Elizabeth, Captive Princess: Two Sisters, One Throne

I have repurposed this review from the first book in the trilogy, Young Bess, since my review applies to both novels.I first read this as an almost-teenager back in the late 1950s. The copy I read (and still have) was my parents' Book of the Month Club edition. Other reviewers have done a good job describing the story; my point is that the staying power of this novel and the sequel, Elizabeth, Captive Princess, speaks to the amazing job the author did bringing Elizabeth's early years to life. It is amazing that Elizabeth survived to come to the throne. The final book in the trilogy, Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain, isn't as thrilling, but that might be because the central tension of the first two novels, Will Elizabeth Survive?, is missing here.The first time I read the novels, it was easy to identify with the young Elizabeth, because in a sense they are coming-of-age stories. I have reread them over the years and still find them gripping. These books set me off on a life-long love of historical fiction, or as I like to think of it, chocolate-covered history.An historical aside about the books is that the subtitles are not original.

Easy reading with a lot of historical value.

An enchanting novel about the Young Ellizabeth I. Think this wold appeal to teenagers as well as to adults.A llii-new copy delivered with expedition. Wilmet

This was a gift for a teenager. I read it at that age and loved it and it started me on many years of reading and studying about Tudor England.

this was one of my favorite books as a young teen-ager - what might be called a "tween" now. History hasn't changed in the first Elizabethan era and Margaret Irwin's books are sure to please.

The writing in this book grows on you and the history becomes fascinating. I had not read the first book in this series, Young Bess: The Girl Who Would Be Queen (Elizabeth I Trilogy) so I was not familiar with the style of writing. Although I immediately liked the beautiful flowing imagery, the dialogue is puzzling and difficult to follow at first as the characters speak in riddles or code. This did enhance the sense of fear and distrust that is prevalent in the story and after a bit the writing wrapped me in with the vivid characters.The author does a wonderful job of portraying the different personalities of the rivals for being Queen upon the death of King Edward in 1553. Jane, a cousin of King Edward and named successor by Will, is the reluctant, studious child used by others to become Queen and promote the Protestant church. She is manipulated by Duke Dudley, a grasping, vicious man out for political control, but they do not have the support of the people.Then there is Princess Mary who is the older (age 37) spinster daughter of King Henry VIII. She has struggled with her health and has never been particularly popular or brave although she has been known to be sweet and kind. Her surprising bravery and resourcefulness underlay her strong determination to gain and hold the throne. She is deeply committed to restoring the power of the Roman Catholic Church which has been out of favor since the Protestant faith was fostered by King Henry VIII. Queen Mary struggles with how to deal with her half sister Elizabeth, caught between her admiration for Elizabeth and her fear and jealousy of her. Mary loses the favor of the people when she falls to the counsel of her advisers who encourage her to marry the Prince of Spain.Of course the star of the book is Princess Elizabeth. She is the lively, ethereal beauty who captures the sympathy and support of the people every time they see her. She is the true puzzler who hides her feelings and masks her dreams and hopes. She is caught in the middle of all the political and religious battles trying to always say just the right thing to stay neutral and not get trapped with conspirators in accusations of treason. So she speaks in riddles and rhymes and takes to her bed when she can't cope with reality or when she wants to hide from her enemies. The author portrays her complex intelligence and emotions in a way that evokes feelings of fear, sadness, respect and wonder for the young lady who would be Queen.There is intrigue and danger, a touch of romance and lots of jealousy. I really liked how the author manages to weave the political and religious views into Elizabeth's conversations. I became caught up in the tale by the time the book ended and would like to know what happens in the next book. The reading is not easy but if you like good historical fiction and are willing to work through the riddling dialogue I think you would truly enjoy this book.

This captivating novel about the young Princess Elizabeth during the reigns of her brother Edward VI and her sister Mary I during the time during the time when she came under suspicion of being involved in treasonable plots and closely watched and kept in semi-captivity with the threat of the axe always hanging over her head.This novel encapsulates intelligent and passionate dialogue, which could have been taken from a dramatic historical play, and effectively delves into the mind of Elizabeth, with consummate understanding of psychology, who it presents as a headstrong, imperious, courageous and intelligent, not hesitant to use her sexual attractiveness to her advantage - an ultimate survivor.This book traces the political machinations of the time as well, and also the tragic story of the Queen for nine days, Lady Jane Grey and her execution at the hands of Mary, a fate that could well have befallen Elizabeth. Characters such as Lady Jane and Queen Mary's minds are probes here with the same consummate skill that the author does for Elizabeth during these times. The dangerous times of the rule by the neurotic and fanatical Mary I are captured and the drama of these perilous days for Elizabeth captured by what she wrote at the time 'Much suspected by me, Nothing proved can be, Elizabeth, prisoner'.

This is a complex book that delves in to more than the superficial facts of the years of Queen Mary's reign. The imaginings of the pressures put upon the young Elizabeth Tudor by both the Court, the People and Herself are well executed and are doubtless based on extensive research of contemporary reports and documents.My issues with this book were that it seemed to got lost in iot's own web of intrigue and language. In evoking the Tudor Era you expect a certain amount of words unfamiliar to modern ears and turns of phrase and sentence structure that feel strangely familiar and yet alien at the same time. However, in this book the obfuscation of Elizabeth seeps too earnestly on to the page and left me re-reading some passages several times to try and discern their meaning and how they would affect the outcome.Of course, this is a fictionalisation of a real life so we know that however afraid Elizabeth is that Mary is going to have her executed as a Traitor or a Heretic we know it does not come to pass. However, there is still a palpable sense of terror in some sections and there is genuine tension in the pages - admirably done.I did not enjoy this as much as Young Bess, it was just a little too dry for me and some of the humanity had been stripped from the characters, rendering them almost as caricatures. I found this to be particularly telling with Queen Mary whilst she waits for her Spanish Prince to finally make the journey to England to marry her. Even Elizabeth herself suffers from time to time with becoming stagnant and lifeless on the page.Overall this is a well crafted tale but you do need to have an interest in the Tudors or Social History to really glean enjoyment from it.

The characters leap off the page in three dimensions and full colour, especially Elizabeth. Mrgaret Irwin's psychological perceptiveness and literary skill make m care deeply for Mary, Elizabeth and Jane, all three tragic figures, victims of the shudder-inducing brutality of the politics of the time.The only thing that could improve this book would be a list of characters with all their names, titles, and closest relationships, and a family tree or two, as in Hilary Mantel's "Wolf Hall".

The 2nd in Margaret Irwin's series about Elizabeth I and it is as good as the first book. It draws you in and offers an insight into a political and social life long gone. Accuracy is better than some other books on this subject and, even though they were written more than forty years ago these books still entertain.

Margaret Irwin was a great writer, capturing the essence of the Tudor court; so much better than most contemporary authors. Especially the first two books of the trilogy - and thanks to Amazon that they can still be found today.

Having read and loved Young Bess & Elizabeth Captive Princess (several times) many years ago, and having lent them out once too often, I was delighted to find them available for Kindle! After all these years I am enjoying them even more than before ,,,, I think Margaret Irwin's ability to get into the heart and mind of the characters she wrote about gives these books a very special flavour (I defy anyone not to be moved by her account of Lady Jane Grey's last night before her execution) and helps to explain just why some of our historical characters acted the way they did. Because she was seldom judgemental, Margaret Irwin really brought her characters to life. I strongly reccommend both these books to anyone looking for more than "just another story".