The Public and Private Worlds of Elizabeth I [Hardcover]

Susan Watkins (Author), Mark Fiennes (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1998

This volume takes us to the heart of one of history's most abiding love stories: in plays and pageants, cameos and medallions and portraits, in the great country houses, their interior furnishings and their gardens, the royal image of Elizabeth I evoked a devoted passion, for to love Elizabeth was to love England. Elizabeth not only personified an era, but also a national style. This text focuses on Elizabeth I's precarious early life in England, and on her efforts to deal with the twin problems of invasion and plots by fostering a deeply romantic view of herself. The romance was expressed in Court life and festivities, the physical environment of the great houses and palaces and in her personal relationships with her subjects - all recreated and illustrated in this book.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Acutely aware of the power of the populace to threaten and even topple governments, Queen Elizabeth I of England continually courted the favor of her subjects. In a series of shrewdly calculated public-relations moves, she encouraged the use of the royal image and her personal coat of arms in every imaginable format on every conceivable artifact. In addition to a host of well-known portraits and miniatures, Elizabeth's likeness was emblazoned on cameos, medallions, book jackets, and tapestries. Heavy pieces of period furniture featured carvings of triumphal royal scenes. Subtle signs and symbols venerating the monarchy were skillfully interwoven into the architectural and garden designs of the Elizabethan era. Vividly adorned with more than 150 color photographs, the text outlines the details of court life and analyzes Elizabeth's lifelong obsession with her public persona. A stunning browsing item. Margaret Flanagan

Review

[T]reats a familiar, perpetually popular subject in a fresh way by approaching it through the visual record left by Elizabeth--not simply portraits of the monarch but of her homes, her collections, her possessions (her riding boots, her saddle, her gloves); impersonal historic grandeur becomes immediate and intimate here. -- Boston Globe, 6 December 1998

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500018693
• ISBN-13: 978-0500018699
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,541,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( E ) > Elizabeth I
  • #77 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Historical > British > Elizabeth I

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book for those who love Elizabeth I, July 26, 1999

By 

Charles Burke - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Public and Private Worlds of Elizabeth I (Hardcover)

The Public and Private Worlds of Elizabeth I is a nicely written look into her personal and private life. It is very informational; from the workings of Elizabethan politics to the fashion of the time. It is informative with out getting overly academic. It is great for anyone wishing to research and/or recreate aspects of that time period. I encourage anyone who is intererested in Elizabeth I to purchase this book. One of the greatest features of this book is the full color pictures. Definitely a must have!!! A wonderful coffee table book too.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well balanced biography, May 13, 2007

By 

Shakespeare teacher (Seattle , WA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Public and Private Worlds of Elizabeth I (Hardcover)

After checking this book out of the library multiple times, I decided to buy it because of the balanced overview of the Queen and her England. Many biographies of Queen Elizabeth I are riddled with the author's personal prejudice for or against the Queen and this one does not. I enjoy the photos as do students in the workshops I teach.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read!, May 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Public and Private Worlds of Elizabeth I (Hardcover)

Excellent, excellent book for anyone who is interested in Quenn Elizabeth I or the Elizabethan era. Interesting little tidbits of knowledge about court life, politics and Elizabeth's private life. The pictures are absolutely beautiful and go along so well with the the written text. Definate A+!