The relationship between Queen Elizabeth I of England and her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots is a complex one, they were united by blood but divided by religion. Championed by continental and underground English Catholics as the rightful Queen of England, Mary was nevertheless given protection by her cousin after she was deposed amid outrage at her immoral behaviour. Rumours of Papist plots revolving around Mary abounded and Elizabeth was put under extreme pressure to be rid of this dangerous threat to her sovereignty and to the Protestant church in England, but it was only after much reluctance and procrastination that Elizabeth finally signed Mary's long-drafted death warrant. The story of their relationship is narrated here, and analyzed. Alison Plowden shows how political fear brought about the worst and the best in the two queens.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Ms. Plowden writes very well, at a lively pace. I could not put the book down. The title does not deceive - the deadly feud between two very different queens in the British Isles in the 16th century is exactly what the book is about. The story in itself is very interesting and this is one of the best recounts of it I have read. It is quite on a par with the Stephan Zweig famous book about Mary Stewart. The description of the two women is so detailed and thorough that it is almost fiction-like. And yet Ms. Plowden willingly conceded that some elements of this drama will forever remain a mystery. I found it fascinating to read a description of how an initially manageable situation gradually, through the actions mostly of one of the two protagonists, becomes an inescapable tragedy. This was the first book by Ms. Plowden I have read and it certainly put me in mind of reading her other books. I would recommend 'Two Queens in One Isle' to anyone interested in a fairly serious and well-written history read on the 16th century European politics.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
4 reviews
19 of 23 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Throughly enjoyable
9 Aug 2000
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
By focusing on Elizabeth and Mary, and the national and international events that influenced them and their actions, both independant and in relation to one another, Alison Plowden beautifuly illuminates "the deadly relationship" between Elizabeth and Mary. Her writting reads like a novel, rending the history alive and vibrant. An excellent book.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
WONDERFUL!
31 Aug 2001
By B. Hannan
- Published on Amazon.com
I read this book for a British History class and loved it. Plowden makes the history of the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary come alive with many anecdotes. She describes in such detail the way the two lived and the era that the reader can almost visualize it.
I've read a few of her other books and they're all wonderful. But this one gives you more than just the stereotypical story you hear "Elizabeth felt threatened. Elizabeth had Mary beheaded." Plowden goes into great depth to show why the decision was so hard on Elizabeth and gave more than just the cursory examintion of Mary's character.
Wonderful read - not just for a class but for pleasure-reading as well!
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
It was ok
8 May 2001
By S. Lillyston
- Published on Amazon.com
I was a little disappointed with this book because it didn't cover any new ground for me. But more importantly, the style began to grate on me about half way through the book, to the point where I just wanted to get it over with. I felt Alison Plowden relied too heavily on extracts from comments and speeches made by people of that era. These were popped in every now and again which, for me, meant I would "lose the plot". I'd have to re-read sections because I couldn't remember what point was being made. And, not being an expert in "old English" (despite the fact that I was born in England, and my daughters keep telling me I'm old!), I'd sometimes struggle to understand what was being said. Still, this is only the humble opinion of one reviewer, and I'm sure that there would be a great many people to whom this style would be perfectly acceptable. Having said all that, it wasn't a "bad" book. I'm pleased I bought it, and wouldn't like to have missed out on reading it.
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