Elizabeth I is remembered as one of the greatest female monarchs in history. The only child from the infamous marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth overcame questions of legitimacy, scandal, conspiracy and unsanctioned rebellion in her name to become one of England’s greatest monarchs. Alison Weir artfully details the myriad of personal and political obstacles facing Elizabeth’s journey to the throne.
Henry VIII
The six wives of Henry VIII may remain his most infamous legacy, and Weir details how his marriage to his third wife Jane Seymour, after the downfall and execution of Anne Boleyn, set Elizabeth’s royal future on uncertain ground.
Henry VIII altered the Act of Succession in 1536 barring Elizabeth from any claim to the throne and transferring legitimacy to his heirs by Jane Seymour. Weir describes how Jane Seymour’s birth to Prince Edward, later to be crowned King Edward VI of England, seemed to dash Elizabeth’s hopes of either legitimacy or monarchy.
Thomas Seymour
Weir takes great care in developing and actualizing the person of Thomas Seymour, Baron Sudley. Much historical speculation swirls around his interest in the young Princess Elizabeth when he was still wed to the Dowager Queen Katherine Parr . Weir artfully explores Elizabeth’s turmoil over his amorous, yet inappropriate, attentions and brings to life the scandals that would mar her young reputation and potentially cost her the throne.
Queen Mary I
For years Mary Tudor served as governess to her young sister Elizabeth. Some historians believe the arrangement was as punishment to humiliate Catherine of Aragon and her daughter Mary in favor of Anne Boleyn. But Weir writes of an amicable and affectionate relationship between the two women early on.
After succeeding Edward, Mary lived and reigned as a staunch Catholic earning the title “Bloody Mary” for her relentless persecution of Protestants. Close to 275 people were burned for heresy during her reign. Weir writes of Elizabeth’s outward conformity to survive but her inner turmoil against the doctrines of the Catholic Church, and goes on to detail events leading up to the Protestant uprising known as the Wyatt Rebellion. Weir paints a tense and suspenseful picture of uncertainty and terror during Elizabeth’s time imprisoned in the Tower of London for her alleged conspiracy with the rebels.
Elizabeth I, Queen of England
Though history already confirms Elizabeth succession to the throne, Alison Weir’s The Lady Elizabeth historically and artfully details the changing roles and the fluctuating status that Elizabeth survived to be crowned Queen of England. Overcoming claims of illegitimacy, scandal and humiliation in her younger years, and accusations of treason and rebellion, Weir writes a vivid tale of how Elizabeth succeeded in claiming the throne and went on to be known as England’s “Gloriana” , one of the greatest monarchs in her country’s history.
Source:
The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books ISBN: 978-0-345-49536-5 paperback
Jullie Chung - Jullie Chung has been a freelance writer since 2002 providing extensive copy for the industrial and medical fields. She has written copy ...
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