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Description
Elizabeth Tudor's teenage years are hardly those of a fairy-tale princess. Her father has beheaded her mother; her jealous half sister has her locked away in the Tower of London; and her only love has betrayed her in his own quest for the throne. Told in the voice of the young Elizabeth and... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis
Cast of Characters/Important People
- Princess Elizabeth: The main character, Elizabeth tells her story in the first person. Elizabeth is clear minded, tolerant and actually has plans for improving England - unlike her half-sister, Mary Tudor. Elizabeth wants to become queen but will not resort to assassination attempts or plots to overthrow the queen - she simply waits for the queen, much older than she is, to die.
- Mary Tudor (Queen Mary): Elizabeth is next in line for the throne after Mary, who becomes queen when Kind Edward VI dies. Mary is vengeful and mean spirited - she has Protestants burned at the stake, she imprisons her sister in the Tower of London, and she has many others executed. She is also mentally unstable, deluding herself into thinking she's pregnant twice and making the country go along with it.
- Kat Ashley: Kat is Elizabeth's faithful friend and companion, who has been her governess since Elizabeth was three. Kat, lower in status than Elizabeth, is able to bring Elizabeth gossip and news from the outside world.
- Lady Jane Grey: One of Elizabeth's cousins, the girls are close friends in their childhood and teen years. However, when King Edward dies, Jane is swept up in a plot to undo the natural succession to the crown. Even though she is innocent in the matter, she is later executed.
- Edward VI: Elizabeth's young and sickly half-brother, Edward becomes king when Henry VIII dies. He is young enough to be influenced and controlled by others with royal aspirations. He dies when he is still quite young.
- Philip of Spain: Mary marries Philip because he is a powerful, influential and charming man. However, most of England is not happy to be allied with Spain in such a way. Philip seems flirtatious and open to having an affair with Elizabeth, but Elizabeth resists his affection for fear of Mary's wrath.
- Robin Dudley: As teenagers, Robin and Elizabeth came close to romance; but Robin married someone else. After this, Elizabeth vowed never to marry.
First Sentence
"The king is dead."
Table of Contents
Series
This book is in the Young Royals series.
Authors & Contributors
- Carolyn Meyer (Author)
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