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Queen Elizabeth I
Long considered the definitive biography of the great Tudor Queen, this scholarly and immensely readable book won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Biography and has been translated into nine languages.
It is one of the first works of history to receive both scholarly and popular acclaim -- testimony, indeed, to both its authority and readability.
Exploring every aspect of Elizabeth's life and rule--her shrewd policies at home and abroad--Professor Neale establishes the fact that she was unique as a strong-minded, independent woman ruling in an age of exclusively masculine power.
It is one of the first works of history to receive both scholarly and popular acclaim -- testimony, indeed, to both its authority and readability.
Exploring every aspect of Elizabeth's life and rule--her shrewd policies at home and abroad--Professor Neale establishes the fact that she was unique as a strong-minded, independent woman ruling in an age of exclusively masculine power.
424 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1934
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About the author
J.E. Neale
16 books5 followersSir John Ernest Neale was an English historian specialising in the Tudor period.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 13, 2021
This is the best book I have ever read about the amazing queen of Shakespeare's day, Elizabeth Tudor. It's short, concise, easy to read, but full of funny, dramatic, and inspiring personal stories about Elizabeth from a very young girl to a very old queen. Reading it slowly and carefully was a special thrill for me as a romance fan because I could literally see exact passages that inspired later authors. When Elizabeth is under arrest and cruel Queen Mary takes away her favorite lady in waiting, that must surely have inspired Elizabeth Marie Pope to write the Perilous Gard. And later, when the Swedish ambassador comes to Elizabeth's court, and he's rich and gorgeous but the English nobles laugh at him for his funny accent, you could see how that inspired Betina Krahn to write Caught in the Act and Behind Closed Doors.
March 29, 2019
This 1934 biography of Queen Elizabeth I is a classic that probably reads better than most of the more recent works about the Virgin Queen. J. E. Neale won a knighthood for his works about the Elizabethan era, including Queen Elizabeth First: A Biography.
I was particularly impressed by Neale's treatment of the first years of her reign, in which was beset on all sides by forces friendly to the two Marys: Bloody Mary and Mary Queen of Scots. The climactic point of her reign was 1588 with its victory over the Spanish Armada. Then began a long slow decline with her inability to reign in the Earl of Essex until she had to have him executed for treason.
I was particularly impressed by Neale's treatment of the first years of her reign, in which was beset on all sides by forces friendly to the two Marys: Bloody Mary and Mary Queen of Scots. The climactic point of her reign was 1588 with its victory over the Spanish Armada. Then began a long slow decline with her inability to reign in the Earl of Essex until she had to have him executed for treason.
April 19, 2019
I am told that this biography is the one that all other biographies of Elizabeth I are measured.
The main thing that I got out of this book is that Elizabeth is a good judge of character and luckily for her, she was smarter than most of courtiers --- combined. Her appointment of William Cecil as her right hand was probably her most important decision. It was that initial decision that would make her reign successful.
Because Elizabeth had a strong support mechanism, she was able to withstand the sexism of her era. Her decision not to marry, in spite of tremendous pressure, is another reason why her reign was success. She had wisdom to realize that as Queen, it is bad business to marry and risk attempts to usurp her throne. Marriage was not a kind institution for her Mother (Anne Boleyn), her half sister ("Bloody" Mary Tudor, wife of Philip of Spain) and her cousin Mary (Queen of Scots).
Elizabeth's father (Henry VIII) set the stage for the Anglican religion and it's Elizabeth's reign where the Anglican faith took firm root. She was able to withstand intrigues from the Pope, the Spanish and the French. All this is due to being surrounded to highly dedicated courtiers who believed in her right to the crown and the religion that she that promised to uphold.
A few years ago, as part of book club assignment, I read "Elizabeth I CEO: Strategic Lessons from the Leader Who Built an Empire." There are reason why books or subjects should be read in order. Had I read "Queen Elizabeth I," the CEO book probably would have been a more interesting read.
The main thing that I got out of this book is that Elizabeth is a good judge of character and luckily for her, she was smarter than most of courtiers --- combined. Her appointment of William Cecil as her right hand was probably her most important decision. It was that initial decision that would make her reign successful.
Because Elizabeth had a strong support mechanism, she was able to withstand the sexism of her era. Her decision not to marry, in spite of tremendous pressure, is another reason why her reign was success. She had wisdom to realize that as Queen, it is bad business to marry and risk attempts to usurp her throne. Marriage was not a kind institution for her Mother (Anne Boleyn), her half sister ("Bloody" Mary Tudor, wife of Philip of Spain) and her cousin Mary (Queen of Scots).
Elizabeth's father (Henry VIII) set the stage for the Anglican religion and it's Elizabeth's reign where the Anglican faith took firm root. She was able to withstand intrigues from the Pope, the Spanish and the French. All this is due to being surrounded to highly dedicated courtiers who believed in her right to the crown and the religion that she that promised to uphold.
A few years ago, as part of book club assignment, I read "Elizabeth I CEO: Strategic Lessons from the Leader Who Built an Empire." There are reason why books or subjects should be read in order. Had I read "Queen Elizabeth I," the CEO book probably would have been a more interesting read.
March 7, 2015
This is the biography, which I read as a young woman (maybe early 20's), that spurred my interest in history generally and English history, specifically. Intriguing read.
August 10, 2013
When this book was first published in 1934 it was titled simply, Queen Elizabeth since there were no other Queens regnant named Elizabeth to distinguish her from. Nor were their signs of any to come. The future Queen Elizabeth II was then just the daughter of the Duke of York, who was the second son of the reigning King George V. When the new Elizabeth ascended in 1952 they had to republish this book under a new title, which made Neale really happy because now he could sell more books! Known as the book on Queen Elizabeth I, it does live up to its reputation.
A princess at birth and bastard by the time she could walk. Elizabeth's early years were like riding in a modern roller-costar. An interesting irony of her life was her very existence was the result of her father's desperate attempts at creating a male heir to inherit his throne. And that obsession led to England's first two woman rulers, the second would be the one of the greatest rulers in all of history and arguably history's greatest female ruler. From a historical perspective it made perfect sense for King Henry VIII to be so concerned with having a son. No King of England had ever successfully passed his throne to a daughter. The last who tried, Henry I, failed and England went into civil war. King Henry VII had ended the most recent civil war--the Wars of the Roses--and his son was not going to try to set stage for a new one. However, Henry VIII did give England something new to fight over, religion, and his second daughter would strike a victory to put Protestantism in place as England's religion and Catholicism was sent on the defensive.
It did not look like she would be the champion in the early days. Her younger brother, King Edward VI, showed no signs that he would not live as long as their father. She simply minded her studies and probably expected to married off in some way to support her brother's regime.
"Events revealed another Elizabeth than the girl poring over Saint Cyprian, Sophocles, and Cicero. Her father died in January, 1547, when she was thirteen and a half years old. She was spared the harrowing sight of a death-bed, and as she precociously indicated in her letters to her brother, she was able to take her loss with Christian and philosophic fortitude. The future seemed bright. She shared the religious and intellectual outlook of the new king. Protestantism was in the saddle and the uncertainties of the old reign at an end. It might mean, it did mean ill for her sister Mary, but that was calculated to throw into even greater relief the perfect harmony between Elizabeth and Edward." (p.17)
Destiny would decide on another role for her. Edward's death brought their sister Mary to the throne of England. Mary I would try to restore the Catholic faith to England and Elizabeth would have to be at her most cunning to survive her sister's reign as the Queen of England. But Mary's reign was shorter than their brother's and soon Elizabeth would begin one of the most glorious reigns ever. Key to the new Queen's success was her intelligence, cunning and her ability to pick the right people to aid her in her rule.
"There was no greater tribute to the tolerance, sagacity, and masterful nature of Elizabeth than her choice of such ministers as Walsingham. She chose them for their ability, their honesty, and their unshakable loyalty. Even in their intensity they were the expression of the England she was nurturing, and if like thoroughbreds they were hard to ride she was the perfect horsewoman. Like them she covet glory, but thought it true glory to maintain the good yeoman, living in the temperate zone betwixt greatness and want, who wore russet clothes but made golden pocket. With a lively sense of the limitations of English resources, she preferred to trim the countries sails to the winds when and how they blew, rather than set them at once for a storm that might not come." (p.234)
One area where Queen Elizabeth was extremely successful was foreign policy. She never developed a rivalry with any of the kings of France while she was Queen, like her father did with King Francis I. This probably had something to do with the fact that there were five men during her reign that were the King of France (Henry II, Francis II, Charles IX, Henry III, and Henry IV) therefore there was no time for any rivalry to develop.
Like many English monarchs before her she had to deal with Scotland. Queen Elizabeth was the last Queen of England who would have to deal with a Scottish Monarch, for after her reign the crowns would unite in the person of her rival's son. The main rival of her life was the Queen of Scots and her own heir presumptive, Mary Stuart. This Queen Mary would be Catholicism's champion in the same way Elizabeth was Protestantism's. Mary would become Elizabeth's prisoner and Elizabeth would sign her death warrant to prevent a conspiracy from assassinating herself and bringing her rival to her throne. Elizabeth's decision in some ways echoes Henry II's decision to have Thomas Becket killed. It was probably the right decision, but both lived to regret it.
"On November 16th, Elizabeth sent to warn her of the sentence against her, of the Parliament's petition, and the possibility of death. She did not flinch. No repentance, no submission, no acknowledgement of her fault, no craving for pardon could be drawn from her. She sat down to make her appeal to the world and posterity in eloquent and impassioned letters. She was playing her last act, still with a great heart, still without scruple. Her declarations to the Pope, though written in the solemn, confessional mood of death, are, some of them, sorry lies. And yet there was a sound instinct in the presentation of herself as a martyr for the Catholic faith. The Catholic struggle in England had been personified in her. She wished to die in that role. When Paulet down her cloth of state, she now being a woman dead to the law and in capable of all dignities, she set in its place pictures of Christ's passion and a Cross."(p.286-7)
Mary's execution would mean England would have two consecutive monarchs whose mother had been executed for treason. Although James had no emotional attachment to his mother--she may have killed his father, parent slaying parent is also something Elizabeth could relate to--he tried to have her death prevented however his objections had limits.
"It was only a few months since James had finally concluded a league with Elizabeth, and his vigorous intercession for his mother's life seemed at first to invaluable alliance. But Master James was still first and foremost interested in Master James." (p.287)
Elizabeth's most famous rival was her former brother-in-law, King Philip II of Spain. Although the two saw eye to eye on a lot of things in their early days, Elizabeth's support of the Protestant rebellion in the Netherlands and Admiral Sir Francis Drake's pirating ways set Philip against her. Philip would send his famous Spanish Armada after her kingdom to reclaim it for the Catholic faith. The battle was one the most important in history.
"Much had been at stake in the great fight; nothing less than the future of Protestantism. And throughout Christendom, Catholic and Protestant had been praying, hoping, fearing for champions of their faith." (p.310)
Elizabeth's reputation was probably equal to both her father's and her famous ancestor King Edward III. Even those who hated her had to admit that she was very impressive.
"Hated by her enemies, feared or loved by her subjects, at times the utter despair of her councilors--she might be all these, but no one could deny her success. `She is certainly a great Queen,' said the new Pope, Sixtus V, `and were she only a Catholic she would be our dearly beloved. Just look how well she governs! She is only a woman, only mistress of half an island, and yet she makes herself feared by Spain, by France, by the Empire, by all."(p.294)
Queen Elizabeth I is great book about a great individual who I personally believe was the most important woman who ever walked the Earth.
A princess at birth and bastard by the time she could walk. Elizabeth's early years were like riding in a modern roller-costar. An interesting irony of her life was her very existence was the result of her father's desperate attempts at creating a male heir to inherit his throne. And that obsession led to England's first two woman rulers, the second would be the one of the greatest rulers in all of history and arguably history's greatest female ruler. From a historical perspective it made perfect sense for King Henry VIII to be so concerned with having a son. No King of England had ever successfully passed his throne to a daughter. The last who tried, Henry I, failed and England went into civil war. King Henry VII had ended the most recent civil war--the Wars of the Roses--and his son was not going to try to set stage for a new one. However, Henry VIII did give England something new to fight over, religion, and his second daughter would strike a victory to put Protestantism in place as England's religion and Catholicism was sent on the defensive.
It did not look like she would be the champion in the early days. Her younger brother, King Edward VI, showed no signs that he would not live as long as their father. She simply minded her studies and probably expected to married off in some way to support her brother's regime.
"Events revealed another Elizabeth than the girl poring over Saint Cyprian, Sophocles, and Cicero. Her father died in January, 1547, when she was thirteen and a half years old. She was spared the harrowing sight of a death-bed, and as she precociously indicated in her letters to her brother, she was able to take her loss with Christian and philosophic fortitude. The future seemed bright. She shared the religious and intellectual outlook of the new king. Protestantism was in the saddle and the uncertainties of the old reign at an end. It might mean, it did mean ill for her sister Mary, but that was calculated to throw into even greater relief the perfect harmony between Elizabeth and Edward." (p.17)
Destiny would decide on another role for her. Edward's death brought their sister Mary to the throne of England. Mary I would try to restore the Catholic faith to England and Elizabeth would have to be at her most cunning to survive her sister's reign as the Queen of England. But Mary's reign was shorter than their brother's and soon Elizabeth would begin one of the most glorious reigns ever. Key to the new Queen's success was her intelligence, cunning and her ability to pick the right people to aid her in her rule.
"There was no greater tribute to the tolerance, sagacity, and masterful nature of Elizabeth than her choice of such ministers as Walsingham. She chose them for their ability, their honesty, and their unshakable loyalty. Even in their intensity they were the expression of the England she was nurturing, and if like thoroughbreds they were hard to ride she was the perfect horsewoman. Like them she covet glory, but thought it true glory to maintain the good yeoman, living in the temperate zone betwixt greatness and want, who wore russet clothes but made golden pocket. With a lively sense of the limitations of English resources, she preferred to trim the countries sails to the winds when and how they blew, rather than set them at once for a storm that might not come." (p.234)
One area where Queen Elizabeth was extremely successful was foreign policy. She never developed a rivalry with any of the kings of France while she was Queen, like her father did with King Francis I. This probably had something to do with the fact that there were five men during her reign that were the King of France (Henry II, Francis II, Charles IX, Henry III, and Henry IV) therefore there was no time for any rivalry to develop.
Like many English monarchs before her she had to deal with Scotland. Queen Elizabeth was the last Queen of England who would have to deal with a Scottish Monarch, for after her reign the crowns would unite in the person of her rival's son. The main rival of her life was the Queen of Scots and her own heir presumptive, Mary Stuart. This Queen Mary would be Catholicism's champion in the same way Elizabeth was Protestantism's. Mary would become Elizabeth's prisoner and Elizabeth would sign her death warrant to prevent a conspiracy from assassinating herself and bringing her rival to her throne. Elizabeth's decision in some ways echoes Henry II's decision to have Thomas Becket killed. It was probably the right decision, but both lived to regret it.
"On November 16th, Elizabeth sent to warn her of the sentence against her, of the Parliament's petition, and the possibility of death. She did not flinch. No repentance, no submission, no acknowledgement of her fault, no craving for pardon could be drawn from her. She sat down to make her appeal to the world and posterity in eloquent and impassioned letters. She was playing her last act, still with a great heart, still without scruple. Her declarations to the Pope, though written in the solemn, confessional mood of death, are, some of them, sorry lies. And yet there was a sound instinct in the presentation of herself as a martyr for the Catholic faith. The Catholic struggle in England had been personified in her. She wished to die in that role. When Paulet down her cloth of state, she now being a woman dead to the law and in capable of all dignities, she set in its place pictures of Christ's passion and a Cross."(p.286-7)
Mary's execution would mean England would have two consecutive monarchs whose mother had been executed for treason. Although James had no emotional attachment to his mother--she may have killed his father, parent slaying parent is also something Elizabeth could relate to--he tried to have her death prevented however his objections had limits.
"It was only a few months since James had finally concluded a league with Elizabeth, and his vigorous intercession for his mother's life seemed at first to invaluable alliance. But Master James was still first and foremost interested in Master James." (p.287)
Elizabeth's most famous rival was her former brother-in-law, King Philip II of Spain. Although the two saw eye to eye on a lot of things in their early days, Elizabeth's support of the Protestant rebellion in the Netherlands and Admiral Sir Francis Drake's pirating ways set Philip against her. Philip would send his famous Spanish Armada after her kingdom to reclaim it for the Catholic faith. The battle was one the most important in history.
"Much had been at stake in the great fight; nothing less than the future of Protestantism. And throughout Christendom, Catholic and Protestant had been praying, hoping, fearing for champions of their faith." (p.310)
Elizabeth's reputation was probably equal to both her father's and her famous ancestor King Edward III. Even those who hated her had to admit that she was very impressive.
"Hated by her enemies, feared or loved by her subjects, at times the utter despair of her councilors--she might be all these, but no one could deny her success. `She is certainly a great Queen,' said the new Pope, Sixtus V, `and were she only a Catholic she would be our dearly beloved. Just look how well she governs! She is only a woman, only mistress of half an island, and yet she makes herself feared by Spain, by France, by the Empire, by all."(p.294)
Queen Elizabeth I is great book about a great individual who I personally believe was the most important woman who ever walked the Earth.
September 3, 2017
Neale's famous old (1934) biography of Elizabeth is very readable, lucidly untangling the complex court intrigue of her reign and the constantly shifting relationships between her and her fellow rulers; but I closed the book with a sigh of relief, feeling I had escaped an airless milieu populated exclusively by wealthy schemers and pious thugs.
This is very emphatically an old-school political history focussed on the nobility and monarchy, and the vast bulk of Elizabeth's subjects have little role in the narrative apart from occasionally cheering her at public appearances. He does mention the popular unrest toward the end of her reign, manifested mainly by sympathy for Essex, which to him merely illustrates the ignorance and wrong-headedness of the masses. It would have been nice to learn more about her domestic policies and their impact on the population.
Neale is not quite a hagiographer, but his unabashed and infectious admiration for Elizabeth leads him to unfailingly interpret her every act in the best possible light, and to soften or omit her more unsavoury moments; there's nothing here, for example, about her support and encouragement of anti-Catholic sadist-in-chief Richard Topcliffe.
The only other Elizabeth biography I've examined is the one by Elizabeth Jenkins, who offers a more complex portrait and less hero worship, although it is equally focussed on the ruling elite.
This is very emphatically an old-school political history focussed on the nobility and monarchy, and the vast bulk of Elizabeth's subjects have little role in the narrative apart from occasionally cheering her at public appearances. He does mention the popular unrest toward the end of her reign, manifested mainly by sympathy for Essex, which to him merely illustrates the ignorance and wrong-headedness of the masses. It would have been nice to learn more about her domestic policies and their impact on the population.
Neale is not quite a hagiographer, but his unabashed and infectious admiration for Elizabeth leads him to unfailingly interpret her every act in the best possible light, and to soften or omit her more unsavoury moments; there's nothing here, for example, about her support and encouragement of anti-Catholic sadist-in-chief Richard Topcliffe.
The only other Elizabeth biography I've examined is the one by Elizabeth Jenkins, who offers a more complex portrait and less hero worship, although it is equally focussed on the ruling elite.
July 6, 2012
No - not QE2, but the first Elizabeth. I thought in the 60th year of QE2's reign I ought to fill in the massive gaps in my knowledge of England's history, particularly the first Elizabeth. Sarah recommended this book, which she remembered from he "A" levels. It is a magnificent piece of factual story-telling - with no tedious academic references (although Neale was a Professor of English History at University College, London). It is a very modern historical narrative, told with an eloquence which matches Sharma at his best, but drawing on a vocabulary more sparkling, gilded and colourful than you would ever find in mainstream culture today.
February 27, 2018
A good survey of the life of Elizabeth I, all the major highs and lows, in-depth analysis of the political forces of the time. It's a bit short on psychological analysis of the inner life of Elizabeth I, though.
June 14, 2007
I read this for my secondary tutorial at Worcester College, Oxford (Culture, Politics, and Society in England: 1558-1660). It was a great read.
Read
December 23, 2009http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1265072.html[return][return]Alas, I was thoroughly spoiled for this by reading David Starkey and Alison Weir on the same subject last year. Though irritated by the writing style I kept hoping that at least I would learn something new; but when I had finished the first quarter of the book without finding anything that had not been covered better by either Starkey or Weir, I decided not to bother with any more.
August 31, 2013
Neale does an excellent job portraying Queen Elizabeth I as an incredible monarch, adored by her people. This is one of the best biographies that I have ever read. It was easy to follow and well-written. The author portrays how wise the queen was and how amazing her speaking ability was. She was able to deal with multiple attempts on her life and multiple attempts at her crown. She was graceful. I would highly recommend this to all of those who love history or just those who love a good story about an incredible woman.
September 16, 2009
You really do pay attention to dramatizations of the time period and see where all the inconsistencies are. Read "Her Majesty's Spymaster" if you want to know more about Walsingham's role in Elizabeth's reign and in Mary Queen of Scots' treachery.
December 11, 2015
Finishing this work, I feel that I know nothing more about the queen than I knew before I read it. It was a very boring work. The info about the sister and cousin was more interesting than that about Elizabeth.
November 22, 2009
Originally published in 1933, my edition is 1998 re-issue. It is considered the definitive biography of E I.
September 16, 2013
Well-written, thorough, and engaging. I enjoyed it immensely.
September 26, 2013
very informative, well written
Read
July 8, 2021i know more about queen elizabeth I now (obviously)
was not as dry as I expected it to be !
i liked that though it was about QE1 it spent a good amount of pages discussing many people around her (mary tudor and mary queen of scots + others) because detailing them is necessary for the full context
read this for the purpose of obtaining background knowledge for my research project
for sure suited that purpose because i see names popping up in the random things im reading and im like ah i know who that is
was not as dry as I expected it to be !
i liked that though it was about QE1 it spent a good amount of pages discussing many people around her (mary tudor and mary queen of scots + others) because detailing them is necessary for the full context
read this for the purpose of obtaining background knowledge for my research project
for sure suited that purpose because i see names popping up in the random things im reading and im like ah i know who that is
January 16, 2020
As history and biography I cannot conceive a better book. I guess I am not English enough to handle the changes in names with titles and awards, so following the story was a bit of a chore. Thus, my shortcomings lost it a star. If you want to know of the power of family and religion and class it is an excellent introduction.
August 21, 2023
This book is pretty blatant in its “Elizabeth is the best Monarch who ever ruled” stance, but in terms of information provided and readability, I found it a good book. It actually makes me want to go and pick back up a Mary Stuart biography I started and stopped a while ago just to fill in another side of the contemporary story. There’s no arguing with what a fast read this was.
February 14, 2024
Felt more like a history of the period rather than a biography of Elizabeth I. Close to 100 pages were written about Mary Queen of Scots and the details in these pages were far more in depth about Mary than they ever were about Elizabeth. Worth a read if you're interested in the period. 3*
July 28, 2020
Took my time with it. Worth every moment.
August 11, 2022
Raed (and immediately forgot) this for my history A level in the 80s and would probably appreciate it more now, hence 4 stars rather than the one I would have given it back then,
February 21, 2024
Not as well written as the bio by Elizabeth Jenkins.
November 30, 2023
While I do love Elizabeth I and her progressive attitude towards the English monarchy, what I truly enjoyed about this book was the discourse surrounding Mary Queen of Scots. Neale’s writing was concise and descriptive and I thoroughly enjoyed this book…which says a lot coming from someone who typically despises any kind of non-fiction.
June 13, 2023
Maybe a little dated, but a classic.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews