Two Queens in One Isle [Paperback]

Alison Plowden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 25, 2003

The relationship between Queen Elizabeth I of England and her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, is one of the most complex, tempestuous and fascinating in history. United in blood but divided by religion, the two women were in some ways uniquely close; in others, poles apart. Championed by English Catholics as the rightful Queen of England, Mary was nevertheless given protection by her cousin after she was deposed amid outrage at her immoral behaviour. Rumours of papist plots involving Mary were rife and Elizabeth was put under extreme pressure to be rid of this dangerous threat to her sovereignty and to the Protestant church in England. After much reluctance and procrastination Elizabeth finally signed Mary's death warrant. Alison Plowden shows how political fear brought out the worst and yet the best in these women, and how history was overshadowed for centuries afterwards.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A very successful attempt to document and explain a complicated relationship." -- Times Literary Supplement

"Carefully researched and extremely readable." -- The Literary Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: The History Press (October 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750932392
• ISBN-13: 978-0750932394
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,208,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Throughly enjoyable, August 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: TWO QUEENS IN ONE ISLE: The Deadly Relationship of Elizabeth 1 and Mary Queen of Scots (Paperback)

By focusing on Elizabeth and Mary, and the national and international events that influenced them and their actions, both independant and in relation to one another, Alison Plowden beautifuly illuminates "the deadly relationship" between Elizabeth and Mary. Her writting reads like a novel, rending the history alive and vibrant. An excellent book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL!, August 31, 2001

By 

B. Hannan "ladymacbeth" (Earth) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TWO QUEENS IN ONE ISLE: The Deadly Relationship of Elizabeth 1 and Mary Queen of Scots (Paperback)

I read this book for a British History class and loved it. Plowden makes the history of the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary come alive with many anecdotes. She describes in such detail the way the two lived and the era that the reader can almost visualize it.

I've read a few of her other books and they're all wonderful. But this one gives you more than just the stereotypical story you hear "Elizabeth felt threatened. Elizabeth had Mary beheaded." Plowden goes into great depth to show why the decision was so hard on Elizabeth and gave more than just the cursory examintion of Mary's character.

Wonderful read - not just for a class but for pleasure-reading as well!

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It was ok, May 7, 2001

By 

S. Lillyston (Wellington New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: TWO QUEENS IN ONE ISLE: The Deadly Relationship of Elizabeth 1 and Mary Queen of Scots (Paperback)

I was a little disappointed with this book because it didn't cover any new ground for me. But more importantly, the style began to grate on me about half way through the book, to the point where I just wanted to get it over with. I felt Alison Plowden relied too heavily on extracts from comments and speeches made by people of that era. These were popped in every now and again which, for me, meant I would "lose the plot". I'd have to re-read sections because I couldn't remember what point was being made. And, not being an expert in "old English" (despite the fact that I was born in England, and my daughters keep telling me I'm old!), I'd sometimes struggle to understand what was being said. Still, this is only the humble opinion of one reviewer, and I'm sure that there would be a great many people to whom this style would be perfectly acceptable. Having said all that, it wasn't a "bad" book. I'm pleased I bought it, and wouldn't like to have missed out on reading it.