Young Elizabeth

Princess. Prisoner. Queen.

By: Nicola Tallis

Narrated by: Helen Keeley

Elizabeth I is one of England's most famous monarchs, whose story as the ‘Virgin Queen' is well known. But queenship was by no means a certain path for Henry VIII's younger daughter, who spent the majority of her early years as a girl with an uncertain future.

Before she was three years old Elizabeth had been both a princess and then a bastard following the brutal execution of her mother, Anne Boleyn. After losing several stepmothers and then her father, the teenage Elizabeth was confronted with the predatory attentions of Sir Thomas Seymour. The result was devastating, causing a heartbreaking rift with her beloved stepmother Katherine Parr.

Elizabeth was placed in further jeopardy when she was implicated in the Wyatt Rebellion of 1554–a plot to topple her half-sister, Mary, from her throne. Imprisoned in the Tower of London where her mother had lost her life, under intense pressure and interrogation Elizabeth adamantly protested her innocence. Though she was eventually liberated, she spent the remainder of Mary's reign under a dark cloud. On 17 November 1558, however, the uncertainty of Elizabeth's future came to an end when she succeeded to the throne at the age of twenty-five.

When Elizabeth became queen, she had already endured more tumult than many monarchs experienced in a lifetime. This colourful and immensely detailed biography charts Elizabeth's turbulent and unstable upbringing, exploring the dangers and tragedies that plagued her early life. Nicola Tallis draws on primary sources written by Elizabeth herself and her contemporaries, providing an extensive and thorough study of an exceptionally resilient youngster whose early life would shape the queen she later became. The heart racing story of Elizabeth's youth as she steered her way through perilous waters towards England's throne is one of the most sensational of its time.

“A nuanced and realistic portrait of a formidable and multi-faceted woman.”–Tudor Times

“History as it should be written, vivid, colorful, pacy and evocative, but above all authentic and based on sound and innovative research.”–Alison Weir, Number One New York Times bestselling author

©2023 Nicola Tallis (P)2024 W.F.Howes Ltd

Amazing!

You are left with the greatest respect and admiration of Elizabeth. I have read many books on the Tudors and Elizabeth herself, so I was intrigued to see if this new take on her life before she became queen, could add more than I already knew.

I was not disappointed! Although the events of her childhood, the ordeal of her years under Edward and Mary are well known, Nicola Tallis brings it to life in a way I haven’t seen before.

The book is beautifully written and the narrator does a wonderful job telling the story. Even though the history is familiar, the events - especially under the reign of Mary - are laid out so that you cannot put the book down.

For everyone who is interested in the Tudors this book is a must! Even if you think you’ve read it all, please give it a go anyway. You will not be disappointed.

I shared Nicolas Tallis’ admiration of Elizabeth before, but after listening to the book, I am even more in awe of this incredible woman.