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Elizabeth I
England's first Queen Elizabeth gave her name to an age. Inheriting a bankrupt, famished, and powerless country, she healed its religious rifts, replenished its treasury, redefined diplomatic guile, defeated the Spanish Armada, and inspired a new flowering of English culture. Her father, Henry VIII, beheaded her mother, Anne Boleyn, and Elizabeth was declared a bastard. As Henry kept marrying and discarding wives, she had to be adroit and canny to avoid being snared in the schemes of courtiers plotting to win the crown. And when at last she ascended the throne, her councilors told her she could survive only by marrying. But she reigned for forty-four years as Glorianna, the "Virgin Queen," whose wit, evasions, and towering intellect frustrated enemies both within and outside her island kingdom. The more we know about Elizabeth's endless complexity, the more remains to be learned. Here's a beginning.
132 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2014
91 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 21, 2018
I think it's a very good book for somebody interested in the general facts about Queen Elizabeth. I am not a historian, but to me, this work seems objective enough, well-researched enough, and the story is told in a clever and coherent manner. Of course, the life of Elizabeth I was so striking that one can dive much more deeply into various aspects of it; I'm thinking of 'Elizabeth and Essex' by Lytton Strachey, for instance: the drama of this relationship is mentioned here so very briefly. Yet I don't mean to say it should have been otherwise; naturally, this being a general outline, it might miss some details. Still, a good general outline, and definitely a nice starting point.
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March 20, 2023After the biography of her father, Henry VIII, I was curious about the life of Elizabeth before she came to power. A precarious youth, followed by a glorious reign. Hadn't realised the Virgin Queen had nearly wanted to marry Henry of Anjou. Or the tenuous relation with William of Orange. A masterful player on the European chessboard, with weak favorites (Dudley), and strong opinions (which however changed frequently). Beheaded her half-sister Mary, through retracting the order too late.
May 14, 2018
Really nice biography and a quick read. I finished it in less than 24 hours. Rather than the author’s assumptions about what happened, readers are treated to actual history-which is wild enough to be fascinating.
July 10, 2018
Average brief of Elizabeth the 1st's life
You get a vague overall picture of her life. Rather flat.
A few factual anecdotes would have given a much brighter and in-depth view of this amazing woman.
A woman in a man's world, who had more balls than most of them!
Intelligent, sensual, educated to the highest level.
The product of a mother who won a king, not prepared to follow her sister & be his mistress, if he wanted it, he had to pay for it - and what a price he paid. Shame he didn't realise til late in his life, what an amazing child their union had produced. A real chip off the old block, but with feminine guile & a desire to prove herself above & way beyond expectations.
Her achievements give some insight into how her mother won a king & she won a King - or should it be - Queendom?
You get a vague overall picture of her life. Rather flat.
A few factual anecdotes would have given a much brighter and in-depth view of this amazing woman.
A woman in a man's world, who had more balls than most of them!
Intelligent, sensual, educated to the highest level.
The product of a mother who won a king, not prepared to follow her sister & be his mistress, if he wanted it, he had to pay for it - and what a price he paid. Shame he didn't realise til late in his life, what an amazing child their union had produced. A real chip off the old block, but with feminine guile & a desire to prove herself above & way beyond expectations.
Her achievements give some insight into how her mother won a king & she won a King - or should it be - Queendom?
July 13, 2018
Easy to read concise history.
I learned some things already knowing some about Elizabethan history. Her life was pretty much in constant jeopardy and it was not until her sixties that the arts really had a chance to thrive.
I learned some things already knowing some about Elizabethan history. Her life was pretty much in constant jeopardy and it was not until her sixties that the arts really had a chance to thrive.
January 25, 2025
You can see from my reading history, I love reading about the Tudors. After reading extensively on Henry 8th's wives, I read about Elizabeth and was not disappointed. Her journey kept me locked in. A great historic read.
February 22, 2018
Good, basic biography of Elizabeth I. Learned a bit more of the political situation around the Spanish Armada.
August 7, 2018
Mostly an overview of Elizabeth's relationships. A lot of pages taken up with Mary Queen of Scot's predicament and the affairs of France. Not really offering any new insights.
March 18, 2019
Interesting
This was an middle of the road read. Seemed like a High School text book. The flow was good, but maybe I expected more.
This was an middle of the road read. Seemed like a High School text book. The flow was good, but maybe I expected more.
April 17, 2021
A brief, introductory biography of the First Elizabeth ... hits all the high spots ... geared to the novice ...
July 10, 2021
Might be rounding up a bit but this was very readable.
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July 16, 2023Short and simple, meant for beginners.
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January 29, 2015Brief,informative and simple biography of Queen Elizabeth I of England. Daughter of Henry VIII & Ann Boleyn.
Her mother was executed on trumped up charges of treason and witchcraft ,largely due to not being able to produce a healthy male heir for Henry VII who was also becoming bored with her an already involved with his soon to be wife .Elizabeth was 3 years old when her mother was beheaded at the Tower of London accused of sleeping with four men including her brother George.Her father died when she was 13.
She had affection feelings for her sickly half brother Edward,Her relationship with her half sister Mary was complicated & tense .
Elizabeth a slight well educated bright slight attractive pale red head became Queen at age 25 and ruled for 45 years.There were many challenges to be met as queen.The country was in finical ruin. Her half sister known as " Bloody Mary" due to her persecution of Protestants was not missed and some rejoiced at her death.
Elizabeth never married but did engage in protracted maarrigae negations with various princes of Europe. She enjoyed male attention and had favorites in her court who fawned over her and flattered her, She was purported to be a flirt into old age.
Her cousin Mary the Catholic Queen of Scots was a thorn on her side. Mary thought she should be Queen of England and plotted to assassinate Elizabeth , while she was under house arrest. Elizabeth finally had her executed.The women never met in person
The Spanish Armada attempted to invade England but the English navy and storms at sea discouraged the Spannish
Her mother was executed on trumped up charges of treason and witchcraft ,largely due to not being able to produce a healthy male heir for Henry VII who was also becoming bored with her an already involved with his soon to be wife .Elizabeth was 3 years old when her mother was beheaded at the Tower of London accused of sleeping with four men including her brother George.Her father died when she was 13.
She had affection feelings for her sickly half brother Edward,Her relationship with her half sister Mary was complicated & tense .
Elizabeth a slight well educated bright slight attractive pale red head became Queen at age 25 and ruled for 45 years.There were many challenges to be met as queen.The country was in finical ruin. Her half sister known as " Bloody Mary" due to her persecution of Protestants was not missed and some rejoiced at her death.
Elizabeth never married but did engage in protracted maarrigae negations with various princes of Europe. She enjoyed male attention and had favorites in her court who fawned over her and flattered her, She was purported to be a flirt into old age.
Her cousin Mary the Catholic Queen of Scots was a thorn on her side. Mary thought she should be Queen of England and plotted to assassinate Elizabeth , while she was under house arrest. Elizabeth finally had her executed.The women never met in person
The Spanish Armada attempted to invade England but the English navy and storms at sea discouraged the Spannish
May 29, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It is easy to read, accessible and informative.
A good look at the Virgin Queen who was married to her country and was the last of the Tudor monarchs. She came to the throne ruler of an impoverished nation, maneuvered her way through the intrigues and dangers of her time, and died leaving James of Scotland, a monarch of the Stuart line, a more prosperous country.
If all history books were this accessible it might not be so difficult to get children and young people interested in the past.
A good look at the Virgin Queen who was married to her country and was the last of the Tudor monarchs. She came to the throne ruler of an impoverished nation, maneuvered her way through the intrigues and dangers of her time, and died leaving James of Scotland, a monarch of the Stuart line, a more prosperous country.
If all history books were this accessible it might not be so difficult to get children and young people interested in the past.
January 6, 2015
This is a beautifully written biography of Queen Elizabeth I that presents her as a person as well as a queen. She was skilled at dealing with the tricky, head-risking politics of the day as well as guiding England to unity and well-being. She was evasive about marriage and suitors, loved by her people, and skilled at navigating the sectarian Protestant vs. Catholic waters of her times. Her reign also saw England rise above France and Spain in the never-ending contest for global power.
January 16, 2015
This novel was a very unemotionally written account of Elizabeth's life and her time as regent. I enjoyed the historical details and the tales of her courtships and many marriage proposals and negotiations. An informative picture of life at that time especially for women.
April 15, 2014
Straight forward
account of the life of Elizabeth. Easy to read. I found it very enjoyable. I love reading about her and I am glad I have read this one too.
account of the life of Elizabeth. Easy to read. I found it very enjoyable. I love reading about her and I am glad I have read this one too.
May 12, 2014
Easy to read, a quick look into her life.
December 29, 2014
highly readable
Educational and engaging. It imparts the feeling of historical authenticism with a reality to it. I will read anything Ms. Archer writes.
Educational and engaging. It imparts the feeling of historical authenticism with a reality to it. I will read anything Ms. Archer writes.
December 25, 2015
This was a mostly straight forward, chronological, short, sweet explanation of Elizabeth the First's life and reign. I really enjoyed it.
May 22, 2018
Great historical based read!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews