Product Description

Published to accompany a Channel 4 series, Starkey turns the paradox into a person. This new approach to the enigma of Elizabeth's character presents a retelling of her reign, her love for Robert Dudley, the tragi-comedy of her suitors, her epic struggles with Mary and Philip II and the final debacle of her relationship with Robert Devereux.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20464 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, Good Queen Bess; Elizabeth I holds a unique place in the English imagination as one of the nation's most powerful, charismatic and successful monarchs. Elizabeth is usually imagined as the icy, untouchable figure memorably recreated on screen by Bette Davis and Judi Dench, but that vision of Elizabeth ignores the turbulent years of her early life, from her birth as the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in 1533, until her accession to the throne in 1558 following the death of her sister Mary. It is these early years which are the subject of David Starkey's fascinating Elizabeth I, written to accompany his television series about the life of Elizabeth.

Starkey argues that in her first 25 years Elizabeth "had experienced every vicissitude of fortune and ever extreme of condition. She had been Princess and inheritrix of England, and bastard and disinherited; the nominated successor to the throne and an accused traitor on the verge of execution; showered with lands and houses and a prisoner in the Tower". He draws on his skills as a respected Tudor historian to produce a deft account of the religious, political and dynastic maelstrom of mid-16th century England that reads "like a historical thriller". The book carefully picks its way through the finer points of contemporary religious conflict and the peculiarities of Tudor court ceremony, whilst also exploring the formation of Elizabeth's character in relation to a murdered mother, a charismatic father, a tortured sister, and a predatory guardian. Highly readable and written with verve and pace, this is a fascinating account of the young Elizabeth. --Jerry Brotton

From the Publisher
The revised edition of the Number 1 Bestseller
'Fresh and lively...vivdly told...He sets before us not only the woman behind the throne but the girl behind the woman' Sunday Times

‘The best account in English of the early years of Elizabeth…one of the most zestful pieces of narrative history written…a racy read and first-rate history’ Evening Standard ‘What a page turner! A white knuckle ride through history…inspired research, from the clues embedded in the portraits to court ceremonial to the often circumlocutory letters’ Time Out

A woman in a man’s world, confident of her destiny to reign, intensely intelligent, passionately sexual yet (she said) a virgin, Elizabeth was to become England’s most successful ruler. Finding her way through the labrynthine plots that surrounded the court, she had live by her wits, surrounded by betrayal and suspicion, not knowing who to trust with her desire to be queen, and to be a lover, too…

‘I found myself compelled by David Starkey’s vivid recreation of the hazardous uncertainty of Elizabeth’s early life, her successive exclusions from the centre of power, the studiedly ambiguous answers she offered her interrogators, her inevitable implications in conspiracies and narrow escapes from execution’ TLS

‘Combines a relaxed and unfussy style with a thorough knowledge of the period and a sharp eye for detail. Elizabeth’s life makes for a compelling story and Starkey tells it well’ Spectator ‘Subtle analysis, up-to-date research and balance between speculation and fact. An Elizabeth for our times’ Independent

About the Author
Dr David Starkey is Bye fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. His biography of the young Elizabeth was Number One in the bestseller charts in both hardback and paperback, and is available in Vintage. He guest curated this exhibition; and he will write the chapter on princess Elizabeth. Susan Doran will edit the contributions and write the chapter on Elizabeth's suitors and the problem of the succession. Susan Doran is a lecturer at Christ Church College, Oxford and has written widely on the reign of Elizabeth and the 16th century in general. Her books include Monarchy and Matrimony: The Courtships of Elizabeth (1996) and a biography of Elizabeth in the British Library Historic Lives series to be published in 2003. Other contributors include Ian Archer, Patrick Collinson, Tarnya Cooper, Thomas M McCoog SJ, Sian Flynn and David Spence, Diana Scarisbrick, Nicola Watson and Michael Dobson.

Customer Reviews

Bringing history alive
David Starkey is an excellent historical writer and this book on Elizabeth 1 does not disappoint. More than any other I have read (and as a history undergraduate I read a few!) it brought to life this most fascinating of historical figures, providing insights into her character and relationships, and the way these affected her actions in life. Starkey really brings alive the human face behind a monarch who at times can appear as a characture in our nations past. Elizabeth was clearly an admirable woman who many modern women would do well to have as a role model.

Starkey's narrative itself is far more gripping and readable than most historians, with the exception of Simon Schama. As a history student at University I read many historical texts. For me reading this was a pleasure rather than a necessity and brought life and atmosphere to our history. Also, and perhaps most importantly, Starkeys book is historically accurate and as you would expect the theories he puts forward very sound. Elizabeth's early life is much less explored than her later life as the more recognisable face of the Virgin Queen. There is much more life and vitality to this younger character and it is interesting to learn of the young Elizabeth and the way in which her character was moulded by events and people around her. Well worth a read, whether as a student or just for pleasure.

A well-researched account of the life of Elizabeth 1st
ElizabethBy David StarkeyThis book is definitely not just for the history buff as demonstrated by the fact that when published in hardback last year it topped the best-seller charts. The author David Starkey is an expert in his field and the passion that he feels for the topic shines from every page, elevating it out of the realms of a dull historical account to a very engaging human story. The author¹s name may seem familiar because last year he presented the acclaimed Channel Four series based on this book and again, through knowledge and enthusiasm, he brought the historical period to life.This book tell the story of Elizabeth the first and her unique position as the most powerful women in the land caught in a male dominated world. Starkey gives a gripping account of her troubled and lonely upbringing and the abuse she suffered at the hands of the adults around her, each one driven by their own agenda. Despite the hardships she encountered at the royal court, she grew up an extremely confident young woman, certain of her destiny to reign. In this book, Elizabeth manifests herself as a bundle of contradictions; on the one hand she is passionate and sexual while remaining a virgin; while famed as England¹s most successful ruler, she actually did very little.The English court was a hotbed of deceit and suspicions and Elizabeth had to use her wits for her very survival as both a ruler and a woman. She became increasing protective of herself and, surrounded by betrayal at every turn, she felt as though she could trust no one. This book presents Elizabeth as a product of her harsh upbringing and yet it goes further to show the real personality behind the virgin queen.The book is a real page turner and the characters, although vaguely familiar from history lessons, suddenly spring to life from the pages and interact with one another in a very human way. Starkey shows us the factors such as jealously and ambition which shaped history and reveals the real motivations behind actions. It is really fascinating to get a glimpse behind the scenes and you get a sense of how the course of history is shaped by the personalities of those involved.The book covers Elizabeth¹s life from when she born, through all her personal triumphs and tragedies, to the strain she endured for refusing to be married and therefore her failure to produce an heir to the throne.The book contains some illuminating illustrations which help create a visual backdrop of the opulence of royal life and even from the portraits that have been reproduced Elizabeth¹s strength of character can be clearly seen.Surprisingly, this is an utterly compelling book and a real page turner which will take you on a white knuckle ride through history. It is studiously researched without ever once becoming dry and uninteresting making it is an old told tale vividly revived. The writing style is accessible but Starky¹s sharp eye for historical details pulls the whole story sharply into focus.On one level it is the history of a nation but on a more immediate level it is the story of a an extraordinary woman trying to make her way through desperately hard times and for the most part emerging victorious.end

A fascinating biography
David Starkey is an excellent historical writer and this book on Elizabeth 1 does not disappoint. More than any other I have read (and as a history undergraduate I read a few!) it brought to life this most fascinating of historical figures, providing insights into her character and relationships, and the way these affected her actions in life. Starkey really brings alive the human face behind a monarch who at times can appear as a characture in our nations past. Elizabeth was clearly an admirable woman who many modern women would do well to have as a role model.

Starkey's narrative itself is far more gripping and readable than most historians, with the exception of Simon Schama. As a history student at University I read many historical texts. For me reading this was a pleasure rather than a necessity and brought life and atmosphere to our history. Also, and perhaps most importantly, Starkeys book is historically accurate and as you would expect the theories he puts forward very sound. Elizabeth's early life is much less explored than her later life as the more recognisable face of the Virgin Queen. There is much more life and vitality to this younger character and it is interesting to learn of the young Elizabeth and the way in which her character was moulded by events and people around her. Well worth a read, whether as a student or just for pleasure.