The Queen's Bed
An Intimate History of Elizabeth's Court
From the private world of a beloved English queen, a story of intimacy, royalty, espionage, rumor, and subterfuge
Queen Elizabeth I acceded to the throne in 1558, restoring the Protestant faith to England. At the heart of the new queen's court lay her bedchamber, closely guarded by the favored women who helped her dress, looked after her jewels, and shared her bed.
Elizabeth's private life was of public concern. Her bedfellows were witnesses to the face and body beneath the makeup and raiment, as well as to rumored dalliances with such figures as Earl Robert Dudley. Their presence was for security as well as propriety, as the kingdom was haunted by fears of assassination plots and other Catholic stratagems. Such was the significance of the queen's body: it represented the very British state itself.
In The Queen's Bed , the historian Anna Whitelock offers a revealing look at the Elizabethan court and the politics of intimacy. She dramatically reconstructs, for the first time, the queen's quarters and the women who patrolled them. It is a story of sex, gossip, conspiracy, and intrigue brought to life amid the colors, textures, smells, and routines of the royal court.
The women who attended the queen held the truth about her health, chastity, and fertility. They were her friends, confidantes, and spies--nobody knew her better. And until now, historians have overlooked them. The Queen's Bed is a revelatory, insightful look into their daily lives--the untold story of the queen laid bare.
The die is cast -- The enemy sleeps not -- In defence of the Queen's body -- Agent provocateur? -- Unseemly familiarities -- Especial favour -- The deed shall be done -- Blow up the bed -- Nightmares -- Secret son? -- Satan's instruments -- Barricaded from within -- Suspected and discontented persons -- Age and decay -- Abused her body -- The physician's poison -- Love and self-love -- Privy matters -- Foolish and old -- Mask of youth -- The poisoned pommel -- Crooked carcass -- Lese majeste -- Dangerous and malicious ends -- No season to fool -- Age itself is a sickness -- All are in a dump at court -- Deathbed -- Regina Intacta -- The Queen's effigy -- Epilogue : Secret histories.
Elizabeth I, Queen of England, 1533-1603 -- Sexual behavior.
Ladies-in-waiting -- England -- History -- 16th century.
Queens -- England -- Social conditions -- 16th century.
Great Britain -- History -- Elizabeth, 1558-1603.
Great Britain -- Court and courtiers -- History -- 16th century.
Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1558-1603.
Availability | |||
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Call Number | Location | Shelf Location | Status |
HISTORY Europe England Tudor Whi | Main (Downtown) | Third Level, Nonfiction | In |
HISTORY Europe England Tudor Whi | Ballentine Indoors | Nonfiction | In |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 415-441) and index.