Friday, December 11, 2009

Elizabeth's Women by Tracy Borman

There are more than a handful of books to be found about Elizabeth I but Borman has offered up some interesting and fresh details (for me anyway) about this ruler. The fragility of relationships is a thread that runs through Elizabeth's life. Her mother, Anne Boleyn, was beheaded and four step-mothers followed, although only one other left the marriage in the same manner. Jane Seymour favoured her half-sister Mary, Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard favoured Elizabeth, Katherine Parr treated both equally. Imagine being a child and trying to find your place in yet another woman's heart. As an adult, is it any wonder that Elizabeth was reluctant to be joined to a man in holy wedlock. The Queen had many of her family, ladies-in-waiting, members of council and friends held by puppet strings and quite often stamped around and yelled in fury if they didn't live their lives according to her plan. Marriages within the royal circle and court had to be sanctioned by Elizabeth as there was fear that a strong alliance could jeopardize her position as Queen of England. On more than one occasion she had newlywed couples sentenced to the Tower for treason, simply for marrying without her permission. When women would become pregnant and give birth to sons due to the blind-eye of a guard, Elizabeth would be incandescent with rage. Fearful for her position or jealous? You cannot help but be in awe of the power, bravery and intelligence of the woman herself. At a time when women had very little in the way of entitlement or rights, Elizabeth had a long and fairly successful reign of 44 years. Towards the end of her life, people were ready for change and welcomed their new King, James I, but the fascination with Elizabeth never really subsided. Most of us are quite familiar with her parentage, the love of her life, Robert Dudley, and the turmoil of having her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, executed, the thorn in her side that was Arbella Stuart. In Elizabeth's Woman, Tracy Borman paints a slightly clearer picture of a remarkable ruler and I think, a lonely woman who paid a great price for crown and country. Although, with dynastic Tudor blood coursing through her veins, something tells me that Queen Elizabeth I wouldn't have had it any other way. If you love historical non-fiction, this is one to look forward to and I thank Fiona, from Random House, for sending me such a great read!

13 comments:

  1. This does sound good. I've never read any biographies of Elizabeth I, though I've seen lots of the films made about her. I never really thought about the fact she had so many stepmothers--talk about weird family dynamics, though she must have been shuffled off whilst Henry was busy with his wives. She makes for a fascinating study, doesn't she! I think I should add this one to my wishlist.

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  2. This sounds fantastic! Have you read David Starkey's bio? That's really interesting and very thorough too. Though personally I will always love the film :)

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  3. Danielle, If you've never read a bio about Queen Bess, this is an excellent one for its readability. Alison Weir is also an wonderful non-fiction writer of the Tudor era.

    Rachel, Whenever R sees DS on television he gives me a yell 'Your boyfriend is on!'. I could talk to him all night! As for reading books on this era, Alison Weir has been my writer of choice.

    Don't you just LOVE the Cate Blanchett films!

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  4. This sounds wonderful, and I love the cover, too. Haven't read a bio of Elizabeth I... this is going on my wishlist. Thanks for the review!

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  5. JoAnn, The cover is quite eye-catching. The original painting is at the National Gallery in London, indeed, that whole section of Tudor portraits is just amazing.

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  6. Sometimes it's good to read non fiction and this sounds fascinating! I don't know so much about the tudors so perhaps I should get hold of this.

    I didn't think much of the film thouhg (sorry Rachel!)

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  7. verity, I could read one non-fiction book between each fiction book but realize that wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea. Thank goodness each of us likes something that's a bit different from the other to keep things interesting! But really? You didn't like the film? Not even for the sumptuous gowns and the architecture?

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  8. This was already on my wishlist and now you have made me upgrade it to "high priority". Lovely to find a quality book about Elizabeth among so many that are merely average. I love Alison Weir's non fiction but I couldn't finish her novels. Have you tried them? Before I get to this book though I'm travelling back a lttle further in time to visit England's meieval Queens with Lisa Hilton.

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  9. I'm sure I have a bio or two about her--can't understand why I've not read any of them yet. But you know how that goes....I mean to read them....just need more time. The Cate Blanchett films are great and I have them both.

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  10. This sounds like a really good book that offers another perspective (through her relationship with other women) on Elizabeth I. I read a few books about her for a history project while doing my A levels, but haven't read anything recently. I may have to pick up this book!

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  11. Sounds interesting. She is someone think I know stuff about, but I don't think I've ever read anything about her. I'll have to see about getting a copy of this.

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  12. fleurfisher, I'm the same with Alison Weir, LOVE her non-fiction and haven't picked up a work of fiction by her yet. Enjoy your trip back in time!

    Danielle, I've been asking for 'time' for Christmas.

    Jo, This is an excellent book to acquaint yourself with some of the details.

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  13. This sounds excellent! I don't think I've read a bio of just Elizabeth. Will have to add this to the wishlist!

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