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Elizabeth I: A Study in Insecurity
In the popular imagination, as in her portraits, Elizabeth I is the image of monarchical power. The Virgin Queen ruled over a Golden Age: the Spanish Armada was defeated; English explorers reached the ends of the earth; a new Church of England rose from the ashes of past conflict; the English Renaissance bloomed in the genius of Shakespeare, Spenser and Sidney. But the image is also armour. In this illuminating new account of Elizabeth's reign, Helen Castor shows how England's iconic queen was shaped by profound and enduring insecurity-an insecurity which was both a matter of practical political reality and personal psychology. From her precarious upbringing at the whim of a brutal, capricious father and her perilous accession after his death, to the religious division that marred her state and the failure to marry that threatened her line, Elizabeth lived under constant threat. But, facing down her enemies with a compellingly inscrutable public persona, the last and greatest of the Tudor monarchs would become a timeless, fearless queen.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
52 people are currently reading
1173 people want to read
About the author
Helen Castor
7 books482 followersHelen Castor is a historian of medieval England and a Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. She directed studies in History at Sidney for eight years before deciding to concentrate on writing history for a wider readership.
Her book Blood & Roses (Faber, 2004, published in revised form in the US by HarperCollins, 2006) is a biography of the fifteenth-century Paston family, whose letters are the earliest great collection of private correspondence surviving in the English language. Blood & Roses was longlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction in 2005, and was awarded the Beatrice White Prize (for outstandingly scholarly work in the field of English Literature before 1590) by the English Association in 2006.
Her next book, She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth, will be published in the UK by Faber and in the US by HarperCollins.
She lives in London with her husband and son.
Her book Blood & Roses (Faber, 2004, published in revised form in the US by HarperCollins, 2006) is a biography of the fifteenth-century Paston family, whose letters are the earliest great collection of private correspondence surviving in the English language. Blood & Roses was longlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction in 2005, and was awarded the Beatrice White Prize (for outstandingly scholarly work in the field of English Literature before 1590) by the English Association in 2006.
Her next book, She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth, will be published in the UK by Faber and in the US by HarperCollins.
She lives in London with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
February 23, 2020
Clever and concise, with a clear authorial voice and definitive theme, this is a great intro to the varied issues and dangers faced by Elizabeth throughout her life.
April 5, 2019
Examing Elizabeth I through her political and personal insecurities seemed like a fascinating read to me as I have read some of the others in this series so decided I definitely needed to check this one out.This basically takes you through all the major events of her life and reign pointing out where at any given moment Elizabeth might have seen some of her insecurities come to light.Such as the circumstances of her birth,her sex,her place in the sucession,the Thomas Seymour affair,her sister's reign,her religious wars,single status,Robert Dudley,Mary,Queen of Scots,the Armada and the Earl of Essex.The author does an excellent job pointing them out and it is a well written,intelligent overview of her life.High points for me were part of Anne Boleyn's story at the beginning,a note to Robert Dudley,scandal sheets from foreign ports in Europe and Elizabeth's reaction to Essex's final betrayal.Was she just mad from the Elizabethan moonlight as she suggests or just a whip smart queen with eye for posterity?Read this and you be the judge.
March 25, 2023
Well researched, concise, interesting
August 7, 2025
Beautifully done. And I agree with all her assessments! ;)
January 16, 2020
Concise but informative - a good little overview of Elizabeth I of England's reign.
January 27, 2019
In my personal pantheon of Great Historical Nonfiction Authors, Helen Castor sits at the tippy top, along with Stefan Zweig, whom I recently raved about in my review of his biography Mary, Queen of Scots. It was Zweig's incredible exploration of this tragic queen's life that inspired me to read the Castor's biography of Elizabeth I, the more triumphant queen who ordered the Queen of Scots' death.
Until now, Castor's limited herself to pre-Tudor medieval history. The latest she goes is the War of the Roses. She tends to adopt women as subjects, a rarity for her time period of specialization, and she tends to treat her subjects with the same level of seriousness and analysis normally reserved for kings and popes, not mere wives or mothers of kings. It's absolutely brilliant, and I count her tomes on Joan of Arc and "She-Wolves," an exploration of all the women who tried to rule England before Elizabeth, as favorites.
Elizabeth I: A Study in Insecurity is a misstep for Castor. Clocking in at less than 100 pages, it lacks her former biographies' psychological depth, replacing it with a more or less chronological retelling of the various events that occurred throughout Elizabeth's life. A more generous part of me wonders if this failure is due to her publisher, not Castor herself. The biography was written for the Penguin Monarchs series, and without reading any of the other installments, I hazard the guess that the publisher requested short, simple, and informative biographies. If that is the case, it's an utter shame, because Helen Castor's strength as a historian is plunging the profundities of time, place, and person, explaining how they all interact to form History.
I learned more about Elizabeth's character in Zweig's profile of her nemesis Mary Queen of Scots. There are better biographies of Elizabeth and there are better biographies by Helen Castor. Hard not to feel, therefore, that this book was an utter waste.
Until now, Castor's limited herself to pre-Tudor medieval history. The latest she goes is the War of the Roses. She tends to adopt women as subjects, a rarity for her time period of specialization, and she tends to treat her subjects with the same level of seriousness and analysis normally reserved for kings and popes, not mere wives or mothers of kings. It's absolutely brilliant, and I count her tomes on Joan of Arc and "She-Wolves," an exploration of all the women who tried to rule England before Elizabeth, as favorites.
Elizabeth I: A Study in Insecurity is a misstep for Castor. Clocking in at less than 100 pages, it lacks her former biographies' psychological depth, replacing it with a more or less chronological retelling of the various events that occurred throughout Elizabeth's life. A more generous part of me wonders if this failure is due to her publisher, not Castor herself. The biography was written for the Penguin Monarchs series, and without reading any of the other installments, I hazard the guess that the publisher requested short, simple, and informative biographies. If that is the case, it's an utter shame, because Helen Castor's strength as a historian is plunging the profundities of time, place, and person, explaining how they all interact to form History.
I learned more about Elizabeth's character in Zweig's profile of her nemesis Mary Queen of Scots. There are better biographies of Elizabeth and there are better biographies by Helen Castor. Hard not to feel, therefore, that this book was an utter waste.
June 15, 2018
An excellent short biography of Queen Elizabeth I. Dr. Helen Castor looks behind the Queen's confident public image as Gloriana and examines her precarious position over the the course of her reign. The fates of Henry VIII's six wives are so well known today that the probable impact of these events on Elizabeth I's sense of her own position and her attitudes toward marriage are sometimes overlooked. Elizabeth experienced a treacherous path to the throne and a series of threats to her authority over the course of her reign. I thought the author's comparison of Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots was especially illuminating. The book is filled with interesting facts, such as how Queen Elizabeth I's accession is the only time in English history when heralds cried, "The queen is dead, long live the queen" and is very well written. Highly recommended.
January 6, 2019
Fantastic portrait of a deeply unsettled yet resolute monarch in the face of overwhelming political pressures and traumatic formative experiences.
October 1, 2019
100 pages is barely enough to scratch the surface of Elizabeth’s eventful life, but this brief introduction serves as a compelling character study of one of England’s most fascinating monarchs. Elizabeth’s action-packed reign is certainly worthy of a fuller-sized biography, so I’m thinking that the Penguin Monarchs series is better suited to lesser-known royals who I’d like to learn some more about without it being a major time commitment.
January 26, 2022
Short. Educational. Perfect.
August 28, 2020
A great introduction to Elizabeth I. Such an interesting character in human history. I was afraid the size of the book (it’s only 115 pages long, and Elizabeth lived from 1533 until 1603 and reigned from 1558 until her death; quite some time to accumulate a good story) would limit the writer, but I really enjoyed it nonetheless! Would deformity recommend, and am intrigued to pick up more about Elizabeth I and from the Penguin Monarchs series.
January 15, 2023
good summary - info not stated in textbooks
helen castor really loves quotes to an inordinate amount
interesting perspective and arguments
helen castor really loves quotes to an inordinate amount
interesting perspective and arguments
February 23, 2019
Short and succinct are the first two words that come to mind when describing Helen Castor’s, Elizabeth I: A Study in Insecurity. Castor has covered Elizabeth’s entire life in under 100 pages. As with all teaching (a natural by-product of historical writing), knowing what to cover, what to skim and what to eliminate are key elements. Castor amazingly includes all of the major events in Elizabeth’s life giving the perfect amount of detail within broad context. Not an easy feat. The reader is given an excellent impression of Elizabeth’s understanding (and enjoyment) of all that is dramatic and need for public relations events. We see her personality traits and her intelligence.
Where this reviewer feels Castor fell short, was in the over-promised and under-delivered bait of the title-- a study in insecurity. There was little evidence or stress on the theme. A book review from the BBC History Magazine, 22 February 2018, titled, The Unfathomable Queen, (which simply reworded much of the Introduction and first chapter of the book) was more straight forward by restating several of Castor’s sentences: “It is plausible, at least, to suggest that her internal psychological landscape was shaped by the kind of traumatic emotional dissonance that can produce not overweening confidence, but deep-seated insecurity.” Sadly, there was little support of this strongly stated theme throughout nor supported by phycological studies / evidence.
Elizabeth’s upbringing could not but help give her insecurities, but also strength in knowing she had survived and thrived. She had endured her father’s actions, the Court’s intrigues and even her own siblings’ policies. Elizabeth had to be emotionally tough or at least not show her emotions, as that would create easy prey for any of the wolves at Court. Even her interest in her own mother had to be stifled; although, when she reached adulthood her possession of the portrait locket proved her mother was not forgotten. Learn more about this poignant piece of jewelry at Elizabeth Regina: Her Mother’s Memory https://elizregina.com/2014/01/20/eli...
The topic of her mother was too politically fraught and too charged with religious emotion for many to mention her during Elizabeth’s upbringing. Her very existence was from a religious revolution. Her early years through young adulthood were based on surviving said revolution and it’s inspired violence and recriminations (and the aftermath of her sister Mary’s counter). Survival gave her the strength to rebuff more radical religious reformers (with the insight that she had “no desire to make windows into men’s souls”) and to resist pressure to marry.
Castor, as any historian, had to cover the issue of her marriage--it was a matter of state. Discussion of any royal marriage would be important but this was intensified because the royal in question was a female ruler.
Students of Elizabeth understand her isolation which was part of the territory of a female sovereign. This reviewer, as an Elizabethan historian, considers that elements of the Queen’s personality stemmed not from her insecurities per se but that her fear of failure which caused her to hold off making decisions rather than commit to the wrong one, the stress from being under constant threats, and her wide-range of options to consider when making decisions because she, unlike most royals, made her choices based on the good of her country not her family.
Where this reviewer feels Castor fell short, was in the over-promised and under-delivered bait of the title-- a study in insecurity. There was little evidence or stress on the theme. A book review from the BBC History Magazine, 22 February 2018, titled, The Unfathomable Queen, (which simply reworded much of the Introduction and first chapter of the book) was more straight forward by restating several of Castor’s sentences: “It is plausible, at least, to suggest that her internal psychological landscape was shaped by the kind of traumatic emotional dissonance that can produce not overweening confidence, but deep-seated insecurity.” Sadly, there was little support of this strongly stated theme throughout nor supported by phycological studies / evidence.
Elizabeth’s upbringing could not but help give her insecurities, but also strength in knowing she had survived and thrived. She had endured her father’s actions, the Court’s intrigues and even her own siblings’ policies. Elizabeth had to be emotionally tough or at least not show her emotions, as that would create easy prey for any of the wolves at Court. Even her interest in her own mother had to be stifled; although, when she reached adulthood her possession of the portrait locket proved her mother was not forgotten. Learn more about this poignant piece of jewelry at Elizabeth Regina: Her Mother’s Memory https://elizregina.com/2014/01/20/eli...
The topic of her mother was too politically fraught and too charged with religious emotion for many to mention her during Elizabeth’s upbringing. Her very existence was from a religious revolution. Her early years through young adulthood were based on surviving said revolution and it’s inspired violence and recriminations (and the aftermath of her sister Mary’s counter). Survival gave her the strength to rebuff more radical religious reformers (with the insight that she had “no desire to make windows into men’s souls”) and to resist pressure to marry.
Castor, as any historian, had to cover the issue of her marriage--it was a matter of state. Discussion of any royal marriage would be important but this was intensified because the royal in question was a female ruler.
Students of Elizabeth understand her isolation which was part of the territory of a female sovereign. This reviewer, as an Elizabethan historian, considers that elements of the Queen’s personality stemmed not from her insecurities per se but that her fear of failure which caused her to hold off making decisions rather than commit to the wrong one, the stress from being under constant threats, and her wide-range of options to consider when making decisions because she, unlike most royals, made her choices based on the good of her country not her family.
June 16, 2018
Helen Castor makes Elizabeth come alive in this intimate study of the last Tudor monarch. Whereas many biographies tend to gloss over her failures or the negative aspects of her reign, and others swing the pendulum to the other side, dismissing all her successes; Helen Castor does the opposite, reaching a much needed middle-ground. She gives us an Elizabeth who was flawed, hesitant, over-sensitive and highly arrogant. Yet, she could also be caring and reflective and aware of her surroundings -which is why she chose to put her trust in wise men who were far more experienced in many matters of state than she was.
Helen Castor spends a great deal detailing the difference of character between Elizabeth and her rivals. Whereas Mary, Queen of Scots lived a privileged lifestyle with an education befitting a royal consort, Elizabeth was taught by the harshest mistress of all: life.
From her earliest years, Elizabeth learned that she would never be safe, even as a woman in charge. Everyone would be looking to her for favors or salvation, so she used her words carefully, and was cautious to a fault.
Another thing I enjoyed from this book is Helen Castor's approach to this subject. Like a good historian, Helen Castor is not here to put thoughts on everyone's heads. She presents the evidence and infers on what might have happened given what's known about the period but that is it. The final judgment will be for you to make.
My only nitpick is that it wasn't longer, but maybe that is a blessing in disguise because by saying so little, she managed to reveal a great deal about one of the world's greatest queens.
Helen Castor spends a great deal detailing the difference of character between Elizabeth and her rivals. Whereas Mary, Queen of Scots lived a privileged lifestyle with an education befitting a royal consort, Elizabeth was taught by the harshest mistress of all: life.
From her earliest years, Elizabeth learned that she would never be safe, even as a woman in charge. Everyone would be looking to her for favors or salvation, so she used her words carefully, and was cautious to a fault.
Another thing I enjoyed from this book is Helen Castor's approach to this subject. Like a good historian, Helen Castor is not here to put thoughts on everyone's heads. She presents the evidence and infers on what might have happened given what's known about the period but that is it. The final judgment will be for you to make.
My only nitpick is that it wasn't longer, but maybe that is a blessing in disguise because by saying so little, she managed to reveal a great deal about one of the world's greatest queens.
September 10, 2019
very good to put in with all the countless other writings about Elizabeth. Not sure I learned anything new, but reminded me of things. Makes me want to watch the Cate Blanchett movie again. Ho hum.
December 25, 2025
Disappointing.
When i found out that Penguin has a series of all the British Monarchs i was immediately interested because the particular books i was interested in reading about i just wanted short reads for the Monarchs i was researching.
Elizabeth 1st, it was her reign that I wanted to know about as a brief format as I'd just read Nicola Tallis' Young Elizabeth book. So at 96 pages this seemed perfect.
I'd expected this to be quite an easy read at such a short length covering many events of her reign covered well yet simply and easy to understand but that's not how it was. It left me disappointed as it was a heavy read that required slow reading which was so intellectually demanding. I would've expected this from a 400 page book, so it's not what I thought.
So upon finishing the book i didn't feel like I'd learned much, events were scarce in detail missing much out with not many of them mentioned.
More could've been covered about these events in such a short book if not for it mostly being all about the people around her which just dragged on and on eating up too much of this short book.
There was hardly any detail about her relationship with Mary Queen Of Scots or much on the Spanish Armada.
The paperbacks of this series are so bland and yes i do judge a book by its cover and I'm definitely right in doing so here with its paperback version, but on saying that, the hard covers look amazing but they are so expensive to get hold of now.
The paper quality is poor and the cover much worse in look and feel.
There are some illustrations in the centre of the book in black & white which are a nice touch.
In addition I'd purchased another 5 as I wanted a decent book about the Norman Dynasty but i couldn't seem to find a book that was selling me that specific content so I thought it a wonderful idea to buy from this series William 1st, William ii, Henry 1st, Stephen & Henry ii (descendant from Norman to Plantagenet).
So I now have that Dynasty as a lovely collection as Penguin Monarchs so I'm hoping for good reads!
I'd say that if you want to learn about Elizabeth's reign i would not recommend this book and try something with more pages that could have potential to tell a great deal more therefore making it an easier read.
But I'll keep this for my bookshelf as it's a collectors item and after all it is information and the illustrations help this get to a 3 star rating.
When i found out that Penguin has a series of all the British Monarchs i was immediately interested because the particular books i was interested in reading about i just wanted short reads for the Monarchs i was researching.
Elizabeth 1st, it was her reign that I wanted to know about as a brief format as I'd just read Nicola Tallis' Young Elizabeth book. So at 96 pages this seemed perfect.
I'd expected this to be quite an easy read at such a short length covering many events of her reign covered well yet simply and easy to understand but that's not how it was. It left me disappointed as it was a heavy read that required slow reading which was so intellectually demanding. I would've expected this from a 400 page book, so it's not what I thought.
So upon finishing the book i didn't feel like I'd learned much, events were scarce in detail missing much out with not many of them mentioned.
More could've been covered about these events in such a short book if not for it mostly being all about the people around her which just dragged on and on eating up too much of this short book.
There was hardly any detail about her relationship with Mary Queen Of Scots or much on the Spanish Armada.
The paperbacks of this series are so bland and yes i do judge a book by its cover and I'm definitely right in doing so here with its paperback version, but on saying that, the hard covers look amazing but they are so expensive to get hold of now.
The paper quality is poor and the cover much worse in look and feel.
There are some illustrations in the centre of the book in black & white which are a nice touch.
In addition I'd purchased another 5 as I wanted a decent book about the Norman Dynasty but i couldn't seem to find a book that was selling me that specific content so I thought it a wonderful idea to buy from this series William 1st, William ii, Henry 1st, Stephen & Henry ii (descendant from Norman to Plantagenet).
So I now have that Dynasty as a lovely collection as Penguin Monarchs so I'm hoping for good reads!
I'd say that if you want to learn about Elizabeth's reign i would not recommend this book and try something with more pages that could have potential to tell a great deal more therefore making it an easier read.
But I'll keep this for my bookshelf as it's a collectors item and after all it is information and the illustrations help this get to a 3 star rating.
April 4, 2018
Helen Castor is - despite the title - sensibly objective in this short but useful biography of Elizabeth. Early on, she admits that the queen was almost unknowable to her subjects and rivals, let alone to us from a distance of over 300 years.
She presents the facts of Elizabeth's life fairly dispassionately, allowing us to develop our own ideas and theories about how her turbulent early years might have influenced her later policies as Queen. Similarly, the emotive is stripped out of her dealings with Mary, Queen of Scots and Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex. This is as dry as Lytton Strachey's equally enjoyable (for other reasons) Elizabeth and Essex is romantic. As a biography, there's more about Dudley too, and less about the latter, or at least less depicting it as a great tragic love affair.
The focus is, as it should be, is on Elizabeth - HER life and times. Refreshingly, Shakespeare doesn't get a mention. Instead, we get a solid primer on the religious tensions, societal assumptions, foreign policies and other factors which made her reign so remarkable in its longevity and relative success. It should be said that it is not a history book, inasmuch as you won't find an overview of the country or the conditions ordinary people lived in.
What this IS, is a decent biography, written carefully and clearly, academically but not aloofly. An excellent introduction to the facts, and springboard for further reading about the human being wearing the crown.
She presents the facts of Elizabeth's life fairly dispassionately, allowing us to develop our own ideas and theories about how her turbulent early years might have influenced her later policies as Queen. Similarly, the emotive is stripped out of her dealings with Mary, Queen of Scots and Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex. This is as dry as Lytton Strachey's equally enjoyable (for other reasons) Elizabeth and Essex is romantic. As a biography, there's more about Dudley too, and less about the latter, or at least less depicting it as a great tragic love affair.
The focus is, as it should be, is on Elizabeth - HER life and times. Refreshingly, Shakespeare doesn't get a mention. Instead, we get a solid primer on the religious tensions, societal assumptions, foreign policies and other factors which made her reign so remarkable in its longevity and relative success. It should be said that it is not a history book, inasmuch as you won't find an overview of the country or the conditions ordinary people lived in.
What this IS, is a decent biography, written carefully and clearly, academically but not aloofly. An excellent introduction to the facts, and springboard for further reading about the human being wearing the crown.
June 20, 2018
Helen Castor admits this was a not an easy book to write, and is to be congratulated on fitting so much into less than a hundred pages. I like this Penguin Monarch's series, as the authors are cleverly chosen and have done remarkably well within the limitations of the format.
The subtitle 'A Study in Insecurity' offers a good clue to Helen Castor's interpretation of Elizabeth's life. Even before she was queen, it must have been worrying to have the shadow of the executioner's axe hanging over her. As queen, she had to put up with insults and whispering both at home and abroad, and threats of assassins. She is reported to have claimed she was not afraid of anything, but Elizabeth could never feel truly secure on her throne.
Dismissed by her enemies as a 'Jezebel' and a 'she-wolf', the most amazing thing about Elizabeth's life is how she managed to rise above it all. She told her advisors not to hold back secrets, but was prepared to send them to the Tower if they crossed her. This made her lonely in her later years, an insomniac with debilitating depression, yet Elizabeth ruled as Queen of England for forty-five years.
I visited Westminster Abbey and sensed a new connection with Elizabeth as I laid my hand on her tomb. I feel inspired to re-evaluate my understanding of her life after reading this excellent little book. Highly recommended.
The subtitle 'A Study in Insecurity' offers a good clue to Helen Castor's interpretation of Elizabeth's life. Even before she was queen, it must have been worrying to have the shadow of the executioner's axe hanging over her. As queen, she had to put up with insults and whispering both at home and abroad, and threats of assassins. She is reported to have claimed she was not afraid of anything, but Elizabeth could never feel truly secure on her throne.
Dismissed by her enemies as a 'Jezebel' and a 'she-wolf', the most amazing thing about Elizabeth's life is how she managed to rise above it all. She told her advisors not to hold back secrets, but was prepared to send them to the Tower if they crossed her. This made her lonely in her later years, an insomniac with debilitating depression, yet Elizabeth ruled as Queen of England for forty-five years.
I visited Westminster Abbey and sensed a new connection with Elizabeth as I laid my hand on her tomb. I feel inspired to re-evaluate my understanding of her life after reading this excellent little book. Highly recommended.
September 4, 2022
Still enjoying these Penguin Monarchs books - I think this is my fourth one, maybe fifth? I enjoy Helen Castor's writing anyway, and her presenting on TV as well. She has an engaging tone and writes concisely. It is a fascinating study, looking at how insecure Elizabeth was and how she spent her time attempting to secure the throne and the challenges she faced.
It doesn't seem possible for the 45 year reign of Elizabeth I to be covered in less than 150 pages. The format of these short histories certainly limits what can be discussed and that depths that can be gone into, but Castor does a great job on fitting so much into such a short history and it gives a good oversight into this incredible woman and her reign.
Elizabeth was often dismissed, given what happened to her mother, Anne Boleyn, and she was struggling against the tide from the age of 3 with being declared illegitimate and the daughter of a convicted adulteress. Elizabeth kept advisers close but wasn't afraid to step away from people and even send people to the Tower if they displeased her. Her sense of majesty and the power that she managed to get from her gender is astounding.
It doesn't seem possible for the 45 year reign of Elizabeth I to be covered in less than 150 pages. The format of these short histories certainly limits what can be discussed and that depths that can be gone into, but Castor does a great job on fitting so much into such a short history and it gives a good oversight into this incredible woman and her reign.
Elizabeth was often dismissed, given what happened to her mother, Anne Boleyn, and she was struggling against the tide from the age of 3 with being declared illegitimate and the daughter of a convicted adulteress. Elizabeth kept advisers close but wasn't afraid to step away from people and even send people to the Tower if they displeased her. Her sense of majesty and the power that she managed to get from her gender is astounding.
April 22, 2018
Helen Castor is, as always, beautifully readable but so delicate when it comes to her subject matter. A really interesting portrait of Elizabeth here, and not necessarily one that we'd all recognise, but a very intriguing one nonetheless: a woman who delights in theatricality, yet exists in half-shadows and inaction. A woman who asserts one thing with her right hand, and denies it with her left. And most surprising -- the idea of Elizabeth I as dogged by mental ill health all her life as a depressive. Considering Elizabeth I is one of the most written-about monarchs of all time, that Helen Castor has managed to cast her in a new light is a real testament to Castor's skill as a historian and a writer.
April 19, 2019
An excellent study into the events of Elizabeth Tudor's life that created the Queen that came to be known as Gloriana. Helen Castor describes how a deep insecurity was the defining feature of Elizabeth's life that forged her intellect and cautious intelligence that became watchful and reactionary.
I was lucky enough to attend a Tudor and Stuart Weekend in Canterbury this month where Helen Castor spoke about this book with wit and intelligence. A wonderful speaker and a fascinating book.
I was lucky enough to attend a Tudor and Stuart Weekend in Canterbury this month where Helen Castor spoke about this book with wit and intelligence. A wonderful speaker and a fascinating book.
January 4, 2023
Rating nonfiction is hard lol. This was a pretty good overview of Elizabeth’s reign - hard to do since it was so long! A year ago I read a novel about her and it was interesting to see bits of the Lettice Knollys/Essex drama summarized here. I also appreciated the juxtaposition of Elizabeth’s choices with Mary Queen of Scots’ - very interesting to consider how directly they differed in their choices and life outcomes.
February 19, 2020
Castor provides a succinct, yet detailed look at Elizabeth I’s life and reign. Very informative (will be recommending to students!) yet not too bogged down in details. It instead provides an interesting overview linking aspects of life, background, challenges, successes, love, foreign policy and governance without becoming too focused on one particular aspect.
June 5, 2020
I read this book as a teacher to get up to speed on my subject knowledge for an Elizabeth I module.
It was absolutely brilliant!
* extremely readable
* concise, containing extensive information about key events in Elizabeth's life
* clear interpretation focused on the causes and consequences of insecurity as the formative experience of Elizabeth's reign
Highly recommended!
It was absolutely brilliant!
* extremely readable
* concise, containing extensive information about key events in Elizabeth's life
* clear interpretation focused on the causes and consequences of insecurity as the formative experience of Elizabeth's reign
Highly recommended!
February 1, 2023
A good book that gives you an idea of what it was like for Elizabeth I to be in the position she was in. This is more than a history book because Helen Castor goes beyond what happened to Elizabeth and explores the psychological effects of what she went through. Well worth reading because it goes to places where the average history book doesn't.
June 11, 2023
As good as royal biography gets. Unusually for this genre, it is written as if the author intended the work to be read AND enjoyed. It is accessible to the general reader, unlike the majority of writing about royals which almost universally assumes the reader is already nearly a specialist themselves.
May 31, 2018
Excellent piece of history - she writes as she speaks, lucidly, and with purpose. This book is the best introduction to Elizabeth I have read, but it is more than that, providing strong context to the most important concerns of her reign, and of her life
June 5, 2019
A concise, readable introduction to the life, both public and private, of Elizabeth I. My only criticism is that it suffers for the length, in places it skims through events that must have had a profound effect on Elizabeth and spends an unnecessary amount of time with Elizabeth's rumoured loves.
July 5, 2020
Lovely thematic overview of the reign of Elizabeth I: accessible, without being dumbed down - I would have liked more appearance of Francis Drake/privateering, but lots of very useful extracts for GCSE (and potentially even KS3)
July 29, 2020
Accessible overview of Elizabeth's reign
Easy reading, provides a good overview of key aspects of Elizabeth's life and reign. Recommended introduction to those studying Elizabeth or for general interest.
Easy reading, provides a good overview of key aspects of Elizabeth's life and reign. Recommended introduction to those studying Elizabeth or for general interest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews