andere vrouw zien: Elizabeth was slim, geestig en excentriek, en beschikte over een ijzersterk geheugen. Ze was een Schotse koningsdochter, die trouwde met de keurvorst van de Palts, Frederik. Ze werden in 1619 koning en koningin van Bohemen, maar een jaar later alweer verbannen. Ze vluchtten naar Den Haag, waar hun hof een brandpunt werd voor politieke en religieuze vluchtelingen uit alle windstreken, en ook voor kunstenaars en avonturiers. Frederik stierf in 1632, Elizabeth dompelde zich in diepe rouw, maar zag zich ook gedwongen de erflanden in Duitsland voor haar kinderen terug te krijgen, waarvoor ze haar grote internationale netwerk aanboorde. Ze hanteerde haar ganzenveer met dezelfde behendige precisie waarmee ze ooit te paard wilde zwijnen had gespietst. Ze had bovendien meer invloed op de gang van zaken in oorlogvoerend Europa dan tot nu toe is gedacht.
In De hartenkoningin geeft Nadine Akkerman, aan de hand van meesterlijk detectivewerk in vele archieven, een heel nieuw beeld van een van de meest opwindende en uitgesproken vrouwen van de zeventiende eeuw.
536 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2022
17 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Nadine Akkerman
10 books16 followersNadine Akkerman is a Reader in Early Modern English Literature at Leiden University. She has published extensively on women's history, diplomacy, and masques, and curated several exhibitions. In the academic year 2015/16 she was Fellow at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIAS-KNAW). She is the editor of The Correspondence of Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia (OUP, 3 volumes, of which the first appeared in 2011), for which her prize-winning PhD (2008) serves at the groundwork. She is currently writing a biography of Elizabeth Stuart (forthcoming from OUP). In 2017, the World Cultural Council recognised the transformative effect of her work in the form of a Special Recognition Award.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 20, 2022
Brilliant new book by Nadine Ackerman
December 8, 2022
Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of King James VI of Scotland and I of England, sister to King Charles I of England, aunt to King Charles II of England and wife of Frederick V of the Palantine (making her Electress Palantine); is colloquially better known as the, “Winter Queen” for her brief winter reign as the Queen of Bohemia. However, her life and legacy lasted longer than a season but has the unfortunate - but common - discrediting in the hands of male historians. Instead of honoring her role in European history; she is effectively remembered as a superficial woman notably obsessed with tapestries and pet monkeys. In actuality, Elizabeth was an active stateswomen participating in the political affairs of several royal houses (families). Nadine Akkerman aims to rehabilitate this formidable queen and reveal the real cunning of her person in, “Elizabeth Stuart: Queen of Hearts”.
“Elizabeth Stuart” is a lengthy volume heavy on the scholarly academia hell-bent on divulging the true nature of Elizabeth, Electress Palatine and Queen of Bohemia. If expecting a light text; “Elizabeth Stuart” is not for you as there is nothing ‘light’ or flimsy about Akkerman’s writing. In fact, “Elizabeth Stuart” is quite thick with detective work, research and heavy source material; making it a touch overwhelming even for the most dedicated history reader. The positive of this is that “Elizabeth Stuart” unearths lesser-explored or new information; but the negative is that it is difficult to sponge it all up properly.
Unfortunately, the first 80 pages of “Elizabeth Stuart” hardly discuss Elizabeth and are more of a political tome of the period. Even though it is important to set the scene and understand Elizabeth’s background/family and political history in order to better understand her own role and personality; this immediately puts a wall and filter between Elizabeth and readers. The accusation isn’t that “Elizabeth Stuart” lacks interest; but simply that the piece isn’t as revealing of Elizabeth Stuart as Akkerman claims.
Once readers overcome this hump, “Elizabeth Stuart” focuses more on Elizabeth’s life directly following her personal and political machinations. However, “Elizabeth Stuart” continues to hold readers at arm’s length even at this stage highlighting ledgers/account books and surrounding royal events rather than truly getting to know Elizabeth. It is crucial to never speculate from a modern eye on the past and avoid biases regarding the actions of those living several centuries prior; but Akkerman is perhaps too objective and dry. It is evident that her angle hopes to portray Elizabeth through these events and thus, “have her speak for herself” but they do not, sadly. Readers are simply left with many unanswered questions.
“Elizabeth Stuart” is also the victim of consistency issues as Akkerman’s output fluctuates drastically in pace and tone jumping from too much detail to too little. The issue isn’t with Akkerman’s writing per se – the language style is top-tier – but with the execution of the content.
As “Elizabeth Stuart” progresses, there are some finite revelations that clarify Stuart England historical matters with Akkerman offering a refreshing, alternate perspective. For example, it is universally known Elizabeth’s much adored son Prince Rupert and his brother Maurice spent most of their youth entangled in England’s affairs at the court of King Charles I. This is oft presented as being a loving family tie but Akkerman unveils the reality of the poor relations between Charles and Elizabeth and Charles’s obsession with manipulating Elizabeth and her sons. “Elizabeth Stuart” does serve some enlightening material despite the curbing from the sidelining of Elizabeth, herself.
There are numerous chronological jumps in “Elizabeth Stuart” which compounds the difficulty for readers to retain information. This doesn’t completely weaken the piece of prove detrimental but it is indeed noticeable.
The concluding chapters of “Elizabeth Stuart” continue the pattern of missing the extra spice to make Akkerman’s work truly stick out and excite readers. There is simply something ‘missing’. Even Elizabeth’s death fails to elicit much emotion from readers and Akkerman could have driven more into the after-effects of Elizabeth’s death on both her relations and history as it is quite rushed and abrupt.
In addition to a singular section of photo plates common to history texts; “Elizabeth Stuart” is fortified with both color and black and white photos/illustrations throughout the entire piece. The Notes section is barely annotated but the Bibliography is immensely impressive and satisfying with its bounty of primary sources, manuscripts, pamphlets and periodicals in addition to the secondary resources. Generally, contemporary history texts rely more on secondary resources but Akkerman hit it out of the ballpark.
“Elizabeth Stuart” is conflicting piece: on one hand, it is heavy on the academic history with no fluff, speculation or romanticizing. On the other, it fails to deliver on its aims of undressing Elizabeth and is not a unique or riveting read. “Elizabeth Stuart” is best suited for readers who strive to read all materials concerning the Stuarts but isn’t necessary needed to be placed on the top of the to-read pile.
Sidenote: “Elizabeth Stuart” is a full glossy-paged text which is a pure joy for many readers, myself included.
“Elizabeth Stuart” is a lengthy volume heavy on the scholarly academia hell-bent on divulging the true nature of Elizabeth, Electress Palatine and Queen of Bohemia. If expecting a light text; “Elizabeth Stuart” is not for you as there is nothing ‘light’ or flimsy about Akkerman’s writing. In fact, “Elizabeth Stuart” is quite thick with detective work, research and heavy source material; making it a touch overwhelming even for the most dedicated history reader. The positive of this is that “Elizabeth Stuart” unearths lesser-explored or new information; but the negative is that it is difficult to sponge it all up properly.
Unfortunately, the first 80 pages of “Elizabeth Stuart” hardly discuss Elizabeth and are more of a political tome of the period. Even though it is important to set the scene and understand Elizabeth’s background/family and political history in order to better understand her own role and personality; this immediately puts a wall and filter between Elizabeth and readers. The accusation isn’t that “Elizabeth Stuart” lacks interest; but simply that the piece isn’t as revealing of Elizabeth Stuart as Akkerman claims.
Once readers overcome this hump, “Elizabeth Stuart” focuses more on Elizabeth’s life directly following her personal and political machinations. However, “Elizabeth Stuart” continues to hold readers at arm’s length even at this stage highlighting ledgers/account books and surrounding royal events rather than truly getting to know Elizabeth. It is crucial to never speculate from a modern eye on the past and avoid biases regarding the actions of those living several centuries prior; but Akkerman is perhaps too objective and dry. It is evident that her angle hopes to portray Elizabeth through these events and thus, “have her speak for herself” but they do not, sadly. Readers are simply left with many unanswered questions.
“Elizabeth Stuart” is also the victim of consistency issues as Akkerman’s output fluctuates drastically in pace and tone jumping from too much detail to too little. The issue isn’t with Akkerman’s writing per se – the language style is top-tier – but with the execution of the content.
As “Elizabeth Stuart” progresses, there are some finite revelations that clarify Stuart England historical matters with Akkerman offering a refreshing, alternate perspective. For example, it is universally known Elizabeth’s much adored son Prince Rupert and his brother Maurice spent most of their youth entangled in England’s affairs at the court of King Charles I. This is oft presented as being a loving family tie but Akkerman unveils the reality of the poor relations between Charles and Elizabeth and Charles’s obsession with manipulating Elizabeth and her sons. “Elizabeth Stuart” does serve some enlightening material despite the curbing from the sidelining of Elizabeth, herself.
There are numerous chronological jumps in “Elizabeth Stuart” which compounds the difficulty for readers to retain information. This doesn’t completely weaken the piece of prove detrimental but it is indeed noticeable.
The concluding chapters of “Elizabeth Stuart” continue the pattern of missing the extra spice to make Akkerman’s work truly stick out and excite readers. There is simply something ‘missing’. Even Elizabeth’s death fails to elicit much emotion from readers and Akkerman could have driven more into the after-effects of Elizabeth’s death on both her relations and history as it is quite rushed and abrupt.
In addition to a singular section of photo plates common to history texts; “Elizabeth Stuart” is fortified with both color and black and white photos/illustrations throughout the entire piece. The Notes section is barely annotated but the Bibliography is immensely impressive and satisfying with its bounty of primary sources, manuscripts, pamphlets and periodicals in addition to the secondary resources. Generally, contemporary history texts rely more on secondary resources but Akkerman hit it out of the ballpark.
“Elizabeth Stuart” is conflicting piece: on one hand, it is heavy on the academic history with no fluff, speculation or romanticizing. On the other, it fails to deliver on its aims of undressing Elizabeth and is not a unique or riveting read. “Elizabeth Stuart” is best suited for readers who strive to read all materials concerning the Stuarts but isn’t necessary needed to be placed on the top of the to-read pile.
Sidenote: “Elizabeth Stuart” is a full glossy-paged text which is a pure joy for many readers, myself included.
February 6, 2022
Hurrah to Nadine Akkerman for her amazing biography of Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia, a major political force during the Thirty Years War. She was the daughter of King James I of England, married to the Elector Palatine, became a monarch of Bohemia, then lived out most of her life as a queenly refugee in Holland, fighting for the restoration of the Palatinate—which eventually did happen in part, if not to her satisfaction, her motto being: ‘plustost morte que changée’ or ‘I rather break than bend.’
I suspect Nadine Akkerman is the world’s foremost expert on all things specifically Elizabeth Stuart. She has spent much of her life’s work in collecting and analyzing Elizabeth Stuart’s existing correspondence, which is mostly political in nature, and I see this focus reflected in Akkerman’s biography. She does include major life events and family stories, mostly reinforcing what I knew already. What this biography particularly did for me, however, was to deepen and broaden my understanding of the political role and situation of Elizabeth Stuart specifically. I learned more about her financial situation as well—and appreciate her being vindicated a bit that way.
Akkerman definitely exhibits this Stuart princess's liveliness, though! She displays countless times that Elizabeth had a certain spunk and force about both her correspondence and her nature. Those of her time compared her to Diana (analogous to the Greek goddess Artemis), the avid huntress. Elizabeth was a phenomenal huntress herself, and she was so charming that she was given the epithet, “Queen of Hearts.” What might not seem so charming to us today, however, was how she addressed some of her English friends, especially—her dear, honest, fat Thom (for Thomas Roe, an ambassador); the ‘ugly, filthie Camel’s face’ James Hay, Viscount Doncaster, and similar seemingly-disparaging descriptors for other men, in particular those that she was in correspondence with. Some of her nicknames were merely cute, such as calling the chaplain William Twisse, ‘Dr. Twyst’. I suspect that such playful, insulting addresses kept fears at bay about inappropriate attachments, as I’m sure her correspondence was scrutinized. But such names weren’t only for the men—she called her own children her 'little black babies' and she referred to one of her ladies-in-waiting as ‘my Dulcinea, the reverend Countess’, which had an ironic sting as it referenced Don Quixote’s love for a peasant girl, whom he only imagines a countess. The countess’s husband had died shortly after their marriage, and the title had significantly elevated her rank; the irony is, though, that Elizabeth clung fiercely to her own title of Queen of Bohemia her entire life, though they were deposed within a year or so of their coronation. As she was an anointed queen, I agree that it was her title to keep, rather like a dowager queen, but it is surprising that she would give her ‘Dulcinea’ such a hard time. Maybe Elizabeth realized this, though, as she had no trouble laughing at herself. One of my favorite lines of the biography was, “What Elizabeth’s court lacked in numbers, however, it more than made up for in attitude.”
I especially appreciated learning about the galling rivalry that developed with Amalia Solms, her erstwhile lady-in-waiting who grew so proud married to a prince of Orange that she deemed her daughter too good even for the Prince of Wales. Granted, he was a bit down on his luck at the time—and after seeing how the queen of Bohemia had remained a refugee for ages, I suppose Amalia had good reason to be hesitant!
I would have liked to learn a bit more about many of Elizabeth’s private relationships, though obviously Nadine Akkerman doesn’t have a crystal ball. I’m especially curious about Lord Craven, who supported Elizabeth Stuart during much of her older age—and there is at least a bit more known about him, if not ‘them’. Likewise, I was hoping to find out more about her friendship with Anne Dudley. Nor does Akkerman even talk much about Scultetus (I think his name came up once, perhaps), whom I’ve understood to be a troublemaking religious figure in her husband’s court. Even when the author discusses Prince Charles’ incognito journey to Spain (to see about his ‘Spanish Match’) at length, she fails to mention that he stopped back in France and met his wife for the first time! I chalk up this omission to the author being intensely centered on Elizabeth’s own political correspondence, wherein lies much of Elizabeth’s historical importance. So with regards to Prince Charles’ incognito journey, Elizabeth was in hot water with her dad for sending an ambassador to ‘stop’ the Spanish match, and THAT was Akkerman’s focus. I am actually so grateful that Akkerman does have this focus. Not only has she put together all of that correspondence—a herculean task—but she even solved ciphers and uncovered invisible ink messages. It’s incredible what she has done, and now she’s distilled it into a single comprehensive biography.
I can’t say enough how delighted I was to read this particular biography about Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia. Long ago I started writing a novel about Elizabeth Stuart, who is supposedly my ancestress, and so while reading Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Hearts, I ended up roughly outlining a whole series! I’m not sure if I will actually write those novels, but if I ever do, they will be more accurate for having learned much about Elizabeth Stuart’s world from Nadine Akkerman.
I suspect Nadine Akkerman is the world’s foremost expert on all things specifically Elizabeth Stuart. She has spent much of her life’s work in collecting and analyzing Elizabeth Stuart’s existing correspondence, which is mostly political in nature, and I see this focus reflected in Akkerman’s biography. She does include major life events and family stories, mostly reinforcing what I knew already. What this biography particularly did for me, however, was to deepen and broaden my understanding of the political role and situation of Elizabeth Stuart specifically. I learned more about her financial situation as well—and appreciate her being vindicated a bit that way.
Akkerman definitely exhibits this Stuart princess's liveliness, though! She displays countless times that Elizabeth had a certain spunk and force about both her correspondence and her nature. Those of her time compared her to Diana (analogous to the Greek goddess Artemis), the avid huntress. Elizabeth was a phenomenal huntress herself, and she was so charming that she was given the epithet, “Queen of Hearts.” What might not seem so charming to us today, however, was how she addressed some of her English friends, especially—her dear, honest, fat Thom (for Thomas Roe, an ambassador); the ‘ugly, filthie Camel’s face’ James Hay, Viscount Doncaster, and similar seemingly-disparaging descriptors for other men, in particular those that she was in correspondence with. Some of her nicknames were merely cute, such as calling the chaplain William Twisse, ‘Dr. Twyst’. I suspect that such playful, insulting addresses kept fears at bay about inappropriate attachments, as I’m sure her correspondence was scrutinized. But such names weren’t only for the men—she called her own children her 'little black babies' and she referred to one of her ladies-in-waiting as ‘my Dulcinea, the reverend Countess’, which had an ironic sting as it referenced Don Quixote’s love for a peasant girl, whom he only imagines a countess. The countess’s husband had died shortly after their marriage, and the title had significantly elevated her rank; the irony is, though, that Elizabeth clung fiercely to her own title of Queen of Bohemia her entire life, though they were deposed within a year or so of their coronation. As she was an anointed queen, I agree that it was her title to keep, rather like a dowager queen, but it is surprising that she would give her ‘Dulcinea’ such a hard time. Maybe Elizabeth realized this, though, as she had no trouble laughing at herself. One of my favorite lines of the biography was, “What Elizabeth’s court lacked in numbers, however, it more than made up for in attitude.”
I especially appreciated learning about the galling rivalry that developed with Amalia Solms, her erstwhile lady-in-waiting who grew so proud married to a prince of Orange that she deemed her daughter too good even for the Prince of Wales. Granted, he was a bit down on his luck at the time—and after seeing how the queen of Bohemia had remained a refugee for ages, I suppose Amalia had good reason to be hesitant!
I would have liked to learn a bit more about many of Elizabeth’s private relationships, though obviously Nadine Akkerman doesn’t have a crystal ball. I’m especially curious about Lord Craven, who supported Elizabeth Stuart during much of her older age—and there is at least a bit more known about him, if not ‘them’. Likewise, I was hoping to find out more about her friendship with Anne Dudley. Nor does Akkerman even talk much about Scultetus (I think his name came up once, perhaps), whom I’ve understood to be a troublemaking religious figure in her husband’s court. Even when the author discusses Prince Charles’ incognito journey to Spain (to see about his ‘Spanish Match’) at length, she fails to mention that he stopped back in France and met his wife for the first time! I chalk up this omission to the author being intensely centered on Elizabeth’s own political correspondence, wherein lies much of Elizabeth’s historical importance. So with regards to Prince Charles’ incognito journey, Elizabeth was in hot water with her dad for sending an ambassador to ‘stop’ the Spanish match, and THAT was Akkerman’s focus. I am actually so grateful that Akkerman does have this focus. Not only has she put together all of that correspondence—a herculean task—but she even solved ciphers and uncovered invisible ink messages. It’s incredible what she has done, and now she’s distilled it into a single comprehensive biography.
I can’t say enough how delighted I was to read this particular biography about Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia. Long ago I started writing a novel about Elizabeth Stuart, who is supposedly my ancestress, and so while reading Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Hearts, I ended up roughly outlining a whole series! I’m not sure if I will actually write those novels, but if I ever do, they will be more accurate for having learned much about Elizabeth Stuart’s world from Nadine Akkerman.
December 13, 2025
Nadine Akkerman’s Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Hearts restores to full view a woman who has too often been pigeonholed as a political footnote or a romantic curiosity, and it invites readers to consider how a single life—ambitious, precarious, relentlessly social—illuminates the politics, culture, and material worlds of early-modern Europe.
Elizabeth Stuart is more than the “Winter Queen” of legend—she emerges as woman whose emotional intelligence, household management, and diplomatic activity shaped her fragmentary career: daughter of James VI & I, bride of the Protestant elector Frederick V, queen of a short-lived Bohemian experiment, and a long-suffering, politically active exile.
The narrative moves beyond the headline events (marriage, defeat at White Mountain, exile) to linger on domestic and cultural practices—patronage, letter-writing, household politics, material culture—that made Elizabeth influential even while she lacked a stable throne.
Scholars of early-modern Europe and students of gender and political culture will find a substantive, methodologically rich treatment. General readers attracted to intelligent biography will enjoy Nadine Akkerman’s storytelling. Finally, those who care about the practice of history will appreciate the book’s demonstration of how much can be regained from careful archival work.
Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Hearts is a model of what historical biography can achieve when archival rigour and narrative skill are joined. Nadine Akkerman rescues Elizabeth from the shadow of failure and exile without overstating her successes; she recasts the Winter Queen as an energetic networker, a shrewd self-fashioner, and a politically consequential figure whose life offers a window on the entangled realms of affection, image, and power in seventeenth-century Europe. For readers interested in how the small things—letters, inventories, portraits, gifts—make large history, this book is essential reading.
Elizabeth Stuart is more than the “Winter Queen” of legend—she emerges as woman whose emotional intelligence, household management, and diplomatic activity shaped her fragmentary career: daughter of James VI & I, bride of the Protestant elector Frederick V, queen of a short-lived Bohemian experiment, and a long-suffering, politically active exile.
The narrative moves beyond the headline events (marriage, defeat at White Mountain, exile) to linger on domestic and cultural practices—patronage, letter-writing, household politics, material culture—that made Elizabeth influential even while she lacked a stable throne.
Scholars of early-modern Europe and students of gender and political culture will find a substantive, methodologically rich treatment. General readers attracted to intelligent biography will enjoy Nadine Akkerman’s storytelling. Finally, those who care about the practice of history will appreciate the book’s demonstration of how much can be regained from careful archival work.
Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Hearts is a model of what historical biography can achieve when archival rigour and narrative skill are joined. Nadine Akkerman rescues Elizabeth from the shadow of failure and exile without overstating her successes; she recasts the Winter Queen as an energetic networker, a shrewd self-fashioner, and a politically consequential figure whose life offers a window on the entangled realms of affection, image, and power in seventeenth-century Europe. For readers interested in how the small things—letters, inventories, portraits, gifts—make large history, this book is essential reading.
October 18, 2022
I found this a bit of a struggle to be honest, I'm interested in the person and the period but I wasn't always clear what was going on.
December 20, 2021
A must-have for historical novelists and seventeenth-century fanatics alike, this is a fantastic example of the biographer’s art, as it takes a woman many think they know and comprehensively rewrites her story. Using many letters that have lain unread for centuries, and deep research that refuses to simply accept the stories that have grown up around her, Akkerman strips away the myth and shows us the woman. Elizabeth Stuart was far from the spendthrift, frivolous princess whose ambition led to the Thirty Years’ war and the idea that she was a bad mother who preferred the company of her monkeys to her children is shown to be as nonsensical as the pejorative title of Winter Queen under which her reputation has laboured. Instead, the author presents us with the ‘Queen of Hearts’ who had to be physically restrained from visiting the front before the battle of White Mountain – she was eight months pregnant – and who many of her father’s subjects wished was his heir rather than her brother Charles. Yes, she was difficult, stubborn and often wrong, but she was also witty, intelligent and brave – you don’t spear boars from horseback while pregnant without having something extra about you! A fascinating book about a woman who lived on the ragged edge of history for much of the seventeenth century and was subsequently marginalised by generations of historians. Oh, and it’s stuffed full of fabulous images to boot. What’s not to love?
December 29, 2023
Elizabeth Stuart was the daughter of King James VI and I of Scotland, England, and Ireland, and Anne of Denmark. She married Frederick V, Elector Palatine, in 1613, and the pair were briefly King and Queen of Bohemia before being exiled. Elizabeth spent the better part of her life in exile in the Netherlands.
Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Hearts by Nadine Akkerman follows Elizabeth's story from her time as a Princess in Scotland to an exiled Queen in The Hague. The book is an amazing scholarly work with intense detailing and excellent primary source material.
Unfortunately, the level of detail can sometimes make the book a bit too intense and overwhelming. I found myself skipping certain sections as they became too dull.
Nevertheless, Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Hearts by Nadine Akkerman, fills a huge gap and is an excellent read.
Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Hearts by Nadine Akkerman follows Elizabeth's story from her time as a Princess in Scotland to an exiled Queen in The Hague. The book is an amazing scholarly work with intense detailing and excellent primary source material.
Unfortunately, the level of detail can sometimes make the book a bit too intense and overwhelming. I found myself skipping certain sections as they became too dull.
Nevertheless, Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Hearts by Nadine Akkerman, fills a huge gap and is an excellent read.
July 19, 2022
A fantastic read for anyone interested in the life of the little-known Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia, King Charles I's older sister, and her role in British history.
Most know of Elizabeth Stuart as the mother of the dashing cavalier Prince Rupert who fought for his uncle during England's bloody civil wars and Sophia, Electress of Hanover, whose son reigned Britain as George I.
Nadine Akkerman's scholarly biography focuses on one of the 17th Century's most misunderstood and extraordinary women and the times she lived.
Elizabeth was King James I and VI and his queen Anna of Denmark's only surviving daughter who married Elector Palatine Frederick V in 1613.
Frederick V and Elizabeth were offered the throne of Bohemia only to lose their kingdom and their lands in the Palatine, and be forced into exile in the Netherlands.
She lived through the Gunpowder Plot, the death of her older brother Henry and fought for her eldest son Charles Louis' right and the restorations of their lands, following her husband's death in 1632.
More tragedy followed with the execution of her brother in 1649 and her son Maurice who was lost at sea in 1652.
Elizabeth returned to England in 1661, following her nephew King Charles II's restoration the year before, where she passed away in 1662.
Most know of Elizabeth Stuart as the mother of the dashing cavalier Prince Rupert who fought for his uncle during England's bloody civil wars and Sophia, Electress of Hanover, whose son reigned Britain as George I.
Nadine Akkerman's scholarly biography focuses on one of the 17th Century's most misunderstood and extraordinary women and the times she lived.
Elizabeth was King James I and VI and his queen Anna of Denmark's only surviving daughter who married Elector Palatine Frederick V in 1613.
Frederick V and Elizabeth were offered the throne of Bohemia only to lose their kingdom and their lands in the Palatine, and be forced into exile in the Netherlands.
She lived through the Gunpowder Plot, the death of her older brother Henry and fought for her eldest son Charles Louis' right and the restorations of their lands, following her husband's death in 1632.
More tragedy followed with the execution of her brother in 1649 and her son Maurice who was lost at sea in 1652.
Elizabeth returned to England in 1661, following her nephew King Charles II's restoration the year before, where she passed away in 1662.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
did-not-finish
July 16, 2024Too much detail about expenses and festivities, too much focus on everyone and everything but Elizabeth (there was even an entire page describing a funny but ultimately pointless story about Elizabeth's pet monkeys), too many excerpt of letters written in archaic English.
Also, despite being a biography and not a textbook, the hardcover is printed on textbook-quality paper and therefore weighs a ton, so opt for the ebook instead if you can.
Also, despite being a biography and not a textbook, the hardcover is printed on textbook-quality paper and therefore weighs a ton, so opt for the ebook instead if you can.
February 26, 2024
Zeer interessante biografie van een koninklijke vrouw uit een van de woeligste periodes van de Europese geschiedenis. Akkerman slaagt er goed in om te laten zien hoe Elizabeth lange tijd politiek actief en welke rol zij speelde in de Dertigjarige Oorlog. Ook de vele details dragen bij aan een mooie en rijke biografie
December 19, 2021
Dear lord this was heavy going. I love my history and had hoped this tome about the little wrote about Elizabeth Stuart known as the winter queen would be engaging. Sadly it was way to overblown and repetitive for my liking.
January 3, 2023
Impressively thorough with a great introduction, but a bit dry and hard to follow compared to other biographies I’ve read from this period.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews