All the Queen's Men: Elizabeth I and Her Courtiers

by Neville Williams

7 1/4"x9 7/8" 272 page softcover English history book. Publisher-Cardinal in 1974

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Tudor Period

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[India M. Clamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an auspicious study into the politics, favor and running of a monarchy. If you want the "Royal Family light" do not buy this book. Exhaustive research and presentation of the unique culture of the court and those not serving the Queen and their eventual death or banishment.

At this time the gentlemen in her court (governmental and defacto) tell the tale of Elizabeth from adolescence to ascension and political issues of her reign. Explains the many jewels of aka advisors for the battles of Norfolk and his fall, Mary Stuart, James of Scotland and birth of her advisory council.


Illustrations, art and oil paintings are well documented---mostly portraiture---of the time. Orchestrated for a British audience, with explanations in terms of modern British locations and institutions without, in many cases, additional details helpful to the proletarian, scholar or hobby reader. Buy it.

[Redsteve · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I thought at first glance to be a coffee-table book of Elizabeth I’s suitors/favorites actually turned out to be an excellent and fairly exhaustive account of the men of the Elizabethan court and government, from the forming of he initial council at her ascension to intrigue surrounding the succession of James of Scotland. The book follows the major political issues of her reign (including the succession question, innumerable marriage negotiations, Mary Stuart, the Essex Rebellion, the fall of Norfolk, and warfare in the Low Countries, Spain, and France), resulting in the rise and fall of various favorites, nobles and governmental officials, as well as the enmities and alliances based on familial ties (cousinage), religion, and personal ambition. The book also contains a first-rate collection of paintings (mostly portraiture) from the period. Warning, the writing is obviously geared towards a British readership, with explanations in terms of modern British locations and institutions without, in many cases, additional details helpful to the average Yankee reader.

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read a few books about the Tudor period recently, when I found this on the sale shelf at Evanston's Amarynth Bookstore I snapped it up. An offsize, lavishly illustrated hardcover, I didn't imagine it would be as difficult as it is.

Although it looks like just another pretty coffeetable book, this is actually a rather sophisticated study of court life under Elizabeth I. I, not being English, found it a bit too sophisticated. There are no real maps. Perhaps this would no problem for a native, but it was for me. Similarly, names, hundreds of them, are bandied about with abandon. Worse still, English nobles are often referred to by more than one name. In addition to the Christian names there are also titles, sometimes several of them, each distinctly different. The author makes no attempt to stick to a single designation for each individual, but jumps from one to another, sometimes even using nicknames. It was too much for me at this point.

My complaints arising from my ignorance, I note that this is a formidable study, despite appearances. Someone more studied in the period than I might well enjoy it thoroughly.

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth I was a master of applied psychology and manipulation of personalities, juggling with great success for many years the interests of the powerful men who surrounded her. She also had a happy knack for getting the most out of their talents to the benefit of the Crown and the country. Williams, Deputy Keeper of Public Records and a noted Tudor scholar, explores the ambitions, power-bids, marital politics, and "heroine worship" at Elizabeth’s court and tracks the rise and fall of the Howard, Dudley, and Devereux families in a smoothly flowing, heavily illustrated narrative.