Blood, Fire & Gold: The Story of Elizabeth I & Catherine de Medici

by Estelle Paranque

In sixteenth-century Europe, two women came to hold all the power, against all the odds. They were Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici.

One a Virgin Queen who ruled her kingdom alone, and the other a clandestine leader who used her children to shape the dynasties of Europe, much has been written about these iconic women. But nothing has been said of their complicated relationship: thirty years of friendship, competition and conflict that changed the face of Europe.

This is a story of two remarkable visionaries: a story of blood, fire and gold. It is also a tale of ceaseless calculation, of love and rivalry, of war and wisdom - and of female power in a male world. Shining new light on their legendary kingdoms Blood, Fire and Gold provides a new way of looking at two of history's most powerful women, and how they shaped each other as profoundly as they shaped the course of history. Drawing on their letters and brand new research, Estelle Paranque writes an entirely new chapter in the well-worn story of the sixteenth century.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Tudor Period, Historical, France, Audiobook

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2022

Reviews

[Gareth Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An innovative and exciting way of studying the past from a brilliant historian. Blood, Fire and Gold shines a new light onto the diplomatic tensions between sixteenth-century England and France, as well as the Wars of Religion, espionage, court intrigue, and the games of power. At its heart are the fascinating figures of Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici, whose tense and nuanced relationship is expertly told.

Note: Based off an ARC sent to me by the publishers.

[Orsolya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queen Elizabeth I of England is undoubtedly one of the most prolific rulers in all of history. Even though Elizabeth held sway as the Great Gloriana and the Virgin Queen; the formidable Catherine de Medici of the great Italian Medici family was making her own history in nearby France. Both women stood the tests of time and have individually been covered extensively in academia. Lesser focused, however, has been the direct interactions between Elizabeth and Catherine. Estelle Paranque attempts to sail uncharted territory and present these two rulers “through the eyes of the other” in, “Blood, Fire & Gold: The Story of Elizabeth I and Catheine de Medici”.

“Blood, Fire & Gold” was an eagerly anticipated, highly promoted, overly hyped piece that promised to reveal Elizabeth Tudor and Catherine de Medici in a refreshing and unique way that eschews the standard biographical history retelling. “Drawing on private correspondence and brand-new research”; Paranque’s “Blood, Fire & Gold” seemingly would shatter history bookshelves. Unfortunately, not everything lives up to its perturbed hype.

“Blood, Fire & Gold” lays the groundwork with a background discourse into the upbringing foundations of Elizabeth and Catherine bouncing back-and-forth between the two in an abbreviated, disjointed, blurb-style. Not only is the writing style somewhat lacking a proper scholarly tone and thus discounts the work right from the start; but, this early content is easily ignored by those well-versed on the subject as there is nothing new to absorb. At this stage, one can already decipher that “Blood, Fire & Gold” is best suited for those readers who haven’t already pored over countless sixteenth-century European history texts.

The liabilities pile on as ‘inconsistency’ is the name of the game in “Blood, Fire & Gold”. Paranque toggles incessantly between an overly familiar tone with that of scholarly, academia. She then peppers the pages with dialogue narratives a la historical fiction (this point will be addressed again later in this review). Don’t be misled: the majority of the dialogue is not sourced/credited quotes but purely re-imagined liberties presented as actual conversations. Paranque goes so far as infusing these make-believe spoken words with details such, “He touched his nose before speaking again and looked away”. The language used doesn’t even fit the period and often tries too hard to seem ‘real’. Is Blood, Fire & Gold” a history or historical fictional piece? Pick a side, Paranque! Although it is understandable that Paranque desired to weave an illustrative tapestry and make the history come alive; this literary device discredits the text for staunch history lovers and confuses novice readers to assume these are factual.

False presentations continue to perplex unfamiliar readers and simultaneously frustrate history fans as Paranque offensively fills “Blood, Fire & Gold” with speculative statements and ‘truths’ that other historians have debunked as myths. There is heavy-hitting history within the pages of “Blood, Fire & Gold” but it must be sifted through the convoluted mess.

If this hasn’t deterred readers and encouraged them to shut the book (I was tempted, personally); “Blood, Fire & Gold” does begin to improve approximately at the 100-page mark. Paranque seems to find a calmer flow/style and leans more toward a scholarly style (although this doesn’t mean a complete absence of the previous complaints – just slightly less in number). “Blood, Fire & Gold” finally intertwines Elizabeth and Catherine not just politically but in a way that peels back layers of their psyches helping readers better understand ‘why’ they made certain decisions and why they would react to each other in specific ways. Is this where the earth-shattering new material and information is unveiled that Paranque and the marketing team so diligently shouted? Again, no. However, “Blood, Fire & Gold” is more captivating at this junction than the former chapters even for the avid history reader.

Mary, Queen of Scots makes a heavy appearance in “Blood, Fire & Gold” standing as the middle man and thorn in both women’s sides. This coverage of Mary is completely (and abruptly) cut off before reappearing in the final chapters of “Blood, Fire & Gold”. Paranque’s “Blood, Fire & Gold” also suffers from repetition in of facts; slowing the pace and being taking away from any pizzazz held by “Blood, Fire & Gold”.

The final focus that of Elizabeth’s struggle with signing the death warrant of Mary, Queen of Scots is perhaps the strongest note of “Blood, Fire & Gold” with fresh treatment and in-depth analysis that feature Elizabeth in new ways . This, coupled with an assertive reiteration of the interplay between Elizabeth and Catherine during this time concludes “Blood, Fire & Gold” with a more memorable punch than expected.

To circle back to the issue regarding Paranque’s insertion of fictional dialogue within the pages of “Blood, Fire & Gold”: Paranque admits to this tactic in her ‘Author’s Note’ and cites a reasoning of wanting to bring history alive. This blending of history and fiction simply confuses new readers and is not the method suggested to achieve such an aim (at least Paranque admits the usage, though).

“Blood, Fire & Gold” contains a section of color photo plates, a brief (not annotated) notes section and a light list of primary and secondary resources.

“Blood, Fire & Gold” is a commendable attempt to explore the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici and, by extension, England and France. The problems lay therein the execution which is inconsistent, speculative, blurred between history and fiction and with the absence of new information as so adamantly claimed. “Blood, Fire & Gold” isn’t awful but it is simply average for the learned reader and is better suited as an introduction to begin their history journeys.

Note: I was torn between 2 and 3 stars as the text seemed to lean towards both. I rounded up to 3, as an average.

[emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood, Fire and Gold is a must-read for anyone interested in not only Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici, but anyone interested in studies of female power more generally!

Paranque's writing style is pitch-perfect for her subject matter. She deals with wars, on global and personal scales, as well as how families (or would-be families) interact when they operate on an international stage. The dialogue that she translates and recreates is startlingly modern, not because she re-writes it as such, but because she has a keen eye for quotes that demonstrate the personalities of her subjects. The action in the book never lulls and, by the end, you're left feeling somewhat similar to how these two queens must have felt: utterly exhausted by the constant threats to them, their families, and their rule.

Speaking of Elizabeth and Catherine, Paranque treats her subjects with equal parts criticism and empathy. What I really love about this book is that they're never, ever pitted against each other. Paranque never degrades Elizabeth to uplift Catherine, or vice versa. She acknowledges both women for their strengths and their faults, pairing their ruthlessness with a deep understanding of the environment in which they lived and ruled. Those women she doesn't focus on are treated with respect and understanding and as are the men. Even Mary Queen of Scots, who Paranque asserts wasn't actually Elizabeth's ultimate rival, is treated with understanding and sympathy but also never sanctified.

In an era where so much popular history written about women tends to choose one subject to laud and others to debase in order to praise the subject, Paranque completely avoids this traps. She writes about these historical women as they were: people, with personalities and strengths and faults. This deep empathy in her writing makes her book an exciting read—it's never, ever dry, because you feel like you're in the midst of the action with Elizabeth, Catherine, and their ambassadors.

I really do recommend this book to anyone just wants an exciting read about real women, their lives, and how they changed the landscape of early modern Europe!

[Knygu_burtai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ši autorė man buvo pažįstama iš matytų laidų per history kanalą kažkada seniai, kuriose pasakojo apie Henriką VIII, Aną Bolin ir kitas istorines asmenybes. Man labai patiko, todėl nieko keisto, kad labai norėjau perskaityti ir jos knygą. Skaičiau ją lėtai, pasimėgaudama. Rašytoja išsamiai ir smulkmeniškai pasakoja apie dvi istorines asmenybes - Elžbietą, valdžiusią XVI a. Anglijoje, ir Kotryną, kuri valdė kaip karalienė regentė Prancūzijoje - nuo pat gimimo iki mirties. Labai patiko, kad lygiagrečiai vyko pasakojimas apie jas: kas vienu metu vyko su Elžbieta, vėliau pereidavo prie Kotrynos, su kokiais iššūkiais jai teko susidurti. Man tai nebuvo "sausa" knyga, o labai įdomi ir informatyvi nors man viskas, kas susiję su viduramžiais ir Tiudorų dinastija tikrai įdomu☺️
Labai rekomenduoju visiems, kas nori daugiau sužinoti apie šias dvi labai stiprias asmenybes. Puiki knyga - man labai patiko.

[Owen Emmerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLOOD, FIRE & GOLD is a breathtaking study of the competitive and conflictive relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Catherine de Medici. Estelle Paranque’s fresh and compelling narrative approach is the perfect style in which to convey this extraordinary story of the rivalry, intrigue and heartbreak which defined their reigns. Impressively balancing a cinematic approach with a rigorous scholarly lens, this glorious study breaks new ground in terms of both style and substance. Perhaps most importantly, it gives us unrivalled access to a landscape in which female power and agency was experienced and exercised in early modern Europe. It is an extraordinary achievement.

Dr Owen Emmerson - co-author of ‘The Boleyns of Hever Castle’.

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was undoubtedly fascinating and enlightening. However, I didn’t like the liberties the author took when recounting conversations from 400 years ago.

[requiemz.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have there ever been two more fascinating women to withstand the dusty forgotten shelves and annals of history?

Catherine de Medici and Elizabeth I were powerhouses, both sovereigns who rose to eminence during a politically and socially dangerous time for women to be anything more than meek. If not for the sixteenth century religious and diplomatic tensions that divided them and their countries, France and England, they may have very well been close confidants. However, the only way to remain on top was to reign supreme over one and all.
To hold the crown and a place on the chessboard of monarchy and empires was a dangerous business, filled with intrigue, espionage, betrayal and paranoia. At war across borders and within one’s own court, these two queens played a game of life and death. To maintain a legacy, protect themselves, their loved ones and always keep several steps ahead of one another and everyone else at all times meant being a ruthless competitor.

Estelle Paranque brings history to life and makes these women near to flesh and bone in Blood, Fire and Gold. I’ve studied and read a lot about both Catherine and Elizabeth over the years and yet Estelle’s approach was just as thrilling and informative, managing to captivate and keep me hooked ‘til the very last word.

The author’s impartial delivery deliberates upon the strengths and weakness in both women. There is a level of compassion as to the circumstances and times they lived in without affording either total grace for their choices and actions. I applaud her for opting out of the gender bias critique and instead focusing wholly and solely on reflecting upon the real lives of two historical figures who just so happened to be women who altered the playing field on an international level. Centuries ahead of their time, they forged a path for womankind and remain two of the most renowned Queens across the ages.

[Jurgita Videikaitė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Labiau 3 ⭐️, nes labai klampi, bet pabaigoje teko sau priminti, kad tai negrožinis kūrinys ir autorė pasirinko ilgą istorinį laikmetį grįsti istoriniais šaltiniais kiek įmanoma laisviau juos pateikiant. Tai 4 ⭐️ už iššūkį perrašyti šaltinius dabartine anglų kalba ir patraukliai pasakoti apie galingiausias XVI a. antros pusės karalienes.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to win a copy of this on the author's Instagram page as it had been on my wishlist for ages. The book tells the story of the relationship between Elizabeth I of England and Catherine de Medici of France. It's a history of these women, their reigns and their countries. It's well-researched and engaging and I feel I learned loads.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Catherine de/Medici of France and the diplomatic relations between the two countries during Elizabeth's reign. I didn't know anything about Catherine de' Medici or the various religious wars between Catholics and Protestants in France during this time period. This book gets a little hard to follow in audiobook format as you try to keep track of the various English and French diplomats and their conversations with Catherine and Elizabeth, but it is otherwise a worthwhile and enjoyable read/listen. The author traces Elizabeth and Catherine's difficult childhoods, and both of their efforts to secure power. I found the parts interesting that discussed Catherine's to influence policy despite her husband's preference for his politically savvy mistress Diane de Poitiers and her ultimate rise to power as regent on behalf of her son Charles. It also recounts Elizabeth's and Catherine's letters to each other, addressing topics such as Catherine's efforts to marry Elizabeth off to one of her sons as well as Catherine's efforts to get Elizabeth to spare the life of Mary Queen of Scots (Catherine's former daughter-in-law). From reading a review, I learned that the author translated the letters into modern English to make them easier to understand, but this did not bother me. Definitely recommended if you enjoy books about Tudor England.

[Samantha James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was quite a thrilling read. Honestly. I learned so much about Elizabeth I that I hadn't learned in other biographies, and it also sparked my interest in Catherine De Medici and her children. I thoroughly enjoyed this book so much! It was terrific. I'll be writing a solid review on my book history blog.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the outline of events is factual, this is absolute dreck. Written like a high school history report replete with breathless conjectures. I can only recommend this to someone who has /zero/ background with a) either narrative or scholarly history and b) 16th century history, generally.

[Heidi Malagisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two queens; one a wife and the mother of kings and the other a virgin who had to fight for the right to rule her country independently. Two women who found friendship and a rivalry between each other with only a sea that divided them and religious discord to drive them apart. Catherine de Medici and Elizabeth I would define what it meant to be female rulers in the 16th century for France and England, respectively. The tales of Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici have been covered in numerous books, but a joint biography of these two powerhouses is a rarity until now. Estelle Paranque demonstrates how both queens greatly affected each other’s lives in her latest book, “Blood, Fire & Gold: The Story of Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici.”

Paranque begins her book with a short story about an encounter between Elizabeth I’s English ambassador to France, Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, and Catherine de Medici, who acted as regent for her son Charles IX. It is an example of how each queen viewed diplomacy and the dance they had to do to keep their respective dynasties on the thrones of England and France.

Catherine de Medici was the daughter of Lorenzo II de Medici, Duke of Urbino, and Madeline de La Tour, d’Auvergne. Her parents died when Catherine was young, leaving her to be a wealthy heiress and a powerful pawn in the marriage market. Her husband would be King Henry II, known to have several mistresses, including Diane de Poitiers, who was her husband’s, true love. Despite issues with Diane, Henry and Catherine had a huge family, including several sons, including King Francis II, King Charles IX, King Henry III, and Francis, Duke of Anjou. After the death of her husband, Catherine worked hard to be the regent for her sons until they came of age to rule and continue the Valois dynasty.

In England, Elizabeth I was the daughter of Anne Boleyn and the notorious King Henry VIII; their relationship was the most infamous of the 16th century for obvious reasons. After the deaths of King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, and Queen Mary I, Elizabeth got her chance to rule England in her way. When the issue of Elizabeth’s marriage came into play, Catherine de Medici entered Elizabeth I’s life, starting a 30- year relationship that began as a friendship but changed into a rivalry in the end.

Over the thirty years, Catherine de Medici and Elizabeth I dealt with many obstacles in their relationship. Catherine had to deal with the antics of her children and her daughter-in-law, Mary Queen of Scots, who would become one of Elizabeth’s biggest rivals. The bond between the two queens started over a desire for one of Catherine’s sons to marry Elizabeth and become King of England and France, but alas, this was wishful thinking. Catherine and Elizabeth also had to deal with other nations, like Spain, getting in the way of their relationship, as well as the issue of religion; Catherine was a devout Catholic, and Elizabeth was more Protestant. Catherine had to deal with several wars of religions and the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, while Elizabeth had to deal with the Spanish Armada and what to do with Mary Queen of Scots.

Catherine de Medici and Elizabeth I had to communicate through ambassadors and letters, which Paranque translated into modern English, making it easier for modern readers to understand. I cannot stress how much I loved this book and how Paranque was able to weave the stories of the two most powerful women in 16th-century Europe.

“Blood, Fire & Gold: The Story of Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici’ by Estelle Paranque is a tour de force dual biography of two influential badass queens. This book is a must-read for anyone passionate about the 16th century.

[BooksAmyRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

No two women had shaped 16th century Europe as Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici. One a "bastard", the other an orphan. One a queen regnant, the other a queen mother. One died childless and the other became the grandmother of Europe.

At a time when women were given no voice at all and were considered, in every aspect, as less than men, these two lead armies, squashed rebellions and shaped Kingdoms. And they also had a lasting effect on one another. Throughout the years, the would go from enemies, to friends, to potential family through marriage, and then to enemies again. And they never even met.

This book was quite engrossing and never boring. Far from the usual historical books that just throw one fact after the other at you, this one brought back to life the two women and stripped them down to who they were at heart, away from the crowns and the thrones and the plots against them. I thoroughly enjoyed it and if you're curious about the two women and want to learn more about them, this book is a good start!

[Becca (bexbooksandcoffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a marvelous read! I’ve always been a history nerd and Tudor/British Royal history has always been a fascination for me. This book was such an incredible deep dive into parts of history I’ve always been intrigued by but never really knew much about beyond the surface level details. It’s clear that Paranque loved researching and learning about these women and it reflects so clearly in her writing. It was refreshing to read an objective perspective on these women, without being clouded by the belief that one or the other was “better.” Catherine de Medici and Elizabeth Truly were truly remarkable women and I’m so pleased to have learned more about them through this book.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective on England and France international relationship in the 16th century. Although Catherine de Medici got the same amount of time in the book somehow Elizabeth dominates it. I’m not sure that’s what the author intended, having heard her speak. As that was the case I didn’t learn much that was new and I thought I would, as I know very little about Catherine. Her story was only told in relation to Elizabeth’s.
The narrator was good and enhanced my enjoyment overall.

[Susan Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully researched and written book about the two most powerful women in the last half of the sixteenth century. Well done, Estelle Paranque! Long live the lady kings! 👑

[Lindsay pinkcowlandreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[The Bibliognost Bampot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very readable, interesting history. Well structured. But omitted some relevant pieces of the story of Mary Stuart, in one part omitting information, or maybe just trying to simplify it, to such an extent as to make it incorrect - but then this is not a history of Mary Stuart, so maybe it was done deliberately.
Also, needed a good editor - a noticeable amount of grammatical, consistency and spelling errors. It diminishes the authority of the book which is a shame as the author is clearly knowledgeable and passionate and has written an engaging, relatable, absorbing story.

[Mystic Miraflores · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am familiar with Elizabeth I’s story, but not that of Catherine de Medici. Therefore, the French side of the book was very enlightening for me. For example, I didn’t realize Marie didn’t care all that much for Mary, Queen of Scots, her daughter-in-law for a short time. I don’t buy the author’s premise that Catherine wanted to be a “mother figure” to Elizabeth I. I doubt she was that sentimental. It’s astonishing that Catherine lived until she was 69 years old, That is quite ancient for the 16th century, especially as she outlived most of her children.

[Kevin McKenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a fun book filled with fascinating historical figures. I especially like how it frames the relationship between Catherine and Elizabeth; however, in its attempt to make their story more engaging, it narrates conversations in a way that straight-up becomes historical fiction.

[Sophie (RedheadReading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging piece of history non-fiction! Worth noting that the text relies heavy on imagined conversations to narrate the historical events to you, which I know is not everyone's preference with non-fic. I enjoyed the nuanced look at two powerful rulers (although really it's three women, as Mary, Queen of Scots, is heavily explored for great swathes of the text too). Paranque clearly has great passion and finds these women fascinating, and that came through so clearly in her writing!
Sometimes this did fall a bit too heavily into supposition for my personal tastes e.g. the insistence that Catherine would not have ordered the St Bartholomew's Day massacre isn't necessarily flawed but I do want more justification than "surely she wouldn't have risked jeopardising her treaties". The author does address this in her endnotes though, the challenges of translating multiple sources into a compelling account for modern readers!

[Kevin Hatcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a non-fiction book, the author seemed to take a lot of liberties of inserting conversations that were had and seemingly first hand knowledge of what was going through Queen Elizabeth and Catherine di Medici's thoughts throughout the book without much primary sourcing. I'm not a huge fan of that. I did appreciate the relationship between these two women and Mary Queen of Scots as I didn't know much about them. It was a good primer for some of the power struggles between Protestants/Catholics and European families during the 16th century.

[Elle (IG: simply.elle18) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually a non-fiction reader, but I do have an interest in royal history and I found this to be fascinating indeed! I actually listened to the audiobook, narrated by Anna Wilson-Jones and she was brilliant, especially with the French pronunciations.

I urge all history buffs to read this one!

[Hermien · Rating 4 out of 5]

It made me look at these two powerful women in a different way.

[Jodi]

Estelle Paranque’s Blood, Fire & Gold is a dual biography of two of history’s most formidable women: Elizabeth I of England and Catherine de Medici of France. Amazingly, these two women, during the same era, held power for rival countries. Their lives were intertwined via politics and with the shared determination to overcome the burden of wielding power in a male-dominated world. Paranque exposes the challenges Elizabeth and Catherine faced in coping with the male power players and how the women shaped the political landscape via several major themes.
Major Themes
1. Women in Power -Sixteenth century Europe questioned the right of these women to exercise power based solely on their gender. Both defied societal expectations, proved to be shrewd leaders and political strategists (even as their authority was undermined) and were deft at handling the males of their Courts. Could one say they redefined leadership? At least temporarily as once they passed, the power reverted quickly to the male dominated structures. Paranque provides many observations of this struggle with few new assessments.
2. Diplomatic Rivalry – Using diplomatic correspondence, Paranque reveals the tense, precarious and unavoidably intertwined relationship between Elizabeth and Catherine as they navigated the conflicting interests of religious allegiances, national security and personal motivations (marriage negotiations between Elizabeth and a Valois heir showcase all of these issues).
3. Religious Conflict- Neither Queen can be separated from her role in her country’s religious conflicts and using religion to consolidate power. Paranque covers Catherine’s part in the French Wars of Religion in detail, while implying more of Elizabeth’s religious policies impact on her reign --cue the Spanish Armada.
4. Resilience – Both women are survivors whose personal lives took a toll on them. Paranque attempts to show the human side to her subjects yet sources available are too official—their resolve and ambitions usually emerged more as leaders. This reviewer prefers non-fiction to provide only what contemporary informers can relay. Yes they were betrayed, their power threatened and their vulnerabilities exposed but keep speculation out of the narrative.
5. Legacy – Catherine’s identity as the mother of kings and Elizabeth’s as the ‘Virgin Queen’ reflect how both endured and adapted with these different approaches to their legacies in the time-frame of 16th Century Europe. These, shall we say ‘political images’, have shaped their reputations for centuries through concentrated effort on the Queens’ part and Paranque could have further highlighted how their choices shaped their legacies and the perceptions of their reigns.

Critique
Paranque’s research appears thorough with available primary sources and extensive use of secondary sources. Her narrative style is what gives pause to this reviewer. Although she “begs readers to forgive me for having taken some liberties to make the story more compelling” this reviewer cannot. There can be no more compelling stories than those of Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici. Non-fiction titles do not need and should not have, “dialogues and conversations created…” nor thoughts or scenes embellished with adjectives or adverbs which we do not know as the truth of the historical figure. Here are only two random examples: Anne stared at the beautiful sight, full of awe.

Appearing sad and stern, Elizabeth walked a dozen steps toward Fénélon, pulling him by the arm….
It wasn’t just her [Catherine] life force that was leaving her; her faith and hope in the dynasty were also slipping away.

Paranque’s premise of spotlighting the rivalry between these two extraordinary women is compelling if not a ground-breaking analysis of their leadership. This title is general enough for the interested reader who is a novice to this era, to give a clue to the overall challenges and conflicts Elizabeth and Catherine faced not only as female rulers but as adversaries. More advanced history buffs may need to read books concentrated on each woman to glean more complex analysis and avoid the ‘accessible’ style of writing. These women need to be honored for as Paranque quoted Sir Francis Bacon “They two were the only pair of female princes, from whom, for experience and arts of government, there was no less expected than from the greatest kings.”

For more Tudor Era book reviews see https://elizregina.com/

[Desirae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, about the complex up-and-down relationship between Queen Elizabeth and Catherine de Medici, is very detailed; but in places we quite lose sight of that relationship. Paranque describes at length the lives of the two women before they interacted; and, even after that time; she will describe in great detail events such as, for example, the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots. The sources of some of the speeches and letters are footnoted, but most are not, and in those cases it seems to me that the author has invented dialogue, pauses, and facial gestures like smiles; and then the book reads like a novel.

Elizabeth and Catherine began to interact when Elizabeth became Queen in 1559. Her predecessor and half-sister, Mary Tudor, had been at war with France and had lost Calais. On her accession, Elizabeth wanted Calais to be returned to England. A compromise was reached: by the Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis, the French were to keep the town for eight years, after which they would either return it or pay England 500,000 crowns.

During the tournament to celebrate this treaty, Catherine’s husband, Henri II, was killed; and Catherine was now the mother of four young brothers, one of whom, Francis II, now became king; two of his brothers, Charles IX and Henri III would succeed him. The youngest brother was Francis, Duke of Alençon.
Francis II was married to Mary, Queen of Scots, who had a claim on the English throne, and the young couple sported the arms of England. Mary’s mother, Marie de Guise, was her regent in Scotland, and was much hated by the protestant lords there whom Elizabeth supported and with whom she signed the Treaty of Edinburgh in 1560 which Mary Stuart refused to ratify.

Francis II died of an ear infection at the end of that year, and Mary left France for Scotland in 1561. The new king, Charles IX, was just nine years old, and Catherine formally became Regent. She was determined to be on good terms with Elizabeth, and wanted to cement their relationship by proposing, in turn, Charles, Henry and Francis as husbands for her. Elizabeth, determined not to marry, would turn them all down, all the while protesting her friendship with Catherine. But she supported the Huguenots in the eight religious civil wars in France between 1562 and 1593, which of course put a strain on the relationship between the two women. So did Catherine’s protests to Elizabeth about the imprisonment of Mary, Queen of Scots when she fled to England from an uprising of her Scottish subjects. The eventual execution of Mary, Catherine’s former daughter-in-law, in 1587, was another low point.

However, it was in both their interests to oppose the ambitions of Spain, and they had made the Treaty of Blois in 1572, agreeing to send help to the Netherlands in their revolt against Spain which began that year. Elizabeth was horrified by the St Bartholomew massacre of the Huguenots which took place later that year during the celebrations of the wedding Catherine had arranged between her daughter Margaret and the Huguenot Henry of Navarre; but the French ambassador assured her that Catherine and Charles IX had had nothing to do with the massacre, and she maintained the alliance she had just made with France.

(Most historians have said that Catherine had ordered the massacre; but Paranque argues that she would not possibly have done this, given that she had herself arranged the wedding. Paranque blames blames the fanatically Catholic Guise family.)

In 1585 relations between Elizabeth and Catherine and King Henry III took a sharp dip: an English Catholic plotter against Elizabeth’s life had escaped to France, and Elizabeth demanded he be returned to England. Henry III could not afford to do that: the eighth and longest and bloodiest of the civil wars was raging, and the Guise family was lording it over the King. Henry III was trying to debar the Protestant Henry of Navarre, the next heir to the throne, from the succession. Elizabeth supported Henry of Navarre. She did not stop Drake and his privateers from attacking and plundering, not only Spanish, but also French’s ships.

Catherine now saw Elizabeth as her enemy; but Henry III, irked by the power of the Guises, tried to mend fences: they were after all both threatened by Spain. Catherine could do nothing about this: she was severely ill and died in 1589.

[Bookreporter.com Biography & Memoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

BLOOD, FIRE & GOLD is an enjoyable read that examines the relationship between Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici. There are periods of history that demand more exploration, and this is certainly one of them. Estelle Paranque sets the scene with a brief historical runup to the period. Included in this framework is the Catholic/Protestant battle, Italian wars, patriarchy, territorial claims, alliances, and royal succession and legitimacy. Readers can imagine these as balls that 16th-century monarchs must juggle.

Catherine de Medici, the Orphan of Florence, is from one of Europe’s most powerful families. She was by no means insignificant, regardless of her loss of family. The niece of Pope Leo X, she became another piece on the chessboard of European diplomacy. Her marriage --- like so many other children --- would be used to build alliances across the continent. For the humble teen, her family name and Florentine heritage made her a valued commodity, particularly to the future King of France, Henry (not to be confused with the English Henry). As Queen, Regent and ultimately mother of the King, Catherine would remain one of the most influential voices in France for almost 40 years.

Elizabeth I was born into a different world, where radical change threatened her very life. Her parents were King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, the Catholic monarchs of England. By the time she was one, they were well on their way to becoming the Protestant monarchs of England. But just two years later, her mother was executed for high treason. Elizabeth also had a half-sister, Mary. Born to Henry and Catherine of Aragon, Princess Mary was Catholic and a threat. For most of her life, Elizabeth would fight to maintain her legitimacy, her right to succession and her religion. Each and every choice she would make needs to be seen through this lens to make sense of her.

Bouncing back and forth between the lives of Catherine and Elizabeth, readers are treated to a great deal of history, particularly second-tier information that helps answer why things actually happen. For instance, while fervently Catholic, Catherine offered her daughter to the Protestant King of Navarre. She was walking a fine line between personal faith and the stability of the realm amidst the wars of religion. The same is true for Elizabeth, who had to decide on the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (not to be confused with her half-sister). On the one hand, Mary, Queen of Scots had threatened the life of Elizabeth and had been implicated in numerous plots against her. On the other hand, she was a divinely anointed Queen. To execute such a person would go against the Divine Right of Kings doctrine and her own legitimacy.

I thought that Paranque showed a persistent and pervasive bias toward Elizabeth to the detriment of Catherine. Elizabeth will win the struggle with Catherine. She will do it through the dint of her intellect and lack of remorse. We can be told this. We can be told that Elizabeth is a better liar than Catherine. Instead we are asked to believe that perhaps Elizabeth might actually marry a French king, or that the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots left Elizabeth “seemingly dumbfounded” and was due to “exhaustion and panic,” not her perfectly honed instinct for survival.

It’s a big world, and the book does a good job of introducing the outside influences without going off into the weeds. Paranque expertly reminds us of the gravitational pull of Spain on our protagonists without bogging the story down with too much detail. Similarly, we are made aware of the dangerous line of succession that Henry VIII leaves behind, but only as it affects Elizabeth.

Ultimately, BLOOD, FIRE & GOLD is a finely researched and organized treatise on two of the period's most powerful women. More importantly, readers will leave with a sense that they know and understand the person behind the power. Both Catherine and Elizabeth come alive, and their personalities reveal their humanity.

Reviewed by John Vena

[Joshua Van Dereck · Rating 5 out of 5]

By merging biographies of Elizabeth I of England and Catherine de' Medici of France into a study of their relationship, Paranque crafts a marvelous lens for appreciating history that manages to be informative, thoroughly engaging, and remarkably brief—all at once.

Some broad strokes of the lives and careers of Elizabeth and Catherine are fodder for universal high school education, and I've certainly picked up some facts about both women over the course of my life. I had never before stopped to reflect on the fact that they were full contemporaries. (Elizabeth usually comes up in the context of the Northern Renaissance, and Catherine in the context of the Wars of the Reformation). The singularly interesting and unusual correspondence in time of two domineering and intelligent women ruling some of the most powerful nations in Europe at the same time is fascinating, and it is almost criminal that a book studying their relationship has not previously been written.

Blood, Fire and Gold offers much more than a study of the relationship between these queens though. Paranque manages to paint a broad-strokes portrait of mid-to late 16th century Western Europe. Political intrigue is the emphasis, so, for example, Shakespeare doesn't play a role, nor do other social developments. But there is plenty of discussion of Reformation tension, of the political interplay between both France and England and Spain, of Elizabeth's embrace of piracy for war-making, etc. There is also a lot of space devoted to the personal lives of each of the queens, with enough sensitive detail to offer a genuine feel for the personalities of each woman—something that is often hard to achieve in biography, especially for people long dead.

I found Blood, Fire and Gold to be a wonderful book. It succeeds on many levels simultaneously, and is so interesting and engaging that I will certainly seek out other books on this period and other books by this author. Anyone even remotely interested in the lives of queens, in Renaissance or Reformation politics, or even just in the history of women in politics will find this book fascinating.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood, Fire & Gold is a nonfiction piece about the correspondence between two Queens in the 16th century: Elizabeth Tudor of England & Catherine de Medici of France. Two Queens who are subjected to many legends, and fame, or infamy, depending on which region you are from. Upon ascending the throne, Elizabeth held a strong exchange of letters with the Queen Mother of France throughout her lifetime, revealing a complicated relationship. A relationship that shows a little bit of everything: vulnerability, scheming, hard-headedness, betrayal, and even trust. What made their working relationship a challenge was both their different viewpoints on religion and how to rule. Estelle Paranque comes here to reveal the intimate details that brings to life the two most powerful female rulers of that century.

Many would think Elizabeth's equal would be Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, but from this book, Catherine de Medici is her true equal of a female put with royal power. Although their complicated relationship is less talked about compared to pairing Gloriana to the Queen of Scots, or her sister, Mary Tudor, or even her father, Henry VIII. I found the author's writing style to be easy to get into, although me being interested in this dynamic also very much helps in plowing through. Paranque never once downplays one Queen's actions to promote the other, in fact, she writes equally of both Elizabeth's and Catherine's best and worst moments. It's good to see that it doesn't have to resort to popular impressions of these queens to write the story, rather they become much more human. But since it's heavily focused on the pair, it also somewhat removes focus on other big events that influenced their actions, making the timeline of their respective reigns seem rather simplistic. Other than that, I found Blood Fire & Gold to be very much what I wanted in learning the challenges of being a female ruler in male-dominated realm, and revealing the layers beneath two Queens who share much more similarities than they realized.