Elizabeth I: Collected Works

Elizabeth I: Collected Works

Product Description This long-awaited and masterfully edited volume contains nearly all of the writings of Queen Elizabeth I: the clumsy letters of childhood, the early speeches of a fledgling queen, and the prayers and poetry of the monarchs later years. The first collection of its kind, Elizabeth I reveals brilliance on two counts: that of the Queen, a dazzling writer and a leading intellect of the English Renaissance, and that of the editors, whose copious annotations make the book not only essential to scholars but accessible to general readers as well. This collection shines a light onto the character and experience of one of the most interesting of monarchs. . . . We are likely never to get a closer or clearer look at her. An intriguing and intense portrait of a woman who figures so importantly in the birth of our modern world. Publishers Weekly An admirable scholarly edition of the queens literary output. . . . This anthology will excite scholars of Elizabethan history, but there is something here for all of us who revel in the English language.John Cooper, Washington Times Substantial, scholarly, but accessible. . . . An invaluable work of reference.Patrick Collinson, London Review of Books In a single extraordinary volume . . . Marcus and her coeditors have collected the Virgin Queens letters, speeches, poems and prayers. . . . An impressive, heavily footnoted volume. Library Journal This excellent anthology of [Elizabeths] speeches, poems, prayers and letters demonstrates her virtuosity and afford the reader a penetrating insight into her wiles and understandings.Anne Somerset, New Statesman Here then is the only trustworthy collection of the various genres of Elizabeths writings. . . . A fine edition which will be indispensable to all those interested in Elizabeth I and her reign.Susan Doran, History In the torrent of words about her, the queens own words have been hard to find. . . . [This] volume is a major scholarly achievement that makes Elizabeths mind much more accessible than before. . . . A veritable feast of material in different genres.David Norbrook, The New Republic From Publishers Weekly This collection shines a light onto the character and experience of one of the most interesting of monarchs. English professors Marcus (Vanderbilt), Mueller (University of Chicago), and Rose (University of Illinois-Chicago) have collected the speeches, letters, poems and prayers written by Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533-1603), arranged into four chronological groupings. The writings of the first period, from 1533 to 1558, contain no speeches because Elizabeth was then only a princess, daughter of the executed Anne Boleyn, and her principal job was, literally, to keep her head on her shoulders; the less she said, the safer she was. But even after she assumed the crown, she was still faced with the formidable task of staying alive as she forced her advisers to accept a woman as a sovereign and to obey her wishes. Her writings provide an excellent record of how well she was able to accomplish these goals. The speeches of this archetypal Renaissance figure (she wrote in several languages, including ancient Greek) sometimes read more like memos and her prayers occasionally seem like propagandaAbut overall she was proficient enough to write in an elegant, clear voice. Because of the volume of writings contained herein and the extensive, helpful annotations the editors have added, we are likely never to get a closer or clearer look at her. An intriguing and intense portrait of a woman who figures so importantly in the birth of our modern world, this book, though aimed primarily at scholars, could be profitably read and enjoyed by any interested reader. Illus. not seen by PW. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal In a single extraordinary volume, Elizabeth I: Collected Works, Marcus (English, Vanderbilt) and her coed