List Price: $21.99 Details

Save: $8.40 (38%)

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime & FREE Returns

FREE delivery Thursday, July 14 if you spend $25 on items shipped by Amazon

Or fastest delivery Saturday, July 9. Order within 17 hrs 42 mins

In Stock.

[{"displayPrice":"$13.59","priceAmount":13.59,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"13","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"59","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"Ke7v7GcxV2HdNYSHrsAB3nuKJqVjeegWFprOgk%2B8vU%2B%2BUamDa12CNGl7Y8pEgn4smr0SsG5RE5BdXTWtyoFTsA5Xf8t%2FMS20M3rm2W5OSXpO0M7EkOWutVh2b%2Fje6VRkjaT58DenFDU%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW"},{"displayPrice":"$5.29","priceAmount":5.29,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"5","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"29","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"h6txcvnpR22C%2BXUy8HQNN4ibG5PX%2BzT414%2FpLHpx92MzAOHcrSmL2sN4il2ew4UkURmSNsGr5glq80tbFBJGU1PkzsIuXjpaTbcKSGpmii7OSVSGBAjbgg3fNu1pA45lAKLoBE%2BE%2Fobw%2BhBn4641xdFBRbC77hGAW91FZLviJsTRyVYkmV9HMjx3R3fHnhlh","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED"}]

$$13.59 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Secure transaction

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Details

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Return policy: Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

FREE delivery July 15 - 21. Details

Or fastest delivery July 13 - 18. Details

Select delivery location

Used: Acceptable | Details

Sold by YourOnlineBookstore

Add to List

Added to

Unable to add item to List. Please try again.

Share

Have one to sell?

Sell on Amazon

Other Sellers on Amazon

Added

Not added

$8.45
+ $5.13 shipping

Sold by: Cross Little Station

Added

Not added

$16.00
FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon.

Sold by: Santa Monica WHOLESALE

Added

Not added

$18.59
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: SuperBookDeals---

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See this image

Follow the Author

Christopher Hibbert

The Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I, Genius Of The Golden Age Paperback – June 21, 1992

by Christopher Hibbert (Author)

65 ratings

See all formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Hardcover

"Please retry"

$17.49

$4.00

Paperback

"Please retry"

$13.59

$8.45

$1.52

Audio, Cassette, Unabridged, Audiobook

"Please retry"

$39.87

—

$39.87

Enhance your purchase

An intimate portrait of history's most fascinating monarch
A genius, a beauty, a leader, and a manipulator. Elizabeth I has fascinated and enthralled history buffs and Anglophiles for centuries. The era that bears her name was one of the most exciting and dazzling in England's history. Christopher Hibbert's masterful biography introduces a new generation of readers, aware of the challenges women face in wielding power, to perhaps history's greatest monarch.

Print length

336 pages
Language

English
Publication date

June 21, 1992
Dimensions

9.26 x 6.17 x 0.89 inches
ISBN-10

0201608170
ISBN-13

978-0201608175
Lexile measure

1400L
See all details

Products related to this item
Sponsored Hide feedback

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1

Laura Brennan
24
Hardcover
$22.75 List: $34.95 (35% off)
Get it as soon as Thursday, Jul 14
FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon
Only 4 left in stock - order soon.
Tudor Times
12
Hardcover
$20.53 List: $24.95 (18% off)
Get it as soon as Thursday, Jul 14
FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon
Only 13 left in stock - order soon.
Alison Weir
1,137
Paperback
$11.99 List: $18.00 (33% off)
Michael W. Simmons
75
Paperback
$16.99
Get it as soon as Thursday, Jul 14
FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this work--a History Book Club and BOMC selection in cloth--a skillful storyteller and historian refreshes long-familiar facts about the monarch who lent her name to England's glittering Elizabethan era. Illustrated.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Christopher Hibbert has written many well-received biographies, including, most recently, Queen Victoria. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and an Honorary Doctor of Letters of Leicester University.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Da Capo Press; 1st edition (June 21, 1992)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0201608170
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0201608175
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1400L
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.03 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.26 x 6.17 x 0.89 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #839,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,659 in Royalty Biographies
- #1,923 in Historical British Biographies
- #2,019 in England History

Customer Reviews:
65 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Christopher Hibbert

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Christopher Hibbert (born Arthur Raymond Hibbert) MC (5 March 1924 – 21 December 2008), was an English writer, historian and biographer. He has been called "a pearl of biographers" (New Statesman) and "probably the most widely-read popular historian of our time and undoubtedly one of the most prolific" (The Times). Hibbert was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the author of many books, including The Story of England, Disraeli, Edward VII, George IV, The Rise and Fall of the House of Medici, and Cavaliers and Roundheads.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Products related to this item
Sponsored Hide feedback

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1

Customer reviews

5 star		73%
4 star		16%
3 star		6%
2 star		5%
1 star		1%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

J. Okamoto

a good read for those who are interested in Elizabeth I

Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2004

Verified Purchase

This is a biography of Elizabeth I, The Virgin Queen. And that's exactly what it is. Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry the VIII is a legend, which Mr. Hibbert attempts to address. Often, this is a dry and, at times, tedious read. However, the details of Elizabeth's physical appearance, politics, and idiosyncracies are extremely interesting. The author details life with Elizabeth and her court, including both of the Queen Marys, Robert Dudley, Sirs Walter Raleigh and William Cecil and others.
The time line is obscure - Mr. Hibbert jumps around quite a bit and it can be confusing to the reader that isn't paying exacting attention. I wouldn't recommend it to a casual reader looking for a lot of melodrama and action. But, all in all, this is a good read for those who are interested in Elizabeth I.

18 people found this helpful

Helpful

Val

Good read

Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2021

Verified Purchase

Gave rare insight into monarch

Helpful

Kenneth E. Sale

A good account of Elizabeth - captures her difficult early life

Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2016

Verified Purchase

A good account of Elizabeth - captures her difficult early life, which strengthened her character for being a queen -- and leading England from a small, not very significant country, to one that took a world leadership position.

Helpful

WAHJ78

Good book. Product in great ship an advertised as ...

Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2015

Verified Purchase

Good book. Product in great ship and advertised as said.

Helpful

Diane Schirf

Elizabeth as supporting player

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2006

The name "Elizabethan" invokes a vision of an era of sumptuous dress, religious strife, European conflict, and the flourishing of the dramatic arts. The Virgin Queen is a study of the ruler for whom the time is named, and her rule, which lasted for an almost-unprecedented 45 years.

Hibbert takes a primarily episodic approach to Elizabeth's life, from her birth as the unwanted daughter of Henry VIII and his second, ill-fated wife, Ann Boleyn. When Henry finally produces a legitimate male heir, Elizabeth is reduced from "princess" to "lady." After her unpopular, Catholic half-sister Mary ascends to the throne and she is vaguely implicated in some plots against the new queen, Elizabeth is imprisoned despite her seeming subservience and her pleas of innocence, devotion, and loyalty.

Raised away from the court by hired nobility and taught by Cambridge scholars, Elizabeth appears to be both demure and autocratic. The important point is "appears," because, while Elizabeth in her correspondence is deferential and in her appearance demure, her peers invariably see her as withdrawn, haughty, and "proud and disdainful"-traits that "much blemished the handsomeness and beauty of her person" (Sir William Sidney). Mary, not unjustifiably paranoid, does not believe in Elizabeth's humility, honesty, or loyalty. Hibbert's portrayal of Elizabeth, who craves the adoration of peers, councilors, and subjects alike, seems to support Mary's assessment.

Elizabeth proves to be arrogant and autocratic, allowing no one to question either her or her rights as ruler. She is keenly aware of the importance of having the support of the populace, which she enjoys in contrast to the despised "Bloody Mary." She ignores the advice of privy council, however, when it suits her, occasionally to the detriment of her popularity.

Hibbert does not explain why or how Elizabeth, kept out of the way during the reigns of her half-brother and half-sister, became so popular. This points to one of the flaws of Hibbert's episodic approach; recounting Elizabeth's life in terms of "Subjects and Suitors" (although not all of them), "Papists and Puritans," "The Queen in her Privy Chamber," "Traitors and Rebels" (again, not all of them), and so forth, veils or distorts much of the historical context of Elizabeth's development and reign. Within one chapter, she may be young at one point and in late middle age at another. With England's changing allegiances and relationships with France and Spain, it is difficult to track what is happening at a given time and why. Elizabeth's most noted accomplishment, England's defeat of the Spanish armada, is covered briefly and superficially, almost as an aside, leaving the reader with the impression that it was happenstance that no one, including Elizabeth or the privy council, had much to do with; it just happened, with little explanation.

The tale of Elizabeth's suitors can be equally confusing. Hibbert describes her negotiations with Henry, Duke of Anjou (later Henry III of France), when he was 20 and, "in fact, twenty years younger than herself." A few pages later, Hibbert discusses her negotiations with his younger brother Francis when Francis is "not yet nineteen" and she is 39, yet it appears that the talks with the older brother occurred first, which would make sense. Even more confusing, the negotiations with younger brother Francis continued until she was 45 (they would be the last hopes of getting her married).

Elizabeth's treatment of religious conflict is glossed over. While Mary is noted for her brutal repression of Protestants, Elizabeth, at least in this biography, is a conservative Protestant who fears and loathes radicals of any kind, Protestant or Catholic. During her reign, repression is focused primarily on the rebellious poor; she is less interested in punishing the wealthy nobility than in grabbing their riches.

As portrayed by Hibbert, Elizabeth is a parsimonious, greedy, emotionally needy woman who wishes to rule absolutely but who cannot make a necessary, definitive decision, such as signing the death warrant for her conniving cousin, Mary Stuart. The privy council, led by Lord Burghley, the Earl of Leicester, and others, devote much of their efforts to manipulating this indecisive autocrat into decisions they want and to making sure that she cannot renege on them-an ironic situation for the woman who says to Burghley's son, "Little man, little man, the word must is not to be used to princes."

There are several weaknesses in addition to the episodic structure. For example, the queen herself is not quoted often enough in key areas, yet Hibbert devotes one-third of a page to Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem speculating about how she might have felt during her confinement in the Tower of London.

Most notably, however, the book's subtitle is never explained-neither why the era is "golden" nor why the queen was the "genius" of it. While the biography makes it clear that Elizabeth had a strong personality, as did her parents, the nation's successes seem to have been the work of the privy council under the leadership of Lord Burghley and of adventurers like Sir Walter Ralegh. Elizabeth is not shown even to have played a role in, for example, nurturing the famed playwrights of the time, such as Shakespeare, Marlow, and Beaumont. The subtitle implies that Elizabeth's brilliance inspired a benign, cultured age, while the text shows a woman so cold and petty that, when her best friend and seeming lover Leicester dies, she worries only about controlling his estates and monies, and so indecisive that her own privy councilors avoid working with her whenever possible. The age itself is brutal, with the crowd "disgusted by the spectacle" of a drawing and quartering performed, against tradition, while the victims are still alive.

At best, The Virgin Queen is a brief, superficial biography that leaves the reader hungry for more-more about Burghley, Leicester, Mary Stuart, and others, but not about Elizabeth herself, who somehow becomes a supporting player in her own biography.

10 people found this helpful

Helpful

Gary Selikow

The life of England's greatest monarch

Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2008

Hibbert provides a factual and rivetting narrative on the life of Queen Elizabeth I, one of England's greatest rulers, and the last of England's Tudor rulers, with emphasis on her personal life, character and personality, and particular quirks.

The prologue summarizes the reign of Elizabeth,especially relating to Elizabeth's mother Anne Boleyn right up to Boleyn's execution.

She was brought up in various households, at different times, including that of her younger half-brother Prince, Edward the son of Jane Seymour and after King Henry's death, the household of Henry's last wife Catherine Parr.
She was heard, in later life, only to refer to her mother twice. While she proudly referred to herself as the daughter of Henry VIII, she was never ashamed to be a Boleyn and kept a ring that contained a miniature of Anne Boleyn. she also, on occasion used her mother's symbol, the falcon, a bird of pray in which the female bird is larger than the male of the species.

At the time of her mother's execution Princess Elizabeth was two years and eight months old. She was a pretty child far more closely resembling her father than her mother, with her red hair as opposed to her mother's darker colouring.
She was soon stripped of her title of princess and declared illegitimate.
Elizabeth who was an incredibly bright child, did not notice that her mother was gone but she did notice the change of her name. She apparently said to her governess. "how haps it governor, yesterday my Lady Princess, today but my Lady Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth must have grown up under great trauma , her mother executed when she was three years old, on her father's orders, all but rejected by her father and declared 'illegitimate.'

Elizabeth was well educated by her governess Kat Ashley, she was an accomplished poet and writer, she was taught several languages, spent several hours a day reading history and could play several musical instruments. She was said by her tutor to have read more Greek every day than many church prebendaries did in a whole week.

At the age of 14, living in the household of the Queen Dowager Catherin Parr, Elizabeth was seduced by the Lord Admiral Sir Thomas Seymour, and the author describes something of the sexual games and romps between Elizabeth and Sir Thomas, sometimes involving Elizabeth's governess Kat Ashley. Elizabeth was only a child and certainly could not be held responsible for her involvement in this fling.

She chose a moderate path being a sincere and devout believer but rejecting both the fanatic Roman Catholicism of her sister Mary and the severe Puritanism of some fierce church reformers.
AS monarch she was to preside over an England with greater religious tolerance than it had ever enjoyed before, with both Protestants and Catholics as her chief office bearers.

After the accession to her tyrannical older sister Mary, , who had hundreds of Protestants burned to death, hence earning her name 'Bloody Mary' Elizabeth, who was then nineteen, came under suspicion of involvement in treasonable plots and kept in a state of and was closely watched.
She was for a time imprisoned in the tower of London where she wrote "Much suspected by me
Nothing proved can be,
Quoth Elizabeth, prisoner"
Queen Mary's death, in 1558, was surely a great relief for both Elizabeth and the Protestants of England.
She succeeded to the throne of an impoverished divided country, menaced b both France and Spain, and with the able assistance of William Cecil (later Lord Burghley), she overcame all her difficulties including a religious settlement, fending off England's enemies and building up England's strength including it's navy. The book describes life in Elizabeth's court, and how she gained the love and adherence of her people. Elizabeth was the greatest and the best loved of all the English monarchs. The author describes how Elizabeth was intelligent, self-willed, brave and astute, but as regards her to her marriage and her foreign and religious policies she avoided decisions as long as possible.

The author describes Elizabeth's refusal to sign the warrant for the execution of her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots. To the privy council she asked "Can I put to death the bird that to escape the pursuit of the hawk has fled to my feet for protection. Honour and conscience forbid."

Mary's constant plotting made the decision inevitable and Elizabeth was practically forced by the council finally to sign Elizabeth's execution warrant, but with great anguish and remorse.

Much is described here of the Queen's court favourites who she lavished attention on, such as Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex, but she never allowed them to influence the nation's affairs, for she kept her own council trusting no one entirely except perhaps Lord Cecil.
The author expertly describes how she rallied the nation to England's defence during the invasion by the Spanish Armada in 1588.
Who can forget her rousing speech to the people of England defending her country's sovereignty:
"I have...they shall be duly paid to you."Let tyrants fear, I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust. I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean time, my lieutenant general2 shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people"
t is aforeshadow of Churchill's speech we he told Britain that "We will defend our island whatever the cost may be." Churchill: A Life
Another great women leading a nation besieged by bloodthirsty enemies intent on her destruction was Golda Meir My Life
The book richly and beautifuly details, how above all how Elizabeth possessed a dazzling personality that won men's devotion. She expressed this to herself when she said to her last parliament, as the author recounts, "This I count the chief glory of my crown , that I have resigned with your loves".

It as a very smooth read that remains interesting throughout and brings colour and excitement to a very exciting time in England's history.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Michele Gasper

Great read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2018

Verified Purchase

I took a goodly while to read this book about Elizabeth, but really enjoyed it all. It was written partly in a documentary factual style and partly as more of a story which of course it is anyway.
The character of Elizabeth really shone through and it was a very enjoyable and informative read.

David N

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2018

Verified Purchase

interesting look at a very tough and scheming lady

Alessio Pimpinelli

A Must

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2017

Verified Purchase

Comprehensive and well detailed biography about the life and politics of this great Queen. The style and fluency is very readable even for a non-specialist. Highly recommended.

One person found this helpful

abi21gail

WONDERFUL

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2013

Verified Purchase

As ever, Hibbert handles his subjects thoroughly, interestingly, and in a wonderful flowing writing style. Though there is nothing radical here, it is a great general book to gain insight and information on Elizabeth and her court. Excellent.

One person found this helpful

Treereaver

Detailed but easy read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 27, 2017

Verified Purchase

A highly detailed book that is easy to read. I have given it 5 stars because of its high quality and level of historical veracity.

See all reviews

Buy new: $13.59$13.59 FREE delivery: Thursday, July 14 on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon. Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com

Buy used: $5.29

Sorry, there was a problem.

Sorry, there was a problem.

Other Sellers on Amazon

Follow the Author

The Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I, Genius Of The Golden Age Paperback – June 21, 1992

Enhance your purchase

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Product details

Videos

About the author

Christopher Hibbert

Customer reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries

Buy new:

$13.59

FREE delivery: Thursday, July 14 on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon.

Ships from: Amazon.com

Sold by: Amazon.com

Buy used:

$5.29