Elizabeth I's Ladies, Gentlewomen and Maids (Hardback)

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was a highly detailed exploration of the Ladies that served Queen Elizabeth I both before she was queen and during her reign.
I learnt so much it seems that she looked after them all with gifts of cloth and jewels and they were mostly very loyal.
It was fascinating to read of each Ladies role and the nature of life at court.
I enjoyed this very much and it's a great read for all Tudor fans.

NetGalley, Carol Faulconbridge

I'm generally very interested in the Tudor period of history though I don't yet know a whole lot, so I found this book to be quite interesting. To begin with, I think the topic itself is something not often covered by other sources when it comes to this period of time and Elizabeth I. The book itself felt well researched and thought out without being too complex or expecting too much prior knowledge to understand. I really enjoyed how this account helps to paint a better picture of Elizabeth I's life.

NetGalley, Emily Neoh

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Elizabeth I was surrounded by powerful men, but her true strength lay in her “family” of women: her ladies, gentlewomen, and maids. This book tells their stories, revealing how these often-overlooked figures acted as confidantes, advisors, and a crucial support network for the Queen in a dangerous political landscape. I love how this book explains the inner workings of the court in an interesting and easy-to-read style.

NetGalley, Andrea Romance

An informative and well written observation on how a motherless and illegitimate royal daughter was raised by women. They did splendid work behind the scenes to make a queen. The book is very readable and the resources are all noted.

NetGalley, LOIS ELIYAHU

This book takes the reader on a journey through the life of Elizabeth, from her birth through her funeral, telling the stories of the women who made things happen behind the scenes. 🎭

I liked this book a lot, especially because I love reading the stories of “lesser known” women. Heather Shanette brings light upon the women who shaped Elizabeth, women who were the pillar of her household. Often forgotten, the truth is that nothing would have been the same without these women’s hard work.

The writing and story were easy to follow, so whether or not you’re very familiar with the Elizabethan era (I wasn’t) you’re going to find this very easy to understand! There are lots if interesting details and certainly a lot that I learned from this book.

There are about 100 pages at the end of further reading, notes and appendices, and lists of names, and I absolutely loved that: these women being honoured by name, after so many years!

NetGalley, Alexia Dumitrache

WELL-RESEARCHED AND ILLUMINATING

I am loving this trend of restoring women to the historical narrative, even when we don't everything about them. They still need to be acknowledged for being present and playing a role. Shanette does that beautifully.

What I liked

👍 Subject: The women around Elizabeth has always fascinated me. We have a tendency to view her - and to some extent herself as well - as very male and masculine. But of course there were women present, and of course they had influence and power with a female monarch on the throne. Getting to see that play out here was great.

👍 Research: It is obvious that Shanette has done a lot of research, even with limited materials.

NetGalley, Maja Hansen

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

An amazing and informative book about the lives of Elizabeth Tudor’s female attendants and their roles at court that is easy to read and doesn’t waste time rehashing the story of the Tudor dynasty. I am interested in hearing more about the new research hinted at in this book.

NetGalley, Caroline Palmer

This book shows that the women who served Elizabeth I were far more than simple maids and deserve to be remembered as the strong women they were, supporting their Queen through a golden era of British history.

NetGalley, Sarah Aspden