Lord Robert Dudley, Queen Elizabeth I's lover, and Sir William Cecil, her chief political adviser, were the most powerful men in the country. As their rivalry intensified, they competed by creating ever more fabulous gardens for their queen. Dudley's aim was to woo her; Cecil's, to stop Dudley in his tracks. Dudley set out an intoxicatingly romantic garden, and threw spectacular outdoor parties for his queen; Cecil countered by building a sumptuous palace with amazing gardens overseen by the most famous gardener in the country, John Gerard. This is the beguiling story of a lifelong duel. For Elizabeth, these gardens were places for love and intrigue, power play and spectacular design.
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'The heart of the book contains strong, precise description and thoughtful analysis. Martyn guides us with ease around the great gardens, explaining the ideas behind them, their planning and geometry, hydraulics and planting, alluding in passing to the works of Spenser and Sidney as well as Hill's 'Gardener's Labyrinth' and Gerard's 'Herbal' ... an elegantly produced book.' --Jenny Uglow, Sunday Telegraph
'Martyn's book is useful in highlighting the importance of the garden in the Elizabethan imagination. It's also timely, with plans afoot to trace the remains of the long-destroyed Theobalds, and a project to recreate Leicester's garden at Kenilworth now well under way ... fantastical details of the gardens themselves - rosemary leaves covered in gold leaf catch the light, visitors rowed through a shady labyrinth of canals - intrigue every inch of the way.' --Sarah Gristwood, BBC History Magazine
'Trea Martyn's descriptions of gardens ... are excellent, and she carries her knowledge lightly. In evocative and lively prose she leads the reader along immaculately raked sand paths, past rosemary bushes (every needle covered with gold leaf), and into Cecil's mansion, where the columns of the great chamber were modelled as such realistic oak trees that birds flew indoors to sit on the branches.' --Andrea Wulf, Guardian
'Martyn's book is useful in highlighting the importance of the garden in the Elizabethan imagination. It's also timely, with plans afoot to trace the remains of the long-destroyed Theobalds, and a project to recreate Leicester's garden at Kenilworth now well under way ... fantastical details of the gardens themselves - rosemary leaves covered in gold leaf catch the light, visitors rowed through a shady labyrinth of canals - intrigue every inch of the way.' --Sarah Gristwood, BBC History Magazine
'Trea Martyn's descriptions of gardens ... are excellent, and she carries her knowledge lightly. In evocative and lively prose she leads the reader along immaculately raked sand paths, past rosemary bushes (every needle covered with gold leaf), and into Cecil's mansion, where the columns of the great chamber were modelled as such realistic oak trees that birds flew indoors to sit on the branches.' --Andrea Wulf, Guardian
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'Trea Martyn's descriptions of gardens ... are excellent, and she carries her knowledge lightly.'
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By V. Ballinger
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The title is rather misleading as I expected more focus on the gardens themselves. However if you're an enthusiast of the Tudor period like me, it's worth buying the book. It covers historical aspects that you won't have come across before.
It's interesting to hear how these immensely expensive gardens were created to ingratiate their owners with the Queen. And also to hear about Elizabeth's visits to the gardens of those who were the closest to her - Darnley and Burghley - their rivalry and to read about the true magnificence of their creations and their cost. You won't believe the amounts spent when converted into today's currency! We also glimpse the the world of the real gardeners behind the scenes and their research, importation and pampering of exotic plants to be used in the gardens of the wealthy. We owe them a debt for what they achieved and these individuals did indeed achieve their own fame and value. We also hear about the unusual difference in climate in Elizabeth's reign, specifically during one or two decades when the summers were sizzling hot and the winters cold. The intense heat of these summers necessitated a method of watering and protecting these plants which you will find hard to believe!
Whilst the book was not what I had expected, I did enjoy it and would recommend it although the main complaint remains in the lack of photographs and designs. Whilst there are some, they don't illuminate the subject and seem to have been incorporated without much thought. That's really disappointing as we now have a partially restored "Kenilworth" but we're unable to see how it must have looked like in Elizabeth and Robert Darnley's days.
It's interesting to hear how these immensely expensive gardens were created to ingratiate their owners with the Queen. And also to hear about Elizabeth's visits to the gardens of those who were the closest to her - Darnley and Burghley - their rivalry and to read about the true magnificence of their creations and their cost. You won't believe the amounts spent when converted into today's currency! We also glimpse the the world of the real gardeners behind the scenes and their research, importation and pampering of exotic plants to be used in the gardens of the wealthy. We owe them a debt for what they achieved and these individuals did indeed achieve their own fame and value. We also hear about the unusual difference in climate in Elizabeth's reign, specifically during one or two decades when the summers were sizzling hot and the winters cold. The intense heat of these summers necessitated a method of watering and protecting these plants which you will find hard to believe!
Whilst the book was not what I had expected, I did enjoy it and would recommend it although the main complaint remains in the lack of photographs and designs. Whilst there are some, they don't illuminate the subject and seem to have been incorporated without much thought. That's really disappointing as we now have a partially restored "Kenilworth" but we're unable to see how it must have looked like in Elizabeth and Robert Darnley's days.
By Anonymous
Format:Hardcover
Just fabulous. Strategy and horticulture wars between Elizabeth's sweetheart, Robert Dudley (Kenilworth) and her trusty secretary, William Cecil (Theobalds). I loved this. Thea Martyn etches the characters of Dudley, Cecil and Elizabeth, while also elucidating the knotty politics of the time.
There are magnificent descriptions of both interiors and exteriors, easily visualised for the reader. Martyn broadens her cultural scope by including some fascinating material on Italianate models for the English gardens. And she also narrows down to intimate portraits of the important English gardeners of the time, their methods and philosophies. Shakespeare is in there too.
Enjoy the fireworks at Kenilworth, the fountains playing at Theobalds, the huge illuminated hedge of rosemary that stunned visitors clattering along in their coaches down the long approach to Kenilworth. Breathtaking. Pour yourself a nice sherry and listen to Vaughan Williams "Variations on a Theme of Thomas Tallis" on Elgar/Vaughan Williams: String Orchestra Works while reading.
There are magnificent descriptions of both interiors and exteriors, easily visualised for the reader. Martyn broadens her cultural scope by including some fascinating material on Italianate models for the English gardens. And she also narrows down to intimate portraits of the important English gardeners of the time, their methods and philosophies. Shakespeare is in there too.
Enjoy the fireworks at Kenilworth, the fountains playing at Theobalds, the huge illuminated hedge of rosemary that stunned visitors clattering along in their coaches down the long approach to Kenilworth. Breathtaking. Pour yourself a nice sherry and listen to Vaughan Williams "Variations on a Theme of Thomas Tallis" on Elgar/Vaughan Williams: String Orchestra Works while reading.
1 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was purchased on behalf of my friend and she was very pleased with it
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