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The Queen's Bastard
Historians have long whispered that Elizabeth "the Virgin Queen's" passionate, lifelong affair with Robin Dudley, Earl of Leicester, may have led to the birth of a son, Arthur Dudley. In this exquisite sequel to The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, Robin Maxwell fashions a stunning fictional account of the child switched at birth by a lady-in-waiting who foresaw the deleterious political consequences of a royal bastard.
Set against the sweeping, meticulously rendered backdrop of court intrigues, international scandals, and England's battle against the Spanish Armada, The Queen's Bastard deftly juxtaposes Elizabeth and Leicester's tumultuous relationship with the memoirs of the adventurous son lost to them -- yet ultimately discovered.
436 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
About the author
Robin Maxwell
40 books384 followersRobin Maxwell began writing novels about the historical figures she had been obsessing about since graduating from Tufts University with a degree in Occupational Therapy. Her first novel, "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn," now in its 24th printing, won two YA awards and has been translated into fourteen languages. "The Wild Irish" - an epic tale of Ireland's rebel queen, Grace O'Malley - closed out her Elizabethan Quartet, and is now in development for a television series. "Signora Da Vinci" and "Jane: The Woman Who loved Tarzan" are tales of the remarkable women behind two of the world's most beloved wildmen - Maestro Leonardo and Lord Greystoke. She has jumped genres again with "ATLANTOS," now a #1 Amazon Bestseller. Robin lives with her husband of thirty-five years, Max Thomas, at High Desert Eden, a wildlife sanctuary in the Mojave Desert.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
July 12, 2018
A richly atmospheric historical novel hypothesizing the claim of one Arthur Dudley, and the premise that his claim to be a son of Elizabeth I and her paramour Robert Dudley was true.
We are certain that Elizabeth II, a vital woman with a strong appetite for things physical like dancing, riding and hunting was no virgin!
And we can be sure that her great love relationship with Robert Dudley had a physical side.
Could her relationship have led to the birth of a child, whose pregnancy she hid on one of her summer progresses. then spirited away by the
Queen's trusty servant Kat Ashley and her Prime Minister William Cecil, while Elizabeth was told the child had died?
Far fetched? Could have happened.
There was a man who did claim to be the child of suck a liaison, who knows?
Large parts of Arthur's journal detail the life he is given by Maxwell, included his love for horses inherited by his father , his cruel tretment at the hands of his insane adoptive mother Maud, his first sexual liaison, his military adventures in the Netherlands where he becomes a trusted confidante of William Prince of Orange and takes part in the struggle of Dutch Protestants for independence I partiucarly like the dutch section of the novel-it was rich and lively). And his adventures as a spy in Catholic Spain of the Inquisition and his love for a young Marrano Jewish widow
Lots on the romance between Elizabeth and Dudley and a great chapter on the defeat of the Spanish Armada which was prophesied.
Interesting perspectives and coverage of the great philosopher and seer Doctor John Dee.
A tight packed historical novel...brilliant visual details. Also a good story, swift, various and at all times exciting
We are certain that Elizabeth II, a vital woman with a strong appetite for things physical like dancing, riding and hunting was no virgin!
And we can be sure that her great love relationship with Robert Dudley had a physical side.
Could her relationship have led to the birth of a child, whose pregnancy she hid on one of her summer progresses. then spirited away by the
Queen's trusty servant Kat Ashley and her Prime Minister William Cecil, while Elizabeth was told the child had died?
Far fetched? Could have happened.
There was a man who did claim to be the child of suck a liaison, who knows?
Large parts of Arthur's journal detail the life he is given by Maxwell, included his love for horses inherited by his father , his cruel tretment at the hands of his insane adoptive mother Maud, his first sexual liaison, his military adventures in the Netherlands where he becomes a trusted confidante of William Prince of Orange and takes part in the struggle of Dutch Protestants for independence I partiucarly like the dutch section of the novel-it was rich and lively). And his adventures as a spy in Catholic Spain of the Inquisition and his love for a young Marrano Jewish widow
Lots on the romance between Elizabeth and Dudley and a great chapter on the defeat of the Spanish Armada which was prophesied.
Interesting perspectives and coverage of the great philosopher and seer Doctor John Dee.
A tight packed historical novel...brilliant visual details. Also a good story, swift, various and at all times exciting
February 23, 2021
3.5 stars. This was an interesting history fiction book about Queen Elizabeth I with a twist. What if she had an child that was switched for a still born at birth and lived close by? It was somewhat enjoyable but I had hard time believing in the story completely even though anything can happen in fiction even if it's not the truth.
January 4, 2025
Ένα ιστορικό κι ατμοσφαιρικό βιβλίο με ρεαλιστικές περιγραφές στο τρόπο ζωής και στις συνήθειες της εποχής.
Η υπόθεση είναι ο καρπός του έρωτα της Ελισάβετ με τον Ρόμπερτ, τον παιδικό της φίλο.
Γίνονται κάποιες αναφορές και στην Άννα την μητέρα της Ελισάβετ, καθώς και στο ημερολόγιο αυτής, που είναι και το προηγούμενο βιβλίο φυσικά οι Χίλιες μέρες βασίλισσα.
Η υπόθεση είναι ο καρπός του έρωτα της Ελισάβετ με τον Ρόμπερτ, τον παιδικό της φίλο.
Γίνονται κάποιες αναφορές και στην Άννα την μητέρα της Ελισάβετ, καθώς και στο ημερολόγιο αυτής, που είναι και το προηγούμενο βιβλίο φυσικά οι Χίλιες μέρες βασίλισσα.
March 21, 2010
Dear authors everywhere,
Entire chapters in italics are annoying and unnecessary. Italics are to emphasize important points. If you believe your readers are too stupid to realize when a different character's voice is being used, you 1) are a poor character writer, 2) don't respect your readers and 3) could simply use the device of using the character's name as the chapter title.
For the record, I do not read chapters printed entirely in italicized type. Therefore, I read only about half of this book. The parts I did read were not too bad.
Entire chapters in italics are annoying and unnecessary. Italics are to emphasize important points. If you believe your readers are too stupid to realize when a different character's voice is being used, you 1) are a poor character writer, 2) don't respect your readers and 3) could simply use the device of using the character's name as the chapter title.
For the record, I do not read chapters printed entirely in italicized type. Therefore, I read only about half of this book. The parts I did read were not too bad.
September 3, 2016
What would have happened if Queen Elizabeth I had an illegitimate son and he lived to tell the tale?This book gives an answer of sorts.The book follows the queen's son's adventures and it also follows the story of Elizabeth and Robert Dudley's relationship.I liked the vivid descriptions about horses,english towns,country life and battles.Although,I found the relationship between Robert and the Queen plausible I felt I couldn't say the same for the story of Arthur Dudley.
His exploits seemed far fetched at points but this aspect didn't ruin the book for me as I just kept in mind I was reading fiction and went with the story.If you like loosing yourself in the Tudor era you may want to read this.
His exploits seemed far fetched at points but this aspect didn't ruin the book for me as I just kept in mind I was reading fiction and went with the story.If you like loosing yourself in the Tudor era you may want to read this.
November 26, 2017
Todos los años, sin proponérmelo, termino leyendo algún libro ambientado en la época isabelina. El año pasado fueron Isabel y Essex (Lytton Strachey) y María Estuardo ( Stefan Zweig). Sabiendo a grandes rasgos su historia, nunca me aburre.
Con esta novela, me han dado ganas de montar a caballo. Uno de mis animales preferidos. Tienen gran protagonismo.
Encontraréis varias desviaciones históricas (el hecho del que parte ya es bastante cuestionable) pero no deja de ser entretenida, y un poco telenovela venezolana (pero eso no me ha importado). Los guiños a personajes de esa época y episodios que narra (la vida de Arthur y su participación en algunos sucesos históricos) lo compensan todo. Muy bien cerrada.
Con esta novela, me han dado ganas de montar a caballo. Uno de mis animales preferidos. Tienen gran protagonismo.
Encontraréis varias desviaciones históricas (el hecho del que parte ya es bastante cuestionable) pero no deja de ser entretenida, y un poco telenovela venezolana (pero eso no me ha importado). Los guiños a personajes de esa época y episodios que narra (la vida de Arthur y su participación en algunos sucesos históricos) lo compensan todo. Muy bien cerrada.
March 25, 2017
Un excelente libro para los amantes de la historia el cual narra la vida del hijo bastardo de la reina Isabel I, el cual esta excelentemente bien documentado gracias a la ardua investigación de la autora y que une todos esos puntos de una manera magistral relatándonos la vida de este personaje llamado Arthur, he de confesar que me tarde leyéndolo mas de lo que esperaba pero es que hay ciertas partes en las cuales la narrativa se hace un poco pesada y un tanto aburrida pero fuera de eso nos llena de puntos interesante que tal vez desconocíamos de la vida de la reina y que en parte son verdad mezclado con ficción pero que nos deja con la duda y probablemente la certeza de que pudo ser verdad, al conocer el trabajo de esta autora me han dado ganas de leer mas de ella por lo bien documentado que esta su trabajo...
April 1, 2016
I received a Kindle for Christmas which came with 1 month of free Amazon Prime. This allowed me to pick out 1 book to be "lent" to my Kindle; it will disappear from my books at the end of the month. Since I love historical fiction I picked out this book.
I'm giving it a 3 star rating. Would have given it a 4 star rating but it seemed to drag a little in the middle of the story. I would still recommend this to those who enjoy historical fiction, especially British history set during the time of Elizabeth I's reign during the late 1500's and early 1600's.
The plot is based on the premise of what if Elizabeth I and her long time close friend and possible lover, Lord Robert Dudley (who would become the Earl of Leicester), had conceived a child together. Evidently the author found in his research of King Philip of Spain that a Arthur Dudley had been arrested in Spain and sent to prison after he had approached a "spy". Arthur had claimed that he was the bastard son of Queen Elizabeth and Robert Dudley.
This novel's strong points are that it is very rich in historical details and as I stated above, it only lagged somewhat in the middle of the story.
I'm giving it a 3 star rating. Would have given it a 4 star rating but it seemed to drag a little in the middle of the story. I would still recommend this to those who enjoy historical fiction, especially British history set during the time of Elizabeth I's reign during the late 1500's and early 1600's.
The plot is based on the premise of what if Elizabeth I and her long time close friend and possible lover, Lord Robert Dudley (who would become the Earl of Leicester), had conceived a child together. Evidently the author found in his research of King Philip of Spain that a Arthur Dudley had been arrested in Spain and sent to prison after he had approached a "spy". Arthur had claimed that he was the bastard son of Queen Elizabeth and Robert Dudley.
This novel's strong points are that it is very rich in historical details and as I stated above, it only lagged somewhat in the middle of the story.
March 21, 2008
If you ever found yourself sitting around after watching the yearly Queen Elizabeth movie and thinking, "Man, will the whole Elizabeth story thing EVER get old?" then this book shouts, "YES! IT'S OLD!" Had to force myself to finish it. Several times, after a few chapters, I felt I'd watched some Wal-Mart produced, Hallmark channel morality play that a crazed producer decided to set in Elizabethan England instead of the Cracker Barrel-esque Smokey Mountains. The most redeeming part of the book is that it's nearly ten years old so, hopefully, the movie window for it has closed.
June 16, 2012
"Mio affezionato popolo," cominciò Elisabetta con voce vigorosa e ferma "i miei consiglieri,temendo per la mia vita, non volevano che io venissi qui fra di voi. Ma come potete vedere non ho prestato loro ascolto, perché io credo nella lealtà dei miei sudditi che sono la mia forza e non la mia debolezza. E così sono venuta qui, al culmine della battaglia, per vivere o morire con voi! Posso avere il corpo debole e fragile di una donna," proseguì Elisabetta, la voce elevata fin quasi a un grido "ma ho il cuore e le viscere di un re, e di un re d'Inghilterra per giunta!"
January 26, 2016
I wish the book focused more on Arthur Dudley and less on the Queen and Robert Dudley. I understand the need for historical context, however the switching in perspective was distracting and in my opinion unnecessary.
March 28, 2018
Historically the book was good. Learned quite a bit about William of Orange and Phillip of Spain that I did not know though I have read many Elizabeth books. The character of Arthur however, while apparently historical, was not believable. His interactions with Elizabeth and Robin were too contrived, and his survival in battles, etc., unbelievable. Would have been nice, but just read too much like a simple fairy tale and not a book to have any merit. Disappointing.
January 21, 2023
One of THE BEST Historical Fictions I’ve read. It has the perfect amounts of factual integration, spice, drama, as well as giving the reader insight into politics of the days. You come to understand each character and grow fond of Arthur as he becomes a man. I recommend this to everyone! It is truly enthralling!
Although I love Arthur dearly, it seems he has it so easy throughout the book, luck just being on his side! I wonder what it would’ve been like if he faced more challenges with a harder resolution.
Although I love Arthur dearly, it seems he has it so easy throughout the book, luck just being on his side! I wonder what it would’ve been like if he faced more challenges with a harder resolution.
September 8, 2013
In this book in which Robin Maxwell draws upon some historic clues to posit that Queen Elizabeth and Robin Dudley had a baby early in their relationship. The pregnancy was hidden through cleverness of dressing and also the Queen's summer "Progress" in which she travels throughout the realm to show her support for the people and gain theirs for herself. I am reading this historical fiction just after reading a history of Catherine de Medici, Queen and Queen Regent of France during the Valois reigns. Catherine and Elizabeth both were dealing with religious factions and wars within their own kingdoms and had some direct dealings with each other. In Robin Maxwell's historical fiction, she makes the idea of this young man, Arthur (Dudley) "Southern," appear as a possible heir to the throne of England but she does not make that a goal for Arthur himself. He, like his birth father, is a lover and trainer of horses and his "assigned father" supports his love of horses and makes sure that he has an appropriate horse for his age.
Maxwell allows the preteenage Arthur to have some time with Robin Dudley in which Dudley encourages him in his studies as well as his horsemanship. She also allowed him to have a shorter amount of time with Elizabeth. This occurred when Dudley (later, the Earl of Leicester) and Elizabeth visited the small estate on which Arthur and his assigned family live. His time with Dudley is intimate and personal but his time with Elizabeth is during a hunt in which she finds him a fine fellow hunter.
As he grows up and then begins to serve as an cavalryman and then a spy within the English army, we as readers are allowed to follow his motivations and the events of his life. His adult life fits with the real history of the age and Maxwell outlines how she chose to treat Arthur Dudley as the real son of Robin and Elizabeth. I was quite satisfied with this as a piece of historical fiction with a good embedding in actual history.
I will stop now rather than give spoilers but the ending of the book was quite satisfactory to me.
Maxwell allows the preteenage Arthur to have some time with Robin Dudley in which Dudley encourages him in his studies as well as his horsemanship. She also allowed him to have a shorter amount of time with Elizabeth. This occurred when Dudley (later, the Earl of Leicester) and Elizabeth visited the small estate on which Arthur and his assigned family live. His time with Dudley is intimate and personal but his time with Elizabeth is during a hunt in which she finds him a fine fellow hunter.
As he grows up and then begins to serve as an cavalryman and then a spy within the English army, we as readers are allowed to follow his motivations and the events of his life. His adult life fits with the real history of the age and Maxwell outlines how she chose to treat Arthur Dudley as the real son of Robin and Elizabeth. I was quite satisfied with this as a piece of historical fiction with a good embedding in actual history.
I will stop now rather than give spoilers but the ending of the book was quite satisfactory to me.
January 4, 2016
A richly atmospheric historical novel hypothesizing the claim of one Arthur Dudley, and the premise that his claim to be a son of Elizabeth I and her paramour Robert Dudley was true.
We are certain that Elizabeth II, a vital woman with a strong appetite for things physical like dancing, riding and hunting was no virgin!
And we can be sure that her great love relationship with Robert Dudley had a physical side.
Could her relationship have led to the birth of a child, whose pregnancy she hid on one of her summer progresses. then spirited away by the
Queen's trusty servant Kat Ashley and her Prime Minister William Cecil, while Elizabeth was told the child had died?
Far fetched? Could have happened.
There was a man who did claim to be the child of suck a liaison, who knows?
Large parts of Arthur's journal detail the life he is given by Maxwell, included his love for horses inherited by his father , his cruel treatment at the hands of his insane adoptive mother Maud, his first sexual liaison, his military adventures in the Netherlands where he becomes a trusted confidante of William Prince of Orange and takes part in the struggle of Dutch Protestants for independence I particularly like the dutch section of the novel-it was rich and lively). And his adventures as a spy in Catholic Spain of the Inquisition and his love for a young Marrano Jewish widow
Lots on the romance between Elizabeth and Dudley and a great chapter on the defeat of the Spanish Armada which was prophesied.
Interesting perspectives and coverage of the great philosopher and seer Doctor John Dee.
A tight packed historical novel...brilliant visual details. Also a good story, swift, various and at all times exciting
We are certain that Elizabeth II, a vital woman with a strong appetite for things physical like dancing, riding and hunting was no virgin!
And we can be sure that her great love relationship with Robert Dudley had a physical side.
Could her relationship have led to the birth of a child, whose pregnancy she hid on one of her summer progresses. then spirited away by the
Queen's trusty servant Kat Ashley and her Prime Minister William Cecil, while Elizabeth was told the child had died?
Far fetched? Could have happened.
There was a man who did claim to be the child of suck a liaison, who knows?
Large parts of Arthur's journal detail the life he is given by Maxwell, included his love for horses inherited by his father , his cruel treatment at the hands of his insane adoptive mother Maud, his first sexual liaison, his military adventures in the Netherlands where he becomes a trusted confidante of William Prince of Orange and takes part in the struggle of Dutch Protestants for independence I particularly like the dutch section of the novel-it was rich and lively). And his adventures as a spy in Catholic Spain of the Inquisition and his love for a young Marrano Jewish widow
Lots on the romance between Elizabeth and Dudley and a great chapter on the defeat of the Spanish Armada which was prophesied.
Interesting perspectives and coverage of the great philosopher and seer Doctor John Dee.
A tight packed historical novel...brilliant visual details. Also a good story, swift, various and at all times exciting
February 15, 2017
This was my first book by Robin Maxwell and it won't be my last. I really enjoyed how she put these characters into real history. Here she writes of a young man named Arthur Dudley, the illegitimate son of Queen Elizabeth I and her lover, Robin Dudley the Earl of Leicester. It includes a first person narration by Arthur which adds life to the story and makes it almost believeable.
June 21, 2009
Este livro conta-nos a história de Arthur Dudley, filho de Isabel I e de Robin Dudley.
No entanto, aquando do seu nascimento, a parteira, em conluio com Kat (fiel criada e amiga de Isabel) e Cecil, trocam o bebé por um nado-morto.
Kat entrega Arthur a um seu amigo, para que ele o eduque como sendo seu filho. Arthur só descobre a verdade sobre os seus pais, quando o seu pai adoptivo está a morrer.
Ao longo do livro, a história é narrada por diversos intervenientes. Arthur relata as suas memórias, desde a sua infância, até à sua vida adulta. Paralelamente, temos a relação amorosa entre Isabel e Robin, o contexto político em que Inglaterra se encontra, as relações entre Espanha, Inglaterra e os Países Baixos.
O livro, com as guerras e os jogos de poder entre estes países, torna-se interessante, no entanto, achei alguns capítulos sobre Arthur, com bocadinho maçadores, nomeadamente sobre a guerra da Holanda; ao invés dos de Isabel, que gostei mais. Daí ter gostado mais dos outros dois livros da autora do que este.
Em relação aos livros da autora sobre os Tudor, não os li nem pela ordem que foram publicados nem por ordem cronológica. Se voltasse a ler os livros, iria-os ler pela seguinte ordem:
1. A Princesa Virgem
2. O Diário Secreto de Ana Bolena
3. O Bastardo da Rainha
Fazendo o balanço sobre os três livros, a opinião final é positiva.
No entanto, aquando do seu nascimento, a parteira, em conluio com Kat (fiel criada e amiga de Isabel) e Cecil, trocam o bebé por um nado-morto.
Kat entrega Arthur a um seu amigo, para que ele o eduque como sendo seu filho. Arthur só descobre a verdade sobre os seus pais, quando o seu pai adoptivo está a morrer.
Ao longo do livro, a história é narrada por diversos intervenientes. Arthur relata as suas memórias, desde a sua infância, até à sua vida adulta. Paralelamente, temos a relação amorosa entre Isabel e Robin, o contexto político em que Inglaterra se encontra, as relações entre Espanha, Inglaterra e os Países Baixos.
O livro, com as guerras e os jogos de poder entre estes países, torna-se interessante, no entanto, achei alguns capítulos sobre Arthur, com bocadinho maçadores, nomeadamente sobre a guerra da Holanda; ao invés dos de Isabel, que gostei mais. Daí ter gostado mais dos outros dois livros da autora do que este.
Em relação aos livros da autora sobre os Tudor, não os li nem pela ordem que foram publicados nem por ordem cronológica. Se voltasse a ler os livros, iria-os ler pela seguinte ordem:
1. A Princesa Virgem
2. O Diário Secreto de Ana Bolena
3. O Bastardo da Rainha
Fazendo o balanço sobre os três livros, a opinião final é positiva.
February 9, 2015
Only Robin Maxwell could write an entire book based on someone who may never even have existed and make you believe that he quite possibly did. This is a fascinating story about Arthur Dudley, purported to be the illegitimate son of Queen Elizabeth and her Horsemaster, Robin Dudley. There is no doubt that the two carried on a long and tempestuous love affair; however, historical accounts are relatively silent about the existence of any offspring from this relationship. Nevertheless, Maxwell found enough during her research to raise the intriguing possibility of a child being born to these two, and his existence kept secret to protect Elizabeth's reputation as the "Virgin Queen."
A good story, as always, with enough historical fact to lend credibility to the idea of this bastard son of a Queen.
A good story, as always, with enough historical fact to lend credibility to the idea of this bastard son of a Queen.
October 12, 2016
I've watched too many Dateline episodes to really believe Arthur Dudley was the son of Elizabeth and Leicester, but it intrigues me that he COULD have been. The author has at least convinced me that it was possible, and that's why I couldn't stop reading. But then, I believed the Polish woman who claimed to be the Arch-Duchess Anastasia might possibly be telling the truth—until DNA proved she was not.
But I liked the Queen portrayed as a real person, an imperfect, compassionate woman, and not the cruel dictator her father was. And Leicester her long-suffering, imperfect soulmate who never really loved anyone else.
Maybe it didn't really happen this way. But maybe it did. Read it and see what you think!
But I liked the Queen portrayed as a real person, an imperfect, compassionate woman, and not the cruel dictator her father was. And Leicester her long-suffering, imperfect soulmate who never really loved anyone else.
Maybe it didn't really happen this way. But maybe it did. Read it and see what you think!
November 14, 2008
Fun, interesting read, but it made me start to worry about my historical education. I'm a bit too fond of historical fiction, and would be hard-pressed to have to separate fact from the fiction on a test. I guess all history is fictional to a degree, but this fits in the same category as Pope Joan -- an author taking an unsubstantiated rumor from history and running with it. Which is what makes both books so interesting and fun to read. It made me want to learn more about this time period.
Warning: Sensual in parts (I found myself skipping over a few places).
Warning: Sensual in parts (I found myself skipping over a few places).
November 29, 2011
I randomly picked this book without a recommendation which usually leads to disaster, but I liked it! At some points it got into war strategies a little too heavily, but otherwise it was a good story. At some points the author didn't seem to follow up completely.. for instance the queen demanded that she wants him arrested immediately and then killed. The next chapter is several years later and he's still free and living, so there was definitely something missing. This happened a few times.
I liked the author's writing style and felt as though the history was well researched.
I liked the author's writing style and felt as though the history was well researched.
June 10, 2010
A thoroughly fascinating read on the "possible" illegitimate child between Queen Elizabeth and Robin Dudley.
The story is fiction, but with roots in history, which makes this an exciting and consuming book.
As a fan of the Showtime show "The Tudors"-my fascination with the Tudor line keeps growing. I instantly picked up this book in a bargain section of Barnes & Nobles.
Tudor fans will enjoy it!
The story is fiction, but with roots in history, which makes this an exciting and consuming book.
As a fan of the Showtime show "The Tudors"-my fascination with the Tudor line keeps growing. I instantly picked up this book in a bargain section of Barnes & Nobles.
Tudor fans will enjoy it!
February 5, 2008
I SHOULD hate this books since it takes a well known historical figure and puts her into a preposterous situation.
But I love it!
The background facts are well founded. It's as much 'what if' in the style of Harry Turtledove's alvernate history. As such - it is wonderful...
But I love it!
The background facts are well founded. It's as much 'what if' in the style of Harry Turtledove's alvernate history. As such - it is wonderful...
October 22, 2012
I thought it was a good story. Parts of it were a little slow but I enjoyed the majority of the book and found it entertaining. My favorite part was at the end when the author told what the actual facts were regarding the story that she wove her tail from.
July 21, 2021
Rilettura, sempre piacevole.
November 20, 2020
This wasn't a bad book. It was fairly well written and the plot was well-thought-out. It fell apart for me because it seemed like Robert Dudley's feelings were more important to the author than either Queen Elizabeth's or Arthur's (the son of QE1 and Dudley). I would have also liked more early interaction between Arthur and both his parents (separately or together even though Dudley was told the boy had died at birth he still could have taken an interest in the boy once he met him.).
I did like that the author carried down to her grandson, Anne Boleyn's "extra finger". That was a nice touch and proved Arthur's bloodline.
I was bothered a lot by Arthur's "mother" always punishing him. I understand that "second sons" in families back then were not treated as well as the eldest and heir. But the "father" knowing that Arthur was the son of the reigning Queen should have protected the boy more from his "mother"(stepmother/foster mother). A way around that would have been for the father to foster Arthur out to another family for training as was usually done in those days with boys of well to do or landed families.
Though I felt the book could be improved, I did enjoy it and would read other books by Robin Maxwell. Her style of writing is excellent and for me that is the gold standard.
I did like that the author carried down to her grandson, Anne Boleyn's "extra finger". That was a nice touch and proved Arthur's bloodline.
I was bothered a lot by Arthur's "mother" always punishing him. I understand that "second sons" in families back then were not treated as well as the eldest and heir. But the "father" knowing that Arthur was the son of the reigning Queen should have protected the boy more from his "mother"(stepmother/foster mother). A way around that would have been for the father to foster Arthur out to another family for training as was usually done in those days with boys of well to do or landed families.
Though I felt the book could be improved, I did enjoy it and would read other books by Robin Maxwell. Her style of writing is excellent and for me that is the gold standard.
January 19, 2020
Gli storici ambientati in Inghilterra mi affascinano sempre, soprattutto se ambientati fra il XIV e il XVI secolo circa. La regina Elisabetta in particolare offre parecchio su cui romanzare. Robin Maxwell ha scelto di scrivere la vita del possibile figlio di Elisabetta dopo aver trovato documentazione della sua esistenza. Intendiamoci, lei non ha mai ammesso di aver avuto alcun figlio, ma quel che l'autrice ha raccontato potrebbe benissimo essere successo davvero, in quanto i tempi combaciano e anche i pochi avvenimenti relativi alla vita di questo figlio bastardo sono documentati e lei si è limitata a scriverci una storia intorno per riempire i buchi. Abbiamo anche uno scorcio sul perchè Elisabetta prenda certe decisioni, in particolare quella di non sposarsi mai e gli alti e bassi che questo ha causato alla sua relazione con Robin.
L'ho trovato molto completo come libro, non lasciando molte domande senza risposta, uno storico scritto come si deve, da vari punti di vista, quindi non posso che consigliarlo.
L'ho trovato molto completo come libro, non lasciando molte domande senza risposta, uno storico scritto come si deve, da vari punti di vista, quindi non posso che consigliarlo.
April 20, 2020
A good piece of historical fiction, although it may be non-fiction - one will never know for sure. The book is really the same story, told by 2 narrators. The 'Virgin' Queen was in love with Robin Dudley and they were lovers his entire life, despite him having married another when the Queen would not accept his many marriage proposals. But towards the beginning of their adult love affair and before one of their many separations, the Queen gave birth to Authur Dudley - but the child was switched by the devoted maidservant and given to a kindly gentleman (and his not so loving wife) to raise.
The book nicely details the life of a true Alpha Male, one who believes in serving his country and true valor. On his father's deathbed does he find out that, indeed, he is the son of the Queen & Robin Dudley and, when he has the opportunity to meet his birth father and mother, the reunion is happy and welcomed.
The book details the opulence of life in the English Court during the reign of the Virgin Queen and depicts the intriguing life of Arthur Dudley. Much enjoyed.
The book nicely details the life of a true Alpha Male, one who believes in serving his country and true valor. On his father's deathbed does he find out that, indeed, he is the son of the Queen & Robin Dudley and, when he has the opportunity to meet his birth father and mother, the reunion is happy and welcomed.
The book details the opulence of life in the English Court during the reign of the Virgin Queen and depicts the intriguing life of Arthur Dudley. Much enjoyed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2020
So well written, descriptive, and historically rich
With just enough historical evidence to work with, this author has developed a charming, intriguing love story between two strong eccentric oft-portrayed legends with detailed, believable descriptions that came to life in the most legitimate characters I have yet discovered. Building an unknown individual out of rumor and supposition into a unique,lovable, courageous and honorable boy to a man of character, intelligence and bravery is accomplished by sharing the trials and tribulations of his harrowing experiences to establish his connections to his royal mother and famous father. Emotionally well done and a detailed description of the wars and intrigue of that time.
With just enough historical evidence to work with, this author has developed a charming, intriguing love story between two strong eccentric oft-portrayed legends with detailed, believable descriptions that came to life in the most legitimate characters I have yet discovered. Building an unknown individual out of rumor and supposition into a unique,lovable, courageous and honorable boy to a man of character, intelligence and bravery is accomplished by sharing the trials and tribulations of his harrowing experiences to establish his connections to his royal mother and famous father. Emotionally well done and a detailed description of the wars and intrigue of that time.
April 24, 2018
The story of Arthur Dudley is fascinating and one I had not before known. Rumors of Elizabeth's affair with Robert Dudley are rampant throughout History, and there are rumors that it would have been difficult to have had such an extended love affair without once conceiving a child. This novel runs with the idea that Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley did in fact conceive a child who was raised away from court. I found the entire story very interesting and that it gave me an entirely new perspective on the personal lives of Elizabeth I, Robert Dudley, and Arthur Dudley who was raised as a commoner during the reign of Elizabeth I.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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