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Good Queen Anne: Appraising the Life and Reign of the Last Stuart Monarch
Queen Anne (1665-1714) was not charismatic, brilliant or beautiful, but under her rule, England rose from the chaos of regicide, civil war and revolution to the cusp of global supremacy. She fought a successful overseas war against Europe's superpower and her moderation kept the crown independent of party warfare at home. This biography reveals Anne Stuart as resolute, kind and practical--a woman who surmounted personal tragedy and poor health to become a popular and effective ruler.
270 pages, Paperback
Published March 5, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 11, 2019
Good Queen Anne was one of the Stuart monarchs of which I knew little, which was a shame as she was the last Stuart, and although she reigned for a relatively short period of time, this Queen is still well-remembered and her politics appreciated. The book is rich in detail, concentrating on nuances of politics, especially in the second part, when Anne becomes the queen, however, it also descrribes complicated friendship with Sarah Churchill, the Dutchess of Marlborough, and I found this part of the book interesting as I had a very vague idea of Mr Winston Churchill's ancestors. I admit Queen Anne's childhood, her relations with James II and her sister Mary were of special interest since I had almost no knowledge of these, and the so-called Glorious Revolution's background is truly well explained.
The book is well-written and readable for a reader like myself who has some interest in the period but would like to learn more.
*Many thanks to Judith Lissauer Cromwell, McFarland & Company Inc, and Netgalley for providing me with ARC in exchange for my honest review.*
The book is well-written and readable for a reader like myself who has some interest in the period but would like to learn more.
*Many thanks to Judith Lissauer Cromwell, McFarland & Company Inc, and Netgalley for providing me with ARC in exchange for my honest review.*
June 16, 2020
Queen Anne was a nice human being for a monarch. Her reign lasted from 1702-1714. She survived 17 pregnancies, some resulting in live births. One son lived to be 11. All those pregnancies wore her out and resulted in her dying at the young age of 49 still without an heir. She adored her husband, Prince George of Denmark, and he luckily reciprocated her feelings. She was devastated when he died. She loved fashion, hunting and music but was diligent in her governmental duties. By this time in British history parliament was a bit more powerful than reigning kings or queens. The power Anne did have she held onto tightly. Her cabinet and contemporaries tried to bully her due to her retiring nature but she held her own. Anne was fat, plain, and not well-spoken. Hers was definitely a case of being "smarter than she looked." Anne forgave her "friend" Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, for many trangressions but finally kicked her out of court when Sarah became downright insulting.
I liked how the author, J.L. Cromwell used original source material - mainly correspondence. By this time in history, written English was enough like our modern English for me to understand. If there was something confusing in the quotes the author would include explanatory additions in brackets. Well done. I'm never going to figure out all the twists and turns of English royal history. I have enough trouble keeping straight my own US presidents and we've only been in existence 240+ years.
I liked how the author, J.L. Cromwell used original source material - mainly correspondence. By this time in history, written English was enough like our modern English for me to understand. If there was something confusing in the quotes the author would include explanatory additions in brackets. Well done. I'm never going to figure out all the twists and turns of English royal history. I have enough trouble keeping straight my own US presidents and we've only been in existence 240+ years.
April 8, 2019
A well-researched, thorough and insightful biography of Queen Anne. I particularly enjoyed the extensive use of primary material, particularly the letters, in which Anne’s voice comes over loud and clear. As does the rather less pleasant voice of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough – what a nasty piece of work she turns out to be. Certifiable, in my opinion, and Anne’s forbearance with her is remarkable. Anne, on the contrary comes across as a thoroughly decent woman, trying to do her best in a very difficult job. An illuminating and entertaining account, from which I learnt a great deal.
October 1, 2019
Anne, Queen of Great Britain has lately had somewhat of a resurgence in popularity - largely owing to the 2019 film The Favourite. Perhaps the least known of the British reigning Queens, Anne had a tough life. Born to a commoner mother - Anne Hyde - and the unpopular younger brother of King Charles II - the future James II - Anne was destined for a life in marriage.
Yet life would bring Anne a greater prize. Queenship. After her father and half-brother fled from the Glorious Revolution led by Anne's brother-in-law and cousin who became King William III jointly with Anne's sister Mary II. But with their lack of children, Anne was now the heiress presumptive to the throne. Anne's marriage to Prince George of Denmark produced a number of pregnancies but just a single son lived to the age of 11.
Good Queen Anne focusses heavily on the years of Anne's reign - from the death of her brother-in-law in 1702 until her own death in 1714. Which is not necessarily a bad thing but the years before that are so very interesting as well. Not much is said about the death of her son, which for Anne was perhaps her greatest tragedy and made it necessary to pass the Act of Settlement 1701 to ensure the succession of the Protestant House of Hanover.
All in all, Good Queen Anne is a lovely look at the life of an interesting woman who became Queen against all odds. It is well-written and excellently researched, with plenty of sources.
Yet life would bring Anne a greater prize. Queenship. After her father and half-brother fled from the Glorious Revolution led by Anne's brother-in-law and cousin who became King William III jointly with Anne's sister Mary II. But with their lack of children, Anne was now the heiress presumptive to the throne. Anne's marriage to Prince George of Denmark produced a number of pregnancies but just a single son lived to the age of 11.
Good Queen Anne focusses heavily on the years of Anne's reign - from the death of her brother-in-law in 1702 until her own death in 1714. Which is not necessarily a bad thing but the years before that are so very interesting as well. Not much is said about the death of her son, which for Anne was perhaps her greatest tragedy and made it necessary to pass the Act of Settlement 1701 to ensure the succession of the Protestant House of Hanover.
All in all, Good Queen Anne is a lovely look at the life of an interesting woman who became Queen against all odds. It is well-written and excellently researched, with plenty of sources.
October 3, 2019
Good Queen Anne, that she was and more. A truly remarkable woman who left her mark in more ways than one. From an early age, Anne knew what was important to her and held tightly to her values; even when those around her thought differently. A hard working woman, dedicated to taking an active role in the positions she filled. As a princess, she took to her studies with the utmost discipline. As a religious woman, she found comfort in the Protestant faith and tradition. As a wife in a loving marriage, the genuine love and mutual respect is easily conveyed. As a Queen, she took an active role in politics and working towards peace. Anne’s kindness and selflessness were evident in her friendships and interactions with others.
Anne was not immune from suffering or tragedy. From losing her mother at an early age, to 16 pregnancies throughout her adult life, her perseverance is much to be admired. The author allows the reader to feel Anne’s struggles, and cheer for her during her tribulations.
I must admit, by no means am I a frequent reader of biographies but something about Queen Anne, and the way Cromwell drew the reader in, allowed me to partake in a wonderful story and an account of a remarkable woman.
Anne was not immune from suffering or tragedy. From losing her mother at an early age, to 16 pregnancies throughout her adult life, her perseverance is much to be admired. The author allows the reader to feel Anne’s struggles, and cheer for her during her tribulations.
I must admit, by no means am I a frequent reader of biographies but something about Queen Anne, and the way Cromwell drew the reader in, allowed me to partake in a wonderful story and an account of a remarkable woman.
April 2, 2019
I am a little familiar with Anne Stuart. Although, I will comment and say that after reading this book, I learned so much about Anne that I feel more knowledgeable about her as a person and queen. You could almost say that I became a bit of an "expert" (not really). It is author, Judith Lissauer Cromwell that is the expert.
While, you could read some of the same things within this book from the Wiki pages; you will learn a lot more from this book. Anne was not flashy or may have been the prettiest. Yet, she was intelligent. Not just brain smart but also how to handle people This is very helpful and a great benefit to her as a ruler.
It was like I was reading a history lesson. A intriguing one that I wanted to know more about. If you are a fan of history, historical, or nonfiction reads, than, you need to read this book.
While, you could read some of the same things within this book from the Wiki pages; you will learn a lot more from this book. Anne was not flashy or may have been the prettiest. Yet, she was intelligent. Not just brain smart but also how to handle people This is very helpful and a great benefit to her as a ruler.
It was like I was reading a history lesson. A intriguing one that I wanted to know more about. If you are a fan of history, historical, or nonfiction reads, than, you need to read this book.
March 24, 2019
Very interesting biography of Anne Stuart, daughter of James II and last reigning Stuart monarch of England. Much maligned by her friend who had a political axe to grind, Queen Anne seems to have chosen to forgive and move on. She was a good judge of people, the politics of the day and looked out for her charge, the people of Great Britain. She was a queen that never burdened her people with her expenses. She cared more for their healing and comfort.
March 27, 2019
An engaging biography of a Queen who ascended unexpectedly to the throne of England, untrained in statecraft, looked down upon as a female, and who died relatively young. Anne remained level-headed and stable despite England's ongoing war with Catholic France, and the regicide that had upended the English monarchy not that long before. The author deftly balances Anne Stuart the person with the political and social background of the nation and Queen Anne's role as England's monarch.
August 22, 2020
#GoodQueenAnne #NetGalley
After watching The Favourite with the wonderful Olivia Cole and I had to find out about this monarch, often overlooked by male historians.
In a time of extremes, Anne's power struggles, religious, political and personal are fascinating.
She suffered constant illness and 17 pregnancies which ended in miscarriage. Only one child lived, William who died aged 11. Despite all of this she oversaw the creation of the United Kingdom which led to its rise as a great military power.
Her relationship with Sarah Jennings, the Duchess of Marlborough is also fascinating. Their relationship deteriorated when the dominating Sarah, who used Anne shamelessly for her husband's and family's personal gain, was supplanted by Sarah's cousin Abigail Masham. Sarah maliciously spread rumors about Anne’s supposed 'unnatural' dalliances with other women and also copies of their passionate letters to one another.
The book is an excellent combination of well researched personal and political scandals and intrigues. It is a fascinating story.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC.
After watching The Favourite with the wonderful Olivia Cole and I had to find out about this monarch, often overlooked by male historians.
In a time of extremes, Anne's power struggles, religious, political and personal are fascinating.
She suffered constant illness and 17 pregnancies which ended in miscarriage. Only one child lived, William who died aged 11. Despite all of this she oversaw the creation of the United Kingdom which led to its rise as a great military power.
Her relationship with Sarah Jennings, the Duchess of Marlborough is also fascinating. Their relationship deteriorated when the dominating Sarah, who used Anne shamelessly for her husband's and family's personal gain, was supplanted by Sarah's cousin Abigail Masham. Sarah maliciously spread rumors about Anne’s supposed 'unnatural' dalliances with other women and also copies of their passionate letters to one another.
The book is an excellent combination of well researched personal and political scandals and intrigues. It is a fascinating story.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC.
April 22, 2019
Britain's Queen Anne (1665-1714) is not someone I really knew anything about, so I was excited to see a new biography on her come out. By the time I had finished Good Queen Anne I could only ask myself: why is she not more well known? She was everything we would want in a world leader today: a strong woman, a fierce moderate, an independent thinker, and a kind human being. Author Judith Cromwell does an excellent job bringing Anne to life as a fully human and relatable royal: a young woman, a princess, a married woman, and a queen. She united England and Scotland, helped steer England through the long War of Spanish Succession, and held her country together at a time when party politics was leaning to extremes on both sides. I loved that Anne always insisted on her cabinet being as moderate and free of party politics as she could manage- something today's politics could learn from. She insisted on putting what was good for the country ahead of what was good for an individual, whether that individual was her or not. And she tried to keep from being beholden to either party, something not always possible during war.
The book did have its' flaws, mostly in the writing style in my opinion. Cromwell has a tendency to begin by describing the weather before entering a new section, which works in small doses but towards the end began to happen so often that it felt contrived. While I expect the intent was to make the reader feel a part of the events it became something I was so conscious of that it would jolt me from the book to notice instead of flowing seamlessly. But my real problem with the writing was the overwhelming amount of repetition. While I don't mind a bit of repetition to help keep people and titles straight over the course of a 600 page book, I don't need to be constantly told that Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, was Anne's close friend and confident (until Anne became Queen. It was downhill after that). I don't need to be constantly told that Sarah became threatened and jealous of Anne's maid Abigail and believed (despite no evidence) that Abigail was influencing Anne's politics. While the relationship between Anne and Sarah was an essential part to Anne's story, there were better ways to emphasize that then the repetition Cromwell used- occasionally almost to the word.
Overall, Good Queen Anne is a wonderful, well-researched book about a strong woman who stood her ground in the face of even stronger personalities, power plays, and outright bullying by family members, "friends", and politicians. Cromwell reveals a queen I didn't know I wanted to know about- but am incredibly glad I do now. Three cheers for Good Queen Anne!
The book did have its' flaws, mostly in the writing style in my opinion. Cromwell has a tendency to begin by describing the weather before entering a new section, which works in small doses but towards the end began to happen so often that it felt contrived. While I expect the intent was to make the reader feel a part of the events it became something I was so conscious of that it would jolt me from the book to notice instead of flowing seamlessly. But my real problem with the writing was the overwhelming amount of repetition. While I don't mind a bit of repetition to help keep people and titles straight over the course of a 600 page book, I don't need to be constantly told that Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, was Anne's close friend and confident (until Anne became Queen. It was downhill after that). I don't need to be constantly told that Sarah became threatened and jealous of Anne's maid Abigail and believed (despite no evidence) that Abigail was influencing Anne's politics. While the relationship between Anne and Sarah was an essential part to Anne's story, there were better ways to emphasize that then the repetition Cromwell used- occasionally almost to the word.
Overall, Good Queen Anne is a wonderful, well-researched book about a strong woman who stood her ground in the face of even stronger personalities, power plays, and outright bullying by family members, "friends", and politicians. Cromwell reveals a queen I didn't know I wanted to know about- but am incredibly glad I do now. Three cheers for Good Queen Anne!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews