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The Virgin Queen

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Elizabeth I is one of those historical figures so enveloped in mythology that it is difficult to gain a clear view of the actual person behind the myth. Christopher Hibbert has provided a sober biography of Elizabeth that goes a long way toward providing the reader with just such a view.

The book begins with a poignant prologue that provides a brief history of Henry VIII, his reign, and his six wives, including Ann Boleyn, Elizabeth's mother. The events covered by the prologue are ones that resonate throughout Elizabeth's life. One can scarcely imagine what effect it has on a young girl to learn that before she turned three her mother was executed on orders of her father. Much of the conflict with which she had to contend during her adult life was largely the direct legacy of her father. These conflicts include those with her half-sister Mary, her cousin Mary Queen of Scots, the war with Spain, and the religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants.

The bare facts of Elizabeth's life have the makings of a great melodrama, but Hibbert does not fall into that trap. Nor does he spend much time with conjecture. However, he does paint a vivid enough picture so that it is easy enough to read between the lines. When he writes of Elizabeth and Robert Dudley going off horseback riding together for hours on end, he leaves it at that - most readers will reach the same conclusion. Similarly, Hibbert will relate what a prevailing rumor was, but for the most part resists speculating as to the veracity of those rumors; again, the reader is left free to reach his or her own conclusion.

Good detail is given in describing Elizabeth's personality and physical appearance. The attention to physical appearance is not superficial - Elizabeth put a great deal of thought and effort into appearance, being well aware of the effect it had on nobles and commoners alike. And it is entirely appropriate that Hibbert spends the space he does regarding her makeup, jewels, clothing, etc. Her strengths (intelligence and courage among them) as well as weaknesses (vanity, indecisiveness) are made abundantly clear by Hibbert's writing.

In describing the workings of her court and her administration, a picture is revealed not only of Elizabeth's reign in particular, but of English royalty in general, including the politics and intrigues of the royal court. Of particular interest to me was the chapter titled "The Queen on Progress", which is about the trips the Queen and a veritable army of attendants would make into various locales across England. No other section of the book so clearly revealed the tremendous waste and corruption that is inherent in any monarchy.

Hibbert makes an effort to provide a thorough portrait of those figures who played pivotal roles in Elizabeth's life, including the two Mary's, Robert Dudley, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Robert Devereaux. (My personal favorite is Sir William Cecil.) Providing us with these portraits makes the narrative of Elizabeth's life all the more compelling.

My complaints about the book are relatively minor. First, the book is organized rather arbitrarily into two sections of 10 chapters apiece. Sometimes the time line is a bit obscure. And I would like to see a little more about the common people of England during her reign, and the effect her policies had on them. But overall, it's a thoroughly interesting and enjoyable biography.

Mr. Hibbert's work includes many pertinent facts, but set down in a somewhat tedious and less than interesting manner. I felt this work did a fairly poor job of describing Elizabeth in context with her time, her problems, the intensity of the religious conflicts of the time, her youth, her relationship with Admiral Seymour, and many other important items. I feel Ms. Weir's work is more interesting, and better done.

The Virgin Queen is a very readable, comprehensive "herstory" of Elizabeth I. Hibbert's biography reads like a compelling novel, making it nearly impossible to put down. Elizabeth's personality comes forth in this book and we are able to see her great strength and her vulnerability. Please remember to stop reading it every now and then and get some sleep.

This was a hard book to put down! It is filled with interesting facts about the English monarchy. Christopher Hibbert does an excellent job giving the reader a feel for what life was like during the reign of Elizabeth I. After reading this book, I learned much about this very unusual woman and gained a better understanding of how her strength, intelligence, and cunning enabled her to command the respect and love of her people. Christopher Hibbert also reveals a very fascinating human side to a legendary, historical figure. I highly recommend this book to lovers of English history.

Christopher Hibbert is one of my favorite historical writers. At all times, lucidity, clarity, and narrative curiosity drive his writings. I first read this one years ago, and it's still the most accessible biography of Elizabeth I available. My favorite passages, and the ones I've read to history and English students time and again, are those on what Elizabethan women went through to look beautiful in their eyes. Anybody up for lipstick made of mercuric sulphide? The whole book is full on interesting little corners like that. All in all, a lively book.

This book was very insightful to the meaning and circumstance of Elizabeth the 1st's life. I recommend this book to anyone especially if you are doing a paper on her. Enjoy!