Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain [Textbook Binding]

Margaret E. Irwin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1953

A historical novel which follows the progress of Elizabeth, daughter of Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII, as she advances towards her destiny as queen of England. From the author of YOUNG BESS and ELIZABETH, CAPTIVE PRINCESS.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Irwin took the same tack with these volumes as Shakespeare did centuries before her: namely, using real events in her country's history as the basis for her fiction. Both titles, published in 1953 and 1948, respectively, follow young Elizabeth; her half-sister Queen Mary; Mary's fianc?, Philip of Spain; and a cast of courtly players, most of whom are Royal pains.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

"To her brilliant sense of period, Miss Irwin adds an artist's view of relativity--the two are combined with the most finished skill." -- Country Life --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Textbook Binding
• Publisher: Harcourt (June 1953)
• ISBN-10: 999751789X
• ISBN-13: 978-9997517890
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,378,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More of the Tudors, April 30, 2011

By 

Kathleen Kelly "Celticlady" (Rhinelander, WI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain (Elizabeth I Trilogy) (Paperback)

Elizabeth and the Price of Spain by Margaret Irwin is the third in a series of novels by Margaret Irwin. This novel is about the relationship between Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King Henry VIII, and Prince Phillip of Spain who is the soon to be husband of King Henry's oldest daughter Mary, who is the current Queen of England. The series was first published in 1946-1953. This newly released novel from Sourcebooks tells the story of the love /hate relationship between Princess Elizabeth and Mary. This historical novel gives us an insight into the Tudor court with the Catholic Mary and Phillip and Protestant Elizabeth. Mary hopes with the help of Phillip that she can bring back Catholicism to England. Phillip in the meantime becomes attracted to Elizabeth. I think this is actually the first account I read which explains the animosity that is to come between Phillip and Elizabeth during Elizabeth's reign. This series is very well researched and even though it was written in the early 50's, it still has a modern feel to it. Any historical buff will enjoy this series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars well written insightful look at three rivals, March 23, 2011

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain (Elizabeth I Trilogy) (Paperback)

A religious zealot and totally dedicated to his nation Spain, Philip, King Consort knows he is to marry Princess Mary I. However, she mirrors him in terms of intelligence and beliefs. Instead he is attracted to his betrothed's dynamic sister, the Protestant Elizabeth. He loathes his desire for his future sister-in-law, as she brings out carnal feelings he knows are unholy. Neither is aware of what awaits them and their nations in three decades.

At the same time they do their careful two steps, Robert Dudley is in love with Elizabeth. Obsessed with restoring God's laws, Mary orders the Papal legate Reginald Pole, the great-nephew of Edward IV and Richard III to lead the reversal of the heresy her father Henry VIII caused. However, the brilliant Pole who knows overturning the Anglican heretical legacy would be a tribute to his late mom killed by the former monarch. However, he lacks the energy and ambition to take charge of the royal demand.

This is a reprint of the third young Elizabeth trilogy (see Young Bess: The Girl Who Would Be Queen and Elizabeth, Captive Princess: Two Sisters, One Throne) written in 1953. The story line has a historiographical feel to it as readers will see a different style and tone than in present day written Tudor novels. Still, fans of the era will appreciate the well written insightful look at three rivals competing for power at a time of intense turmoil.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impeccably researched, compelling portrait of the politics of the time, July 7, 2010

By 

David Houghton "www.thepastisalive.com" (Santa Rosa, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain (Hardcover)

Let the reader beware: you won't find any bodice-ripping here. This book, the last in Margaret Irwin's trilogy telling the story of the young Elizabeth I up to her accession to the throne, was published in 1953. For those accustomed to the faster pace and more scandalous nature of today's historical fiction, this book will seem old-fashioned. But if you come to it with an open mind and allow the story to unravel, I believe any reader could come to enjoy it as much as I did.

The "Prince of Spain" in the title of the book is Philip, King Consort to Elizabeth's sister, Mary I. His character, so often misunderstood, comes to life here. Emotionally recalcitrant, dutiful, zealous, and mediocre in intellect, he finds himself drawn like a flame to the brilliant and troublesome Elizabeth. His lust from the first is mixed with hate (he imagines having her burnt or drowned in their first meeting, in a wonderfully eerie passage), which foreshadows the later bitter rivalry the two will engage in, culminating in the defeat of the Spanish Armada. The lack of sex scenes only increases the tension in their dynamic.

Although the Elizabeth/Philip relationship is the focal point, other wonderful characterizations abound. Standouts include Emperor Charles V, a Robert Dudley besotted with Elizabeth, and the Papal legate Mary summons to restore the Catholic faith in England, Reginald Pole. The last is particularly well-drawn. Pole is the last of the Plantagenets, a great-nephew to Edward IV and Richard III. Henry VIII had his mother butchered by an axeman. Although very intelligent and gifted, Pole spends his life floundering in his incredible privilege, lacking the vigor and character required to effectively use his talents.

This is not a book that is easy to read. It is detailed, rich in subtleties and requires re-readings to fully appreciate it. I wasn't sure about it on my first read, but now it has become one of my favorite books on the Tudor period. Highly recommended.