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grimhand 's review for:
The Life of Elizabeth I
by Alison Weir
I came to this biography after watching, for the second time, the movie version of Elizabeth’s early reign, starring Cate Blanchett. As I often do with “historical” movies I wondered, “What really happened?”
Well, what really happened was sort of what was in the movie but chopped up, moved around in time, and simplified and dramatized for plot purposes. No surprises here.
However, what really happened is ultimately more interesting, gripping and satisfying than the movie because, well, it really happened! Elizabeth’s early reign plays out as a sort of medieval season of The Bachelorette with her balancing and playing off suitors for her hand across Europe, helping her solidify her English power base. Constantly on the watch against threats to her throne, and her person, she kept the royal heads of Spain, France and even Sweden in suspense while also juggling the hopes and affections of her royal courtiers ... for nearly 44 years.
Well, what really happened was sort of what was in the movie but chopped up, moved around in time, and simplified and dramatized for plot purposes. No surprises here.
However, what really happened is ultimately more interesting, gripping and satisfying than the movie because, well, it really happened! Elizabeth’s early reign plays out as a sort of medieval season of The Bachelorette with her balancing and playing off suitors for her hand across Europe, helping her solidify her English power base. Constantly on the watch against threats to her throne, and her person, she kept the royal heads of Spain, France and even Sweden in suspense while also juggling the hopes and affections of her royal courtiers ... for nearly 44 years.