Monarchy and Matrimony: The Courtships of Elizabeth I [Hardcover]

Susan Doran (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415119693 | ISBN-13: 978-0415119696 | Publication Date: January 25, 1996

Monarchy and Matrimony is the first comprehensive study of Elizabeth I's courtships. Susan Doran argues that the cult of the `Virgin Queen' was invented by her ministers, and that Elizabeth was forced into celibacy by political necessity.
Doran's detailed examination of the different suits is based on extensive archival research across Europe. Rather than focusing on Elizabeth's personality and image, she views the question within a wider political and religious context. She shows how the question of Elizabeth's marriage was divisive for England, affecting both political life and international relations, and provoking popular propaganda in the form of plays, poetry and paintings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In studying the marriage negotiations of Queen Elizabeth I, Dr. Doran has chosen an important subject of great fascination and daunting complexity . . . This book is European in scope and offers a masterly contribution to the understanding of western Europe diplomacy over roughly two decades.
–Professor N. M. Sutherland, formerly Royal Holloway and Bedford, London

Monarchy and Matrimony is an authoritative and accessible study of Elizabeth I's marriage negotiations. It provides the definitive answer to the question of why Elizabeth remainded single, and in so doing throws new light on many aspects of Elizabethan foreign policy and domestic politics.
–Christopher Durston, St. Mary's College

This is an important study, overturning the easy generalization that Elizabeth's marriage negotiations were of no significance since she had always intended to remain a Virgin Queen. Susan Doran's detailed examination of each individual courtship shows convincingly just how serious these discussions were and explains why all failed in the end. Her engaging book is enjoyable reading.
–Professor Stanford Lehmberg, Department of History, University of Minnesota

Elizabeth I lived and died a virgin Queen and Susan Doran has asked Why?. Grounded in exhaustive research in British and foreign records, her answers are surprising and compelling. Placing Elizabeth's courtships in context she shows Elizabeth would have married if she could have but religion, foreign relations, her ministers, her sense of political possibility, and her love of Dudley created a muddle that prevented her. Superseding all other studies of Elizabeth's courtships, this is an important book. Every historian of Tudor politics and everyone interested in Elizabeth Tudor's life will want to read this clear and definitive account.
–Norman Jones, Utah State University

Until the arrival of this book, English historiography concurred that Elizabeth I made a conscious decision and a solemn oath not to marry after her ascension to the thone.
–Heather Lee Miller, Journal of Women's History

About the Author

Susan Doran is Director of the History Program at St. Mary's University College and the author of several books and articles on Elizabeth I, including Elizabeth I and Religion 1558-1603 (Routledge, 1993).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (January 25, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415119693
• ISBN-13: 978-0415119696
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,584,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( E ) > Elizabeth I

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well overdue, comprehensive and innovative, February 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Monarchy and Matrimony: The Courtships of Elizabeth I (Hardcover)

This is a unique study which is of equal value to the academic or the interested amateur. For too long Christopher Haig's dated and simplified account of the Virgin Queen's persistent virginity has been allowed to dominate Elizabethan history. Susan Doran takes each of Elizabeth's courtships seriously instead of blindly assuming a grand narrative. Although female historians are relatively new to the public arena, Susan Doran has "the heart and stomach of a man".

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ELIZABETH TUDOR-in depth, September 26, 2002

By 

"thetudor" (WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monarchy and Matrimony: The Courtships of Elizabeth I (Hardcover)

When Sue Doran writes about something you ,the reader, can be assured the result will be an indepth study of her subject matter...no just brush the surface with this writer...Here you will read about the political and social intrigue surrounding Elizabeth I and her courtships.The author focuses on a different approach to the Virgin Queen's trials in trying to govern England and handle the many "would be"and serious suitors.A most interesting and informative book for those interested in history.

5.0 out of 5 stars SUPERB!, July 18, 2010

By 

Patricia Leppla (Tucosn, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Monarchy and Matrimony: The Courtships of Elizabeth I (Hardcover)

During research for a grant on Elizabeth I Tudor and her Foreign Marriage Negotiations, I came across this book. I was blown away by how well Susan Doran presented the complexities and the facts regarding the issue of Marriage that surrounded Elizabeth I Tudor throughout her entire life, while remaining objective. I am completely fascinated by Elizabeth I and her reign. Susan Doran presents her as human, which I think people tend to forget about. Such a great book for anyone interested learning more about the marriage issues surrounded her reign.