Introduction and Chapter 1, The Most English Woman in England Summary and Analysis

THE LIFE OF ELIZABETH I chronicles Elizabeth's life from the beginnings of her reign through her death. As a female sovereign, she was constantly battling prejudice in a male-dominated society, and the book examines how she used her femaleness to her advantage. Allison Weir as an author, is more interested in Elizabeth's personal experiences than her grand accomplishments as a monarch, so much of the book focuses on Elizabeth's thoughts, feelings, and relationships rather than a cut-and-dried historical account. The Queen's reign is used as a framework to examine her personal life.

In Chapter One, Elizabeth was determined not to let foreign power influence England's government. Spain's involvement in the reign of her sister, Mary Tudor, was a disaster. She wanted to stress English nationalism...