When I was invited to write a review about a book by Jane Plaidy, I readily accepted. I had heard so much about the author but never really had the chance to read any of her works. Queen of this Realm seemed like a good choice for this first experience, since the charismatic Elizabeth I, queen of England is one of my favorite historic figures.The book opens with Elizabeth’s troubled childhood. Daughter of the all powerful Henri VIII and the attractive Anne Boleyn, who was executed when Elizabeth was only 3 years old, we sense how this child grew insecure of her place into her father affections and how deeply she was scarred by her mother’s destiny and her illegitimacy. Raised by governesses, servants and stepmothers (like Katherine Parr), we follow her life through the years, watching her slowly becoming the woman who gave her name to her time – the Elizabethan era.The struggle between Protestants and Catholics create an unstable situation in England aggravated by Edward VI’s death and Mary’s ascension to the throne. These were hard times for the future queen who had to spend a year in prison after being accused several times of plotting against her sister’s life.After Mary’s early death, she finally accedes to the throne, to the joy of the English people who were much in love for their princess. As a young queen (25 years old), many were those who wanted to see her settle down and giving an heir to the country. Elizabeth decides to do exactly the opposite; she will be married to her people and will rule without a man by her side. Of course, this didn’t stop her to have several suitors over the years, mainly due to diplomatic reasons.The later years come in a rush with the victory over the Invincible Armada, the sudden death of Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester or even the queen’s tempestuous relationship with the deeply annoying Robert Deveraux, the stepson of Dudley.I have to confess I was not expecting much from this book in terms of historical accuracy, since I heard the author is known to sometimes romanticize History. For what I previously read about Elizabeth I, these 400 pages are a fair account of her life, which is not an easy task to do in such a short length or even write as a memoir. Of course, several important moments are rushed in a few lines, it was almost expected. I’m nonetheless impressed that Plaidy still managed to pull it off so elegantly. Now I wish I had her entire backlist at home…I particularly enjoyed reading about the queen’s relationship with Robert Dudley, how they met as children in court, found themselves imprisoned at the same time at the Tower and later built a very complex relationship that resisted during 30 years to everything and everyone: treasons, cheating, disputes, banishments… I was never very fond of Robert, I can actually understand Elizabeth’s fascination for him, but he really never wins my affections.My favorite moments were mostly the portraits of some of Elizabeth’s pairs or close family, like Jane Grey, so insecure and innocent and clearly a puppet in the hands of the ambitious John Dudley, duke of Northumberland. The poor child looks just like a little lamb sent to the slaughter…The fatherly figure of Lord Cecil who always admired his young queen and wanted the best for her, even if she sometimes strongly disagreed with his opinions, is very touching. He is always there for her, no matter what. I confess the scene when he gets ill and is lying in his bed talking with Elizabeth brought some tears to my eyes.In the other hand, I missed to read more about Walsingham. He always fascinated me and I was quite disappointed to see that if he is mentioned here and there, we don’t know much about him or even quite see how crucial his role was during Elizabeth’s reign. We end up knowing more about his daughter and her hidden affair and consequent marriage to the spoiled Robert Deveraux.Mary, Queen of the Scots is described almost as I imagined her: pretty, attractive but probably not suited to rule and certainly not a match for her intelligent cousin, Elizabeth. After 18 years living as a captive in England, she was becoming a liability and a threat… After collecting enough evidence of Mary’s treason and plots against his queen, Walsingham, along with other advisors, convinced Elizabeth of the necessity to bring Mary to a trial and an execution. Elizabeth’s fears and hesitation clearly show she knew how delicate the situation was; any wrong decision could gain her the displeasure of her beloved people and overthrow her. She readily admitted ruling by popular consent and valued the advice of the parliament and her counselors.Something that deeply annoyed me was the frequent pinching and slapping given by Bess to her ladies in waiting and even her favorites. She is indeed known by her mercurial temper, especially in her older years but making her punish physically and constantly everyone around her gives her a childish behavior that seems far from her personality, even as a child.A subject much discussed about Elizabeth was her virginity. Plaidy preferred to follow the queen’s reputation and the iconic and virginal image she built to herself but other biographies do mention she had certainly some affairs. Some even suggest Thomas Seymour ravished her when she was an adolescent and living with her stepmother, Katherine Parr, leaving her somehow traumatized for her future amorous experiences.While rushing some important parts of Elizabeth I life, I do find this Queen of this Realm an excellent debut for anyone who would like to know this queen a little better. Jean Plaidy gives us an intelligent, empathic and very astute Elizabeth who learned since early age how to reach for her goals with patience and insight. She’s not a model of perfection or sainthood, she can be vain and egocentric but she was an inspiration to the men and women of her time and even today she continues to fascinate us. Elizabeth I was certainly a woman ahead of her time.As I mentioned before, this is my first Plaidy and certainly not the last! Thank you ladies of the Historical Tapestry for giving me this opportunity to discover another great author.Grade: 4.5/5(Posted at Historical Tapestry during the Jean Plaidy season)
Perhaps these Elizabethan/Victorian/period novels that follow the lives of royal and other figures are not my cup of tea, but I have to say this is the second time I've been left feeling a little less than impressed. This story is good, for what it is. I just wasn't thrilled with it. Jean Plaidy's writing is nice, and compared to Carolly Erickson's random jumps into kitschy Harlequin moments, she's a breath of fresh air. But my biggest qualm is with her portrayal of Elizabeth. The book is obviously all about Queen Elizabeth I and her reign in England. And while I would normally be fascinated by this kind of historical novel, I was just left wanting to strangle Elizabeth. Perhaps I don't have a great idea of what the woman was really like, but I can't see a woman who was as cautious in making decisions as she was as the kind of person to just run around slapping her women whenever she got angry. That was a little strange to me. Was Elizabeth as childish as that? At first glance, she appears to be very self-controlled, self-aware, and disciplined. As a woman who was constantly in the limelight, I assume she would know how to comport herself, and yes, she might get a little relaxed among her ladies of the court, but I find it hard to believe she regularly slapped them and insulted them when she was displeased. Another issue I have is how prideful she was. Elizabeth was a great queen, and I admire her for many things. But was she as prideful and vain as Plaidy portrays? I'm not sure. Her love of beauty and her pride in her own beauty is written of throughout the whole book and forms an integral part of her character, or rather, Plaidy's portrayal of her character. For a woman who never married, it seems a bit strange that she would be so obsessed with her looks and with being courted but never won. At the same time, Plaidy showed her strengths in great ways. I was pleased by the portrayal of Elizabeth's hesitation to sign off on the death of Mary, Queen of Scots. I loved the relationship between Elizabeth and Robert Dudley, and I was pleasantly surprised at the treatment of Elizabeth's surrogate Essex, who she tried to use to replace Robert Dudley after his death. Overall, I have to admit the book was pleasant enough. I just had issues with things like Elizabeth's character. But it's a decent read and one worth trying if you're interested in the Elizabethan age.
What do You think about Queen Of This Realm (2004)?
Really enjoyed this book. Jean Plaidy managed to capture the character of Elizabeth I exactly how I would imagine it. The voice Jean Plaidy gave her really made me believe in the decisions that Elizabeth I made, such as her decision to remain the Virgin Queen and refuse all marriage. Yet her narration shows her strengths and weaknesses and her incredible self-awareness of them, and her true character. Her adoration of certain young men and her admitting she knows it is truly her power and position that draws such flattery and affection is greatly written. I love all things historical, and this is one of my favourite time periods. I have read many books, historical fiction and biographical, of Elizabeth I, and I have never felt that any of the historical fiction authors have truly captured her character like Jean Plaidy.
—Heather
I started out to read Elizabeth I by Margaret George, but when I learned that it began with the Spanish Armada, I decided to read Jean Plaidy's Queen of the Realm instead. I had read one other of Plaidy's Tudor Queen series, so I was familiar with her style.I enjoyed the book, but toward the end was growing tired of Elizbeth's endless admissions of her own vanity (the book is written in the first person). I wonder if the real Elizabeth would have ever admitted to such.I found the book enjoyable and would recommend it. I know that some have questioned Plaidy's commitment to historical accuracy, but I could find no fault with her retelling of Elizabeth's life.
—Kent
One of my all-time fave books on Liz 1st. I also devour anything Philippa Gregory churns out. I dare say, I loved this one better than the Gregory The Virgin Queen..gasp!Yes, it is FICTION...historical fiction. It took me a couple of chapters to get into it after reading Gregory, but it was oh so worth it.I LOVE Elizabeth, so almost anything I get my hands on about her, I usually love, so take it with a grain of salt.I found this book on a dollar pile (!) at the flea market. Jean Plaidy also had some pen names, next on my list is "Me Enemy the Queen" by Victoria Holt. (She also wrote as Philippa Carr)But, this one is so good, it is written in the first person, as if the Queen is talking to you. It ends at the end of the Queen's life. It follows her as a newcomer to the throne, a great ruler, and finally a vain and lonely old lady. It is fantastic to get inside her head!
—Mamma23
