Elizabeth of valois biography books

Martha Walker Freer. Married at 14 to a foreigner she had never met — a man twice-widowed and more than twice her age, and one reputed to be stern and reserved, disdainful of every person and thing not Spanish — it is not surprising that Elizabeth was filled with dread during her lengthy journey towards her new husband. This double volume begins with Elizabeth the child — her birth and baptism; growing up with the young Mary Queen of Scots; her wedding and the traumas of adjusting to the rigid etiquette of the Spanish court.

But the greater part of the book focuses on Elizabeth the Queen — beautiful, gracious, beloved by the husband she'd once feared, and equally devoted to him. Genres History European History 16th Century. There are hundreds of books about Elizabeth I and many of them feel redundant, but Dr. Paranque's research examining how Elizabeth I's contemporaries saw her was a breath of fresh air for someone who enjoys this period in history.

Elizabeth of valois biography books: Isabel de Valois, Queen Consort

My favourite part of the book is that it includes how the French court felt and dealt with the fact that Elizabeth I was holding Mary, Queen of Scots in captivity. I also enjoyed that D. Paranque's book gave insights into the French court during this period. Highly recommend this book for any history, especially Tudor history, buff.

I really enjoy scholarship through analysis of correspondence because it's always so interesting to see perrceptions through writing and I thought Paranque did a fantastic job in utilizing her source base to illuminate a less-covered angle of Elizabethan diplomacy. Focusing on Valois perceptions and constructions of Elizabeth's image, power, and governance not only contrasts with prominent Elizabethan hagiography but also highlights the importance of 1 a wide lens on European politics during this era and 2 the necessity to view Elizabeth as a figure whose actions and reputation affected areas outside of England.

It is said "both rejoiced at the birth of Isabella as if it had been the birth of a son". Elisabeth contributed the birth of her first daughter to a miracle attributed to Saint Eugene of Toledo, whose relics she had brought with her as a dowry to Spain. Elisabeth corresponded with her former sister-in-law, Mary Stuart, who suggested that her infant son James be smuggled out of Scotland and brought to Spain.

James would then be raised at the Spanish court and marry one of Elisabeth's daughters. After the death of Elisabeth, Catherine de' Medici offered her younger daughter Margaret as a bride for Philip. Elisabeth of Valois is a central character in Thomas Otway 's play Don Carlos, Prince of Spain ; in Schiller 's play of the same name ; in Verdi 's opera adapted from Schiller's play, also titled Don Carlos ; and in several other, less well-known operas.

Antonio Buzzolla 's version of is actually named "Elisabetta di Valois".

Elizabeth of valois biography books: Her other works are:

All these works imply a tragic romance between Elisabeth and Carlos, suggesting that they were really in love with each other when Elisabeth was forced to break off her engagement to Carlos and marry his father Philip. In Madame de Lafayette 's novella The Princesse de ClevesElisabeth of Valois' marriage to Philip II is the occasion for the wedding games at which her father Henri II dies; her role is brief but it substantially affects the novella's narrative arc.

Elisabeth is a character in tv-series " The Serpent Queen " season 2 and is portrayed as an adult by actress Laura Marcus. In the novel the young Elisabeth is torn between her love and duty to Philip and her strong relationship with her stepson, the mentally unstable Don Carlos. In private, she is appalled by the activities of the Inquisition and other rigid aspects of Spanish life, and secretly conspires with Carlos and her ladies to find ways around the harsher laws and judgements.

Contents move to sidebar hide.

Elizabeth of valois biography books: Her book, Young Queens:

Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. In other projects. Wikimedia Commons Wikidata item. Queen of Spain from to Not to be confused with Elisabeth of France, Queen of Spain. Portrait by Juan Pantoja de la Cruz. El Escorial. Philip II of Spain. A queen who ruled as much from the heart as from the head.

Beloved for its stunning storytelling, Legacy offers an exquisite portrait of the queen who defined an era.

Elizabeth of valois biography books: The boldly original, dramatic

The queen who inspired men to love her with bewitching devotion, no matter what the cost, but the depth of her love for England required a sacrifice that would haunt her to the grave. The era of the Tudors was one of danger, intrigue, conspiracy, and, above all, spies. Summer A time of danger and deceit. Brendan Prescott, an orphan, is reared in the household of the powerful Dudley family.

With only a bold stable boy and an audacious lady-in-waiting at his side, Brendan plunges into a ruthless gambit of half-truths, lies, and murder. Filled with the intrigue and pageantry of Tudor England, C. The collection of letters and words by Elizabeth is an excellent source book. David Starkey may not be politically correct at the moment but he is still a fantastic historian and if he had have taught me history I think I would be listening with baited breath.

His Six Wives and two part book on Elizabeth, especially her early reign take some beating.