The inspiring story of the seven queens of England and their place in their country’s history.
An informative and compelling insight into the seven historic women who have independently ruled England. From Maud, the first women to ever have claim to the throne, all the way to Elizabeth II, whose life still appears on our television screens today. Each Queen is as rare as the one before her, but with ever increasing pressure to do better than the last.
Let yourself be swept away by the conflicts and hardships that come with being a female ruler in a male-dominated world. Stand with Maud as she fights for her rightful place, be inspired by Elizabeth I by her passion for learning, and grow with Victoria as she learns who she must be. This book tells of the real people behind the crown, and the struggles they endured to get where they deserved to be.
Unlike your typical history book, Geoffrey Trease offers a unique insight into these seven extraordinary women by including childhood anecdotes and personal points of view. Perfect for fans of Marjorie Bowen, Christopher Hibbert, and Karen Dolby.
‘Geoffrey Trease has certainly got the knack. He can write for young people, in this case mainly for teenagers, without being obvious. The excitement is there where fact permits. So is the lucidity, with events all round the world fitting smoothly into their proper place and time’ - The Daily Telegraph
‘I found it a fascinating book. I wish that all history books were so inviting and intelligent.’ - Naomi Lewes, BBC
‘History at its most agreeable and readable.’ - Time and Tide
Geoffrey Trease (1909-1998) was the author of more than one hundred books, including children’s books. He revolutionised children’s literature and was one of the first authors to deliberately appeal to both boys and girls through strong leading characters of both genders. In 1966 Trease won the New York Herald Tribune Book Award for This is Your Century. Geoffrey Trease was educated at Oxford University and travelled widely in Europe and beyond. He lived in Herefordshire on the slopes of the Malvern Hills.
Robert Geoffrey Trease (1909-1998) was a prolific writer, publishing 113 books between 1934 (Bows Against the Barons) and 1997 (Cloak for a Spy). His work has been translated into 20 languages. His grandfather was a historian, and was one of the main influences towards Trease's work.
He is best known for writing children's historical novels, whose content reflects his insistence on historically correct backgrounds, which he meticulously researched. However, with his ground-breaking study Tales Out of School (1949), he was also a pioneer of the idea that children's literature should be a serious subject for study and debate. When he began his career, his radical viewpoint was a change from the conventional and often jingoistic tone of most children's literature of the time, and he was one of the first authors who deliberately set out to appeal to both boys and girls and to feature strong leading characters of both sexes.
An interesting book, I read it in one sitting. Docking a star because of some dated language, and also I have issues with the section on Queen Mary I... a little too sympathetic for my likings.
This is intended as an introduction to the history of the Queens Regnant of England (queens who reigned in their own right, not by marriage to the sovereign). It's best to have a basic grasp of English history, but even if you don't, I think it would be entertaining. I'm guessing by the style that it was written for older children, but I enjoyed it. Highlight: Mary II. I never really thought about her (she's the "William and Mary" Mary), but she is now one of my heroines. Lowlight: his soft treatment of Mary I (Bloody Mary) and the fact that Queen Jane (Lady Jane Grey) only gets a passing mention, and no chapter to herself.
Oh, and I was surprised by his admiration of Queen Maud. That was fun.
I read this in high school... I couldn't put it down. Found the book at one of those book sales that libraries put on. Read it again a couple of months ago and it was still great. Trease has a way with words that changes it from a historical book to a great plot.