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Queen Elizabeth I: Life and Legacy of the Virgin Queen
The forty-four-year reign of Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII and the last Tudor monarch, was considered a golden age. It saw the emergence of the great playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, while the exploits of Sir Francis Drake and other ‘sea-dogs’ helped establish England’s position among the great maritime powers.
This book looks at Elizabeth’s life through some of the many artifacts, buildings, documents and institutions that survive to this day. From the execution of her mother, Ann Boleyn, when she was just two-and-a-half-years-old, to her imprisonment on suspicion of supporting Protestant rebels, Elizabeth’s early life was a turbulent one, but her accession to the throne ushered in a period of stability.
During her reign, England’s wealth and prestige grew through her patronage of seafaring privateers such as Drake, John Hawkins and Walter Raleigh. She encouraged the exploration and colonization of North America, marking the birth of the British Empire and the establishment of British trade routes. Elizabeth was responsible for expanding the English Navy, its defeat of the Spanish Armada being considered one of England’s greatest military victories.
In this magnificently illustrated book we see her birthplace at Greenwich Palace, her childhood homes, her prison in the Tower of London, the palaces she lived in, ruins of stately homes she visited, such as Gorhambury House, Kenilworth House, Upnor Castle and the Elizabethan town walls at Berwick, the many fortifications built during her reign to defend her realm, through to her final resting place in Westminster Abbey.
Also found in this fascinating volume are books that she presented to her father and step-mother, Katherine Parr, with the binding embroidered by Elizabeth, her clothes, letters she wrote in her own hand, her coronation chair, her coat of arms asserting her title as Governor of the Church of England and her signature signing the death warrant of her cousin, the 4th Duke of Norfolk. This book is not just a journey back in time to the reign of Elizabeth I, but also a tour across the country to visit the sites which still evoke that golden era of the Virgin Queen.
This book looks at Elizabeth’s life through some of the many artifacts, buildings, documents and institutions that survive to this day. From the execution of her mother, Ann Boleyn, when she was just two-and-a-half-years-old, to her imprisonment on suspicion of supporting Protestant rebels, Elizabeth’s early life was a turbulent one, but her accession to the throne ushered in a period of stability.
During her reign, England’s wealth and prestige grew through her patronage of seafaring privateers such as Drake, John Hawkins and Walter Raleigh. She encouraged the exploration and colonization of North America, marking the birth of the British Empire and the establishment of British trade routes. Elizabeth was responsible for expanding the English Navy, its defeat of the Spanish Armada being considered one of England’s greatest military victories.
In this magnificently illustrated book we see her birthplace at Greenwich Palace, her childhood homes, her prison in the Tower of London, the palaces she lived in, ruins of stately homes she visited, such as Gorhambury House, Kenilworth House, Upnor Castle and the Elizabethan town walls at Berwick, the many fortifications built during her reign to defend her realm, through to her final resting place in Westminster Abbey.
Also found in this fascinating volume are books that she presented to her father and step-mother, Katherine Parr, with the binding embroidered by Elizabeth, her clothes, letters she wrote in her own hand, her coronation chair, her coat of arms asserting her title as Governor of the Church of England and her signature signing the death warrant of her cousin, the 4th Duke of Norfolk. This book is not just a journey back in time to the reign of Elizabeth I, but also a tour across the country to visit the sites which still evoke that golden era of the Virgin Queen.
286 pages, Hardcover
Published September 30, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 3, 2022
Although I’m somewhat familiar with the Elizabethan period of British history through school, literature and simple fact of cultural osmosis, I somehow managed to never before read an actual biography of Elizabeth I. Until now. It was time, my friends. I mean, love her or hate her, Elizabeth I was quite an important figure in European history.
Written in 100 short chapters, this book differs a bit from a “traditional” biography by centering each of these chapters around an object or place that illustrate an event or a period in Elizabeth’s life - portraits, castles, furniture, execution implements, books, letter, etc.
But don’t let it make you scoff, “Ah, a gimmick…” It is actually a pretty linearly structured account of her life, and quite laconic, with no superfluous speculations or digressions. Paul Kendall gets straight to the point, no more and no less that you need to know for basic information about Elizabeth and the events of that time.
It’s almost like going from exhibit to exhibit in a museum with a knowledgeable guide who manages to not digress or ramble.
One thing I learned is the reason for that infamous pancake white makeup we associate with Elizabeth I. It wasn’t just vanity; it was to cover up disfiguring smallpox scars. As a non-traditional monarch - female (!), unmarried (!!) and childless (!!!) - Elizabeth could not afford to appear vulnerable and anything less than the perfect Gloriana she was expected to be.
The laconic structure can make this biography a bit simple for Elizabethan buffs. But as a primer it’s quite good.
3.5 stars, rounding up.
——————
Thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword, Frontline Books for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
Written in 100 short chapters, this book differs a bit from a “traditional” biography by centering each of these chapters around an object or place that illustrate an event or a period in Elizabeth’s life - portraits, castles, furniture, execution implements, books, letter, etc.
But don’t let it make you scoff, “Ah, a gimmick…” It is actually a pretty linearly structured account of her life, and quite laconic, with no superfluous speculations or digressions. Paul Kendall gets straight to the point, no more and no less that you need to know for basic information about Elizabeth and the events of that time.
It’s almost like going from exhibit to exhibit in a museum with a knowledgeable guide who manages to not digress or ramble.
One thing I learned is the reason for that infamous pancake white makeup we associate with Elizabeth I. It wasn’t just vanity; it was to cover up disfiguring smallpox scars. As a non-traditional monarch - female (!), unmarried (!!) and childless (!!!) - Elizabeth could not afford to appear vulnerable and anything less than the perfect Gloriana she was expected to be.
The laconic structure can make this biography a bit simple for Elizabethan buffs. But as a primer it’s quite good.
3.5 stars, rounding up.
——————
Thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword, Frontline Books for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
August 17, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up.
Biographies of Queen Elizabeth I of England are numerous, she's probably the most written-about monarch not just from the Tudors but Britain in general. There's at least one book published per year about her, varying in length and focus and, naturally, quality of research as well.
Paul Kendall's book isn't a traditional biography but a combination of biography and travel guide. Or tour guide, rather. And that's what sets it apart from the others: instead of retreading the known facts of her life as a standard biography would, Kendall acts like your (very erudite) tour guide, taking readers by the hand to walk them through Elizabeth I's life by showing you places and objects that highlight the important points in her personal life and her reign, the highs and the lows, the good and the bad.
He starts at the memorial commemorating the Queen's birth at what's now the Royal Naval College in Greenwich, UK, and then takes us to see a portrait of her father, Henry VIII, and then to see the Hatfield castle where the Queen spent her childhood, and so on for the rest of the book until the tour finishes at Queen Elizabeth I's tomb within Westminster Abbey. It's a hundred short chapters, in which the author shows you a place, an object like a painting, a mural, a chair, a book, a letter, a commemorative plaque, a tree, a royal hall, and many castles related to Elizabeth I, explaining in each what it is, when it was created, and why it's significant to the Queen's life, rule, and legacy. Kendall is very precise, concise, and doesn't waste words, the kind of guide that tells you exactly what you need to know, and if you have questions, you can go read any of the books in the bibliography he provides. He also has a nose for selecting what to show, I can't personally think of anything he's missed that was relevant. Some of the details I didn't know about, such as that Queen Mary I's still exists or that Elizabeth handwriting was so pretty, but most will be known at least from hearsay to Tudor history readers.
All this makes this book perfect for schoolchildren, who groan at hefty history tomes. But it's also perfect for casual readers, such as historical fiction lovers that need to visualise the places and objects the novel they're reading might be mentioning. So, take this, pair it with a reputable traditional biography like Starkey's, and you're set for learning everything you'd like to about this long-reigning monarch.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Biographies of Queen Elizabeth I of England are numerous, she's probably the most written-about monarch not just from the Tudors but Britain in general. There's at least one book published per year about her, varying in length and focus and, naturally, quality of research as well.
Paul Kendall's book isn't a traditional biography but a combination of biography and travel guide. Or tour guide, rather. And that's what sets it apart from the others: instead of retreading the known facts of her life as a standard biography would, Kendall acts like your (very erudite) tour guide, taking readers by the hand to walk them through Elizabeth I's life by showing you places and objects that highlight the important points in her personal life and her reign, the highs and the lows, the good and the bad.
He starts at the memorial commemorating the Queen's birth at what's now the Royal Naval College in Greenwich, UK, and then takes us to see a portrait of her father, Henry VIII, and then to see the Hatfield castle where the Queen spent her childhood, and so on for the rest of the book until the tour finishes at Queen Elizabeth I's tomb within Westminster Abbey. It's a hundred short chapters, in which the author shows you a place, an object like a painting, a mural, a chair, a book, a letter, a commemorative plaque, a tree, a royal hall, and many castles related to Elizabeth I, explaining in each what it is, when it was created, and why it's significant to the Queen's life, rule, and legacy. Kendall is very precise, concise, and doesn't waste words, the kind of guide that tells you exactly what you need to know, and if you have questions, you can go read any of the books in the bibliography he provides. He also has a nose for selecting what to show, I can't personally think of anything he's missed that was relevant. Some of the details I didn't know about, such as that Queen Mary I's still exists or that Elizabeth handwriting was so pretty, but most will be known at least from hearsay to Tudor history readers.
All this makes this book perfect for schoolchildren, who groan at hefty history tomes. But it's also perfect for casual readers, such as historical fiction lovers that need to visualise the places and objects the novel they're reading might be mentioning. So, take this, pair it with a reputable traditional biography like Starkey's, and you're set for learning everything you'd like to about this long-reigning monarch.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read
August 26, 2022I first took an interest in Elizabeth Tudor as a human being rather than as a name among monarchs when I was a student of 20, eking out my year of study in Europe on a strict eat-once-a-day budget (or skip the meal entirely if I wanted to buy a book, which happened frequently). I mention that starving student existence, cliche that it is, because it was in some ways a precarious existence. Not that my life was threatened (actually that did happen, too, but that story lies outside of the boundaries of this review) but if I messed up, I had to use that return plane ticket and go home to California before my year was up.
So, the context was being hungry and always having to think ahead when I visited the British Museum for the first time, and there on display was a letter written by a teenage Elizabeth, her calligraphy exquisite (I was trying to teach myself calligraphy at the time, by sitting in museums and copying letters in displays over and over again) as she begged her sister not to kill her.
That brought home to me that all those crowned heads were human heads, with thinking and feeling brains beneath, and it was around then that I switched over from language studies to history.
There is no dearth of biographies of Queen Elizabeth I. I read them all, before my interests began shifting from England ever eastward. It's been a few decades since I read one, but when this one turned up on NetGalley, I went for it.
So glad I did.
There's nothing new in the text for any reader familiar with the Tudors or the times they existed in. This book offers two things that the biographies of my day didn't: first, the approach, which is akin to that Paula Byrne took in her book on Jane Austen, A Life in Small Things. Kendall uses places and objects from Elizabeth's life to stitch together small, factual chapters that added together convey a terrific overview of her life. If the reader wants more depth, there's an impressive bibliography at the back.
The second thing I appreciated was something often overlooked in the histories I read, many of which were written in the early or mid twentieth century (sometimes earlier): a more balanced view of Drake and Elizabeth's condoning of piracy, which did fill her coffers as well as bolster England's prestige. Kendall doesn't shy away from shining light on the cost, paid not just by the Spanish (who were busy looting South America themselves) but that paved path toward colonization and slavery. These aspects were pretty much overlooked, or explained away, in earlier works that trumpeted Drake's heroism and England's rise to empire.
I think the idea reader for this book is someone unfamiliar with the times, and also younger readers wanting a glimpse of the people who made history
So, the context was being hungry and always having to think ahead when I visited the British Museum for the first time, and there on display was a letter written by a teenage Elizabeth, her calligraphy exquisite (I was trying to teach myself calligraphy at the time, by sitting in museums and copying letters in displays over and over again) as she begged her sister not to kill her.
That brought home to me that all those crowned heads were human heads, with thinking and feeling brains beneath, and it was around then that I switched over from language studies to history.
There is no dearth of biographies of Queen Elizabeth I. I read them all, before my interests began shifting from England ever eastward. It's been a few decades since I read one, but when this one turned up on NetGalley, I went for it.
So glad I did.
There's nothing new in the text for any reader familiar with the Tudors or the times they existed in. This book offers two things that the biographies of my day didn't: first, the approach, which is akin to that Paula Byrne took in her book on Jane Austen, A Life in Small Things. Kendall uses places and objects from Elizabeth's life to stitch together small, factual chapters that added together convey a terrific overview of her life. If the reader wants more depth, there's an impressive bibliography at the back.
The second thing I appreciated was something often overlooked in the histories I read, many of which were written in the early or mid twentieth century (sometimes earlier): a more balanced view of Drake and Elizabeth's condoning of piracy, which did fill her coffers as well as bolster England's prestige. Kendall doesn't shy away from shining light on the cost, paid not just by the Spanish (who were busy looting South America themselves) but that paved path toward colonization and slavery. These aspects were pretty much overlooked, or explained away, in earlier works that trumpeted Drake's heroism and England's rise to empire.
I think the idea reader for this book is someone unfamiliar with the times, and also younger readers wanting a glimpse of the people who made history
October 2, 2022
How fascinating that some of the artefacts and buildings that concern Queen Elizabeth I still exist today. And what a wonderful idea to use those artefacts and buildings to tell the story of this most iconic of queens. I read this book in almost one sitting. Pretty engrossing! I liked the clear and well-written overview (with interesting details) of her life and times and of the people who played a big part in her life.
Now wouldn’t it be nice if I could go back to the UK and see some of those things she left behind and also revisit places like Westminster’s Abbey and Hampton Court!
5 stars from me. Really enjoyed it
Now wouldn’t it be nice if I could go back to the UK and see some of those things she left behind and also revisit places like Westminster’s Abbey and Hampton Court!
5 stars from me. Really enjoyed it
January 26, 2023
Read this at the perfect time, immediately on the heels on a biography of Mary I.
This was a very quick, very readable biography on Queen Elizabeth I. It's structured in short, loosely chronological chapters about her life, and while these chapters were always informative, I sometimes found them a bit disjoint.
The length of this biography was nice, as it was a fairly quick way to learn a lot of information, but the brevity came with downsides as I often found myself wanting more information in places. Some chapters were better than others at humanizing the events; some were just facts. I'll probably pick up another biography that goes into more depth.
Overall, a good biography if you'd like to get a solid overview of Queen Elizabeth I's life, but if you're looking for a more in-depth biography, this may need to be a starting place, rather than a fully comprehensive source of information.
3.5
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
This was a very quick, very readable biography on Queen Elizabeth I. It's structured in short, loosely chronological chapters about her life, and while these chapters were always informative, I sometimes found them a bit disjoint.
The length of this biography was nice, as it was a fairly quick way to learn a lot of information, but the brevity came with downsides as I often found myself wanting more information in places. Some chapters were better than others at humanizing the events; some were just facts. I'll probably pick up another biography that goes into more depth.
Overall, a good biography if you'd like to get a solid overview of Queen Elizabeth I's life, but if you're looking for a more in-depth biography, this may need to be a starting place, rather than a fully comprehensive source of information.
3.5
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
September 24, 2022
Paul Kendall Queen Elizabeth I Life and Legacy of the Virgin Queen Pen & Sword, Frontline Books, 2022.
Thank you NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
Paul Kendall’s prose misses the vivacity to which I have become accustomed in publications by Pen & Sword. Rather, he has written a book that outlines methodically the material he is investigating, while bringing it to the wider audience to whom the accessibility offered by these publications is important. Where Kendall has excelled is in the approach that he has taken to the material. Where other writers use photographs, artifacts documents and illustrations to enhance the text, Kendall has used them as the focus of the text – they are the ‘jumping off' point for the information he has garnered about this fascinating period and figure.
As I am reviewing a kindle edition, I cannot experience the full impact of this approach. However, even in the subdued edition before me, it is clear that the multitude of excellent photographs and illustrations provide readers with references which not only educate but are a valuable source of pleasure. One such source that springs immediately to mind is a photograph of a wedding chair in Winchester Cathedral. This chair is a symbol of the marriage between Elizabeth’s sister, Mary 1 and Phillip of Spain. What a way to tell a story! Kendall’ s prose covers some of the horrors of Mary’s reign, and that is enough without graphic evidence. The chair tells us that Winchester Cathedral was where Mary’s wedding vows were made – perhaps a different venue from what we might expect from more recent royal weddings. Winchester, so many miles (as it would have been described at the time) from London, so we envisage why Mary and Philip rode into London, and from where.
The importance of other buildings has an impact though photographs that are more difficult to comprehend through prose, too. Photos of coins, medallions and coats of arms also tell stories: Elizabeth recovered the value of coins which had been debased by the addition of cheaper metal, and new coins were minted; a medallion was cast when she recovered from smallpox; the Queen’s connection with the slave trade is embedded in history through the coat of arms awarded John Hawkins’ for that nefarious business which filled her treasury.
Kendall has included a detailed comments on the illustrative work, as well as additional information and explanation in the text which links the historical evidence from the graphics to broader historical events and ideas; notes for each chapter; and a solid bibliography.
The text describes the competitiveness that remained between Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth 1 in the eyes of the latter’s son, James 1 and V1 when we are told that Mary’s tomb is ‘slightly taller in stature than Elizabeth’s tomb’. However, giving status to the illustrative works, a photo of the familiar tomb of Queen Elizabeth 1 in Westminster Abbey makes a fitting completion to a book which so well describes her life and legacy. I enjoyed Kendall’s approach. This is not just a book of photos, or text with illustrations. It is a book that takes relevant, well-chosen photos and illustrations that are finely selected to tell a story. The story they tell is engrossing.
Thank you NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
Paul Kendall’s prose misses the vivacity to which I have become accustomed in publications by Pen & Sword. Rather, he has written a book that outlines methodically the material he is investigating, while bringing it to the wider audience to whom the accessibility offered by these publications is important. Where Kendall has excelled is in the approach that he has taken to the material. Where other writers use photographs, artifacts documents and illustrations to enhance the text, Kendall has used them as the focus of the text – they are the ‘jumping off' point for the information he has garnered about this fascinating period and figure.
As I am reviewing a kindle edition, I cannot experience the full impact of this approach. However, even in the subdued edition before me, it is clear that the multitude of excellent photographs and illustrations provide readers with references which not only educate but are a valuable source of pleasure. One such source that springs immediately to mind is a photograph of a wedding chair in Winchester Cathedral. This chair is a symbol of the marriage between Elizabeth’s sister, Mary 1 and Phillip of Spain. What a way to tell a story! Kendall’ s prose covers some of the horrors of Mary’s reign, and that is enough without graphic evidence. The chair tells us that Winchester Cathedral was where Mary’s wedding vows were made – perhaps a different venue from what we might expect from more recent royal weddings. Winchester, so many miles (as it would have been described at the time) from London, so we envisage why Mary and Philip rode into London, and from where.
The importance of other buildings has an impact though photographs that are more difficult to comprehend through prose, too. Photos of coins, medallions and coats of arms also tell stories: Elizabeth recovered the value of coins which had been debased by the addition of cheaper metal, and new coins were minted; a medallion was cast when she recovered from smallpox; the Queen’s connection with the slave trade is embedded in history through the coat of arms awarded John Hawkins’ for that nefarious business which filled her treasury.
Kendall has included a detailed comments on the illustrative work, as well as additional information and explanation in the text which links the historical evidence from the graphics to broader historical events and ideas; notes for each chapter; and a solid bibliography.
The text describes the competitiveness that remained between Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth 1 in the eyes of the latter’s son, James 1 and V1 when we are told that Mary’s tomb is ‘slightly taller in stature than Elizabeth’s tomb’. However, giving status to the illustrative works, a photo of the familiar tomb of Queen Elizabeth 1 in Westminster Abbey makes a fitting completion to a book which so well describes her life and legacy. I enjoyed Kendall’s approach. This is not just a book of photos, or text with illustrations. It is a book that takes relevant, well-chosen photos and illustrations that are finely selected to tell a story. The story they tell is engrossing.
January 2, 2023
Thanks to Pen & Sword for a copy of this book to review.
I’ve previously read Paul Kendall’s book ‘Henry VIII in 100 Objects’ which I really enjoyed. Both that one of this goes through 100 different places and objects from the life of each of the monarchs. This book on Elizabeth I covers books, tombs, palaces, statues, paintings, and engravings. Her reign is often seen as a Golden Age, and this book covers everything from her birth and childhood to her imprisonment under her sister, Mary, her accession to the throne, through rebellions and the Spanish Armada, to her death in 1603.
The book is structured chronologically with plenty of images scattered in each of the 100 sections. Each section is only a couple of pages long at most, and each one has at least one image, meaning over 100 images throughout the book. It’s obviously well-researched and many of the photos are author’s own, so the author has obviously travelled to see many of the places and objects described throughout.
For anyone who is already primed on Elizabethan history this may be a little simple in its execution, but there are interesting tit-bits of information scattered throughout anyway that you may not know, related particularly to some of the most obscure objects discussed.
It's almost like having a guide if you were travelling around to see these things. The story of each of the objects and places goes on past the Tudor era to see how they ended up where they did and in the condition they did. It’s an absolutely fascinating take on Elizabeth’s life and reign through the things that she interacted with, some on a daily basis.
Also posted on my blog.
I’ve previously read Paul Kendall’s book ‘Henry VIII in 100 Objects’ which I really enjoyed. Both that one of this goes through 100 different places and objects from the life of each of the monarchs. This book on Elizabeth I covers books, tombs, palaces, statues, paintings, and engravings. Her reign is often seen as a Golden Age, and this book covers everything from her birth and childhood to her imprisonment under her sister, Mary, her accession to the throne, through rebellions and the Spanish Armada, to her death in 1603.
The book is structured chronologically with plenty of images scattered in each of the 100 sections. Each section is only a couple of pages long at most, and each one has at least one image, meaning over 100 images throughout the book. It’s obviously well-researched and many of the photos are author’s own, so the author has obviously travelled to see many of the places and objects described throughout.
For anyone who is already primed on Elizabethan history this may be a little simple in its execution, but there are interesting tit-bits of information scattered throughout anyway that you may not know, related particularly to some of the most obscure objects discussed.
It's almost like having a guide if you were travelling around to see these things. The story of each of the objects and places goes on past the Tudor era to see how they ended up where they did and in the condition they did. It’s an absolutely fascinating take on Elizabeth’s life and reign through the things that she interacted with, some on a daily basis.
Also posted on my blog.
November 13, 2022
What an amazing biography! Every time I picked up "Queen Elizabeth I", I was whisked back in time, and learned something new about Queen Elizabeth I, as well as about the Elizabethan Era in general.
Paul Kendall brilliantly brings history to life, and it jumps off of the page! I found the format of this book really interesting, and it was so intriguing to see how Mr. Kendall connected the information in each chapter to specific photos, historic artifacts, letters, locations, etc. I can only imagine how much time Mr. Kendall put into researching for this book, as the Elizabethan Era came to life before my eyes, and I found this biography hard to put down.
Queen Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, who was his second wife. From a young age, she survived many dangers, and became queen at the age of twenty-five. Her reign lasted 44 years, and this book delves into much about of her life, times, and contemporaries.
If you enjoy learning about Queen Elizabeth I and Elizabethan times, I definitely recommend this biography! The Tudor and Elizabethan Eras are two of my favorite time periods to study, and I learned so much reading this book. I can't wait to do more research on my own as well!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Pen & Sword-Frontline Books for the ARC of this biography. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Paul Kendall brilliantly brings history to life, and it jumps off of the page! I found the format of this book really interesting, and it was so intriguing to see how Mr. Kendall connected the information in each chapter to specific photos, historic artifacts, letters, locations, etc. I can only imagine how much time Mr. Kendall put into researching for this book, as the Elizabethan Era came to life before my eyes, and I found this biography hard to put down.
Queen Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, who was his second wife. From a young age, she survived many dangers, and became queen at the age of twenty-five. Her reign lasted 44 years, and this book delves into much about of her life, times, and contemporaries.
If you enjoy learning about Queen Elizabeth I and Elizabethan times, I definitely recommend this biography! The Tudor and Elizabethan Eras are two of my favorite time periods to study, and I learned so much reading this book. I can't wait to do more research on my own as well!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Pen & Sword-Frontline Books for the ARC of this biography. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 21, 2025
Queen Elizabeth I: Life & Legacy of the Virgin Queen is a fascinating albeit short read by Paul Kendall and whilst as an avid reader of Tudor history; it was mainly information I already knew? I liked how Kendall showed places, objects or artwork linking to the subject matter of the chapter.
It felt as though I was walking through an exhibition on Elizabeth I, and this was either the cards that are often placed by exhibits or a program and whilst that may sound strange? To me, it describes the nature of the book because Paul Kendall provides us with the information regarding that time in Elizabeth’s life from grieving princess to one of England’s greatest Monarchs in a succinct manner.
One thing I may have forgotten or not known was the intricate detail of one of Elizabeth’s rings that was formed in locket style and was used as a symbol for the new monarch, King James I to know of her passing. I find it a great shame that it’s currently stored in Chequers, the country residence of the Prime Minister rather than where we as the public could be given the opportunity to see this.
This would be a great introduction to learning about the final Tudor monarch, and I enjoyed seeing some of the artefacts that Kendall featured.
It felt as though I was walking through an exhibition on Elizabeth I, and this was either the cards that are often placed by exhibits or a program and whilst that may sound strange? To me, it describes the nature of the book because Paul Kendall provides us with the information regarding that time in Elizabeth’s life from grieving princess to one of England’s greatest Monarchs in a succinct manner.
One thing I may have forgotten or not known was the intricate detail of one of Elizabeth’s rings that was formed in locket style and was used as a symbol for the new monarch, King James I to know of her passing. I find it a great shame that it’s currently stored in Chequers, the country residence of the Prime Minister rather than where we as the public could be given the opportunity to see this.
This would be a great introduction to learning about the final Tudor monarch, and I enjoyed seeing some of the artefacts that Kendall featured.
September 21, 2022
I am a huge Tudor history fan, especially when it comes to Queen Elizabeth I. Therefore, I found great pleasure in reading this book. Paul Kendall presents the reader with 100 places and objects associated with Elizabeth I, giving a brief profile and images for each entry. One thing in particular that I learned was that William Camden wrote the very first biography of her life, just after her death. That is something I never knew until reading this book. I only have one issue: the images should have been in color, especially the ones that are paintings done of her and of specific events in her reign. Black and white doesn't do them justice. The first Elizabethan age was full of vibrant color and that should have been reflected in the imagery included. Despite that one issue, I loved reading this. I feel this is a worthy addition to the vast library of Tudor books already in existence. Most definitely a must read for any fan of Tudor history or royal history
Thank you to NetGalley, Paul Kendall, and Pen & Sword for this advanced copy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Paul Kendall, and Pen & Sword for this advanced copy.
September 22, 2022
I love this era of English history, so I jumped at the chance to read this book. While this is a topic that has been covered many, many (many, many) times, I really liked the format of this book. It was written in mini chapters, each about an object, property, piece of clothing, etc that related to Elizabeth's life. Each chapter ranged from a couple to maybe 10 pages (I read on Kindle) and were great little snippets to read in small (or large!) quantities as you desire.
Many of the books written about her can be very dry, and very thick tomes. But I liked the digestibility of each chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Now, on to a criticism. This book still needs a little bit of editing. For instance, there were several places where the author said Mary is Elizabeth's "step-sister", which is not accurate. They were half sisters. It is also stated correctly in the book elsewhere. While this is not a deal-breaker, I just found it annoying (and incorrect!).
Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in return for a review. My opinions are my own.
Many of the books written about her can be very dry, and very thick tomes. But I liked the digestibility of each chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Now, on to a criticism. This book still needs a little bit of editing. For instance, there were several places where the author said Mary is Elizabeth's "step-sister", which is not accurate. They were half sisters. It is also stated correctly in the book elsewhere. While this is not a deal-breaker, I just found it annoying (and incorrect!).
Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in return for a review. My opinions are my own.
November 21, 2022
To be honest, most of what I know about Queen Elizabeth 1 comes from a phase I went through of reading Tudor based historical fiction a few years ago, so I was keen to learn more about her. This was entertaining and very readable, but people who know more than me have pointed out a few errors. It's great for an overview of her life, which brought us a much needed period of stability after some very turbulent years.
*Many thanks to Netgalley and Pen and Sword for a review copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
*Many thanks to Netgalley and Pen and Sword for a review copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
October 12, 2022
I really appreciated the format of this nonfiction book. Each chapter concisely discusses an aspect of Elizabeth's life and/or reign. A quick summary precedes a more thorough discussion. Photos and drawings illustrate the topic. The short chapter format makes information easy to find, read, and understand.
This is a great resource for anyone interested in the Tudor Period.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
This is a great resource for anyone interested in the Tudor Period.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
February 28, 2023
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. This was a great read. I love anything to do with Queen Elizabeth and the Tudor period. I know there are tons of novels out about her being fiction/non-fiction. The author did a great job with the research, and there were a lot of things that I have not heard. So you might want to check it out if you are interested in their period.
February 12, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. I learned a lot from this book. Except for movies, I wasnt quite sure about the details of Elizabeth's reign. This book was very interesting.
September 14, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy!
A solid biography of Elizabeth I, covering her entire life in detail from beginning to end.
In this biography, as we move through her life from birth to death, each chapter centers around a place or object from her life, such as Traitor's Gate, where she was brought to the Tower by her suspicious sister Mary I in 1554, Queen Elizabeth's Oak Tree, an oak tree planted by Elizabeth II to commemorate the oak Elizabeth I was standing underneath when she received word she was now queen in 1558, and a gold medal made to celebrate Elizabeth I's recovery from smallpox in 1562.
These places and objects all help to make Elizabeth feel more real and relatable.
A great biography of Elizabeth I.
A solid biography of Elizabeth I, covering her entire life in detail from beginning to end.
In this biography, as we move through her life from birth to death, each chapter centers around a place or object from her life, such as Traitor's Gate, where she was brought to the Tower by her suspicious sister Mary I in 1554, Queen Elizabeth's Oak Tree, an oak tree planted by Elizabeth II to commemorate the oak Elizabeth I was standing underneath when she received word she was now queen in 1558, and a gold medal made to celebrate Elizabeth I's recovery from smallpox in 1562.
These places and objects all help to make Elizabeth feel more real and relatable.
A great biography of Elizabeth I.
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