Charlie Fenton’s Reviews > Elizabeth's Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen > Status Update

‘When Elizabeth learned that her despised cousin, Lettice, had stolen her own great favourite, it was too much to bear. Incandescent with rage, she cried that she would send Leicester to ‘rot in the Tower’. When Lettice appeared at court, she lashed out at her, boxing her ears and screaming that ‘as but one sun lightened the earth, she would have but one Queen in England’.’

‘Perhaps realising that her own life was slipping away, Margaret was determined to do everything she could to safeguard the future of her granddaughter, Arbella, and her ‘sweet jewel’, James VI. She wrote to the latter, assuring him that he was her chief hope for the future. She also worked tirelessly to try to claim the earldom of Lennox for Arbella, but her efforts proved in vain.’

‘Lady Nary knew full well that unless she took matters into her own hands, she would be highly unlikely ever to marry. Even if the Queen had once been prepared to consider an alliance for her, Katherine’s disgrace would have changed her mind for good. Moreover, unlike her elder sister, Mary had at least chosen a husband without any political pretensions whatsoever.’

‘Elizabeth immediately made it clear that she had no intention of upholding the favour that had been shown to Katherine and Mary Grey by her late sister. Although she could hardly banish them from court without drawing more attention to them than she wished, she could offer them less prestigious posts than they had enjoyed during Mary’s reign.’

‘Elizabeth, on the other hand, made it clear that the women who frequented her court were there either by necessity or sufferance. In short, if they were not members of her personal household, they were not welcome. Male courtiers were positively discouraged from bringing their wives to court, for this would destroy the myth of romantic enslavement to the Queen.’

‘Mary had been naturally trusting, straightforward and stubbornly principled, while Elizabeth was cautious, reserved and pragmatic. The latter had seen how damaging Mary’s inflexibility had proved to her authority. As a result, she came to appreciate the need for compromise and consultation, as well as for not openly committing to any single policy.’

‘Relations between the two women took a turn for the worst during the first Parliament of Mary’s reign, which passed an act declaring Katherine of Aragon’s annulment void and thereby confirming Mary’s legitimacy. However, it left unrepealed the clauses relating to Elizabeth’s bastardy - they could not both be legitimate daughters of Henry VIII, because if his first marriage had been valid, then his second had not’

‘Despite their differences, the sisters made a convincing show of unity in these critical early days of the new reign. With every prospect that Mary would rule for a long time, and perhaps even beget an heir, Elizabeth had reason to court her favour. She also sought to benefit from her half-sister’s experience as the first queen regnant for more than four hundred years.’

‘Mary had overseen her younger sister’s studies after Anne Boleyn’s death and had been proud of her precociousness, as evidence by the fulsome praise that she relayed to her father. But Elizabeth had soon outstripped Mary’s knowledge, just as she had her governess, and now she was being schooled in theological views that were directly opposed to Mary’s own.’

‘After the initial shock and disruption caused by Lady Bryan’s transfer to Prince Edward’s care, Elizabeth adapted to life in her changed household. Mary remained with her, and they enjoyed a close and harmonious relationship. Over the next few years, Mary paid Elizabeth a great deal of attention, supervising her lessons and teaching her card games and other entertainments.’