Customer Reviews

After Elizabeth: The Rise of James of Scotland and the Struggle for the Throne of England

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This proves to be a highly informative book that tells the tranformation from Elizabeth's Tudor England to James' Stuart England. While most history books lead us to believed that James' succession was matter of facts, Leanda De Lisle tells us that in fact, there were other contenders and James's claims to the throne wasn't as secured as we were often led to believed.

The book tells us the main events of the last two years of Elizabeth and the intrigues that followed as she laid dying without truly naming a heir. The thought of another civil war like the War of the Roses wasn't that far off in most Englishmen's mind during this period. However, James did have the support of Elizabeth's Privy Council and support of most of the important English nobles of the realm.

In some ways, James' coming was something close to a country bumpkin family coming into an inheritance of a rich and worldly aunt. But at least initially, James did all the right things to put the English at ease. It helped that James was well educated which initially hid his many flaws as a person and King. The book proves to be educational in informing us some of James' initial actions as King of England, how some of his Scottish followers gained while some of Elizabeth's suffered.

Overall, I found this book to be well written, easy to read and its a story that should be told. While in hindsight, it may seem like James' sucession was a sure thing, it was pretty dicy situation for a while for James.

On the down side, I thought there should be bit more illustrations and toward the end of the book, the author appears to be centering too much on the fate of Sir Walter Raleigh for some reason.

Overall, the book come highly recommended for anyone interested of this subject matter.

De Lisle's research debunks a common notion that a hapless yet expectant James entered London to claim what was his. It was not so simple. The author gives us the reasons why and describes the plots to derail the enthronment of the only descendant of Mary Queen of Scots. Interestingly, Elizabeth's trusted advisor Cecil had been staging this prior to Elizabeth's death in a time when it was illegal to even mention the succession. With a cooperative and more cunning than given credit for James, Cecil prevails and profits.

The Elizabethan court gawks at James' entourage, appalled by their clothing and uncouth speech... almost like Jed Clampett moving to Beverly Hills. The descriptions of this, and the reaction to James' selling knightships and appointing Scots to high places are priceless.

De Lisle has piqued my interest in James, he's obviously more complex than I had thought and his marriage even more interesting. His wife becomes a Catholic, not in her native Denmark, but in Scotland where as James warns, it could be hazardous to their rule. Was her separation from young Henry as simple as stated? How about her friendships with those who plot against James? With James' well documented interest in young men, Anna's cutting of Elizabeth's gown to show her leg and foot in a play is even more provocative than it is as merely an act of a fun loving queen. James writes to her lovingly and seems to speak to her with respect, but the other facts don't square with a happy marriage.

As curious as I am about this, I like that the author sticks to her thesis. With the exception of text devoted to the Raleigh trial, she doesn't give in to the many tempting side stories. I hope to find something equally well done on James & Anna and their rule. Maybe De Lisle will write it. This is apparently her first book, and it is so well done, I await the next.

I was always under the impression that, upon the death of Elizabeth and the succession of James VI/I in 1603, Robert Cecil had engineered a relatively quiet and peaceful passage of the Crown. This book is fantastic, it describes how Cecil remained in court favor, how the Catholic faction viewed the new King (with hopes of tolerance not matched by James), Arbella Stuart's attempts at the Crown and the downfall of Sir Walter Raleigh in connection with the "Bye" and the "Main" plots. The passage of the Crown was not, afterall, a quiet affair.

This book is, in my opinion, well written and easy to read. I suggest that anyone interested in Stuart history read this book to understand just how a Scottish monarch attained the throne of England.

Having a great interest in Elizabeth and her reign, I found myself very curious about this work, which claims to analyze the period between the death of Elizabeth and the rise of the first Stuart king, James.

While de Lisle delivers on everything that she promises, some parts of the book seemed to drag on as she sidewinded off into some explanation or another regarding some miniscule point that never really pans out to much of anything. Believe me, there are enough key players involved in this work to keep straight.

While it does handle the "rising and setting sun," I think de Lisle does not spend enough time really fleshing out a very interesting point she makes when she compares the overall historical reflection regarding these two reigns. She spends about the last two pages talking about this, but could have spent a chapter going over this (it was really fascinating but very brief).

A worthwhile read.

Sometimes history books can be a little dry. Thankfully this one is not dry! Leanda De Lisle does a wonderful job of picking up where many movies, and other books have left off. Before reading this book I did not realize, or even have a clue of what happened at the end of Elizabeth's I reign. This books paints the picture of her successor with more intrigue than her younger days before she decided England would be her bridegroom.

I personally like that she would talk about some people, and situations more in depth. I think this helps to paint a broader and more accurate historical picture. While she does write about some things more in depth, I also feel that her skills as a columnist for a variety publications helped her writting style to never stay on a paticular person or event too long. I like that she doesn't write above or below her readers, as some historical books can.

For the real historian buffs her book is well documented. I think the documentation gives her credibility, and helps to ensure that the book is written from an objective point of view. This books read easily, and I did not find that it left to tedious explanations. I definately hope she writes more books, and I look forward to her shedding light onto other famous topics of history.

De Lisle has a master's degree in History from Oxford, and a successful career as a journalist and writer. This is her first book; hopefully the first of many.

The historical After Elizabeth starts in the last years of the reign of Elizabeth I. It begins with the plotting, the behind-the-scenes attempts to predict the future king or queen--and therefore be able to align behind one person or another and curry favor and power.

Careers, even lives, were destroyed by small mistakes in judgment.

Elizabeth I, Cecil, Sir John Harington, Sir Walter Ralegh, James of Scotland, his wife Anna, and more--are given depth and breadth by using original sources, such as letters and other documents, to flesh out the story.

James VI of Scotland is brought to life--his childhood, education, youth, poor health, relationships, views on the state, his treatment of his subjects, profligate spending, and his courtiers--is all here. The many plots during Elizabeth's illness, before James was crowned, and after his coronation are described, and the details of the reasons behind them are clear and concise.

The descriptions of Elizabeth's funeral and James's coronation are fascinating. The conclusion offers an evaluation of his reign.

NOTE: On the arts and politics: one popular play during the trial of Sir Walter Ralegh for treason (which was considered by the public to be a false accusation) was Ben Jonson's controversial Sejanus: His Fall, set in Tiberian Rome, where men lived in fear of informers, arbitrary justice, and the executioner. The character of Silius even attacks the prosecutor for failing to provide proof of his treason.

Armchair Interviews says: This book is extremely readable and enjoyable history, with illustrations, genealogies, extensive footnotes, and an index.

I've read and prefer Allison Weir's books on the Tudors and wanted to continue down the line to successive rulers. This book by a different author is a slow read tends to drift from the main topic somewhere in the middle. It is still interesting enough since I am very interested in 16th century England and beyond, but I'm not a fan of this author's writing.

the transition from queen elizabeth the first to james of scotland was a difficult

one. at first,it was not clear (who?)and there were other "contenders". there were many people scheming in the background. what a cast of characters-can i say soap opera?

it does not get any more thrilling than this! leanda de lisle's book cuts to the chase and delves into the complexity of this time in history. her writing style is easy to read and understand. this book is one of the best on this subject and it has nice color illustrations divided into two sections. a great read.

I had high hopes for this book. The subject matter promised to be fascinating and enlightening. After all no one really knows if Queen Elizabeth ever named James VI of Scotland her heir. Most accounts state that the dying Elizabeth when asked who she named as her heir simply raised her fingers over her head indicating James.

I was really looking forward to reading Leanda de Lisle's account of Elizabeth's final days and how Mary Queen of Scot's son, James of Scotland, found himself crowned King of England. Unfortunately, this book bored me to tears and forced me to resort to skimming just to get through it. The book lacked organization. The author jumped from one topic to another and then back again. The writing was all over the place. If you're looking for a great source on James I's accession, look elsewhere. This book is a snooze.

Queen Elizabeth (1533-1603) the "Virgin Queen" ruled England from 1553-1558 following the death of her half sister Mary Queen of Scots (reigned from 1553-1558). Mary won the nickname "Bloody Mary" due to her burning of Protestants at the stake. She was an ardent Catholic wed to Phillip II of Spain. Elizabeth was the daughter of the executed Anne Boleyn and the behemoth tyrant Henry VIII. As a young person she often lived in fear of being executed. She was at one time a prison in the infamous Tower of London. Elizabeth was vain but a good ruler guided by wise counselors. She never married but had close male friends.

Elizabeth is nearing death in 1603. The realm is near bankruptcy, the court is corrupt and Catholics are being persecuted. Elizabeth had to execute Mary Queen of Scots in 1587 fearing she will support a Catholic invansion of England. Elizabeth began her decline after the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1558. A plot by her young favorite the Earl of Essex had been extinguished and he was executed.

Following the death of Elizabeth, James VI the King of Scotland and son of Mary Queen of Scots was crowned King of England. He was opposed by several factions which are described in great detail by the author. Scotland was a tough and brutal nation where bandits and clan warfare were the norm. The major foes to James' accession were:

1, Supporters of Arbella Stuart a relative of Elizabeth.

2. Jesuits and secular Catholic priests who wanted to restore the nation to the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholics were also busy fighting one another.

3. Supporters of the deceased Earl of Essex who wanted to bring the Tudor monarchy to an end.

One of the themes of this 300 page book is that the perception that James had an easy road to the crown is fallacious. Heads roled as conspiracies were discovered including that of the famous Sir Walter Raleigh. Raleigh was charged with conspiring with Spain to bring down James.

DeLisle comes to the following conclusions about James I

(1603-1625).

1. He was a positive force in reforming the English church. During his reign the King James Version of the Bible was translated in 1611. The Protestant clergy was reformed with better educated preachers in pulpits. There was no offical toleration of Roman Catholicism. James favored the Protestant cause even though his wife Anne was a Roman Catholic.

2. He kept the peace.

3. James failed in his efforts to call an ecumenical council to reconcile Roman Catholics and Protestants.

4. James also failed to unite England, Ireland and Scotland into the Great Britain we know today. He, nevertheless, made an effort to achieve this worthy goal.

5. James may have suffered from cerebal palsy, attention deficit disorder and alcoholism. He was probably bisexual and had male favorites at court including George Villiers.

6. James had a brilliant mind but was often cold and standoffish. He did not get along well with ordinary people and was not liked by the English public.

7. He authored a book on the evils of tobacco and enjoyed music. The masque became popular during his reign. De Lisle says he was vulgar and was often crude in his conversations.

8. James believed in the Absolute Right of Kings and was anti-democratic.

This is a good first book by the English author/journalist L. De Lisle.

One looks forward to her future books.