Book description
Elizabeth I was born into a world of women. As a child, she was
served by a predominantly female household of servants and
governesses, with occasional visits from her mother, Anne Bolyen, and
the wives who later took her place. As Queen, Elizabeth was constantly
attended by ladies of the bedchamber and maids of honour who clothed
her, bathed her and watched her while she ate. Among her family, it
was her female relations who had the greatest influence: from her
sister Mary, who distrusted and later imprisoned her, to her cousin,
Mary, Queen of Scots, who posed a constant and dangerous threat to her
crown for almost thirty years.
Despite the importance of women in Elizabeth's life, most historians
and biographers have focused on her relationships with men. She has
been portrayed as a 'man's woman' who loved to flirt with the many
ambitious young men who frequented her court. Yet it is the women in
her life who provide the most fascinating insight into the character
of this remarkable monarch. With them she was jealous, spiteful and
cruel, as well as loyal, kind and protective. She showed her frailties
and her insecurities, but also her considerable shrewdness and
strength. In short, she was more human than the public persona
she presented to the rest of the court. It is her relationships with
women that hold the key to the private Elizabeth.
In this original chronicling of the life of one of England's
greatest monarchs, historian Tracy Borman explores Elizabeth's
relationships with the key women in her life. Beginning with her
mother and the governesses and stepmothers who cared for the young
princess, including her beloved Kat Astley and the inspirational
Katherine Parr, Elizabeth's Women sheds new light on her
formative years. Elizabeth's turbulent relationships with her rivals
are examined: from her sister, 'Bloody' Mary, to the sisters of Lady
Jane Grey, and finally the most deadly of all her rivals, Mary, Queen
of Scots who would give birth to the man Elizabeth would finally,
inevitably have to recognise as heir to her throne. It is a chronicle
of the servants, friends and 'flouting wenches' who brought out the
best - and the worst - of Elizabeth's carefully cultivated image as
Gloriana, the Virgin Queen, in the glittering world of her court.
Tracy Borman studied and taught history at the University of Hull
and was awarded a PhD in 1997. She went on to a successful career in
heritage and has worked for a range of historic properties and
national heritage organisations, including the Heritage Lottery Fund
and the National Archives. In 2002, she was appointed Learning
Director at English Heritage and has recently been appointed Chief
Executive of the Heritage Education Trust. She also works part-time as
Head of Interpretation for Historic Royal Palaces.
Tracy has regularly appeared on television and radio, and has
featured in a range of magazine and newspaper articles. She is a
regular contributor to history magazines, including articles in BBC
History Magazine on the history of beauty and 18th century 'It'
Girls'. In addition, she also gives public talks and lectures on a
wide range of subjects.
Tracy's first book, King's Mistress, Queen's Servant: The Life
and Times of Henrietta Howard, was published by Jonathan Cape in 2007.
