Margaret Irwin's great trilogy of novels about the life of 'Good Queen Bess', Elizabeth I, begins with her childhood. At three, her mother, Anne Bo...
read full description
reviews
Jan 10, 2012
Jennifer
rated it: 
From my blog...[return]Exquisitely written, well researched, with intense and vivid imagery, Young Bess The Girl Who Would Be Queen is an absolutely amazing beginning of what promises to be a spectacular trilogy chronicling the life of Queen Elizabeth. Margaret Irwin has such a brilliant command of this time period, the reader is immediately transported back in time to the end of King Henry VIII's rule as a young Bess has moved in with the newly widowed Catherine Parr and her new husband Thomas
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 08, 2010
Patty
rated it: 
This is a reprint; the book was originally written in 1944. Elizabeth I is one of my favorite historical figures and I have done quite a bit of reading about her - but most of it is from the time after she ascended to the throne. It was very interesting to read a book that takes you back to the time when she was still a child. Before she became the political genius and great Queen of England.
The book was easy to read and is very detailed as to its period and time. My only issue is th More...
The book was easy to read and is very detailed as to its period and time. My only issue is th More...
Mar 10, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
From my blog...
Exquisitely written, well researched, with intense and vivid imagery, Young Bess The Girl Who Would Be Queen is an absolutely amazing beginning of what promises to be a spectacular trilogy chronicling the life of Queen Elizabeth. Margaret Irwin has such a brilliant command of this time period, the reader is immediately transported back in time to the end of King Henry VIII's rule as a young Bess has moved in with the newly widowed Catherine Parr and her new husband Thomas Se More...
Exquisitely written, well researched, with intense and vivid imagery, Young Bess The Girl Who Would Be Queen is an absolutely amazing beginning of what promises to be a spectacular trilogy chronicling the life of Queen Elizabeth. Margaret Irwin has such a brilliant command of this time period, the reader is immediately transported back in time to the end of King Henry VIII's rule as a young Bess has moved in with the newly widowed Catherine Parr and her new husband Thomas Se More...
Mar 03, 2010
Debbie
rated it: 
I would give this 3.5 stars.
Young Elizabeth Tudor lives in the shadow of her infamous mother, Anne Boleyn. Declared a bastard and banished from her father's court, young princess Elizabeth has become adept at dodging the constant political games and royal whims that ensure her situation is never secure.
After Henry VIII's death, Elizabeth is taken in by the king's last wife, Katherine Parr, and Katherine's new husband, Tom Seymour. But handsome Tom is playing for higher stakes. More...
Young Elizabeth Tudor lives in the shadow of her infamous mother, Anne Boleyn. Declared a bastard and banished from her father's court, young princess Elizabeth has become adept at dodging the constant political games and royal whims that ensure her situation is never secure.
After Henry VIII's death, Elizabeth is taken in by the king's last wife, Katherine Parr, and Katherine's new husband, Tom Seymour. But handsome Tom is playing for higher stakes. More...
Mar 23, 2010
Cheryl
rated it:
You have read the stories about Queen Anne and King Henry but what about Princess Elizabeth? In Young Bess, the first book in the Elizabeth I trilogy, readers learn about Elizabeth “Bess” and her life after her mother’s death. Bess does not have much love for he father, the King. In fact you could say she will not be heart broken when he dies. Bess strikes up a romantic interlude with her step-mother, Catherine Parr’s husband, Tom Seymour. She and Tom are playing a dangerous game. Though, who is
More...
Mar 10, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it:
Margaret Irwin's Young Bess introduces us to an Elizabeth rarely written about. Opening when she is twelve years old, readers meet an intelligent, strong-willed child who has been reunited with her father through the auspices of his Queen, Catherine Parr. Loving and admiring her father, Bess, like any other child has been hurt by his refusal to see her for several years, and is mistrustful of his words and actions. The constancy of her governess, Mrs. Ashley is all she has had until this marriag
More...
Oct 26, 2010
Gaile
rated it:
This is about the youth of Elizabeth I.
Declared a bastard after her mother is
executed, she is restored to her rightful place
by Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII.
Then the King dies. Katherine marrieds her live,
Thomas Seymour but Thomas has secret ambitions for
power. He begins by befriending Edward VI and then
attempting to seduce the fourteen year old Elizabeth
putting both of them in peril of their lives.
Elizabeth, lively, flirtatious, precocious More...
Declared a bastard after her mother is
executed, she is restored to her rightful place
by Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII.
Then the King dies. Katherine marrieds her live,
Thomas Seymour but Thomas has secret ambitions for
power. He begins by befriending Edward VI and then
attempting to seduce the fourteen year old Elizabeth
putting both of them in peril of their lives.
Elizabeth, lively, flirtatious, precocious More...
Jul 06, 2011
Maia
rated it:
It's difficult to know what to say about this book. It's marvelously done - well researched, beautifully written, full of sharp wit that Margaret Irwin employs to her benefit. But it's also a little too long, at times a little too dull, and it also employs a simply enormous cast of characters, all of whom share four or five names: Mary, Catherine, Jane, Thomas, and Edward. And Elizabeth, of course. Add a Henry and you've got the entire dramatis personae right in front of you, minus their roles.
More...
May 03, 2010
Laura
rated it:
Young Bess is a historical fiction novel about Elizabeth I during her young years from age twelve before her father’s death through her brother Edward’s reign until his death when she was a young lady of twenty. I love reading about Elizabeth’s I life and am looking forwarding to continuing this trilogy by Margaret Irwin.
I often felt while I was reading this book that it should have been called “The Seymour Brothers.” The novel often was centered on the scheming of Tom Seymour, th More...
I often felt while I was reading this book that it should have been called “The Seymour Brothers.” The novel often was centered on the scheming of Tom Seymour, th More...
Aug 31, 2010
Alana
rated it:
I received a free review copy of Young Bess from the publisher - and I purchased a copy.
Elizabeth Tudor is well-known as one of the strongest monarchs in English history - but young Bess had a difficult childhood. Elizabeth was by turns a favorite of her father's for her cleverness and disinherited, ignored and despised for any perceived likeness to her infamous mother. But always, men saw Elizabeth as a pawn to get closer to the throne. Foremost among these men was Elizabeth's (step More...
Elizabeth Tudor is well-known as one of the strongest monarchs in English history - but young Bess had a difficult childhood. Elizabeth was by turns a favorite of her father's for her cleverness and disinherited, ignored and despised for any perceived likeness to her infamous mother. But always, men saw Elizabeth as a pawn to get closer to the throne. Foremost among these men was Elizabeth's (step More...
Sep 29, 2010
Marie
rated it:
Young Bess is a story that is familiar to many Tudor fans, as it focuses on Tudor times that surrounded Elizabeth I as she was growing up. Although this is a historical novel, I found it full of interesting facts regarding the important players of the time, but it was written in such a way that it felt like Margaret was right here telling us the story as she knew it. Originally written in 1944, I didn't find the prose too outdated, except for a few mentions of the word 'gay' which has now been t
More...
Feb 19, 2010
Misfit
rated it:
Young Bess is the first in a trilogy Margaret Irwin wrote on the life of Elizabeth Tudor and begins towards the end of Henry VIII's life during his marriage to Catherine Parr. Upon Henry's death Bess goes to live with the widowed Catherine who soon marries the new King's uncle Tom Seymour - but was Catherine really Tom's first choice for a bride or would he have preferred to marry the young princess to further his own ambitions? Bess is barely on the cusp of womanhood and Tom's *flirtations* beg
More...
11 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 24, 2010
Haley
rated it: 
While I was reading this book I had my moments where I was thinking “this is nice…this is cute…” the writing was very eloquent and good. However the plot was just… nonexistent. By page 85 not much had happened. I had no urge to continue reading and even though I enjoyed it while I was reading it, I had to force myself to sit down and read it. And you should never have to force yourself to read a book (except for school). I felt the same way about The Midnight Charter. Both of these were similar
More...
2 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Aug 02, 2010
Kristen
rated it:
Why I read this: I love historical fiction and have been fascinated with this time period for quite some time.
Plot: This novel follows the life of the daughter of Anne Boelyn - Elizabeth. The plot felt slow moving most of the time - the history buildup at the beginning felt a little overdone and more like a history book. The whole book read a little more like a history book told through a story but livened up after 50 pages in.
Characters: You definitely get into the head More...
Plot: This novel follows the life of the daughter of Anne Boelyn - Elizabeth. The plot felt slow moving most of the time - the history buildup at the beginning felt a little overdone and more like a history book. The whole book read a little more like a history book told through a story but livened up after 50 pages in.
Characters: You definitely get into the head More...
Nov 22, 2009
A. Joyce
rated it:
This is a nice ensemble piece, not just about Elizabeth. It also gets into the heads of Thomas Seymour, King Henry VIII, King Edward V, Catherine Parr, and even Barnaby Fitzpatrick, the young king's whipping boy. I found it a refreshing antidote to the focus on Tudor lechery and treachery that's so popular just now. There was more to it than that...
Mar 11, 2010
A powerful portrayal of Elizabeth I as a young girl and her relationship with Tom Seymour, told in elegant prose and with superb characterisation. First in a trilogy.
Review: http://www.carlanayland.org/reviews/youn...
Review: http://www.carlanayland.org/reviews/youn...
Jul 13, 2010
Shelley
rated it:
History is interesting- There is so much hunger for power among the aristocrats, so much political posturing and corruption. I don't think I like it well enough to continue with the series.
Jul 15, 2010
A.r.
rated it:
Interesting look at the polotics that surrounded Elizabeth in her early years. Well researched. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Feb 08, 2012
Grace
rated it: 
Okay, if rather unfocused. However if I can find any more books by this author in the library I might give them a trt :)
Apr 07, 2011
Marianne
rated it:
My edition was printed in 1945 - it doesn't have the tantalizing cover. But, it was a good, easy read.
Feb 23, 2010
Helen
rated it:
Part 1 of the Princess Elizabeth trilogy (Part 2: "Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain" http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Prince-S... and Part 3: "Elizabeth the Captive Princess" http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Captive-...) Excellent writing style and accurate historically. One of the best fictional portrayals of Elizabeth as princess. Irwin is definitely up there in historical novels!
More...
Mar 18, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
I actually didn't finish this book, but I felt like it deserved more than one star. It was just boring, couldn't keep my interest. So I'm going to put it down and pass it on to someone else.
Jan 13, 2011
Anna
rated it:
Young Bess was wonderful story, centering around a time in Elizabeth's life when things still aren't certain for her. Danger, doubt and treachery are at every turn. The research that the author did for this book shines through in the writing. Ms. Irwin has given us a powerful tale of what life is like before the reign of the Golden Age. This was an enjoyable read, a must read for any Tudor fan.
Feb 18, 2011
Shannon
rated it:
Couldn't finish it and that's basically unheard of for me. I tried for two weeks. Could only read a few pages at a time. Very slow going and did not keep my attention. I typically like historical ficton, but please keep me interested!!
Jun 08, 2008
CLM
rated it:
My favorite book about Elizabeth I (first of three).
I recently found out it was made into a movie starring Jean Simmons. The popularity of Philippa Gregory has brought this wonderful trilogy back into print.
I recently found out it was made into a movie starring Jean Simmons. The popularity of Philippa Gregory has brought this wonderful trilogy back into print.
Sep 24, 2007
Carolynne
rated it:
I first saw the movie _Young Bess_ based on this book, and this started an interest in the Tudors that I still follow today.
Jul 04, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
I got to about page 50 and quit, I just didn't like the style of writing and it didn't grab my attention.
Feb 28, 2011
Read 47 pages and just wasn't in the mood for this. I'll come back to it another time.
