| Created 2007..09.15 Updated 2007.10.06 |
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Elizabeth a Shrewd Commander-in-Chief
in Pirate Queen Susan Ronald's biography portrays the cunning and piracy of Elizabeth I. |
Pirate Queen was what the Pope and her former brother in-law Spain's Philip II called her. She had many names. Gloriana, Good Queen Bess, the Faerie Queene, Queen of England, and the Virgin Queen. By that name, in America, the Commonwealth of Virginia was named for her.
Elizabeth played a cunning game of cat and mouse, both in her court and on the high seas. England was in turmoil due to the years of religious strife when Elizabeth ascended the throne. Spain owed the English crown money that would never be repaid, money squandered by her brother in-law to finance Spain's wars. However, Philip wasn't a total loss to Elizabeth. He had saved Elizabeth's head from her older sister Bloody Mary.
Francis Drake was one of Elizabeth's stanches allies on the seas, destroying the invading Spanish Armada in 1588. On land, Elizabeth preferred to fight her own battles. Wearing armor over her dress, she traveled without guards to join her troops at Tilbury and giving a famous speech. During Elizabeth's reign, in the time of Shakespeare, England grew in territories and wealth to become a world power.
Historian Susan Ronald shows Elizabeth I as the ruler she was, not as the conjecture surrounding her personal life. As a ruler she used a strategy of piracy, invention and politics that transformed England into an empire that covered two-fifths of the world. The details for this book were gathered from personal letters and historical document between Elizabeth and her friends and foes. It gives extensive details how the Elizabeth was able to capture such a large part of the world.
This book will be of interest to all who love history and especially those who like navel battles.
The Pirate Queen
Hardcover: 471 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (June 26, 2007)
Language: English 16 pages of b&w illus.; maps.
ISBN-10: 0060820667 $26.95