Elizabeth I
Elizabeth 1, written by the Abbot brothers, Jacob and John, is the biography of one of England’s most celebrated monarchs, Elizabeth Tudor. Containing two hundred and four pages packed with information, Elizabeth 1 immerses the reader in the history preceding and surrounding her reign, enabling the reader to understand how greatly Queen Elizabeth’s decisions affected her time period. This book also delves into Elizabeth’s private life and personality, lifting the shroud from this celebrated character and revealing, through intriguing stories and astonishing quotes, the true character of the queen. In addition, numerous contemporaries of Queen Elizabeth flit across the pages, and as the Abbott brothers introduce the reader to these characters, they help the reader to associate the Elizabethan slice of history with other corresponding events in which these other figures played roles. I personally found this very useful in understanding how her era fit into the timeline of history.
Among other things, this detailed look into Queen Elizabeth’s political and personal life reinforced in my mind the fact that even with immense riches and power, without God, life is meaningless and sad. Born to King Henry the Eighth by the ill-fated Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth spent most of her early life away from the Palace, but although not treated royally, her caretakers were kind to the little ex-princess. When she was fourteen, her father died. King Henry had willed the kingdom to Elizabeth’s younger brother, the son of Jane Seymore, but, as often happened in those days, the young Prince became essentially a puppet in the hands of his brother-in-law. Jane Seymore’s younger brother became jealous of his elder brother, and it is rumored that, in hopes of gaining the throne through a union with Elizabeth, the greedy and unprincipled man poisoned his wife and began working to gain Elizabeth’s hand in marriage. This sinister plot, in which Elizabeth was not known to be involved in, was discovered, and the young Seymore was executed, his death warrant being signed by his elder brother. Prince Edward died at age sixteen, and after much civil strife, his elder sister, later known as Bloody Mary because of her cruel persecution of Protestants, mounted the throne.
Elizabeth endured hostility and suspicion during her sister’s reign; she was even confined in the Tower of London on the un-proven grounds of treason for a period. When released, Elizabeth wisely retired to a country estate where she spent her time in quiet study, attracting as little attention as possible from her paranoid step-sister. However, not long after ascending the throne, Queen Mary died, and the throne was handed over to Elizabeth, according to her late father’s wish.
As a queen, Elizabeth was cautious and prudent, but possessed a fiery temper. She was known for her treacherous and often bitter dealings with others. During her reign, many suitors sought her hand, but although she once went as far as to accept an engagement ring, she never did follow through with any marriage arrangement. She always insisted that she was married to England, to the people of her land. Although enjoying incredible power, honor, and wealth, the queen was often gloomy and depressed. However masculine and commanding she seemed, the unhappy queen yet had the natural longing to be loved. Tragically, this desire was never met.
Near the end of her days, she underwent a very emotionally-upsetting fight with a favorite courtier of hers who had come under her displeasure due to presumptuous conduct on the battle field. She longed to forgive him, but her pride forbade this gracious action. Day after day she languished, hoping always that he would ask her forgiveness, after which she could condescend to grant it. Finally, after waiting for months, she signed his death warrant. This action haunted her throughout the rest of her melancholy days. There was no relief for her anywhere. Her guilt weighed upon her heavily, and all the excursions she and her friends planned for her distraction could not release her from it. Her health was absolutely shattered, and Queen Elizabeth died on the twenty-third of May. During her final hours, she was unable to talk, although apparently mentally aware, and at her mute request, her bishop prayed for hours at her bedside. This seemed to comfort the dying queen, and it can be hoped that in these last hours God revealed himself to her, and that she repented of her many sins and received the forgiveness God promises to all that ask for it. Although her story is a sad one, it serves as a great reminder that riches and power do not satisfy; only God’s love and forgiveness can do that.
Elizabeth 1 is a very informative, well-written book. The writing is inspiring and beautiful, and the history generally flavorful and exciting. Some of the descriptions and explanations can become a bit tedious at times, but overall the biography is engaging and interesting. I especially appreciated the footnotes included at the bottom of nearly every page, defining any little-known words. They often use these same words later in the text, and this way of learning and then applying new vocabulary words was very helpful to me. I recommend Elizabeth 1 to all lovers of history and the English language.
No comments yet.