'Rival to the Queen' - Book Review

What I do know about Lettice Knollys was that she had a few marriages and one was with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. She had similar features like a younger Queen Elizabeth I so she could have been Elizabeth’s double gagger.  She was the daughter of Catherine Knollys, daughter of Mary Boleyn so Elizabeth and Letticia were actually cousins. She was banned from court when Elizabeth found out that she married Elizabeth’s favorite. She also had a wantonness behavior that attracted the men at court (other than her beauty).

When I noticed that Carolly Erickson wrote a historical fiction about Lettice, I couldn’t help ordering the book. In my previous blog, I read ‘I, Elizabeth’ so I guess it was fitting that my next book for the Tudor challenge would be about Lettice Knollys.

I do wonder if Lettice thought herself to be part of the royal family. In the early chapter, Lettice mentions that her mother told her that Catherine may have been rumored to be a child of King Henry VIII. It was definitely rumored that Catherine Carey could have been King Henry VIII’s natural daughter. Too bad we can’t do DNA testing to put that rumor to rest.

Some of the early chapters place Lettice in Flanders during the reign of Queen Mary I. You don’t have too many chapters specifically during this part of her life and you’ll be back in Tudor England when Queen Elizabeth I is on the throne. In this book, it seems that Catherine Knollys and Queen Elizabeth I were not exactly friends while in other books I’ve read, it seems that they were. True to Elizabeth’s character, Carolly Erickson displays that famous Tudor temper at the maids of honor. It was interesting to read from Lettice’s point of view of being a maid of honor for Elizabeth. I don’t think I could be able to handle the abuse that Elizabeth would bring when she’s upset. Lettice’s description of Elizabeth is more of a woman with a temper, changes her mind too often and in love with Robert Dudley. After reading ‘I, Elizabeth’, I have a different view of Elizabeth as a lady and a Queen.

In the early days, she admires Robert Dudley especially when she was being courted by her first husband, Walter Devereux. Walter seemed more like a bore compared to Robert any day. Her admiring Robert would eventually become friends in the book.

There are some things that seem farfetched to me such as the story about Elizabeth not really having monthly bleedings and only using other people’s blood to disguise her barrenness. Especially during this timeframe, Elizabeth would have been in her late twenties. Still, with Elizabeth refusing to marry anyone, it would be an interesting rumor. Another farfetched scene was Elizabeth wanting bed curtains that once belonged to Amy Robsart to decorate Elizabeth’s room. Again, an interesting rumor to spread since it was widely known that Elizabeth favored Robert and there were already rumors that he would marry the queen or already has married Elizabeth.

An interesting view that I’ve never read so far is about the inquest about the sudden death of Amy Robsart. Lettice tells about the witness’s accounts up to that deadly afternoon from the doctor to Amy’s servant Pirto.  It gives the reader an idea of the inquest and how they came to their conclusion. Also her account during the time Elizabeth was feared to die from the pox and leaving England in the hands of Robert Dudley.  As to him having a priest to marry them at her so called death bed seems farfetched as well but a good reason for her to claim him as Lord Protector if she passed away. It’s these types of historical fiction I like to read when it’s in another person’s view point at court, even though the author places the character in their story when historically, that character may not have been there. Through all these places that the author places Lettice, Lettice continues to grow fond of Robert Dudley while despising Walter Devereux. There is also her account of the bear baiting, which was very barbaric. However for people that loved blood sports back in those days, this was their entertainment.

Carolly Erickson gives the impression that Lettice wasn’t as forward as other historical fiction books depict her. In her version, it’s only through a despised younger sister that her reputation is ruined. Even at the Tudor court, rumors are very powerful tools.

During her marriage, Lettice proved to be fertile (even though it was only daughters early in their marriage) and learned how to manage her husband’s estates. However, eventually Lord Robert would take notice of Lettice even if it was just to make the queen jealous. Still, this short love affair was wonderful for Lettice since her marriage to Walter made her very unhappy and her secret dreams revolved around Robert Dudley.  Undoubtedly, she would love Robert but there is always that nagging feeling that there was more to him then she already knew. Eventually, Lettice will bring Robert Devereux into the world. Remember his name later because he will become one of Elizabeth’s favorite in the later years of her reign.

The passage of time goes quickly in this book. One minute, the queen is in her late twenties and the next, the queen is in her forties. By the time that Elizabeth is nearing forty, Lettice and Robert have grown fond of one another, which as Lettice saw it, loved one another. It’s interesting to see a different side of Robert like how he referred Elizabeth as a ‘sour, hateful old thing’ to Lettice. You would think that Robert Dudley truly loved the queen since historically those two are linked.

After her first husband died, not sure of how much time had passed before Robert and Lettice were married. I assumed it’s after a year or two of mourning since that was the tradition. It’s at this time that Lettice acknowledges that she was Elizabeth’s rival and begins her banishment from Elizabeth’s court. Lettice will get the nickname She-Wolf. Still, Lettice doesn’t cower at Elizabeth’s fury because by this time she understood why Elizabeth hated her.

It seems that Lettice had a good marriage with Robert Dudley (much to my surprise). By this time, Lettice is in her forties and has given Robert the son he looked for. Robert no longer in disgrace is back at court with Queen Elizabeth I while Lettice is still out in the country. Still, Elizabeth would make sure that Robert was still at her side but Lettice, being a good wife, tried not to complain. Despite his love for his queen, it seemed like Robert was actually a very devoted husband (another surprise since he wasn’t as devoted with his first wife Amy Robsart).

This is the second book that I encountered None Such Palace. Not enough description as in ‘I, Elizabeth’ but just a brief mention. I was grief stricken at the lost of Lettice’s son with Robert Dudley who was only three years old. As a mother, I don’t know how I would be able to go on if I lost my little guy. Dashed are Robert’s dreams of having a son to carry the Dudley name.

The later chapters told about Elizabeth’s later years of her reign with the war against Spain, Robert Dudley in the Dutch provinces and famine. You are also introduced to Christopher Blount, who in time would be Lettice’s third and last husband. What a scandal that might have been since Chris was a much younger husband. Her son, Robert Devereux, is an interesting character and a big upstart. He seemed to truly believe as Elizabeth’s favorite and ‘royalty’ (thanks to Lettice’s blood), he was the ideal choice to rule England. As to why Elizabeth favored him, only she would know. Lettice was right to worry about her son. Thanks to her son, Lettice returns to court as Mother of the Maids but an underlying reason from Elizabeth is the true reason Lettice is able to return to court.

The story ends when Lettice says good-bye to her only son, Robert Devereux. At the epilogue, Lettice is in her nineties. She had an extraordinary life, full of dreams, love and heartache. Thanks to Carolly Erickson, I have a different view of Lettice Knollys. To me, she was just an ordinary girl (possibly had royal blood), trying to make her way at the Tudor court. Lettice was a good daughter to her parents Francis and Catherine Knollys even though she was overly criticized by her father. Despite rumors of her wantonness, she married first by her father’s match then married for love twice. She was just as hot headed as her cousin Elizabeth but she was also cautious. Lettice is a much more relatable character than what other historical fiction books portray her.

'I, Elizabeth' - Book Review

So, it's been awhile since I've blogged. Recently, I just finished 'I, Elizabeth' by Rosalind Miles. I realize that this book has been out for awhile now so you've may have read it already. If you haven't, hope my review of the book would entice you to read it.

I don’t have many books that looked into the life of Queen Elizabeth I. I have Philippa Gregory’s ‘The Virgin Queen’ and Barbara Kyle’s ‘The Queen’s Captive’ that have portions of Elizabeth’s life but what I wanted was a book that tells her side of the story that I knew from other historical fiction. I bought ‘I, Elizabeth’ sometime ago and finally I have a chance to read. I admit it took me longer than normal to finish the book but I’m very glad that I finished it. As a historical fiction novel, it gave me a better understand of Queen Elizabeth I as a person.

The book is in five chapters, each depicting the different stages of Elizabeth’s life. 

·         Book of One (Bastard) –Elizabeth focuses on her life as a young girl during the time of her father’s marriage to his last wife, Queen Katherine Parr. However, the word ‘bastard’ seems to follow her around, even when she was not yet conceived. At a young age, she learns who her enemies and friends are, especially with danger looming around between those for the Old Faith (Catholics) and the New Faith (Protestants).  As a smart girl, she comes to realize problems rather quickly. Through all this, she must learn to be on guard – her famous cautious nature had to begin somewhere. She notes the changes in her father during this marriage, which is a good description of the drastic change from his golden boy years to the ill-tempered old man. Ever wonder how she met her future advisor William Cecil? I’ve always wondered and in this novel, he gives her the truth about her mother, Anne Boleyn’s death.

·         Book of Two (Virgin) – This chapter is fairly long so it took me some time to get through it. This includes King Edward VI reign, a little of Queen Jane’s 9 -day reign, Queen Mary I’s reign and when Elizabeth was proclaimed Queen Elizabeth. Questions like, what went through Elizabeth’s mind when Thomas Seymour pursued her and did she really disliked her cousin Jane Grey, came through my head as I was reading. I’ve read ‘Innocent Traitor’ and their relationship seems quite different.  You see King Edward VI’s transformation from the boy that Elizabeth knew to a man who is overzealous about the Protestant religion. Despite that, Elizabeth’s happy moment when she was queen all but name since their sister Mary wasn’t allowed at court. Her happy time becomes shattered once Edward dies and Mary takes the throne. Her fears returning in Mary’s reign as being proclaimed as a Wyatt co-conspirator and being in the Tower itself. You can almost see the condition Elizabeth experienced when you went to the Tower. Her loss of people she knew to the burnings. I was kind of disappointed when there wasn’t too much about her relationship with King Philip other than the tool of using his lust for her own needs. I have read other books that mention this so I’m not overly disappointed. Towards the end of the chapter, you feel Elizabeth’s anticipation and waiting for the passing of Mary. You also hear the triumph in her voice when she at last was finally Queen of England.

·         Book of Three (Queen) – Elizabeth’s big day has finally come. It was nice to ‘see through’ Elizabeth’s eyes during her coronation day. However all good things must come to an end. The trouble country that Mary left behind and the ever present marriage issue would plague Elizabeth. Along with her headache is the issue of Mary, Queen of Scots. Her joy this time was when Robert Dudley proclaims his love for her. Sometimes it makes me wonder if he truly loved Elizabeth or it was all a ploy to gain more power. Maybe it was a mixture of both. Oh young love between Robert and Elizabeth yet they could not truly be lovers. Still, Amy Robsart still lingered in the background. Her love triangle would be known in the kingdom and abroad while she waited for poor Amy to die from her malady.  However, when the news of Amy’s tragic death reaches Elizabeth’s ears, Elizabeth can only wonder ‘who done it?”. Plaguing her in this chapter like a steel drum after Amy’s untimely death was marriage and an heir but in her heart, all it could say was ‘Robin’. I also did wonder if Elizabeth and Robert were more than lovers and she may not have been a virgin as she claimed during her reign. A scene suggests it when she had to choose between England and Robert. As a hopeless romantic, I would want them together but like Elizabeth would ponder, did she want to lose what she had as England’s Queen to her husband. After what she has witness with her sister Mary, why would she give it up.

·         Book of Fourth (Bellona) – Rightfully named, this is when Elizabeth becomes the Queen of War. The war against her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, war against the Catholics plotting to take her life to put Mary Queen of Scots on the English throne and ultimately, war with her brother-in-law King Philip of Spain. Despite the ongoing war in the surrounding countries, Elizabeth breaks down when she learns of Robert’s marriage to Lettice Knollys. Poor Elizabeth, to endure such heartache. But like a true Tudor, she made sure that Lettice never stepped foot in her court again. I still believe he still loved Elizabeth till his dying breath. Wish I could read that precious letter he gave her before he died. Elizabeth now in her forties is still playing the marriage game only to lose her one chance of marriage and bear a child with the young French heir.  What a good actress she was to pretend she knew nothing about her ships taking King Philip’s gold.  That was one way to get on his bad side yet enrich her coffers. Here in this chapter comes Sir Frances Drake (the sea-faring captain), Sir Walter Raleigh (one of her favorites) and Thomas Walsingham (spy master). As Elizabeth reaches fifty, the more makeup she must use to hide her imperfections and love it when young courtiers profess their love just play with her vanity. Along with raging wars and trying to keep the peace, Elizabeth must go through death threats upon her life.  The most notable plot is from the Babington papers, which would incriminate Mary Queen of Scots. Once that war was over, here comes the Spanish Armada knocking at her door. I couldn’t stop reading during this time of Elizabeth’s reign. Even though I know she triumphed, just reading her experience makes her fear and triumph real.

·         Book of Fifth and Last (Gloriana) – The final chapter of Elizabeth’s reign and life. A kingdom to govern in her old age yet many of her old courtiers start to pass on. Elizabeth’s court is now full of young blood and the question rises of who will be truthful to her. Her new love in her old age would be Robert Devereux, Earl of Sussex. If it sounds like a repeat of her attitude toward Robert Dudley, it probably is. But what she couldn’t do with Robert, she did with Devereux by sending him to the Tower when she learned of his secret marriage. Despite the Earl of Sussex taking advantage of her love, she always forgave him until it was a time where she could no longer forgive. You would think things would get better for Elizabeth with peace for England. During the end of her reign, there were bad harvests, proclamations against her church and war with Ireland. You are also introduced to Shakespeare in this final chapter. I’ve read somewhere that Elizabeth would nurse her beloved William Cecil during his last days and cried when he passed on but in this book, she was just informed of his passing, which is disappointing. In this chapter, this is the first I’ve read about None Such palace, which King Henry VIII built. I’ve heard about a painting recently but never seen it mentioned before. It must have been a wonderful palace. Here’s an article about a replica of this magnificent palace: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2050919/Henry-VIIIs-lost-Nonsuch-Palace-recreated-300-years-destroyed.html. When Elizabeth feared for her life from enemies abroad, she now has to fear for her throne and life by one of her own subjects.

Overall, even though this is historical fiction, I enjoyed reading ‘I, Elizabeth’. It gave me a rare glimpse of what Queen Elizabeth I was really like. By watching her father and others before her, she became the Queen that England needed. She had to sacrifice love for the love of her country, even when she would blow up with the famous Tudor temper. But she was also a young lady that only wanted to survive during the torturous times of her life. The astrologers were right that King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn would have a great prince to rule England…it just happened to be a great princess instead.