"'God's death, my Lord, I have wished you well, but my favor is not so locked up for you that others shall participate thereof. And if you think to rule here, I will take a course to see you forthcoming. I will have but one mistress and no master.'" (p.166). Elizabeth was speaking to Leicester, angry about rumors of their impending marriage.

"To be a King and wear a crown is more glorious to them that see it than it is a pleasure to them that bear it." (p.219). Elizabeth, on her sovereignty.

"Relations between Elizabeth and her male courtiers reflected the age—old ideals of courtly love, in which the lover pays hopeless court to his unattainable mistress." (p.257). Allison Weir on the politics of Elizabeth's court.

"For men to suffer death in this place is no new thing. Since the beginning of our most...