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The Royal Diaries
Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor, England, 1544
As a new edition to The Royal Diaries series, this factual tale offers young readers an insight to the life and times of this famous royal prior to her days on the throne as the Queen of England.
238 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1999
75 people are currently reading
5149 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Lasky
266 books2,276 followersKathryn Lasky, also known as Kathryn Lasky Knight and E. L. Swann, is an award-winning American author of over one hundred books for children and adults. Best known for the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, her work has been translated into 19 languages and includes historical fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 461 reviews
February 2, 2019
This was a reread for me. I believe I originally read this book sometime during middle school and I remembered that I really liked it. I read a bunch of the Dear America and Royal Diaries books but I would always get them from my school library. Now I’m going to try to buy the ones I liked so I can relive my childhood.
Reading this now as an adult is such a different experience, but I still enjoyed it.
The author did an amazing job imagining what a young Elizabeth I would be like. There was a nice blend of innocence and tragedy to her character.
I also really liked the little tidbits about life at court, like how often they took baths (spoiler alert: it’s not very often).
Overall, this is a great middle grade book for kids who want to learn more about Elizabeth I.
Reading this now as an adult is such a different experience, but I still enjoyed it.
The author did an amazing job imagining what a young Elizabeth I would be like. There was a nice blend of innocence and tragedy to her character.
I also really liked the little tidbits about life at court, like how often they took baths (spoiler alert: it’s not very often).
Overall, this is a great middle grade book for kids who want to learn more about Elizabeth I.
April 4, 2021
”Better beggar woman and single than Queen and married.”
Anyone who knows anything about me knows that The Royal Diaries series was basically my entire childhood. After happening on one of the installments in my classroom library, I was hooked. I read every single one of those suckers. I couldn’t get enough of them. This was basically like hitting a treasure trove, as I discovered this series around the same time as I discovered my love of history.
This series is formulaic as hell, but for my middle school self, this series was magnificent. When kids usually think of historical figures, they probably think of three defining characteristics: old, dead, and white as hell. With this series, kids have an opportunity to see, potentially what these old, dead people were like when they were young (as kids often forget that the adults that surround them were once young too). And, thankfully, this series can lead kids to discover young, influential historical figures who were not your stereotypical white Europeans.
Elizabeth I’s diary is one of my favorite installments of this series (Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette, Anastasia Romanov, Kristina of Sweden, and Catherine the Great being others). From ages 10-13, we get an insight into her privileged but extremely unstable early life. With her birth mother dead by execution, a rotating door of stepmothers, a mercurial father who gives his love sporadically, and a stepsister who hates her, being a princess is not all ball gowns, dances, and servants waiting on your hand and foot. If this was anything like her real life, then it’s easy to see how Elizabeth I was so cunning, intelligent and brutally crafty as queen. She had practice early on and used what she learned well.
Even though the plot is rather simplistic (it revolves around a lot of studying, bemoaning the fact that her father does not love her they way she wants him to, and scheming against the dastardly plans of Mary, her stepsister), it was still nonetheless enjoyable and a great trip down memory lane for me. The Royal Diaries series is one that I will always treasure and will heartily recommend to any young history lover.
To end this review, here are snippets from this book that will make you so very happy that you didn’t live back then. Because unlike what sexy historical shows such as The Tudors, Reign, and The Spanish Princess show us, it was not exactly a sexy time to be alive back then.
Okay, maybe it was little sexy. 😉
**********************
THREE WEEKS AGO?!!! Now don't get me wrong. I'm not opposed to skipping maybe one or two baths, but to go for THREE WEEKS without a bath is just cringe inducing.
Enemas. Terrifying individuals since 1544.
You know you're living in the wrong time period if you're worried about dying on the toilet.
Well, she does have a point. The royal court that stays together stinks together, even when they aren't together.
And perhaps the greatest zinger of all...
BURN!!!!!!
Let it be known that in the year of our Lord 2019, I will cease to become any prettier and by 30, I will become a decrepit old hag that will turn to ash and disintegrate completely (if Elizabeth is not mistaken.)
Anyone who knows anything about me knows that The Royal Diaries series was basically my entire childhood. After happening on one of the installments in my classroom library, I was hooked. I read every single one of those suckers. I couldn’t get enough of them. This was basically like hitting a treasure trove, as I discovered this series around the same time as I discovered my love of history.
This series is formulaic as hell, but for my middle school self, this series was magnificent. When kids usually think of historical figures, they probably think of three defining characteristics: old, dead, and white as hell. With this series, kids have an opportunity to see, potentially what these old, dead people were like when they were young (as kids often forget that the adults that surround them were once young too). And, thankfully, this series can lead kids to discover young, influential historical figures who were not your stereotypical white Europeans.
Elizabeth I’s diary is one of my favorite installments of this series (Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette, Anastasia Romanov, Kristina of Sweden, and Catherine the Great being others). From ages 10-13, we get an insight into her privileged but extremely unstable early life. With her birth mother dead by execution, a rotating door of stepmothers, a mercurial father who gives his love sporadically, and a stepsister who hates her, being a princess is not all ball gowns, dances, and servants waiting on your hand and foot. If this was anything like her real life, then it’s easy to see how Elizabeth I was so cunning, intelligent and brutally crafty as queen. She had practice early on and used what she learned well.
Even though the plot is rather simplistic (it revolves around a lot of studying, bemoaning the fact that her father does not love her they way she wants him to, and scheming against the dastardly plans of Mary, her stepsister), it was still nonetheless enjoyable and a great trip down memory lane for me. The Royal Diaries series is one that I will always treasure and will heartily recommend to any young history lover.
To end this review, here are snippets from this book that will make you so very happy that you didn’t live back then. Because unlike what sexy historical shows such as The Tudors, Reign, and The Spanish Princess show us, it was not exactly a sexy time to be alive back then.
Okay, maybe it was little sexy. 😉
**********************
"I cannot understand why we have to do this. We barely had baths three weeks ago!"
THREE WEEKS AGO?!!! Now don't get me wrong. I'm not opposed to skipping maybe one or two baths, but to go for THREE WEEKS without a bath is just cringe inducing.
"A glister is an awful treatment where water is pumped into one's bowels. It is supposed to relieve them of pain. It causes pain! And one spends the entire day and night sitting on the pot. If I were Queen, I would outlaw glysters."
Enemas. Terrifying individuals since 1544.
"'To die in the stool chamber!' She squeezed her eyes shut tight with the horrific and embarrassing vision that must have seared her imagination."
You know you're living in the wrong time period if you're worried about dying on the toilet.
"Kat is mumbling about baths again. The woman is becoming a fanatic. I think we have had half a dozen baths since summer, and that does not include when we went wading in the river at Hatfield. I say why bother to bathe here at Whitehall when everything and everyone stinks? No one will know the difference."
Well, she does have a point. The royal court that stays together stinks together, even when they aren't together.
And perhaps the greatest zinger of all...
"'And Mary prettier, I believe.' He said this without conviction. Princess Mary would turn twenty-nine in just four days and anyone with a speck of sense knew that no woman grows prettier after twenty-five, and certainly after thirty. It is after thirty that decrepitude begins to set in- unfortunately for women more quickly than for men. "
BURN!!!!!!
Let it be known that in the year of our Lord 2019, I will cease to become any prettier and by 30, I will become a decrepit old hag that will turn to ash and disintegrate completely (if Elizabeth is not mistaken.)
July 2, 2021
This was a reread for me after finding the book in great condition at a thrift store. I think it holds up really well! This was one of my favorites when I was younger and I enjoyed re-learning details about Henry VIII’s court. Elizabeth as the focal point is well done.
March 31, 2018
Mua cuốn này từ năm 2012, trong chuyến đi tới Campuchia (cuốn này hồi đó mình mua giảm giá còn có 2 đô à ^^), mà nhét ẻm trong xó suốt 6 năm trời, giờ mới lôi ra đọc :D Chủ yếu là vì tự dưng thèm đọc sách lịch sử, về vua chúa và nữ hoàng Anh - chủ đề yêu thích của mình - nên là nghĩ ngay đến cuốn này.
Đây là cuốn sách hư cấu, được viết dưới hình thức những đoạn nhật ký của Nữ hoàng Anh Elizabeth I vào thời điểm bà chỉ mới 11 tuổi. Nữ hoàng Elizabeth I là con gái của Vua Henry VIII và người vợ thứ 2 của ông, Hoàng hậu Anne Boleyn. Vì Anne Boleyn không sinh được con trai nối dõi cho nhà vua, nên Vua Henry VIII bắt đầu chán bà và để ý đến đối tượng khác là Jane Seymour. Để rộng đường cho nhà vua kết hôn với Jane Seymour, Anne Boleyn buộc phải biến mất, và bà đã bị buộc tội ngoại tình, đồng nghĩa với tội phản quốc và bị xử tử. Sau sự kiện đó, người con duy nhất mà Vua Henry VIII có với Anne Boleyn - Công chúa Elizabeth - bị tuyên bố là con hoang, trở thành Lady Elizabeth (chứ không được gọi là Princess) và phải trải qua quãng thời gian bị đày ải ra khỏi triều đình trước khi Catherine Parr - vị Hoàng hậu cuối cùng của Vua Henry VIII - khuyên nhủ ngài nối lại quan hệ với con gái mình.
Cuốn nhật ký bắt đầu bằng tâm trạng thường nhật của Elizabeth, nàng Công chúa bị chính cha mình lãng quên, để rồi từ đó, tác giả khám phá những gì có thể là suy nghĩ thật của Elizabeth vào thời điểm 8 năm sau khi mẹ bà qua đời. Đó là suy nghĩ và tâm trạng của một đứa con tự hỏi cha mình có yêu thương mình hay không, một đứa con sẵn sàng đánh đổi những thứ quà tặng đắt tiền, vòng vàng châu báu để nhận về những cái nựng má, những cử chỉ yêu chiều từ Vua Henry VIII. Đó còn là suy nghĩ của một đứa con về người mẹ bị đồn thổi là phù thủy, về những mảnh ký ức rời rạc vào thời điểm Anne Boleyn bị kết tội và chuẩn bị bị xử tử, khi bà hoàng hậu vắn số ôm Công chúa Elizabeth trên tay, chạy đến van xin Vua Henry VIII tha tội chết cho mẹ của con ngài (cảnh này đã được tái hiện đúng y chang trong series phim “The Tudors”).
Ở đoạn đầu cuốn sách, có rất nhiều chi tiết khi Công chúa Elizabeth nhớ lại những gì nàng được nghe kể về vụ hành hình mẹ mình, đọc mà đau lòng quá đỗi. Một đứa con mất mẹ từ năm mình 3 tuổi, cuộc hôn nhân giữa cha và mẹ mình thì bị tuyên bố là vô hiệu, bản thân mình trở thành con hoang, phải thụ động đón nhận những cử chỉ ban phát tình yêu thương từ cha mình chứ không được đòi hỏi. Rồi còn mối quan hệ giữa Elizabeth và Công chúa Mary - con của Vua Henry VIII với người vợ đầu là Katherine of Aragon. Vì Henry VIII mê mẩn Anne Boleyn mà mẹ của Mary bị thất sủng, bị nhà vua ly dị trong bẽ bàng. Và cũng dễ hiểu nếu Công chúa Mary tỏ thái độ thù địch và ghét bỏ Elizabeth, đặc biệt là tại thời điểm của cuốn sách, khi Elizabeth đã không còn là một đứa bé mất mẹ và cũng bị tuyên bố là con hoang như Mary.
Tại thời điểm được miêu tả trong cuốn sách, Công chúa Elizabeth đang bước sang giai đoạn tuổi dậy thì và trưởng thành. Bỗng chốc nàng không còn là một đứa trẻ con vô hại, nhất là khi nàng theo đạo Tin lành, còn Công chúa Mary theo Công giáo La Mã (Roman Catholics). Hai chị em, hai đối thủ, hai người tiếp theo trong danh sách thừa kế ngai vàng nước Anh sau Thái tử Edward - đứa con duy nhất của Vua Henry VIII và người vợ thứ 3 là Jane Seymour. Thái tử Edward cũng theo đạo Tin lành, và là một trong những người bạn thân hiếm hoi Công chúa Elizabeth có được trong triều đình đầy những âm mưu thâm độc của Vua Henry VIII, trong đó có cả âm mưu hãm hại Hoàng hậu Catherine Parr và đưa Công chúa Mary lên ngôi nữ hoàng trước Thái tử Edward.
Đọc cuốn sách này xong mình mới thực sự thấy rõ, Nữ hoàng Elizabeth I chính là đóa hoa hồng đích thực của nhà Tudor như chính lời Vua Henry VIII đã nói với bà trong cuốn sách: “Tu eres rosa Tudoris veritas.”. Thái tử Edward (sau này trở thành Vua Edward VI) thì thể chất vốn ốm yếu và dễ bệnh ngay từ nhỏ, làm vua từ năm 10 tuổi, chỉ được 6 năm thì qua đời vì bệnh lao. Sau đó Công chúa Mary lên ngôi, là Nữ hoàng Mary I, nhưng với tính cách quá cực đoan, cứng nhắc, đặc biệt là khi đụng đến đức tin Công giáo của mình, nên bà đã để lại một tiếng xấu không gì thay đổi được, chính là “Bloody Mary”, vị Nữ hoàng đã ra lệnh thiêu sống hàng ngàn người theo đạo Tin lành không tuân phục bà. Nữ hoàng Elizabeth I, trái ngược hoàn toàn với hai người chị em của mình, là người vừa có sức khỏe, vừa có tư chất thông minh, học rộng, hiểu nhiều. Bà rất chịu khó quan sát và học hỏi từ những sai lầm của cả cha và chị mình.
Khi lên ngôi, Elizabeth cho phép tự do tôn giáo, không quan tâm người dân mình thờ phụng ai, theo đạo nào, miễn là họ trung thành với bà. Bà là vị quân vương thông thái và quyết đoán, người đã lãnh đạo quân đội Anh đánh thắng chiến hạm Armada của Tây Ban Nha (là chiến hạm khủng khiếp nhất thời đó), đồng thời đưa nước Anh của nhà Tudor trở thành một quốc gia hùng cường đáng nể của châu u lúc bấy giờ. Thật trớ trêu là những gì Vua Henry VIII tìm kiếm ở một đứa con trai, một vị vua, một người mang tố chất lãnh đạo, thì ông lại có tất cả ở Nữ hoàng Elizabeth I, đứa con gái ông đã từng chối từ, đứa con mà mẹ của nó ông đã ra lệnh xử tử.
Công chúa Elizabeth trong những dòng nhật ký của cuốn sách đã từng nghĩ rằng mình sẽ không bao giờ có thể trở thành Nữ hoàng, đã từng nghĩ đến một cuộc sống khác, tự do như cánh chim trời, được làm điều mình muốn. Thế nhưng có lẽ số trời đã định, đã ban cho nhà Tudor và nước Anh một trong những vị quân vương nổi tiếng nhất trong lịch sử. Công chúa Elizabeth cuối cùng đã trở thành Nữ hoàng, nhưng trước khi bà trải qua 11 năm sóng gió dưới triều đại của Vua Edward VI và Nữ hoàng Mary I. Bà đã từng bị điều tra vì cáo buộc âm mưu phản Vua Edward VI, sau đó khi Mary lên ngôi, bà bị bắt giam và quản thúc vì Nữ hoàng Mary lo sợ rằng, việc Elizabeth theo đạo Tin lành sẽ biến người em gái cùng cha khác mẹ của bà thành hình tượng đấu tranh của những người theo đạo Tin lành của nước Anh, đe dọa đến ngai vàng của Mary. Nhưng cuối cùng thì, God save the Queen, và vị thế nước Anh đã sang trang mới dưới triều đại của Nữ hoàng Elizabeth I.
P.S.: Đọc cuốn sách này giúp mình biết thêm được nhiều điều về các ngày lễ của đạo Công giáo, đơn cử là chuỗi ngày "Twelve Days of Christmas". Nào giờ cứ nghe nói đến chuỗi 12 Ngày Giáng Sinh, nhưng không biết rõ nó là từ ngày mấy tới ngày mấy. Lên mạng tìm hiểu mới biết, hóa ra "Twelve Days of Christmas" chính là khoảng thời gian từ ngày 26/12 của năm trước đến ngày 6/1 của năm sau, tức là từ sau ngày Boxing Day (ngày lễ tặng quà Giáng Sinh), cho đến ngày Lễ Hiển Linh, khi Chúa Jesus Hài đồng chính lức "lộ diện" với Ba Vua (the Three Magis) rằng Ngài chính là Ngôi Hai giáng xuống làm người cứu độ chúng sinh :)) Và hóa ra cái khoảng thời gian trước ngày 24/12 chỉ được gọi là Mùa Vọng Giáng Sinh thôi, còn những ngày lễ Giáng Sinh đích thực chính là 12 ngày sau ngày 25/12 đó :D Nên là sau ngày 24/12 thấy ai còn để cây thông Noel, còn trang trí trái châu dây kim tuyến thì không có gì bất ngờ cả nha, thậm chí đó là điều hiển nhiên, bởi vì chính lúc đó họ mới đang ăn Giáng Sinh đó :)))
Đây là cuốn sách hư cấu, được viết dưới hình thức những đoạn nhật ký của Nữ hoàng Anh Elizabeth I vào thời điểm bà chỉ mới 11 tuổi. Nữ hoàng Elizabeth I là con gái của Vua Henry VIII và người vợ thứ 2 của ông, Hoàng hậu Anne Boleyn. Vì Anne Boleyn không sinh được con trai nối dõi cho nhà vua, nên Vua Henry VIII bắt đầu chán bà và để ý đến đối tượng khác là Jane Seymour. Để rộng đường cho nhà vua kết hôn với Jane Seymour, Anne Boleyn buộc phải biến mất, và bà đã bị buộc tội ngoại tình, đồng nghĩa với tội phản quốc và bị xử tử. Sau sự kiện đó, người con duy nhất mà Vua Henry VIII có với Anne Boleyn - Công chúa Elizabeth - bị tuyên bố là con hoang, trở thành Lady Elizabeth (chứ không được gọi là Princess) và phải trải qua quãng thời gian bị đày ải ra khỏi triều đình trước khi Catherine Parr - vị Hoàng hậu cuối cùng của Vua Henry VIII - khuyên nhủ ngài nối lại quan hệ với con gái mình.
Cuốn nhật ký bắt đầu bằng tâm trạng thường nhật của Elizabeth, nàng Công chúa bị chính cha mình lãng quên, để rồi từ đó, tác giả khám phá những gì có thể là suy nghĩ thật của Elizabeth vào thời điểm 8 năm sau khi mẹ bà qua đời. Đó là suy nghĩ và tâm trạng của một đứa con tự hỏi cha mình có yêu thương mình hay không, một đứa con sẵn sàng đánh đổi những thứ quà tặng đắt tiền, vòng vàng châu báu để nhận về những cái nựng má, những cử chỉ yêu chiều từ Vua Henry VIII. Đó còn là suy nghĩ của một đứa con về người mẹ bị đồn thổi là phù thủy, về những mảnh ký ức rời rạc vào thời điểm Anne Boleyn bị kết tội và chuẩn bị bị xử tử, khi bà hoàng hậu vắn số ôm Công chúa Elizabeth trên tay, chạy đến van xin Vua Henry VIII tha tội chết cho mẹ của con ngài (cảnh này đã được tái hiện đúng y chang trong series phim “The Tudors”).
Ở đoạn đầu cuốn sách, có rất nhiều chi tiết khi Công chúa Elizabeth nhớ lại những gì nàng được nghe kể về vụ hành hình mẹ mình, đọc mà đau lòng quá đỗi. Một đứa con mất mẹ từ năm mình 3 tuổi, cuộc hôn nhân giữa cha và mẹ mình thì bị tuyên bố là vô hiệu, bản thân mình trở thành con hoang, phải thụ động đón nhận những cử chỉ ban phát tình yêu thương từ cha mình chứ không được đòi hỏi. Rồi còn mối quan hệ giữa Elizabeth và Công chúa Mary - con của Vua Henry VIII với người vợ đầu là Katherine of Aragon. Vì Henry VIII mê mẩn Anne Boleyn mà mẹ của Mary bị thất sủng, bị nhà vua ly dị trong bẽ bàng. Và cũng dễ hiểu nếu Công chúa Mary tỏ thái độ thù địch và ghét bỏ Elizabeth, đặc biệt là tại thời điểm của cuốn sách, khi Elizabeth đã không còn là một đứa bé mất mẹ và cũng bị tuyên bố là con hoang như Mary.
Tại thời điểm được miêu tả trong cuốn sách, Công chúa Elizabeth đang bước sang giai đoạn tuổi dậy thì và trưởng thành. Bỗng chốc nàng không còn là một đứa trẻ con vô hại, nhất là khi nàng theo đạo Tin lành, còn Công chúa Mary theo Công giáo La Mã (Roman Catholics). Hai chị em, hai đối thủ, hai người tiếp theo trong danh sách thừa kế ngai vàng nước Anh sau Thái tử Edward - đứa con duy nhất của Vua Henry VIII và người vợ thứ 3 là Jane Seymour. Thái tử Edward cũng theo đạo Tin lành, và là một trong những người bạn thân hiếm hoi Công chúa Elizabeth có được trong triều đình đầy những âm mưu thâm độc của Vua Henry VIII, trong đó có cả âm mưu hãm hại Hoàng hậu Catherine Parr và đưa Công chúa Mary lên ngôi nữ hoàng trước Thái tử Edward.
Đọc cuốn sách này xong mình mới thực sự thấy rõ, Nữ hoàng Elizabeth I chính là đóa hoa hồng đích thực của nhà Tudor như chính lời Vua Henry VIII đã nói với bà trong cuốn sách: “Tu eres rosa Tudoris veritas.”. Thái tử Edward (sau này trở thành Vua Edward VI) thì thể chất vốn ốm yếu và dễ bệnh ngay từ nhỏ, làm vua từ năm 10 tuổi, chỉ được 6 năm thì qua đời vì bệnh lao. Sau đó Công chúa Mary lên ngôi, là Nữ hoàng Mary I, nhưng với tính cách quá cực đoan, cứng nhắc, đặc biệt là khi đụng đến đức tin Công giáo của mình, nên bà đã để lại một tiếng xấu không gì thay đổi được, chính là “Bloody Mary”, vị Nữ hoàng đã ra lệnh thiêu sống hàng ngàn người theo đạo Tin lành không tuân phục bà. Nữ hoàng Elizabeth I, trái ngược hoàn toàn với hai người chị em của mình, là người vừa có sức khỏe, vừa có tư chất thông minh, học rộng, hiểu nhiều. Bà rất chịu khó quan sát và học hỏi từ những sai lầm của cả cha và chị mình.
Khi lên ngôi, Elizabeth cho phép tự do tôn giáo, không quan tâm người dân mình thờ phụng ai, theo đạo nào, miễn là họ trung thành với bà. Bà là vị quân vương thông thái và quyết đoán, người đã lãnh đạo quân đội Anh đánh thắng chiến hạm Armada của Tây Ban Nha (là chiến hạm khủng khiếp nhất thời đó), đồng thời đưa nước Anh của nhà Tudor trở thành một quốc gia hùng cường đáng nể của châu u lúc bấy giờ. Thật trớ trêu là những gì Vua Henry VIII tìm kiếm ở một đứa con trai, một vị vua, một người mang tố chất lãnh đạo, thì ông lại có tất cả ở Nữ hoàng Elizabeth I, đứa con gái ông đã từng chối từ, đứa con mà mẹ của nó ông đã ra lệnh xử tử.
Công chúa Elizabeth trong những dòng nhật ký của cuốn sách đã từng nghĩ rằng mình sẽ không bao giờ có thể trở thành Nữ hoàng, đã từng nghĩ đến một cuộc sống khác, tự do như cánh chim trời, được làm điều mình muốn. Thế nhưng có lẽ số trời đã định, đã ban cho nhà Tudor và nước Anh một trong những vị quân vương nổi tiếng nhất trong lịch sử. Công chúa Elizabeth cuối cùng đã trở thành Nữ hoàng, nhưng trước khi bà trải qua 11 năm sóng gió dưới triều đại của Vua Edward VI và Nữ hoàng Mary I. Bà đã từng bị điều tra vì cáo buộc âm mưu phản Vua Edward VI, sau đó khi Mary lên ngôi, bà bị bắt giam và quản thúc vì Nữ hoàng Mary lo sợ rằng, việc Elizabeth theo đạo Tin lành sẽ biến người em gái cùng cha khác mẹ của bà thành hình tượng đấu tranh của những người theo đạo Tin lành của nước Anh, đe dọa đến ngai vàng của Mary. Nhưng cuối cùng thì, God save the Queen, và vị thế nước Anh đã sang trang mới dưới triều đại của Nữ hoàng Elizabeth I.
P.S.: Đọc cuốn sách này giúp mình biết thêm được nhiều điều về các ngày lễ của đạo Công giáo, đơn cử là chuỗi ngày "Twelve Days of Christmas". Nào giờ cứ nghe nói đến chuỗi 12 Ngày Giáng Sinh, nhưng không biết rõ nó là từ ngày mấy tới ngày mấy. Lên mạng tìm hiểu mới biết, hóa ra "Twelve Days of Christmas" chính là khoảng thời gian từ ngày 26/12 của năm trước đến ngày 6/1 của năm sau, tức là từ sau ngày Boxing Day (ngày lễ tặng quà Giáng Sinh), cho đến ngày Lễ Hiển Linh, khi Chúa Jesus Hài đồng chính lức "lộ diện" với Ba Vua (the Three Magis) rằng Ngài chính là Ngôi Hai giáng xuống làm người cứu độ chúng sinh :)) Và hóa ra cái khoảng thời gian trước ngày 24/12 chỉ được gọi là Mùa Vọng Giáng Sinh thôi, còn những ngày lễ Giáng Sinh đích thực chính là 12 ngày sau ngày 25/12 đó :D Nên là sau ngày 24/12 thấy ai còn để cây thông Noel, còn trang trí trái châu dây kim tuyến thì không có gì bất ngờ cả nha, thậm chí đó là điều hiển nhiên, bởi vì chính lúc đó họ mới đang ăn Giáng Sinh đó :)))
June 24, 2021
*4.25
Full RTC
Full RTC
September 17, 2024
{September 2024 Reread}
not the pro-Henry VIII propaganda (!!!)
Still, one of the better-written of the series, despite what appears to be a lack of historically accurate nuance in characterization.
<< eighth book read for my 2024 Royal Diaries self-challenge >>
🎧 "Girl On Fire" by Misty Miller
not the pro-Henry VIII propaganda (!!!)
Still, one of the better-written of the series, despite what appears to be a lack of historically accurate nuance in characterization.
<< eighth book read for my 2024 Royal Diaries self-challenge >>
🎧 "Girl On Fire" by Misty Miller
August 25, 2019
I love it just as much now as I did as a child. Elizabeth is written so perfectly. Reading this also incited a deep dive into Wikipedia to research what was truth and what was fiction. The Tudors are so intensely fucked up and fascinating.
July 28, 2022
This is a great book for kids to start learning about Elizabeth I, her family, and life in her father's court. Through this book we get to visit many of the palaces used by the British Royal Family in the past. Bit by bit, Elizabeth tells us about the deaths and/or divorces of her father's many wives, including her own mother's tragic beheading, and she even visits the place where it happened.
Elizabeth was a delightful character. I was easily able to connect with her. Like me she loves music, learning, and solving mysteries. She was horrified when kittens were about to be drowned, and at times lived like an only child, experiencing the loneliness that inevitably comes with that. After reading this, I have been given more reason to admire Elizabeth I. She was a strong, independent woman from a time when that was unseen, unheard of, and unbelievable to most. She was the forgotten princess, the princess in the shadows, but due to this and being severely underestimated, she turned out to be one of England's greatest and most memorable leaders. She had such an effect on everyone that she inspired a whole era!
"I want to be Queen. I think I am smart enough to be Queen. I know I am smart enough. This is not pride. I simply know what I know. But what does it all mean if I remain a slim shadow in a Palace window?
Elizabeth spends a lot of time thinking and wondering about her father, hoping he loves her and will give her more attention, rather than exiling her off to another palace all the time. It was interesting to see King Henry VIII from his children’s perspective as their father, rather than from the view of the public and the people of his court. Yes, he was a horrible man to his wives, and his temper often exploded at the public and those around him. I'm not saying that I like him any better after reading this, but I felt that seeing him as a father was a valuable perspective.
Favourite quote: "I looked up and for the first time in days realized that the sky was clear, and not only clear, but the morning star shone brightly... 'Too bad Catherine [Howard] is not here for [this]. She would have loved viewing the night sky'... 'But Robin, she is the night sky now.' And with that I felt the gentlest breeze stir my hair" (39-40).
I love that Elizabeth and her best friend Robin play ninepins in the Long Gallery to ease Catherine's spirit, and tell her that they are "still friends despite all."
Elizabeth was a delightful character. I was easily able to connect with her. Like me she loves music, learning, and solving mysteries. She was horrified when kittens were about to be drowned, and at times lived like an only child, experiencing the loneliness that inevitably comes with that. After reading this, I have been given more reason to admire Elizabeth I. She was a strong, independent woman from a time when that was unseen, unheard of, and unbelievable to most. She was the forgotten princess, the princess in the shadows, but due to this and being severely underestimated, she turned out to be one of England's greatest and most memorable leaders. She had such an effect on everyone that she inspired a whole era!
"I want to be Queen. I think I am smart enough to be Queen. I know I am smart enough. This is not pride. I simply know what I know. But what does it all mean if I remain a slim shadow in a Palace window?
Elizabeth spends a lot of time thinking and wondering about her father, hoping he loves her and will give her more attention, rather than exiling her off to another palace all the time. It was interesting to see King Henry VIII from his children’s perspective as their father, rather than from the view of the public and the people of his court. Yes, he was a horrible man to his wives, and his temper often exploded at the public and those around him. I'm not saying that I like him any better after reading this, but I felt that seeing him as a father was a valuable perspective.
Favourite quote: "I looked up and for the first time in days realized that the sky was clear, and not only clear, but the morning star shone brightly... 'Too bad Catherine [Howard] is not here for [this]. She would have loved viewing the night sky'... 'But Robin, she is the night sky now.' And with that I felt the gentlest breeze stir my hair" (39-40).
I love that Elizabeth and her best friend Robin play ninepins in the Long Gallery to ease Catherine's spirit, and tell her that they are "still friends despite all."
January 7, 2017
'Elizababeth I : Red rose of the House of Tudor : เอลิซาเบทที่หนึ่ง:กุหลาบแดงแห่งราชวงศ์ทิวดอร์'
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เป็นบันทึกราชนารี แนวไดอารี่อ่ะ เล่มนี้จะเหมือนก็อบปี้ไดอารี่พระนางช่วงวัย 11-13 ขวบ
อ่านๆไปนี่ ก็ได้แต่คิดว่า เด็กวัย11-13ปีนี่ เก่งและฉลาดขนาดนี้เลยหรอ.. สมแล้วที่จะเป็นราชินีแห่งยุคอ่านะ
แต่ในความเก่ง พระนางก็มีความแก่นเซี้ยว ดีใจ น้อยใจ แบบเด็กๆอยู่ โดยเฉพาะบันทึกที่บอกเล่าเรื่องการได้รับความใส่ใจจากทูลกระหม่อมพ่อนี่ น่าเอ็นดูมาก
นี่เสียดายที่หนังสือเล่าแค่ตอนเด็ก อยากอ่านช่วงเวลาที่น้องชายพระนางเจ้าชายเอ็ดเวิร์ดปกครองกับยุคสมัยแม่รี่กระหายเลือดปกครอง ว่าชีวิตนางเป็นยังไง..อยากรู้ความเวิ่นๆของนางในช่วง 11 ปีนั้น...(ก่อนจะขึ้นครองราชย์) นี่ชอบอ่านเรื่องราชวงศ์อังกฤษ เพราะปู่มาร์ตินเคยบอกว่าได้แรงบันดาลใจ GOT จากพวกทิวดอร์ กุหลาบขาวกุหลาบแดงนี่แหล่ะ
แล้วนะ อ่านๆไปเฮนรี่ที่แปดนี่คือโรเบิร์ต บาราเธียนชัดๆ..555555
ส่วนเอลิซาเบทที่1 นี่ชอบที่นางแกร่งเป็นเฟมินิส และหัวก้าวหน้าโดยแท้..ฮาาา
ปล.อยากอ่านแคเทอรีน ต่อ..
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เป็นบันทึกราชนารี แนวไดอารี่อ่ะ เล่มนี้จะเหมือนก็อบปี้ไดอารี่พระนางช่วงวัย 11-13 ขวบ
อ่านๆไปนี่ ก็ได้แต่คิดว่า เด็กวัย11-13ปีนี่ เก่งและฉลาดขนาดนี้เลยหรอ.. สมแล้วที่จะเป็นราชินีแห่งยุคอ่านะ
แต่ในความเก่ง พระนางก็มีความแก่นเซี้ยว ดีใจ น้อยใจ แบบเด็กๆอยู่ โดยเฉพาะบันทึกที่บอกเล่าเรื่องการได้รับความใส่ใจจากทูลกระหม่อมพ่อนี่ น่าเอ็นดูมาก
นี่เสียดายที่หนังสือเล่าแค่ตอนเด็ก อยากอ่านช่วงเวลาที่น้องชายพระนางเจ้าชายเอ็ดเวิร์ดปกครองกับยุคสมัยแม่รี่กระหายเลือดปกครอง ว่าชีวิตนางเป็นยังไง..อยากรู้ความเวิ่นๆของนางในช่วง 11 ปีนั้น...(ก่อนจะขึ้นครองราชย์) นี่ชอบอ่านเรื่องราชวงศ์อังกฤษ เพราะปู่มาร์ตินเคยบอกว่าได้แรงบันดาลใจ GOT จากพวกทิวดอร์ กุหลาบขาวกุหลาบแดงนี่แหล่ะ
แล้วนะ อ่านๆไปเฮนรี่ที่แปดนี่คือโรเบิร์ต บาราเธียนชัดๆ..555555
ส่วนเอลิซาเบทที่1 นี่ชอบที่นางแกร่งเป็นเฟมินิส และหัวก้าวหน้าโดยแท้..ฮาาา
ปล.อยากอ่านแคเทอรีน ต่อ..
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January 16, 2022
It’s really interesting reading this again after reading it as a child! However, it makes me even more interested in the Tudors and now I want to find further nonfiction/historical fiction literature about them!
June 8, 2013
This book was one of my abosolute favorites growing up =D
November 12, 2016
This is a fantastic YA. Author Kathryn Lasky did a great job giving us a fictional glimpse into Elizabeth's thoughts and how her life could have been during her preteen years.
July 3, 2023
Appropriate for all ages.
Not historically accurate but an easy read.
Not historically accurate but an easy read.
March 8, 2019
When I was in middle school, I was assigned a biographical report on any historical person. I chose Elizabeth I, and there were several years where she was high on my list of most interesting people. I wish I'd read this book then, because I would have absolutely loved it. Even now, I enjoyed it quite a bit. This fictional diary was a fun read and left me considering court politics and 16th-century living at random moments at work.
I wish this diary would have spanned more years. I'd have loved to read about Elizabeth's experiences during Mary's rule. As is, this whole diary feels a lot like a prequel. One can read real biographies of Elizabeth, I suppose, to hear the rest of the story.
I wish this diary would have spanned more years. I'd have loved to read about Elizabeth's experiences during Mary's rule. As is, this whole diary feels a lot like a prequel. One can read real biographies of Elizabeth, I suppose, to hear the rest of the story.
April 27, 2019
I only read this to see if I should unhaul the series. I used to adore these books, and they made me love historical fiction, but the truth is that I’ve grown out of them. They just don’t suit my needs anymore, especially as they heavily censor the true wickedness of the Tudor court. I felt that the diary format was tiring to read, too, as it became waffley and annoying, but as I said, I used to love them. The sentimental value is strong, and I’d recommend them to younger readers or just those who aren’t ready to dive into adult historical fiction (after all it can be quite dense and a lot of authors love to over-sexualise them) but I will be unhauling these ones, unfortunately.
January 30, 2025
I've been zooming through the Royal Diaries series this winter, and this one is definitely one of the best!
April 12, 2022
4.5 stars
I enjoyed this one much more than the others in this series
I enjoyed this one much more than the others in this series
February 4, 2013
Beginning in the year 1544 to 1547, Elizabeth I of England started to chronicle her life in a diary, a present from her most trusted governess Kat. She vowed to always write truthfully about her most inner thoughts and feelings, even if that meant by doing so she was committing treason. Driven by a fear of discovery, Princess Elizabeth wrote about having to keep her diary a secret. During her years of traveling from castle to castle, she searched out the perfect hiding places for her journal, until one day, her diary was unearthed by her step-sister Princess Mary. Using her wit, Princess Elizabeth was able to quiet her sister before she revealed any of the content buried within its pages to their father King Henry VIII.
From the onset, Princess Elizabeth recorded her exile at Hatfield and how she longed to be reinstated to Court. When she was finally admitted back to Court, she then described her consent trepidation of being sent away again. Most of the entries contained details of the mundane activities of daily life spent with her beloved brother Prince Edward VI and best friend Robin Dudley; also she recounted the yearly holidays and celebrations. One of the overarching themes in the Princess’ diary was her desire to one day become the Queen, but believing that was never even a possibility considering she was third in line to the throne. She also fretted over the prospect of being married off for some political gain, but swore an oath to herself that she never would. But mostly, Princess Elizabeth wrote about her loneliness and days spent in the shadow of her brother and sister. Lastly, she inscribed on the diaries’ creamy white pages a yearning for her father’s love and affection. She craved after the few tender moments in which her father winked or pinched her cheek.
Kathryn Lasky’s historical-fiction, The Royal Diaries Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor, England, 1544, is an adaptation of Princess Elizabeth I life from 1544 to 1547. This book is geared specifically towards adolescent girls. Most juvenile girls will be drawn to the idea of a story about a princess, but they will learn in their reading that a princess’ life may not be all glamor and glitz. Princess Elizabeth’s life may have had its share of intrigue and conspiracy, but for the most part some younger readers may find a kinship with the Princess. A lot of physiologists suggest that daughters strive to seek the approval of their fathers and Princess Elizabeth was no different. She wrote constantly in her diary about the pursuit of her father’s attention and delighted in any warmth directed her way. In addition, for some younger teens who have a sibling they will relate to Elizabeth’s narration about having inadequacies when measured against her brother and sister.
One last note, Princess Elizabeth may have had to live with the burden of one day becoming the Queen of England, even if she dreamed of that role for herself, similarly, young children carry the weight of expectations their parents put on them. If one of their parents was a doctor, then there may be that inherent drive to follow in their footsteps, etc. Though this book may have been fiction based, Lasky was able to entwine a rich history about Court life, the many festivals that were held, and plain old daily living. Overall, this book was enjoyable, but it moved slowly and at times dragged, bordering on boring, so unless a juvenile reader is interested in fact based characters than this book may not carry them through the ending. This is a shame, because they will miss the addition of the historical notes at the close of the book that highlighted different facts surrounding the Tudor family, as well as family photos.
From the onset, Princess Elizabeth recorded her exile at Hatfield and how she longed to be reinstated to Court. When she was finally admitted back to Court, she then described her consent trepidation of being sent away again. Most of the entries contained details of the mundane activities of daily life spent with her beloved brother Prince Edward VI and best friend Robin Dudley; also she recounted the yearly holidays and celebrations. One of the overarching themes in the Princess’ diary was her desire to one day become the Queen, but believing that was never even a possibility considering she was third in line to the throne. She also fretted over the prospect of being married off for some political gain, but swore an oath to herself that she never would. But mostly, Princess Elizabeth wrote about her loneliness and days spent in the shadow of her brother and sister. Lastly, she inscribed on the diaries’ creamy white pages a yearning for her father’s love and affection. She craved after the few tender moments in which her father winked or pinched her cheek.
Kathryn Lasky’s historical-fiction, The Royal Diaries Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor, England, 1544, is an adaptation of Princess Elizabeth I life from 1544 to 1547. This book is geared specifically towards adolescent girls. Most juvenile girls will be drawn to the idea of a story about a princess, but they will learn in their reading that a princess’ life may not be all glamor and glitz. Princess Elizabeth’s life may have had its share of intrigue and conspiracy, but for the most part some younger readers may find a kinship with the Princess. A lot of physiologists suggest that daughters strive to seek the approval of their fathers and Princess Elizabeth was no different. She wrote constantly in her diary about the pursuit of her father’s attention and delighted in any warmth directed her way. In addition, for some younger teens who have a sibling they will relate to Elizabeth’s narration about having inadequacies when measured against her brother and sister.
One last note, Princess Elizabeth may have had to live with the burden of one day becoming the Queen of England, even if she dreamed of that role for herself, similarly, young children carry the weight of expectations their parents put on them. If one of their parents was a doctor, then there may be that inherent drive to follow in their footsteps, etc. Though this book may have been fiction based, Lasky was able to entwine a rich history about Court life, the many festivals that were held, and plain old daily living. Overall, this book was enjoyable, but it moved slowly and at times dragged, bordering on boring, so unless a juvenile reader is interested in fact based characters than this book may not carry them through the ending. This is a shame, because they will miss the addition of the historical notes at the close of the book that highlighted different facts surrounding the Tudor family, as well as family photos.
February 14, 2014
Queen Elizabeth I. Pretty much everyone knows she was a good queen and some people know what she accomplished during her reign (like outlawing wife-beating after 10:00pm, according to one of my Bathroom Readers), but not many really know much about her childhood and teenage years. In this installment of the Royal Diaries, Kathryn Lasky presents a Rated G version of Elizabeth’s teenage years for people ages 10-12.
This book really contains no new information for me, but readers who have yet to discover the wonders of historical fiction will love it. Elizabeth is a good main character and a very interesting narrator as she is strong even when she is betrayed and mistreated by her own father, King Henry VIII. We really see the woman she will become later on as she learns skills that were unusual for women of the time, like archery, falconry and languages like Greek and Latin. And we also see how she yearns for her father’s acknowledgement of her, how she treasures every smile or every bit of encouragement he gives her.
The plot isn’t what I would normally call fast-paced, but it is interesting enough. Young readers will sympathize with Elizabeth while learning a great deal about Tudor England. Really, what more could you ask for in historical fiction?
I give this book 3.5/5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars for Goodreads rating purposes.
This book really contains no new information for me, but readers who have yet to discover the wonders of historical fiction will love it. Elizabeth is a good main character and a very interesting narrator as she is strong even when she is betrayed and mistreated by her own father, King Henry VIII. We really see the woman she will become later on as she learns skills that were unusual for women of the time, like archery, falconry and languages like Greek and Latin. And we also see how she yearns for her father’s acknowledgement of her, how she treasures every smile or every bit of encouragement he gives her.
The plot isn’t what I would normally call fast-paced, but it is interesting enough. Young readers will sympathize with Elizabeth while learning a great deal about Tudor England. Really, what more could you ask for in historical fiction?
I give this book 3.5/5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars for Goodreads rating purposes.
August 4, 2020
The Royal Diaries were some of my absolute favorite books when I was younger, and with my continued love of history and all things royal, they’re still near and dear to my heart. I decided to revisit Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor on a whim after I got to her reign in the British History course I’m taking for fun, and it was such a nostalgic and interesting journey reading about the young life of this iconic queen, as well as aspects about 16th-century life and the Tudor Court. I’m excited to go deeper into this fascinating time in history, as well as revisit more books from this delightful series.
September 12, 2015
One of the very first books I can remember getting myself as a child, having saved up my babysitting money and getting it from the Scholastic Book flyers we used to get. Somehow my mother knew which one I was going to buy when I said I wanted one, so she must have known of my history love before I did! It's one of the things that sparked my love of history that's still there today, and is definitely an excellent choice to introduce young children to the Tudor era and Elizabeth I.
October 25, 2016
I very much appreciate the research put into the books in this series. while it is historical fiction, it is based on real people. in this case a young Elizabeth. the reactions seen age appropriate and there are cultural notes and bits to give a good history lesson. I like the idea that the kids would become fond of their step mothers. it's also interesting to read of a progression of evil. I'd say these books are a primer to Philippa Gregory's books.
June 7, 2022
Even though this is a children's book, I found it to be an interesting fictional biography of Queen Elizabeth when she was a child. The story was told through her diary entries. Even as a royal, life was far from easy in the 1500s. Elizabeth was shown to be a determined and strong-willed young lady who desperately sought the love of her father King Henry VIII. This is a peek behind the curtains of royal life in the 16th century and worth the read.
December 24, 2008
one of my faves in, like, third grade. i tried to read some of the other books in the royal diaries series, but they didn't interest me as much. i liked this one about Elizabeth I -- of course, she was a cool person in real life. and actually, i learned a lot about her from this book without even realizing it. haha
June 14, 2016
No clue when I read this, but it was good!
August 31, 2020
What the hell is up with the cover? That does not look like Elizabeth Tudor. That looks like an evil doll named Lizzie that's going to kill you in your sleep.
Anyway - meh. This is a fictional diary covering about two years of Elizabeth Tudor's life, starting at age 11. Lots of poetic license here, sprinkled with a good deal of historical trivia and some historical facts, but not a complete picture. For example, the arrest and torture of Anne Askew is mentioned, yet there is no follow up with her ultimate demise. That should have been a good diary entry. Instead, we get about a million references to her sister Scary Mary (later Bloody Mary) cheating at cards.
Some anecdotes are funny, such as complaints about bathing and glysters (ewww). Elizabeth was well known for her aversion to bathing.
While the book didn't go into this too much until the end, the author's epilogue left me with a bad taste. She falls into the trap of writing accounts of princesses who long to be "free" like the peasants. Argh, this is so irritating. For one, royals, celebrities, and elites were and to some extent still are completely oblivious to the toils of the commoners. They may hear about it and even try to live it, as did poor Marie Antoinette with her play farm village, but I find it hard to believe they'd ever envy their subjects.
August 30, 2019
3 out of 5 stars
This is a fictional diary of Elizabeth the first when she is 11 - 12 at a time when she is so young and innocent. I believe it does have some relevant area of non fiction and history which are the bits I enjoyed. It’s aimed at the ya and children’s history so I plan to save if for my children. It is so light but interesting and the relationships with her siblings and Jane grey really is explored so well. To me as someone who loves the tudor era the factual information at the end was my favourite bit. This is perfectly suited to the age it’s aimed at but as an adult it didn’t grip me enough.
This is a fictional diary of Elizabeth the first when she is 11 - 12 at a time when she is so young and innocent. I believe it does have some relevant area of non fiction and history which are the bits I enjoyed. It’s aimed at the ya and children’s history so I plan to save if for my children. It is so light but interesting and the relationships with her siblings and Jane grey really is explored so well. To me as someone who loves the tudor era the factual information at the end was my favourite bit. This is perfectly suited to the age it’s aimed at but as an adult it didn’t grip me enough.
August 4, 2023
Look, if you're reading any of the Royal Diaries for accuracy, you're barking up the wrong tree. (Loose statement, I haven't evaluated ALL of them as an adult, but they are written in first person POV from long gone historical figures, so.) They were fun to read as a kid and were fuel for my obsession with history. (Elizabeth I was of a particular fixation for me because we share a name and hair colour.)
I'm giving this one good 4 stars for how much this stuck with me for the majority of my life. The bit where the village girl sees her red hair was so vivid in my mind as a kid it was cool to see it pack just as much of a punch in my 30s.
I'm giving this one good 4 stars for how much this stuck with me for the majority of my life. The bit where the village girl sees her red hair was so vivid in my mind as a kid it was cool to see it pack just as much of a punch in my 30s.
November 23, 2019
Who would think that a historical fiction book could actually be so emotional and true to life. I love the way that Elizabeth does not look at Henry VIII as the monster we see him, she sees him as her father who she slowly becomes emotionally attached to him because his time is so precious. Really human thoughts plant themselves in everyone, depressing ones a lot, and
instead of going around them it is nice that the author includes those thoughts to make us see that she really was human and an abrupt ending to this story is still emotional because of the final thought in her diary.
instead of going around them it is nice that the author includes those thoughts to make us see that she really was human and an abrupt ending to this story is still emotional because of the final thought in her diary.
June 27, 2022
While this was an interesting part of Elizabeth's life, I feel like it was very meh. There was no fear that her father may die. There was no talk of her getting married to some foreign prince. To me, it is when Henry dies they should've covered. Her entire world changed. I know with the Thomas Seymour stuff, they probably wanted to avoid that but they still could've written it in a way that didn't include the child grooming.
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