The author of this book, David Starkey, makes a decent attempt to write about the early life of Elizabeth I, Queen of England. The book goes into detail about her early life and the many events that impacted her and her reign as Queen of England. While some books deal with her reign as queen, this book takes a look into the life of Elizabeth from childhood until the time she ascended the throne. Some of these events include the execution of her mother, her education, religious influences, her step-mother, her half-sister, and her father’s influence. All of these people influenced the young Elizabeth

Shortly after Elizabeth’s birth, she was moved to her own independent house in Hatfield and christened as princess, the future Queen of England. Her newly claimed bastard sister, Mary, from Henry VIII’s first dissolved marriage, was to live with her. Mary’s tantrums, her refusal to come out of her room, and her refusal to acknowledge Elizabeth as the new heir must have had a lasting impact on Elizabeth. While the two would become close at certain times over the years, there was always some tension, especially when Mary eventually became Queen. Most of this tension was over

Catherine Parr influenced Elizabeth’s early religious views. The book denies that she was responsible for reuniting the family, but it was at this time that Elizabeth began to stay with her step-mother while Henry VIII was away fighting in the 100 Years War. Elizabeth and her step-mother became close and it was at her step-mother’s court that Elizabeth became enthusiastic about religion. Catherine was Queen Regent and had all of the power to run state affairs while Henry VIII was away. This may have impacted Elizabeth’s life as she saw a woman in charge of state affairs.

Her relationship with her father does not seem to be close, but the book says she was every bit her father’s daughter. Elizabeth idolized her father and thought of him as benevolent. (Quite strange, since he murdered her mother). It seemed Henry VIII was too busy with his marriages and state affairs to pay much attention to either one of his daughters. This changed in 1544 when he made Mary and Elizabeth heirs to the throne after his one-year old son, Edward VI. Father and daughter grew quite fond of each other and Henry VIII had hopes of eventually marrying Elizabeth to the Earl of Arran, the son of the Scottish Regent Henry VIII, however, was soon consumed with his own plans to marry his sixth wife, Catherine Parr.

With the arrival of her half brother, Edward VI, Elizabeth would be exposed to some excellent tutors.

Some topics in this essay:
Henry VIII, Virgin Queen, Queen England, Henry VIII’s, Italian Greek, Anne Boleyn, Catherine Parr, Tower London, Edward VI, Shortly Elizabeth’s, henry viii, queen england, edward vi, religious matters, elizabeth queen england, elizabeth queen, life elizabeth, reign queen, book fairly, catherine parr, sister mary,