Elizabeth : The Struggle for the Throne Hardback

The legend of Elizabeth I, the untouchable, charismatic Virgin Queen, is a powerful and enduring one. Most biographies focus on the years of her reign, during which she proved herself as adept a ruler -- and as shrewd an operator -- as England had ever seen. But while the history of her rule is fascinating, the story of how her remarkable character was forged seems vital to a full understanding of the woman who led England into a new age of prosperity, power, and artistic achievement. David Starkey's Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne explores the terra incognita of Elizabeth's early years, and the result is nothing short of captivating.

Elizabeth's Early Years: A Life of Contrasts

Starkey finds that Elizabeth's early years ran the gamut from:

• Days of snug security as the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and Henry's heir apparent.
• To years of uncertainty after her mother's execution, when Elizabeth was separated from court and virtually forgotten.

During this time, Elizabeth received a first-rate academic education, excelling in languages and rhetoric, and showing a strong interest in the Protestant religion her father had established in England. However, the life lessons she learned would prove far more valuable for the monarch-to-be.

A Dangerous Position

After the deaths of Henry VIII and Edward VI (Elizabeth's half-brother), Elizabeth's status as sister and would-be successor to the Catholic queen Mary placed her in a precarious and dangerous position.

• She was imprisoned at Mary's command and came perilously close to execution after plots to place her on the throne were revealed.
• Starkey makes it clear that, while others may have done the dirty work, Elizabeth was often in the thick of these efforts.

Her imprisonment taught her to cover her tracks, but it did not stop her manoeuvrings. While fervently professing her Catholic faith, she surrounded herself with Protestant advisers and attendants, all while biding her time.

Marriage and Resistance

Elizabeth evaded another trap when Mary attempted to neutralize her by arranging a marriage to a Catholic Spaniard in exchange for naming her as successor.

• Perhaps Elizabeth had learned early on, from her mother’s plight, that marriage had its drawbacks.
• Starkey suggests that Elizabeth, in a moment of true regality, refused to accept the crown through bullying and capitulation.

Again, Elizabeth waited patiently, continuing to plot behind the scenes.

Ascension to the Throne

Elizabeth’s patience paid off when Mary, who was never robust, entered her final illness. Elizabeth managed to convince the now irrational queen that she was a staunch Catholic and vowed to preserve England as a Catholic realm.

Upon Mary's death, Elizabeth ascended to the throne with no meaningful opposition. This marked the beginning of a golden age, one of the most legendary reigns in history.

A Formidable Woman and Brilliant Ruler

Starkey helps us understand, for the first time, the forces that shaped Elizabeth into the formidable woman and brilliant ruler she would soon prove to be.