What makes the queen's young favourite turn against her? Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, is one of the most intriguing men of the Elizabethan period. Tall and handsome, he soon becomes a 'favourite' at court, so close to the queen many wonder if they are lovers. The truth is far more complex, as each has what the other yearns for. Robert Devereux longs for recognition, wealth and influence. His flamboyant naïveté amuses the ageing Queen Elizabeth, like the son she never had, and his vitality makes her feel young. Continuing the story of the Tudors, begun in Tony Riches' best-selling Tudor trilogy, this epic tale of loyalty, love and adventure follows Robert from his youth to his fateful rebellion.
Shakespeare's largely misunderstood narrative poems contain within them an explosive commentary on the political storms convulsing his country The 1590s were bleak years for England. The queen was old, the succession unclear, and the treasury empty after decades of war. Amid the rising tension, William Shakespeare published a pair of poems dedicated to the young Earl of Southampton: Venus and Adonis in 1593 and The Rape of Lucrece a year later. Although wildly popular during Shakespeare's lifetime, to modern readers both works are almost impenetrable. But in her enthralling new book, the Shakespearean scholar Clare Asquith reveals their hidden contents: two politically charged allegories of Tudor tyranny that justified-and even urged-direct action against an unpopular regime. The poems were Shakespeare's bestselling works in his lifetime, evidence that they spoke clearly to England's wounded populace and disaffected nobility, and especially to their champion, the Earl of Essex. Shakespeare and the Resistance unearths Shakespeare's own analysis of a political and religious crisis which would shortly erupt in armed rebellion on the streets of London. Using the latest historical research, it resurrects the story of a bold bid for freedom of conscience and an end to corruption that was erased from history by the men who suppressed it. This compelling reading situates Shakespeare at the heart of the resistance movement.
Elizabeth Tudor faces the most dangerous threat of her reign... Who will prevail, queen or noble? The old generation or the new? The Queen's Rebel: Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex (The Tudor Court, Book 2) is a revealing portrait of a man convinced he was born to rule but whose character flaws led him to the executioner's block instead. A must-read for Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir fans. When Robert Devereux arrives at court, he catches the eye of the ageing Queen Elizabeth I. Grief-stricken after the death of her favourite, the Earl of Leicester, Robert spies an opportunity to step into his shoes. But unlike his predecessor, Robert is not prepared to have Elizabeth dangle favours before him only to snatch them away again. His eyes are on a much bigger prize, that of the throne itself. But Elizabeth is not willing to relinquish her power, so Robert has to fight for what he believes should be his. There are no prizes for coming second at the Tudor court. This fight is to the death! Kindly note: The Queen's Rebel was previously published under the title of The Rebel Earl.
The Tudor age was a tumultuous one – a time of the Reformation, conspiracies, uprisings and rebellions. The Tudor Rebellions gives a chronological run-down of the major rebellions and throws light on some of the main themes of Tudor history, including the dynasty’s attempt to bring the north and west under the control of the capital, the progress of the English Reformation and the impact of inflation, taxation and enclosure on society. Successive versions of Tudor Rebellions have been central to understanding Tudor politics since 1968, when Anthony Fletcher first published his book. Now nearly four decades later, Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch has once more thoroughly revised and expanded this classic text to take into account exciting and innovative work on the subject in recent years.
The inside story of Elizabeth I's inner circle and the crucial human relationships which lay at the heart of her personal and political life. It is a vivid and often dramatic account, offering a deeper insight into Elizabeth's emotional and political conduct, and challenging many popular myths about her.
Tudor Rebellions, now in its sixth edition, gives a chronological account of the major rebellions against the Tudor monarchy from the reign of King Henry VII until the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603. It also throws light on some of the main themes of Tudor history, including the dynasty’s attempt to bring the north and west under the control of the capital, the progress of the English Reformation and the impact of inflation, taxation and enclosure on society. This new edition has been thoroughly revised to take into account the exciting and innovative work on the subject in recent years and bring the historiographical debates right up to date. It now includes additional documents and extended discussions to bring to life the complex events and politics of the rebellions. The primary sources, alongside a narrative history, allow students to fully explore these turbulent times, seeking to understand what drove Tudor people to rebel and what sort of people were inclined to do so. In doing so, the book considers both ‘high’ and ‘low’ politics, and the concerns of both the noble and the unprivileged in Tudor society. With supplementary materials including a chronology, who’s who and guide to further reading along with maps and images, Tudor Rebellions is an invaluable resource for all students of Tudor history.
"On This Day in Tudor History" gives a day-by-day look at events from the Tudor era, including births, deaths, baptisms, marriages, battles, arrests, executions and more. This must-have book for Tudor history lovers is perfect for: - Dipping into daily over your morning coffee - Using in the classroom - Trivia nights and quizzes - Finding out what happened on your birthday or special day - Wowing friends and family with your Tudor history knowledge - Researching the Tudor period Written by best-selling Tudor history author Claire Ridgway, "On This Day in Tudor History" contains a wealth of information about your favourite Tudor monarchs, their subjects and the times they lived in. Did you know: on 17th January 1569 Agnes Bowker gave birth to a cat?
'I was ever sorry that your lordship should fly with waxen wings, doubting Icarus' fortune.' - Francis Bacon Elizabeth Tudor, the queen of England, is growing old. Her friends are growing old with her and are dying, leaving her to rule over a court inhabited by the next generation - young men and women who know her only as an irascible old woman, a queen who is in danger of outliving her usefulness. But Queen Elizabeth is not a spent force quite yet and her magnificence attracts the attentions of Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex. The country's darling, the Earl of Essex is young and handsome, daring and brave. He is also ambitious and sees no limit to what he can achieve. Unwilling to be Queen Elizabeth's slave as others have before him, he chafes at his bonds and continually challenges her authority. Tender towards Robert Devereux, the son she never had, Elizabeth repeatedly forgives his unruly behaviour. But Robert grows proud, fuelled by the love the English people have for him. Believing himself powerful, he makes an ultimate challenge to Elizabeth's authority as sovereign and rebels against his queen. The Essex Rebellion is one of the greatest threats that Elizabeth Tudor has had to face. But Gloriana is not as weak as the Earl of Essex supposes. Lacking popular support, Essex finds his ambitions tumbling around him. Arrested on charges of treason, he is imprisoned in the Tower of London. Elizabeth loved him once, but she cannot forgive such a betrayal. Elizabeth I cannot allow the traitor Essex to live. A good read for lovers of historical fiction and those who enjoy the historical novels of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir.
